USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 59
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 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185
For many years one of the most active and indefatigable workers in the various departments has been Miss Amanda M. Way, who has in later years gained even a national reputation.
E. B. Reynolds Esq., has also, among perhaps others, become famous through the country as an energetic and snecessfnl tem- perance orator and lecturer, having within the last year or two been engaged in the work in Kansas of bringing the temperance sentiment of that State to the point of adopting the prohibitory amendment in the constitution of that State.
Within a few years past, several new phases of the temperance work have made their appearance.
Some ten years ago, an organization intended to embrace all existing societies was formed, called the Temperance Alliance, which, for a time, did efficient work in educating the people in the principles of total abstinence.
About February, 1874, the Women's Crusade broke out at Union City. and for a brief season swept everything before it. Almost all the Christian women of the place were engaged in the work. It grew up without previous notice or preparation, and the movement seemed to be the spontaneous outburst of an overwhelming sense of the terrible power and curse of the drink- ing habit, and the fearful evils of the liquor traffic. The Cru- sade first took shape at Washington Court House, a village in Southern Central Ohio, and was taken up rapidly throughout the State. A gentleman known as the "Ohlo Broad Ax." held some meetings at Union City, and told how they were doing in Ohio.
At one of these meetings, on Friday, a committee of ladies was appointed to decide upon a course of action. The Commit- tee was Mrs. Commons. Galloway, Croner and McFeely. On Saturday, the Committee, three of them, met at Mr. Commons' office. Mrs. Commons was made President, Mrs. Galloway, Vice President, and Mrs. Croner, Secretary. A kind of constitution was drawn up, coupled with a general pledge " to do what they conld." A meeting was held on Monday night, and seventy-five ladies signed that pledge. The next day at 1 o'clock, another meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church. One hundred and fifty or more ladies were present. Religious exercises were had, but no definite plan of action had been decided on. Sud- denly one lady said. "Let us go to Cain's saloon." Others also
191
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
said, "Let us go." The proposition was voted with a rush. A procession of about two hundred ladies was formed, two and two, and down they went, arm in arm, to Cain's saloon.
The news spread over town like wild-fire, and the citizens came crowding down, fearful of the treatment their wives might receive from the saloon men and the roughs who were also there in great numbers. The ladies entered, their leaders pushing up to the counter and commencing a talk with Cain. He brandished an article written by some clergyman or other in opposition to the Crusade in other quarters, telling "women to keep at home," and mind their own business, etc., and demanded them to "read that " and learn their duty. Meanwhile Csin, expecting prayer by the ladies, seemed desirous of having the matter over as speedily as possible, and asked the ladies if they wished to have prayers. No plan to that effect had been made, but the "spirit of the time " was on them, and Mrs. Commons, who was one of the leaders, replied that if he would keep the crowd still, they would. He said they should be still, and Mrs. Enos Turpen en- gaged in prayer, after singing. The whole thing was sponta- neous; no plan whatever had been arranged, and they did simply what the Spirit led them to do. Mrs. Turpen made a most mov- ing prayer. Her soul was all on fire, and she evidently spake as the Spirit gave her utterance. Some who were there said, "She prayed like an angel," and that "such another prayer was never heard from human lips." At one point the roughs seemed about to break loose. Mrs. C. glanced at Mr. Cain, and he hushed them with his fist. After prayer, he insisted that his article should be read; and Mrs. Commons, standing behind the counter, in the midst of that strangely mingled crowd-Christian ladies, their husbands and friends, the saloon keepers and the roughs, read the article. He boasted of its doctrine, written by a clergy- man, and admonished the ladies to go home and be quiet and let his business alone.
Some said, "Let us go home." Mrs. Commons said, "No, I want to talk" and said to Mr. Cain, "Will you keep them still?" "Yes, I will." Mrs. Commons went on to make her speech, taking the article as the basis. She said afterward that she felt as though "the power " rested on her, and she spoke simply as she was moved upon. The crowd were restrained from doing the ladies harm, and they went home. The next day the work was renewed, and so.it continued for some two weeks, and, for the time, every saloon but one was closed,
The movement could not, in the nature of things, be kept up indefinitely, and the saloons after a time, opened again to resume their work of making drunkards for money.
A legal movement was also commenced against the saloon keepers, which, however, resulted in failure from the well-known fact that to obtain evidence against saloon keepers is generally utterly impossible.
At Cain's saloon, Mrs. Commons spoke about twenty minutes, and the house was as still as death. She seemed wonderfully helped, and spoke freely and with great apparent effect. The saloon keeper seemed like a caged lion. When Mrs. C. closed her speech, she said, "Now I am ready to go;" and the ladies marched away as solemnly as though it were a funeral. The Marshal on the Ohio side, though a drinking man, declared, "No one shall harm you," and he weut with them for protection as they went their round to every saloon on the Ohio side; and then they went back to the church and found the house filled with gentlemen. The next day they visited every saloon on the Indiana side. One was so frightened that he put up iron bars to his windows. He agreed to close out. Another sent a letter to the Committee offering to ship the liquor back to the wholesale house and quit the business. Four places were closed out on the Indiana side.
The Ohio side was visited again, and for some time every liquor shop but one was shut up. There had been twenty sa- loons, and for some weeks all were closed except one.
Suits were also brought against several liquor sellers. One offered to close up if they would drop the suit, but the Alliance would not do it.
Cain was shut up by a legal process for awhile; but after a time he began again.
The Alliance held meetings every day until October, in the Presbyterian Church, and after that once a week.
The suits that had been begun at Greenville proved a costly failure, since in a liquor loving community evidence against rum. sellers can scarcely be obtained.
The next year (1875), the ladies of Indiana met at Indian- apolis and formned the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and auxiliary unions were formed in Randolph County; and, among other places, at Union City, which was more or less effect- ive in sustaining the temperance spirit and prosecuting temper- ance work. In November, 1875, a National Union was organized at Cleveland, Ohio, and the Indiana Union was made auxiliary thereto.
MURPHY MOVEMENT.
Francis Murphy began his work in Pittsburgh, Penn., late in the fall of 1876. Great success attended his labors. Many tem- perance converts were made, and the movement spread exten- sively East and West. Among others the Timmony brothors joined the Murphy movement, and began to hold meetings from place to place. In process of time, they came to Galion, Ohio. Meanwhile, the Temperance Alliance work was going on at Union and elsewhere in Randolph County; but there was no knowledge in detail of the Murphy movement.
A great religious revival was in progress in Union City among the Methodists under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Vigus, their pastor. But an anxiety arose to become acquainted with the Murphy movement, and, if practicable, to introduce it there. A meeting was called at the Methodist Church for consultation. At this meeting, Mrs. Commons made a statement of what little knowledge sha had gained from the papers of the time, and her nephew, Mr. Dodge, who had been in the work in Eastern Ohio, was visiting at her home, and, being present at the meeting. was called up, and he told what he knew. He stated. among other things, that the work was carried on mostly by the re- formed men themselves. A committee was appointed, and an- other meeting was held in a few days. The committee, how- ever, had prepared no report. The Timmony brothers were at this time at Galion, Ohio. The committee was discharged and another one was appointed to confer with the Timmony boys, and arrange for them to come to Union, if possible. The com- mittee did so, and they agreed to come four nights. The people flocked to the meetings, and joined in great numbers, and it was clear that they ought to stay longer. But money was required to pay the rent of the hall as well as to pay the lecturers. At first a collectior was taken each night, but that did not seem likely to be sufficient, and, among other things, a plan was ar- ranged by which an individual gentleman or firm became re- sponsible for the hall rent one night apiece. Thus the meet- ings were continued eleven nights. As the result, about two thousan { names were obtained, and for a time drinking liquor in Union City was mostly at an end ..
A reading room and rooms for amusement and recreation were hired and fitted up and the movement went on quite en- thusiastically for a time. The ladies helped the enterprise much in every possible way. Among other things, they held a strawberry festival to raise funds for the Murphy club, which netted $160. But the movement flagged in interest and zeal, and is now entirely extinct. Many went out and held meetings throughout the surrounding country, and formed auxiliary clubs, thus bringing many into the work.
The enterprise was soon after set on foot at Winchester, and with great apparent effect, though the results seem not to have been permanent. Among the gentlemen who were more or less prominent at Union City in furnishing funds for the movement, were Messrs. Cadwallader, Starbuck, Worthington, Pierce, An- derson, Reeder & Bowersox, Turpen and others.
As already stated, the Women's Temperance Union was sub- sequently formed, and continues to the present time.
During many years, the temperance sentiment has been very strong, so much so as mostly to prevent the existence of licensed saloons. At Union City, at Ridgeville, at Farmland, at Fairview, at Spartansburg, at Lynn, at Arba, sometimes at Winchester, liquor saloons have for the most part been prevented. The his-
192
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
tory of the movement in this respect would furnish much in- teresting and instructive material, yet the demon of drink is like that other demon of mischief, thrusting himself into every company, and everywhere seeking whom he may devour: and many are cast down by his power. One agency for temperance employed for a time with good effect at Union City and perhaps elsewhere, was the holding of Sunday afternoon street meetings. Many were held with large attendance, and it is hoped with good results. The speeches at those meetings were good, and often eloquent, and doubtless many listened to temperance truth from the sidewalk and the street corner who would not trouble themselves to attend a meeting held indoors.
The religious denominations have been mostly active in the temperance work from the beginning, as also many who were outside the churches. In fact, good and philanthropic men and women of all shades of belief in other respects have made com- mon cause of the temperance work, and have marched shoulder to shoulder in the grand war against the legions of king acohol.
Especially have the members of the Legislature from Ran- dolph distinguished themselves in that body in undertaking to enact measures for the suppression of the drink traffic. Messrs. Stone, Ward, Monks, Butts, Moorman, Reeder, Cadwallader, Watson, Murray, Hill, and doubtless others not now recollected were earnest in the work, and some of them strongly radical in their views and actions.
Hon. M. A. Reeder introduced a bill for the entire suppression of the traffic. Hon. Nathan Butts was Chairman of the Tem- perance Committee in that Legislature which passed the so-called Baxter bill. That bill was the result of the joint labors of Messrs. Butts and Baxter, aided by the suggestions and advice of many other active and judicious friends of temperance, both in the Legislature and out of it The perfected bill was pre- sented by Mr. Butts as Chairman of the Committee. The only speech in its favor in the House was made by him, and it passed both branches of the Legislature, was signed by Gov. Hendricks on his sick bed, with great interest expressed by him in its behalf, and became a law, only to be killed shortly afterward by an ad- verse decision of the Indiana Supreme Court.
The people of Randolph County take a very deep interest in the movement during the present Legislative session (1880-81), to pass laws preventing or restraining the liquor traffic, as also to enact a prohibitory amendment to the Indiana Constitution, and Hon. Mr. Murray in the House and Hon, Mr. Bundy in the Senate (from Henry County, but representing also Randolph), have been found uniformly active and voting for temperance and against the traffic in intoxicating liquors. Strong efforts bave been made at different times in the Legislature of Indiana to pass stringent laws against intoxicating drinks, notably in 1854- 55, 1872-73, and 1880-81. The first two laws mentioned were both killed in the courts. Liquor selling seems to be considered by the courts of Indiana to be under their special protection as though that particular method of wholesale and remediless mis- chief must be left untouched and unmolested, perfectly free to execute its murderous work withont let or hindrance from any (quarter.
A new struggle is now at hand as to the liquor traffic. to wit, its total suppression by constitutional amendment, and upon this question doubtless Randolph will give for herself a good report when the ballots are counted, and help strongly on the right side to determine the result of the popular election held for the expression of the will of the citizens of Indiana upon this vital question.
One outgrowth of the Woman's Crusade in Union City was the Young Men's Christian Association.
After the saloons had been closed by the Crusade, the ladies sent to Indianapolis for Dr. Munhall to come to Union City and organize a Young Men's Christian Association. He did so, and the following autumn the association established themselves in a pleasant location with a reading room and library. The Y. M. C. A. has been in operation with more or less activity ever since.
For a time the Y. M. C. A. and the W. C. T. U. occupied the same rooms, holding frequent meetings, and carrying for- ward their respective enterprises with energy and success.
The Murphy movement took hold at Winchester with a rush, and seemed for a short time to sweep everything into its cur- rent; but the enterprise soon declined, and for a long time it has shown little or no activity. In Farmland and Ridgeville, a long- er life was attained, the latter place continuing its work in this respect even to the present. The Women's Christian Tem- perance Union is organized by townships. The County Union has a President, with a Vice I'resident in each township.
In 1880, there was formed at Indianapolis an organization called the Grand Council. It was composed of delegates from the various temperance societies and orders in the State, such as Christian Temperance Unions, Good Templars, Temples of Honor, Blue Ribbons, Red Ribbons, Sons of Temperance, Knights Templar, etc. The chief work of the winter was the circu- lation of petitions to the Legislature asking for a prohibitory amendment to the State Constitution forbidding the manufact- ure and sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and also for a law to prevent, so far as possible, the evils of the liquor traffic.
In the session of 1875, Hon. M. A. Reeder, Representative from Randolph County, presented a bill for the suppression of the traffic in intoxicating drinks as follows:
REEDER'S PROHIBITION BILL.
An art to suppress the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks, and for punishing intoxication :
SECTION 1. Any person or persons within this State who shall manufacture, buy, sell or give away any intoxicating drinks, for any purpose whatever, or be found in a state of in- toxication, shall, upon conviction thereof. be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined in any sum not less than $5 nor more than $50, and for any subsequent offense shall be im- prisoned in the county jail for any time not less than five days nor more than thirty days.
SECTION 2. All acts, and part of acts, coming in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3 It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to make proclamation, as provided by law for other elec- tions, that a poll will be opened on the first Monday in April, 1875, and at each general election thereafter, at the usual places of holding elections in the several townships and wards in the county, under the same regulations as are now provided by law. for the purpose of accepting or rejecting by ballot the provisions in Section 1 of this act, and if a majority of the legal voters of any township or ward in the county shall elect to receive the provisions of Section 1 of this act, then it shall be in full force until the next general election; but if a majority of voters shall elect to reject the provisions of this act, then it shall be void and of no effect.
SECTION 4. Whereas, an emergency exists for the immediate taking effect of this bill, the same shall be in force from and after its passage.
This bill proceeds on what is by many conceived to be the only true principle of law and morals with reference to the liquor traffic, that the business is fraught with such constant and wide- spread and inevitable mischief to the human family as to be properly and perpetually a nuisance, and that therefore the traffic is pre-eminently a crime, and that it should be forbidden and punished like any other hurtful and destructive practice.
UNION CITY.
It has been difficult to obtain any considerable detailed statement of temperance work in Union City from the beginning. The sentiment against the traffic in intoxicating drinks has al- ways been very strong and active, proving uniformly effective to prevent the open traffic. Men have tried to obtain license to sell, but thus far without success. The methods of temperance efforts have been various. Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, Danghters of Temperance, Temperance Alliance, National Chris- tian Temperance Union (Maarphy), Crusade, Juvenile Temperance Band, etc., etc., have all borne a part in the great work. At one time, monthly street meetings were held, which sometimes drew large crowds to temperance addresses. Some temperance Fourth of July celebrations have been held. Lecturers have addressed
193
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
the people. Clergymen for the most part have been faithful to their duty to draw men by the cords of love to the joyful courts of the palace of sobriety.
Yet, in spite of all, intemperance has done a fearful work even here. The unfortunate fact that the State line cuts the town in two, and that the liquor traffic is in full blast across that line, has tempted many a father, husband, brother and son to the wretched paths of drunkenness and shame. Many a sol- emn resolve, strengthened sometimes by a recorded oath, has melted like snow before the heat of a noonday sun, or like wax before the fire; and the " demon of drink" has driven the poor perjured wretch, over promises, and oaths, and prayers, and tears, headlong down to a drunkard's despised and dishonored grave!
An interesting account can be found in S. Branham's Reminis- cences, how two saloons were " squelched " in Union City, Ind., at almost the very starting of the town. Every now and then the "Old Demon" raises his head and swears he will break loose on the Indiana side, when herculean efforts will be put forth to tighten his chain, and thus far with success.
Yet there is abundant and fearful drinking and drunkenness to boot, even on the Indiana side. Two remarks are made by the residents of Union City, Ohio-one by the temperance men and the other by the saloon-keepers. The first say, "The drink- ing comes chiefly from Indiana." The second say: "You pre- tend to try to suppress liquor saloons on your side; if you knew what and how many citizens and business men, and even church members, come regularly 'across the line' to take their 'dram,' you would be amazed and hide your head in shame."
Within a range of less than two blocks from a certain point on the Indiana eide resided at one time three notorious and habitual drunkards, some of whom abuse their wives in a most brutal manner, and all three are far gone in inebriety and wretchedness. Sa- loon-keepers have been warned repeatedly to cease selling to them, but they disregard the warning, or else others are cruel enough to get for their besotted comrades the devilish drink, and they come home drunk as before. Words cannot describe, imagi- nation cannot paint the ceaseless and measureless evils of the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage and of the traffic therein. Open saloons are kept across the line, but drunkenness and its curses are here and among us still.
Several efforts have been made to establish saloons on the In- diana side, sometimes accompanied with great determination to succeed, which have been uniformly met, however, by the most energetic opposition on the part of the prominent citizens of the place. A history of some of these contests would possess great interest. In one case, a few years ago, after defeating the sa- loonists at Winchester, before the Commissioners, they appealed to the Circuit Court and obtained a change of venue to Muncie, in an adjoining county, thinking the temperance people would not follow them. They were followed, however, in force, and, notwith- standing sharp practice, which might well be called trickery by the liquor men, they were finally defeated with heavy costs.
The history in detail of the contest against the liquor traffic in Randolph County would by itself till a large volume. That history, however, cannot here be given at greater length than has already been done.
SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
The order was instituted in New York City, September 29, 1842. The object was to solidify and perpetuate the results of the Washingtonian Society. It is now composed of a national or- ganization, fifty-seven grand divisions and nearly 3,000 snbordi- nate divisions, embracing every State and nearly every Territory -Canada, Great Britain and the islands both of the Atlantic and the Pacific. It has enrolled as members more than three millions of persons. Ite fundamental principle is, "Total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks."
Connected with the order is an association for females, en- titled Daughters of Temperance, as also one embracing young persons, called Cadets of Temperance. The first division in In- diana was formed in 1846.
On the 22d day of June, 1881, the National Division of the Sons of Temperance for North America met at Saratoga, N. Y.
The order of the Sons was established at an early day iu Ran- dolph County, and for a long time seemed to flourish. In 1854, u grand Fourth of July celebration for temperance in Randolph County was held at Winchester, embracing the Sons, the Good Templars and other temperance associations. The occasion at- tracted an immense crowd, and the exercises were greatly im- pressive, and doubtless much good was accomplished.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
This order, arising in New York City about 1854, was intro- duced into Randolph County by the creation of Winchester Lodge, No. 3, April 15, 1854, by G. W. C. F. Hatch, of New York City. During the same year, lodges were established at Union City, Farmland, Windsor, Ridgeville, Lynn, Huntsville, Maxville and Spartansburg. The work spread rapidly in the State, fifty lodges being organized in less than a year. The Grand Lodge for the State was organized at Winchester, January 17, 1855. At this convention, forty-three lodges were represented, comprising nearly three thousand members. F. G. Hall was elected G. W. C. T., and Gen. Asahel Stone, G. W. S.
Since that time, lodges have been instituted at Blooming- port, Buena Vista, Deerfield, Morristown, Fairview, Harrisville and Jericho. These societies continued in operation many years, sowing good seed, spreading the knowledge and the practice of total abstinence, reclaiming the inebriate and saving the young from the formation of the terrible habit of drink. Most of them have ceased to work, the temperance sentiment of the time hav- ing created other channels of outflow, and developing and strengthening itself in other forms and by other methods of operation.
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.