Amish Dilemma Read online

  “I haven’t accused anyone and no names have been made known. Are you feeling guilty?”

  “No, I’m not. Ask Bonnie Barkley what she knows. I know for a fact that she caught Alan and others talking about what they had done and, as far as I know, she has never reported it.” He smirked.

  “Mr. Washington, you are no gentleman. I’m not surprised that your son is involved, in fact a ringleader,” Nicole McDonald spoke out. “We have been suspicious that our son knows about these incidents, but he hasn’t talked about it. I think you should look at the girls our sons have been dating. Girls are more likely to talk among themselves.”

  Linda Holden started sobbing. “I’m so ashamed. Yes, I knew some of the things going on and some who were involved. But I didn’t say anything and I’m so sorry. Sheriff, I’d like to tell you what I know.”

  Richard Whitmore, Burleigh Wilkins and Thomas Washington all jumped up at once trying to speak. Micah got them quiet and settled,

  “That is the reason you’re here. I have been told of the people and the events that have occurred and plans for the future. None of you here have been willing to come forward, so I had to bring you together.” He looked at everyone, even the Barringtons but did not let on that they knew anything.

  Micah continued. “I do know all the young people involved in the disgraceful fight on the Main Street. I’ve also been told the name of the man who ran the horse and buggy and family off the road. That’s attempted murder. What I want to know Abner, were you the one who killed Darren Kennedy?”

  “NO! No one killed Darren. He killed himself. We just hid him.”

  “Ellen, are you taking notes?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Abner, please, tell us how Darren killed himself.”

  “We were all drinking and smoking pot that night. Darren came in with the muffins that his girlfriend had baked. We were talking about what all had been done to the Amish and they still hadn’t left our county. We started making fun of their religion. Daren said he bet they even handled poisonous snakes and drank poison like some religions did. He then said he bet he could eat poison and survive like they did. He took some roach poison that my mom had to put out and he broke open the little boxes. He cut the muffins apart and put a big amount of the roach poison on the muffins. He dared us to eat with him, but none of us would, so he ate them all. I guess the alcohol and drugs didn’t mix well with the roach poison.”

  Hillary said in a shocked voice. “And you just left him laying there and didn’t ask for help or report it?”

  “No,” Abner continued, “we got scared and then we thought how funny it would be to blame his death on the Amish. We carried him to my car and took him out there and left him in the barn. It was about three in the morning.”

  Micah said softly, “Abner, who is we?”

  Abner looked beaten for the first time. “Ashley Wilkins, Alan Barkley, and Marshall Porter. We made a pact to never tell. I did finally tell my father and he told me to keep my mouth shut and be careful.”

  “Ellen, make a note to get Marshall Porter and his parents in here. In fact,” he turned to Roy, “please go out and see if you can call them now. Tell them it’s vitally important that they be here with Marshall.”

  Roy left to make the call and Glenn moved closer to Micah. Ellen continued to use shorthand and take down all comments.

  “While we’re waiting, I’d like to know who stole the animals and put the pregnant mare at risk. Where are the sheep and pigs?”

  Abner looked around, perspiring heavily and not looking so arrogant. “Ask Denver Whitmore and Douglas Winthrop.”

  “Okay, the Winthrop family need to be brought in. Thank you Abner. It would have been better if you young people had never started any of this. It would have gone easier on you if you had come in on your own and told me of your involvement. I had to hear the gossip from your school friends.”

  “Who were they?” Thomas Washington demanded. “We have a right to face our accusers.”

  “You would have the right if you were innocent in order to protect yourselves, however, a judge will see it differently. By the way, I’m placing you under arrest now for the attempted murder of the Kime family and of the destruction of their horse and property. There were three little children and a woman at risk also in that buggy.”

  Glenn was behind him with cuffs before he could make a move. Still he fought and cursed as he was led out to be booked. Ellie had collapsed in tears. Abner paid no attention to his mother. His father had not given him the example of being kind to his mother or any woman.

  James McDonald called, “Abner. Please tell me the truth. Was my son, Liam, involved in any of your cruelty?”

  “No. Not involved, but he did listen to us talk and said nothing about it.”

  “Thank God. His mother and I have tried to set a good example and have taken him and his sisters to church all their lives. I still feel he needs a long talk with us and maybe with the pastor.”

  The girls were given a stern lecture about knowing what was going on and listening to the boys, but not telling anyone about it. They were warned that they could be considered guilty after the fact. Micah told them.

  The boys were being held for Juvenile Court since they were all sixteen and seventeen. Micah answered the parents’ questions the best he could.

  He kept reminding them that the judge would decide what would be done with them. He did tell them there would probably be heavy fines and maybe even a year in Juvie. In any case, they would all have a police record.

  Micah drove to the farm of the Snaders to tell them all concerning the death of Darren Kennedy and why he was left in their barn. Amos shook his head sadly and said, “We followed the will of Gott. Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall, but You, oh God, will bring down the wicked. (Psalm 55:22-23)”

  “I’m so impressed with your love of God and your following His Word. It would be so much more pleasant if everyone did. I also admire all of you for being able to forgive and not holding a grudge,” Micah said.

  Amos tilted his head to one side, “Jesus said, You have heard it said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 43-44) If we did not forgive we cannot expect Gott to forgive us our sins. To hold a grudge is to not trust that Gott will take care of everything.”

  Micah returned home humble and thanking God for his friendship with the Amish. He knew they were human just like everyone else. There were rare cases where a man might be abusive to his wife and too harsh with his children. A man might be accused of rape. When any of that happens they are brought before the church which takes care of their own punishment.

  Pastor Chupp informed the congregation on Sunday of the outcome of Micah’s investigation. They were all relieved it was over and expressed their appreciation for Micah and those who were upholding the law.

  Rev. Barrington talked to the Kennedy family and reminded them that the only person guilty of their son’s death was their own son. They should stop blaming others and set a good example before their other children. “Hate only hurts the person who is doing the hating, especially if there is no need for it,” he told them. He left feeling as if he had made no headway.

  It was so quiet and peaceful that Micah began to have an itch in his stomach. He was afraid the English would not give up so easily. He was right.

  Chapter Twelve

  On the morning of September 22, Charity rang the bell to call Adam in from the field. He came running, leaving the three neighbor boys to finish the work and take care of the animals.

  “Adam, my water just broke. It is a little early, but I think our boppli is trying to join our family.”

  He was so nervous he could hardly harness Bonnie Kate and get the buggy ready to rush to town with Charity to Mercy Hospital. They had agreed that, instead of a midwife, they would go to the h
ospital with this first one.

  “Do you want me to ask the Morrrisons to take us in their car and get there quicker,” he asked nervously.

  “No,” Charity laughed, “I do not yet feel any pressure. You might slow down going past the Raber farm and ask them to tell my parents.”

  Bonnie Kate could feel Adam’s concern and was dancing in the harness.

  “Easy, pretty girl. You’re pulling a precious load here. We count on you to get us to town safely.”

  Charity had to slow him down. He started out running. “Adam! Please slow down. You’ll break Bonnie’s leg and we have time. Don’t get her so worked up.”

  As they were even with the Raber driveway, Adam yelled and Rosemary ran down to see what the excitement was. He talked so fast that Charity had to lean over and say, “I’m having the boppli. We’re on our way to the hospital.”

  “Wonderful!” Rosemary said. “I’ll send Anthony to tell your parents.”

  Adam had just started out again when they heard an angry horn behind them. Adam pulled over to allow the car to pass. The driver kept blowing the horn and yelling out the window at them. As he passed Bonnie, he cut toward her and blew his horn loudly. She reared and jerked to the side where she lost her balance and fell in the ditch.

  Bonnie Kate’s screams matched those of Rosemary as she ran toward them yelling loudly for her father. She had not noticed that Adam had been thrown out head first and the right rear tire of the car had run over him. Charity was barely hanging on to the side of the buggy and crying. Bonnie Kate was still screaming.

  Deputy John Lynn happened along a minute later. He called for an ambulance and helped Charity out of the overturned buggy. Rosemary and her mother, Genevieve, carried Charity to the house. Gerry was sent running for the midwife.

  The ambulance arrived before the midwife could get there, so the decision was made to take Charity to the hospital. She was in labor pains and not really caring just as long as she got some relief.

  John let the ambulance go with Charity and Rosemary before he told the Rabers that Adam had died. He had landed head first on the concrete. Bonnie Kate had to be put down because she had two broken legs and internal injuries.

  Jonathan was upset. “It is gud that Adam does not know. He loved his wife and he really loved that mare. He planned on breeding her next time around. I must tell Bishop about this. He and his wife will want to be with Charity.”

  Jonathan saddled a horse to ride over and tell the Bishop about the happenings. Rosemary had told him the Englisch man had yelled, “Why don’t you go somewhere else and live. We don’t want you here.”

  Deputy Lynn had informed Sheriff Fleming about the accident. Micah was crushed. He knew Adam and Charity well and had worked with Adam. He liked them as if they were a little sister and brother to him. Anita was brokenhearted and wanted to help.

  “I’m going to the hospital to be with Charity. Micah, please tell everyone not to tell her yet about Adam’s death. Wait until her mother gets here. They were so much in love. She will want to die with him. It’s good she’ll have the baby for comfort.” Anita could hardly talk for crying.

  Jacob and Jenna Mae ask an Englisch neighbor to take them to the hospital in the car. The neighbor refused pay and offered to come back for them later to go home.

  Jenna Mae was crying and Jacob had moist eyes. “Ja. It is gud that Adam does not know his precious Bonnie Kate had to be put down. He is probably suffering because he can not be here with Charity and the new boppli.”

  “Jacob,” Jenna Mae scolded, “you are so upset that you are speaking without thinking. Adam does not know. He is past feeling pain or suffering. You are forgetting in Heaven He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) Gott will make sure Adam has a lovely mansion of his own and will be at peace. We now need to pray for Charity to know peace and be healthy. The boppli will need her.”

  Deborah Yoder came to stay as long as she was needed at the Startz home. She and Matthew would be married in a month and she felt it was a duty to help Jenna Mae and take over the cooking and housework so that she could be with Charity.

  Jacob had to keep working with the dairy cows and the farming. His son, Lawrence, Bradley Yoder and Kyle Snader helped with the work. The entire community was mourning the loss of Adam. They knew Charity would need a lot of moral support and help with the work on her property.

  The Amish always came together to help or just be there whenever necessary.

  Adam, as a good Amish, would have to be buried within three days. However the Bishop made an exception because Charity was not ready for a funeral. She had collapsed after being told of Adam’s death. Trying to nurse the baby and stay calm for the new little boy’s sake, she was like a zombie. She ate when made to do so and nursed the baby. That was all she could do. Her family and friends took care of everything else.

  The Amish customarily wash the deceased and dress him all in white. A woman is dressed either in the clothing in which she was married or in a light colored dress with a white apron and a white kapp. There is no embalming. The Amish make a simple pine coffin with no handles or ornate markings. There is no lining. The body is simply laid in the coffin and at the grave, the coffin is placed in a plain box.

  It would be longer than three days for a burial for Adam, so he was taken to a local mortician who was familiar with the Amish and their customs. His body was embalmed. He was then taken to the home for a viewing. Jacob and Jenna Mae had offered to use their home and take that much grief from Charity. She insisted that he be brought to their own home.

  The furniture and everything was removed from the front room and only the coffin was there on a table. People could view the body. Friends and relatives had furnished food and woman came to help prepare and serve food. This was the first out of three viewings.

  On Friday, the home was opened for a service. Pastor Chupp read Bible verses and the crowd had silent prayer. Then Bishop Eash gave a short sermon on their belief in the afterlife and how they expected to be with Jesus. He also read verses on forgiveness and spoke on not holding grudges. If they did it would be worldly and show they did not trust God to take care of the guilty.

  There is no singing or eulogy. The deceased’s name is spoken by the Bishop followed by prayer. Attendants file past the open casket to get a look at the deceased. Parents sometimes lift children to look. The people present are served food furnished by women of the church.

  The coffin is closed and loaded on a special black wagon pulled by black horses. The black buggies line up sometimes a mile long. Police are needed to help them and keep them safe. If the Amish Cemetery is at a distance, permission is given to transport the coffin by car. Buggies still line up with family and friends.

  Gravestones are commonly wood with nothing written on them. Wood is used, even though it is known it won’t last long. It is to recognize the transient of time and that life is not long. The full name is never written on the marker. The church prepares what may be called a directory. It lists the name of the deceased, the cemetery where they are buried and the location of the grave in the event that someone wants to visit it later.

  At the grave, there is no singing. The words of a song might be read. Bible verses are read and a prayer is given. Again the coffin is left open for any who wishes to view the body. People of the community tend to the cemetery and keep the markers as clean as possible. No flowers or any worldly items are placed on the grave.

  There is no wench. Men place a rope around the coffin and lower it. The Bishop reads Bible verses or the words of a song as people walk by the grave and drop a handful of dirt on the coffin. Everyone returns to the house where women of the community feed them.

  The grave is dug, and filled in, by men of the Amish community.

  Weeks later Charity told friends she didn’t remember details of the funeral. “I can still feel Adam’s presence. He’ll always b
e with me. He would have loved Jeremiah. He’s such a happy little baby and growing so strong. Adam was looking forward to being a good Christian Amish father and teaching the Bible to our children. I know he’s keeping an eye on us.”

  Amish practices differ from group to group, some groups the same practice Jacob was fearful that Charity would not know how to keep the property in her possession. He sent Matthew and Lawrence to stay with her for awhile and do the outside work. Matthew was preparing for his wedding and was not thinking too much about what he was doing.

  In the meantime, Bishop Eash was feeling his age and not enjoying good health. He realized that he could not serve the community as he should and asked the church leaders to elect a new Bishop. The congregation would write the names of men they felt would be a good church leader. This was all done in secret. The church leaders are untrained and unpaid. It is often a burden to them. When a young man comes forward to be baptized and join the church, he is asked if he would be willing to serve the church in a leadership capacity.

  The Bishop is head of the churches in the district and is responsible for the entire operation of the church. He ordains new ministers, baptizes, marries couples, conducts funerals and administers discipline to members who have broken the faith.

  The ministers assist the bishop where they are needed, but the majority of their duties are to prepare and give sermons. The deacon assists the bishop, collects alms for the running of the church, publishes the couples asking for recognition and primarily carries out disciplinary issues. He is also responsible for helping members collect money and aid for medical bills they can’t afford.

  In Acts 1: 23-26 Paul tells how the apostles choose a new member to take the place of Judas who had betrayed Jesus and then killed himself. They voted, or cast lots, and choose Mathias. The Amish follow this method. The members submit the name of a person, in writing. It is done in secret. A minister or a deacon can be promoted if the congregation approves.