USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume I > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
AN INDIAN'S PLEA FOR PROHIBITION.
(By Simon Pokagon, Chief of the Pottawattomie Indians.)
Awah-kon-tay ne-bosh au-no-ke-win wau-be-au-ne-ne mau-tchi-mon-i-to (Fire-water is the work of the white man's devil).
477
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
(The following article is written for The New Times by the venerable Simon Pokagon, chief of the Pottawattomie Indians. It will be remembered that Chicago stands today on the land which was ceded by the fathers of Pokagon to the United States government for a small consideration. A large portion of Chief Pokagon's life, however, has been spent in securing from the government payment for the land thus purchased.
There is something very charming in the quaint phraseology and the earnest rhetoric of this child of the forest, while his appeal, coming as a warning voice from an honored patriarch among a vanishing people, has a melancholy interest .- B. O. F.)
Although by nature a child of the forest, and born a chief, yet by adop- tion I am a citizen of the United States, having the right of petition. I must confess I hate the "beverage of Hell" with a bitter hate. Were it an enemy outside our lines I should not so fear the dangerous foe. But alas, it is a traitor within our camp that embraces with a kiss, then bites like a snake, without the warning rattle. Pokagon has felt in his heart for half a century that there is no good reason why this soulless monster should not be utterly destroyed. My native brain is, indeed, puzzled to understand how it is that the incoming white race, who, by their intelligence and skill, have invented instruments whereby they can measure the heavens above and tell the sub- stances of which the stars are composed, who have provided means whereby they can travel at ease in palaces, sweeping above rivers, cutting through mountains, and outstripping the flight of birds in their migrations, who have constructed vessels in which they can enjoy parlor life while crossing oceans in the face of the wildest storm; who have perfected inventions which enable them to rise above the eagle in his heavenward flight or to descend into the depths of the sea where fish can scarcely swim, whose subtle brains have de- vised means whereby they can send communications around the world with lightning speed; whose ingenuity can successfully preserve human speech, so that generations yet unborn may listen to the voices of their forefathers, from whose brains have emanated that marvelous invention by means of which a button pressed by the finger of a child causes mountains to be rent asunder, but, notwithstanding such marvelous, almost divine works, declare to all the world by words and deeds that they are not able to provide means whereby they can destroy that great devilfish which their own hands have fashioned and launched upon the sea of human life. Day by day and year
478
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
by year the tentacles of this monster are permitted to reach out to do their wicked work alike in the wigwam and in the palace, in the halls of legisla- tion, and in the courts of law, and which, all unsought and unbidden, crushes in its coils the trusting heart of the young bride, the wife, the mother, and the little child. Now, if it be true that they lack the power to destroy this great evil born of their own race, then it must also be true that the moral science of good government for the best good of all the people has not kept pace with their remarkable discoveries and inventions.
Some of the best brains of our country are now laboring night and day to perfect means by which the seeds of disease or any foreign substance in the human body may be detected, so as to aid surgery in relieving the afflicted. The people are loudly applauding their achievements, and yet these benevo- lent researchers and their followers, as also most of our political and moral scientists, can not, or will not, see in broad daylight the curse of the glass between the lips of our boys and young men, who are gliding down the to- boggan slide of shame and disgrace to the broad gateway of physical ruin and moral death. It is well for the agriculturist to study chemistry that he may understand the properties of the soil so that he may prepare it for the golden grain. But he who would so prepare his land and sow it with the best seed and then allow the grass and weeds to choke out the young and tender plants would be considered worse than foolish. Our country is one vast field for cultivation. Science with a lavish hand has contributed ample means to properly cultivate and make it productive, and yet to the shame of this nation, cigarette weeds, whisky weeds and all manner of weeds are run- ning it over, demoralizing alike the old man, the young man, and the little boy. Fathers and mothers, Pokagon asks you in the name of the sons of the forest, and in the name of the Great Spirit of his fathers, he asks you in the name of the God of your fathers, in the name of Christianity and humanity, is it not your duty to destroy these deadly weeds? Certain it is that in order to attain to the most perfect type of civilization, the best good of all the peo- ple must be equally advanced along moral, mental and physical lines, and yet it must be plain to every candid thinking man who beholds intemperance sweeping over our land like a prairie fire, that the lack of moral education to map out and enforce needed legislation is the most lamentable defect of the present age.
In the great onward march of research and improvement Pokagon does
479
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
not desire to tighten the reins, to curb physical or scientific development, but in driving the triple team that moves the giant car of civilization he would urge forward the one that lags behind, that all in harmony may keep step side by side until the goal is reached. My humble prayer is that the great and learned of this land of my fathers may in future labor as zealously to search out the true science of good government for the best good of all as they have in the past to search out the science of the physical world about them. Let knowledge and righteousness march shoulder to shoulder onward and up- ward until the mountain top is gained, when the perpetual sunshine of social purity will cleanse the hearts of all, breaking asunder the degrading chains of intemperance, and letting the oppressed go free.
All along our seacoasts and the shores of the Great Lakes have been erected by the United States nearly three hundred life saving stations, from whose watch towers a lookout is kept day and night for the rescue of wrecked passengers and crews. These life stations are manned by thousands of stal- wart men and experienced seamen, equipped with all the latest improvements of the service at an expense of millions of dollars annually. During the last fiscal year the general superintendent of the lifesaving service with much pride reported that six hundred and thirteen lives were saved from shipwreck. The work is indeed a noble one and worthy the hearty approbation of all. And yet how limited is the field it offers for the saving of shipwrecked hu- manity compared with that along the vast shore of the sea of intemperance, whose tides and overwhelming waves sweep over and drown its hundreds of thousands each year. When Pokagon reflects upon the ruin this child of the devil has brought upon his once sober and happy race, he feels moved to cry aloud from the depths of his soul to the present lawgivers of his fathers' land, "Extend your life-saving service to the great ocean.of struggling humanity. Throw out the life line of prohibition and save the perishing!" For nearly sixty years I have asssociated with the white race as well as my own, and from close observation during that time I am compelled to believe that the only safe tower of refuge from the ravages of the blighting curse of intem- perance is total abstinence.
In the stillness of the night, while wandering alone under the glistening canopy of heaven, asking the Great Spirit to teach Pokagon if there is any reasonable excuse why partisan politicians and statesmen should not tread upon the neck of this soulless tyrant of humanity, my petitions have always
480
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
been answered. Not in the voice of thunder, nor emblazoned in characters of living fire across the vault of heaven, but in murmurs soft and low the answer has fallen upon my waiting heart as gently as the dews of evening upon the grass and flowers, whispering in my soul, "Pokagon, there is no good excuse." Christian charities may try to clothe their nakedness by de- claring to the world that they are so blinded by the love of party and so fear- ful of the liquor ballot that they will not hear the widow and the mother pleading ; they will not see the little child and the orphan weeping; but this is no excuse. Again and again I am told that it is an easy matter to find fault ; and so it is. But not until the dove shall cease to fear the hawk that steals her young will Pokagon cease to sound the war whoop of alarm against the destroyer of your children and ours.
Come, all lovers of justice, equity, and humanity, and in the name of your God, and in the name of home and country, move bravely forward under the glorious banner of temperance. Let the general government decree that noble motto, royally begot of duty and love, to be the law of the land, and Pokagon in faith believes that the great destroyer of honor and manhood will abdicate his throne and the glorious sun of universal temperance shine upon our loved country, bringing hope and joy to millions of hearts now sad and despairing, and lighting the way to the crushing out of other giant evils which at present darken our land.
GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.
In the summer of 1892, on July 17, the first of a series of Gospel Tem- perance Meetings was held in the open, at L. M. Crist's Grove. There were three hundred present, who listened to a specially prepared program. The meeting had a good effect. A number expressed a willingness to attend regularly, and would make the needed sacrifice, to make the meetings a suc- cess. So programs were statedly prepared for each summer, and the work grew in interest and educational facilities, until these gospel temperance meetings covered a period of six years. Many notable speakers, both at home and abroad, filled the platform with eloquence, logic and sound gospel each Sabbath at 3:30 to 4:30 p. m. Not only the people from the villages and county-seat were there, but the country side oft swelled the crowd.
481
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
The highest attendance reached one thousand, July 31, 1892, when Rev. W. H. Jones, of Chicago, addressed the meeting. It was not uncommon for three hundred to be present, and on threatening shower days the crowd would dwindle down to the faithfuls, a half hundred or so; but the fort was always held. A notable outcome of the work was the pledging of the people to total abstinence by the signing of the temperance and narcotic pledges. In this way the grown-ups setting the example, many if not most of the children were saved. Someone has well remarked that "A child's training should be ethical, rather than intellectual. It is easier to make a person bright than sound. Intellectual training may be gained from books, but morality cannot be printed." When the fall of the year would of necessity shut down these meetings, the faithful women workers of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union gathered in the harvest of this out-of-doors work by organizing the children pledge-signers into Loyal Temperance Le- gion Bands, and continuing the instruction in scientific temperance at a meet- ing held once a week at a hall prepared for the training. Many useful exercises and public exhibitions grew out of this work. We note with very great pleasure that the Sunday schools are now organized to carry it on suc- cessfully. We herewith submit one of the programs, showing the term covered, from June 2 to September 30, 1895, and giving the character of the meetings, which had a warm place in the hearts of the community. These meetings were held every summer for six years, beginning the first Sunday in June and closing the last Sunday in September, the first meeting being the ยท exception, that program being a little short on time, but not in quality or tone of the speaking.
June 2-W. C. T. U. Day Mary E. Balch, Cor. Secy.
June 9-"Politics of Sodom". Rev. Jas. B. Converse
June 17-"Is There Not a Cause?" Rev. W. L. Northam
June 23-"Christian Kings" Dr. R. E. Pretlow June 30-Laissez Faire Dr. J. G. Campbell
July 7-The Second Commandment Rev. G. W. Reber
July 14-A Plea
Rev. Demetrius Tillottson
July 21-Young Men's Day I. S. Wade July 28-The Two Tyrants John Darter
(31)
482
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Aug. 4-Y. W. C. T. U. Day Margaret I. Dickson
Aug. 11-Socialism Rev. G. W. Bower
Aug. 18-Children's Day Mrs. L. M. Crist
Aug. 25-W. C. T. U. Day Mrs. L. E. Scott
Sept. I-The Three Reforms Prof. F. T. McWhirter
Sept. 8-The Defense of Women J. T. McKim
Sept. 15-Individual Responsibility Rev. Eber Teeters
Sept. 22-Prison Reform Rev. Henry K. Boyer
Sept. 29-Closing Day
L. M. Crist
WOMAN AND THE CHURCH.
Some say "there is no scriptural authority for the prominence of woman in the church." Paul says, in Philippians 4:3, "I entreat you also, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel of Christ;" then there are mentioned in Acts the four daughters of Philip, who were preachers and prophesied; and Luke speaks of the aged prophetess, Anna, ministering in the temple. Some say that woman is not capable of leadership, Joan of Arc followed God, and led an army to victory. Mrs. Stowe's pen was more potent than the sword of Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and Hancock, for it molded public opinion and gave inspiration to the whole Union Army. Frances E. Willard in leading the temperance host of Chris- tian women to victory proved herself as possessing in the highest degree all the graces of true leadership. Yes, woman as well as man has genius, talents, ambition, and aspirations, and nature teaches that there is a field of action for fundamental wants or inherent desires. A worker for God and human- ity is the most exalted position either for man or woman. When woman's qualifications are fully recognized as being equal with man, then the home will be more secure; saloons and gambling dens will be voted into oblivion, then Christ's kingdom will be on earth, and there will be neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, male nor female. Joseph Cook says, "Hand in hand man and woman build the home; hand in hand they ought to build the state and church; hand in hand they left an earthly paradise lost; hand in hand they are likely to enter, if at all, an earthly paradise regained."
483
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
A HISTORY UNIQUE.
For twenty-four years straight suffrage planks were in the Prohibition platform, viz. : First National nominating convention, Columbus, Ohio, 1872. "The right of suffrage rests on no mere circumstance of color, race, sex or nationality, but inheres in the nature of man."
Second nominating convention, Cleveland, Ohio, 1876: "The abolition of class legislation and special privileges in the government, and the adop- tion of equal suffrage and eligibility to office without distincton of race, re- ligion, property or sex."
Third nominating convention, Cleveland, Ohio, 1880: "We also de- mand as a right that women, having in other respects the privileges of citi- zens, shall be clothed with the ballot for their protection, and as a rightful means for the settlement of the liquor question."
The called convention of New York, 1881, consisting of the strongest men and women of the prohibition movement throughout the Union; adopted the following, prepared by Miss Anthony: "The withholding of the elective franchise on account of sex, in direct violation of the fundamental princi- ples of our government is disastrous to moral, social, educational, industrial, civil and political interests; therefore we demand the ballot for women as inherent right, and as a potent weapon for securing prohibition."
Fourth nominating convention, Pittsburg, Pa., 1884: "That, believ- ing in the civil and political equality of the sexes, and that the ballot in the hands of woman is her right for protecton and would prove a powerful ally for the abolition of the liquor traffic, the execution of the law, the promotion of reform in civil affairs, the removal of corruption in public life, we enun- ciate the principle and relegate the practical outworking of this reform to the discretion of the Prohibition party in the several states according to the condition of public sentiment in those states."
Fifth nominating convention, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1888: "That the right of suffrage rests on no mere circumstance of race, color, sex or na- tionality, and that where from any cause it has been withheld from citizens who are of suitable age and mentally and morally qualified for the exercise of an intelligent ballot, it should be restored by the people through the legis- latures of the several states on such educational basis as they may deem wise."
Sixth nominating convention, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1892: "No citizen
484
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
should be denied the right to vote on account of sex ; and equal labor should receive equal wages without regard to sex."
The seventh nominating convention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 1896, after adopting a straight suffrage plank, nine to one, it is said, bolted from the women by substituting a single issue plank for all that was before the convention.
EFFECTS OF WOMAN'S FRANCHISE.
New Zealand enfranchised woman in 1893, and in 1894 a local option law was passed. In 1910 it was made illegal to sell liquor to a person 'under twenty-one and the employment of bar-maids was prohibited.
In New South Wales woman was enfranchised in 1902.
In South Australia woman was enfranchised in 1903.
In Queensland woman was enfranchised in 1907.
In Finland woman was enfranchised in 1907, and in 1910 a prohibition bill was passed which the Czar vetoed to please France so she could have a market for her wine.
In Norway, women were enfranchised in 1908 and a bill was passed for prohibition. The government wanted to borrow money to build a railroad. They vetoed the prohibition bill to please France so she could sell her wine and she loaned them the money.
In Wyoming, woman was enfranchised in 1869-90 per cent. of the state is dry.
In Colorado, women were enfranchised in 1893, there has been a steady increase in its no license territory since the granting of suffrage to women.
Idaho, women were enfranchised in 1896. A law has been passed for- bidding the sale of alcohol to persons under sixteen. The sale of liquor is. prohibited on election days.
In Utah the women received full suffrage in 1896; every county in Utah but one is dry.
Washington, women's suffrage was granted in 1910. Since the grant- ing of suffrage to women there has been a gain of 115 dry towns.
California, woman's suffrage was granted in 1911. There has been an increase of 475 dry towns in the two years women have had the ballot.
485
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Kansas, Oregon and Arizona granted full suffrage to women in 1912. Kansas is a prohibition state.
Oregon and Arizona are using the women's vote against the liquor traffic and we believe that when the women of the United States are enfran- chised as a whole we shall have found the strongest weapon against the liquor traffic, and every kindred evil. The liquor men are opposed to the right of franchise for women, because they feel that she will stand for the home and the child against the liquor interest or it would grant franchise to women.
Boone county is dry without the direct vote of the women. If they had the say in this county the liquor interest would never have a shadow of a chance to resume its business in Boone county.
Give the women of Indiana a chance at the monster and he would never lift his head again in the state. Dr. Anna Shaw, the accomplished and world-renowned suffragist, is quoted as saying, at the National American Woman Suffrage Association in session at Nashville, Tennessee a short time ago: "Men say the voice of the people is the voice of God, but they refuse to permit the soprano to be raised along with the bass. The great difficulty with this government is that we have been listening to one big bass solo."
THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION, THORNTOWN, INDIANA.
In coming to this wide-awake, beautiful little village in the early eighties we found here the usual gospel temperance work going on. Regular weekly meetings were held in the various churches, and they were interdenomina- tional, and always well attended. The spirit of these meetings was to keep the saloons out of Thorntown. In connection with this was the taking of pledges from the youths against the use of narcotics, and alcoholics, and an especial war was made against the use of cigarettes. Work with the legislature was carried on extensively to frame and pass a law against the use of cigarettes. Governor Claude Matthews signed the Scientific Temperance Bill, that in- struction should be given statedly in our public schools against the use of alcoholics and narcotics. Miss Lodie Reed was presented by him with the pen with which he signed the bill. It was placed in the archives of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and heart rejoicings went up all over
-
486
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
the state from every county and local union. (a) Jail and prison work; (b) social purity; (c) flower missions, to visit the sick and shut-ins, and solace them with loving words and bouquets of flowers; this was the most popular departinent; (d) medal contest work, the winner receiving, Ist, a silver medal; 2d, a small gold medal; 3rd, a large gold medal; and 4th, a dia- mond medal; (e) mothers' meetings, largely attended always; (f) peace meetings, well received; (g) the franchise department; and so on up to three score and ten departments, really growing into a college extension work to those who did their duty. It was incumbent upon the county president to attend each fall a state convention and report proceedings for her county work. From there, if choice fell to her, she would attend a national convention, usually at some city far distant, and lucky was the one who was chosen to represent her people in an international conven- tion, such a privilege occurring usually but once in a lifetime. Boone county Woman's Christian Temperance Union was a regularly organized auxiliary of the state from the inception of the Woman's Crusade of 1873-74. Our knowledge of it begins with the early eighties. The pay- ment of $1.00 dues entitles one to membership. It was customary to choose from the forty departments blocked out by Ist, the national; 2nd, the state organizations, such departments as were deemed best fitted for the environments with which each county had to deal. It was deemed proper to hold at the county-seat Woman's Christian Temperance Union Institutes, by some specially prepared state workers to help the local unions at James- town, Zionsville, Lebanon and Thorntown to fix upon the lines of work which they felt willing to take up; the state, which kept oversight, used its best endeavors to keep all in a uniform line. First, in importance stood : (a) School of Methods, to train the workers to become most efficient; (b) Evangelistic work, to keep each worker imbued with the spiritual power, which introduced us into the White Ribbon movement; (c) department of literature, intended to furnish us with correct data and knowledge of our movement ; (d) scientific temperance instruction-showing the evil effects of narcotics and alcoholics. It was made a duty of the various Woman's Christian Temperance Unions to, as far as possible, co-operate with the public schools in securing this instruction. In coming to this wide awake, beautiful little village in the early eighties we found here the usual Gospel Temperance Work going on. Regular weekly meetings were held in the
487
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
various churches and they were interdenominational and always well at- tended. The spirit of these meetings was to keep the saloons out of Thorntown. So far, Thorntown had fought a good fight and had held the fort for prohibition, but by the aid of the legislature on March 17, 1875, the saloons were growing arrogant, and began to creep insidiously into all Indiana towns and cities; and the day came when two regularly licensed saloons were operating in this clean, classic little village to the detriment of our schools, churches and society at large. It was then that the women met in solemn conclave to pray and consider what they could do to save their sons and daughters from the ravages of. the saloons. By appointment on March 26, 1885, an organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was effected by Mrs. Cowan, of Frankfort, at the home of Mrs. Harriet Buser, with the following as installed officers: President, Mrs. Joseph Meyers, Methodist church; corresponding and recording secretary, Mrs. A. E. Allen, Friends church; treasurer, Mrs. Hattie Buser ; vice-presi- dent at large, Mrs. A. H. Moffit, Friends church; vice-presidents, Mrs. Maiden, Baptist church; Mrs. Phebe Curryer, Methodist church; Mrs. Kate Austin, Presbyterian church; Mrs. L. M. Allen, Friends church. The con- stitution was read and explained by Mrs. Cowan. Thirteen ladies signed it and became supporting members. This organization grew and did heroic work for several solid years; then deaths occurring in their midst and re- moval of some of the younger members, the organization was abandoned. A lapse of three years occurred at this juncture in our history. In February, 1889, there was an arousement on the part of Indiana state officers, and a communication was received by this local union from Miss Lodie Reed, cor- responding secretary of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, who wished to make arrangements for Miss Alice Palmer, state organizer, to visit our city with a view of organizing a local union. A number of ladies met at the home of Mrs. Charles LaFollette. Miss Palmer was intro- duced, and after reading a choice selection from the Bible and commenting impressively thereon, she, by request, gave a brief talk, explanatory of Woman's Christian Temperance Union methods; read the constitution for the local work, and solicited joiners to sign and form a local union. The following ladies responded to the call, and became members: Mrs. Nancy J. Roseboom, Mrs. Mary E. Taylor, Mrs. George Gray, Mrs. Maiden, Mrs. Lucy Bower, Mrs. J. P. Moore, Mrs. Orpha G. Crist, Mrs. Phebe Curryer
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.