By Kevin Williams
Wow, I have my doubts on this.
First, my doubts aren't meant in any disparaging way towards the photographer. Â But, geez, when the Carlisle, PA paper ran this photo package of an "Amish caravan" travelling through Pennsylvania, wow, Â I just have my doubts.
Are these people Amish? Â Michael Bupp/Carlisle Sentinel photo. Â Click here to see more photos.
The story these people told the photographer is that they were on their way by horse and buggy from Glen Rock, PA to Centre County, a distance of some 160 miles. Â While the Amish do ride horseback on occasion for short distances, this would be highly unusual. Nothing adds up: the distance, the bizarre covered wagon, the lack of beards on the men, the garish patterns on some of the clothing. Â So, no, as someone has studied Amish culture for 25 years I can fairly unequivocally say that these are not Amish. Â Mennonites? Â Doubtful. Â IF they are Amish there are one or two possibilities here: Â 1) Â young Amish men on a "rumspringa" type adventure or 2) a sect I'm completely unfamiliar with.
This reminds me vaguely of a story that I ran on Amish365 over 10 years about about an "Amish couple" who showed up outside of Bangor, Maine claiming to have made a cross-country buggy trip from Tennessee. Â Their story was later discredited.
So, check out the link here to see more photos, what do you think? Â Does anyone know anything about the Amish near Glen Rock, PA?
Joyce
In my years in plain circles there are always a number of people who identify with the Amish and will call themselves Amish though some of them have never even been to an Amish church service. I venture to say this is probably such a group of people.
Kevin
Interesting, yeah, these people just don't look the part at all....
Barbara Abel
Judging from the fancy breast collar on the horse, the cowboy hat, the duds the teamster is wearing, and the other trappings, I don't think "Amish" is likely the correct description. Lot's of us hitch up a team to a wagon and head down the road, but have never claimed to be Amish!
Clare
I'm from near where these were taken. They are certainly not Amish. Looks more like what we call "gypsies". Not sure where they come from. Never heard of any Amish near Glen Rock.
Kevin
Clare, glad to hear someone else think the same thing I am. I didn't think there were Amish near Glen Rock, but I let that part slide because I wasn't 100 percent sure, so thank you for confirming yet another dubious part of the story!