Plain Buggies

DESCRIPTION:

Accessible in style, Plain Buggies presents the most complete work on the transportation modes of the “plain people” published to date. includes details on prices, styles, laws, stories.

--Why do 100,000 persons in North America refuse to drive cars for religious reasons?
--What are the main styles among the 90-some variations of their vehicles?
--What does a horse’s face tell you about its personality?
--What about accidents, the law, and harassment?
--How much does a buggy cost in various states? How long does it last? Are they sold second-hand?

REVIEWS:
“Scott is into horse-drawn buggies the way many Americans are into cars.” —Associated Press

“A definitive book on buggies.” — Pittsburg Gazette

“This interesting and complete book, describing why thousands of Amish and Mennonites drive horses and buggies instead of cars, could well be entitled ‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Buggies.’” — The Backstretch

“It is written factually and objectively. An interesting part deals with the matter of horses. What a horse’s face tells about its personality is of great importance to those who depend on horses for transportation. There have been problems with laws in different states and Scott explains what has been accomplished by ways of compromise in different areas. After reading this book, one has a better understanding of the 100,000 among us who choose to drive buggies for religious reasons.” — Guidelines for Today

“He identifies four main buggy styles: the Pennsylvania, with straight sides, two sets of seats and tops of black, gray, white or yellow; Ohio, with angled sides, one seat and black tops; Indiana, with the top built around the base of the seat backrest, one seat and black top; and Swiss, with no top and painted black.
      “Other variations are used by Old Order Mennonites, Old Colony Mennonites in Mexico and Brethren groups.
      “The plain people cling to horsedrawn transportation for what they believe is a practical reason—survival in a modern world, Scott said in his book. The automobile is viewed as a threat to the close-knit family, church, and community structures, he said.” — The Philadelphia Bulletin

“Delightful pictures as well as tables on costs of buggies in various geographical areas of the United States.” — Mennonite Quarterly Review

“Steve has been gathering the information for Plain Buggies over a period of 15 years. He has visited may Old Order communities and sent out questionnaires to buggy shops and members of Old Order fellowships. He had also researched extensively in the Old Order Amish Historical Library of Aylmer, Ontario.
      “We are featuring Plain Buggies this week, for we are certain that many of our readers will want to know about this book.” — The Budget

“The author details facts about the manufacture, pricing, restoration, and technology of buggies. He gives us specifics on where the horses come from and what their appearance tells us. We learn the features of the all important harnessing. Mr. Scott provides an in-depth survey of the approximately 90 variations of the vehicle. It is illustrated with over 100 photos, a glossary, and index.” — Echoes

“At least 90 varieties of horsedrawn vehicles exist among the Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren groups in North America. Buggies are rarely traded in for newer models since styles change slowly or not at all.” — Sunday Digest

“For anyone interested in the Old Order World and/or the design and development of buggies in America, this is an interesting study.” — The Chronicle of the Horse

CONTENTS:
Chapter 1—Why Horses and Buggies?
Chapter 2—Buggy Use Today
Chapter 3—Buggy Manufacturing
Chapter 4—Horses
Chapter 5—Harness
Chapter 6—Buggies and the Law
Chapter 7—Harassment
Chapter 8—Alternate Transportation
Chapter 9—What Are the Main Buggy Styles?
Chapter 10—Pennsylvania
Chapter 11—Ohio
Chapter 12—Indiana
Chapter 13—Swiss
Chapter 14—Old Order Mennonites
Chapter 15—Other Groups
Glossary
Readings and Sources
Index
Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephen E. Scott grew up between Dayton and Xenia, Ohio. He first came to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at age 14 as part of a vacation trip with his parents. He had read about the plain people at his local library in Dayton, Ohio, and persuaded his family to include the Pennsylvania Dutch land in their tour. Steve was deeply impressed by the simple, godly life of the Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren and began to look deeper into their faith. He lived, worked, and worshiped with a number of plain groups after leaving the Baptist Church. He eventually affiliated with the Old Order River Brethren Church in 1969 in Lancaster County.

Steve studied at Cedarville (Ohio) College. He has been a school teacher and has avidly collected data about various plain peoples. He made maps and historical charts for the Holmes County, Ohio, and Geauga County, Ohio, Amish Directories. He researched, drew, and published the map, Plain Churches and Related Groups of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His articles have appeared in The Diary and Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage.

Steve married Harriet Sauder in 1973. The Scotts have two children, Andrew and Hannah, and live near Columbia, Pennsylvania. Together, Steve and Harriet publish a Church Directory of the Old Order River Brethren.

Information for Plain Buggies was gathered over a period of 15 years. Steve visited many of the Old Order communities to collect information and pictures first hand and sent questionnaires to buggy shop proprietors and dozens of members of Old Order fellowships. In addition he researched extensively in the Old Order Amish Historical Library of Aylmer, Ontario.