This article was reprinted in the 1993 book, "What Mean These Stones?" By Maxine McCall and Kays Gary. It first appeared in The Herald on June 1, 1893.
The HeraldJune 1, 1893.Valdese A great deal of interest is of course felt by Morganton people in the Waldensian colony in this county, and now that the first of the colonists have arrived and are settled in their new homes, there is a disposition manifested by our people to aid these interesting people in every possible way. They are particularly anxious to learn the English language, and the establishment of a school and the erection of a church are two matters in which our liberal people are preparing to extend all the aid in their power. All the little Waldensian children are taught to read and write at a very early age, and their knowledge of the scriptures would put to shame many of our church people of maturer (sic) years. They speak both French and Italian very fluently, and are all apparently very bright and intelligent and very anxious to learn the language of this new country. The Waldenses would have never come to North Carolina but for the fact that they were assured that here they would be surrounded by friends, who would in every way aid them to make the colony a success. The little company of men, women and children who are now on the lands are but the forerunners of many hundreds who will follow, and who will become important factors in building up and beautifying our county and State. This Waldensian colony, the first foreign settlement in the State of any importance since the Moravian settlement at Salem, is we hope the precursor of many such movements-not of the coming of the dago or the bomb thrower, but of the influx of an industrious, economical God fearing people, such as are these hardy vine growers from the rugged Italian Alps.
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