History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 82

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 82

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Dr. Dio Lewis, of Boston, was the instigator of the Temperance Crusade. He came to Fredonia to deliver a popular lecture, Saturday, December 13, 1873, and re- mained at the request of the Good Templars to give a temperance lecture at a union meeting of the churches on Sunday evening. Dr. Lewis' address was out of the ordinary, and his plan of attacking the liquor traffic unique. He told the women that they could solve the problem of ridding the country of the saloon. He enthusiastically related the success of the women of his native town, who many, years before had marehed in a body to the saloons, prayed and sung. and besought the liquor sellers. for the sake of God and humanity to quit their deadly business, and had finally prevailed.

Every man and woman in his audience was deeply moved with hope, and a growing determination to do this one untried thing. Several gentlemen spoke strongly in the faith that this plan would work suc- cessfully.

Dr. Williams, the pastor of the Baptist church, wise- ly advised immediate actlon, and asked every woman to rise who was in favor of the undertaking. Nearly every woman present thus expressed herself. A meet- ing was at once ealled for consultation, with Dr. Lewis as chairman. The names of fifty women were secured for the special work proposed. Mrs. A. L. Benton, Mrs. Dr. Fuller and Mrs. J. W. Armstrong were ap- pointed a committee to draft an appeal. God's blessing was implored, and a meeting called for the next morning.

At least three hundred people showed their stead- fast purpose by their attendance at the Monday morn- ing meeting. The following appeal was submitted and adopted:

APPEAL-In the name of God and humanity we

make our appeal; knowing as we do, that the sale of intoxicating liquors is the parent of every misery, prolific of all woe in this life and in the next, potent alone in evil, blighting every fair hope, desolating fam- ilies, the chief incentive to crime we, the mothers, wives and daughters, representing the moral and re- ligious sentiment of our households from the tempta- tion of strong drink, from acquiring an appetite for it, and to reseue if possible, those that have already acquired it, earnestly request that you will pledge yourselves to cease the traffic here in these drinks, forthwith and forever. We will also add the hope that you will abolish your gaming tables.

After many prayers and exhortations, the women withdrew to the basement, to plan the march. The men arranged prayer meetings for every night of the week, and twenty-three of them demonstrated their in- terest and faith, by subscribing the necessary percent- age of $1,000 each, for sustaining the movement.

About half-past twelve o'clock, December 15th, a procession of one hundred women came forth from the Baptist church, Mrs. Judge Barker and Mrs. Rev. Lester Williams at the head. There were in line, venerable women, wives of the most respected citizens and many young women, gladly following where these should lead. This notable band first entered the bar- room of one of the hotels. Mrs. Barker at once in- formed the proprietors of their mission, and Mrs. Wiliams read the formal appeal. A hymn was then sung, and Mrs. Mary Ann Tremaine offered a ten- der prayer. The owners were then entreated to lead in signing their pledge. After some attempts at dis- cussion, one of them answered, "If the rest will close their places I will mine-I mean the drug stores, too." His brother would not assent to that. The women asked him to consider the matter, saying they would call again. They were told, "We will be pleased to see you every day," and the proprietors were bidden a polite good afternoon.

This program was practically carried out at seven other places, the same dear woman voicing the prayer, each time, that day. The visits were repeated every day during the week, the character and numbers of the procession remaining almost unchanged. One ho- tel closed its bar, and one druggist promised not to sell intoxicants to be used as a beverage. The visits so annoyed one dealer that he locked the women out. One week of this personal work with liquor sellers convinced the women that the great liquor system. as a business, and a vice, must be attacked at more than one point.

On Monday, December 21st, they met to form a per- manent organization, which was named "The Woman's Christian Temperance Union." They pledged them- selves to "United and continuous effort to suppress the traffic in intoxicating liquors in our village, until this work be accomplished; and that we stand ready for united effort upon any renewal of the traffic. We will also do what we can to alleviate the woes of drunkards' families, and to rescue from drunkenness those who are pursuing its ways." There were two hundred and seven charter members of the Union of which Mrs. George Barker was president.

Two prophetic statements were made in "The Fre- donia Censor's" account of the first day's march. "Whether this movement succeeds in the immediate object sought or not, it has evidently raised a public sentiment here, which if not abated, will sooner or later end the liquor traffic in our midst." "We venture to suggest also, that this movement will be a great ed- ucator of the women. By the time that band has tramped a week, there will not be many women in it who will say 'I have all the rights I want, don't ask me to vote.' "

Dr. Lewis went from Fredonia to Jamestown, De- cember 17, under very similar conditions and with the same results.

The Crusaders went out from the Congregational church of that town, with Mrs. Milton Bailey and Mrs. Dr. Danforth leading. A permanent organization was soon effected with Mrs. Judge Hazeltine as president. A very significant piece of work was speedily accon- plished by Mrs. Senator Fenton and Mrs. Judge Cook. aided by some gentlemen supporters. All the liquor bars were closed on New Year's Day, 1874. This ere- ated quite a sensation, and was the beginning of the overthrow of the almost universal custom in the town, of "treating" in public and private, on that holiday.

Dr. Lewis went to Hillsboro, Ohio, and inaugurated the same work there, December 23rd. From that place and date the work spread with great rapidity over

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

all the country. Hillsboro is frequently accounted the birth place of "The Woman's Crusade." But the facts are Indisputable that both Fredonia and Jamestown began this temperance war several days earlier than Hillsboro, with the same plan of campaign.

Within fifty days two hundred and fifty saloons were closed in the villages and towns of the country. Crusading was difficult, trying work, sometimes dan- gerons, and criticism abounded. But today, to have been a Crusader, is to receive the highest acclalm in the largest organization of women in the world. The greatest good that came from it all was the arousing of women to openly and aggressively oppose them- selves to social and legal sin and their determination to organize and keep at it, working according to a well-defined plan.

Many Unions quickly sprang up all over New York State, and in nine months the New York State Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union was organized at Syracuse.

It was in Chautauqua county also, at the Chautauqua Assembly of 1874, that the movement was inaugurated for a national organization. At a meeting of widely scattered members, a committee was appointed to issue the "Call" for the organizing convention at Cleveland, November 18-19-20, 1874. Eighteen States were represented in that gathering held only eleven months after the Fredonia crusade.

Miss Frances Willard, that lovely woman of pro- phetic insight and matchless executive ability, led the work for nineteen years. On Lowell's principle that,

"In the gain or loss of one race All the rest have equal claim,"

she founded the World's Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union. Eight round-the-world missionaries have been sent out with the gospel temperance message. And though she "rests from her labors, her works do follow her" In more than fifty nationalities. The total membership of the World's Union is half a million.

It was not until June 29, 1882, that representatives of the local Unions in Chautauqua county met in Jamestown to organize a County Union. Mrs. H. L. Hubbell, of Jamestown, presided, and Mrs. Josephus Clark in a short address welcomed the delegates from Fredonia, Silver Creek, Sherman, Kennedy and West- field. After the adoption of the constitution, Mrs. Es- ther McNeil of Fredonia was elected president. Mrs. McNeil was a "Crusader," and from 1877 until 1895 was president of Fredonia Union No. I, then being made its honorary president. Even at a great age, she always occupied the chair in the ahsence of the president. She died April 20, 1907, aged 95. She at- tended most of the national and State conventions, and was known everywhere as Mother McNeil, because of her connection with the Mother Union from the very first, and nineteen loyal Temperance Legions.

The distinctive work of the Chautauqua County Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union has been to or- ganize in every locality, and to harmonize the educa- tional work according to the plans of the National Union, as well as to devise means to increase local ef- forts for saloon extinction. There are now thirty- eight Unions in the county, eight Young Women's or- ganizations.

From the very first, work among the children has been considered the most hopeful. There has always been some special work done by the Unions along this line in organizations now called "Loyal Temperance Le- glons," in which temperance truths are taught from both religious and scientific standpoints.

In order to better enlist young men and young women in temperance principles, Silver Creek organ- ized a Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union, as early as 1884. The "Y's," their members the wisest of young women, are auxiliary to and co-oper- ate with the mother Unions, the "W's."

For preventive work, the County Union has a su- perintendent of health and heredity, who strives to Interest the local Unions in studying and teaching the laws of health, in relation to food, drink, dress and sanitation. Another work of prevention is securing the teaching of non-alcoholic medication, as pre- sented hy eminent physicians and physiologists.

The evangelistic spirit which began the work has always pervaded it. All Union meetings are opened with devotional exercises, that the workers may keep and spread the missionary spirit. An evangelistic su- perintendent plans and conducts gospel temperance meetings. Another advocates the solving of the inevit- able financial problem through "systematic and pro- portionate giving." A superintendent of Sabbath Ob- servance urges plans to secure a broad general obed- lence to the Sabbath laws of God and of man, for re- ligious, patriotic and scientific reasons.

The Social Purity Superintendent specializes effort through legislation and education for "A White Life for Two." Rescue work is carried on for the erring woman by personal work and assistance in sustaining the "Rescue Homes" of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Elmira and Brooklyn. The pris- on and jail superintendent is elected to secure the giving of the gospel temperance message in the jails.

During the first year of its organization (1882) the Chautauqua County Union began its efforts to assist in securing a State law requiring scientific temperance instruction in the public schools. The law was passed in 1884. Since then its efforts have been toward secur- ing the use of truly scientific text books and the en- couraging of teachers by placing the best and latest helps in their way.

A department was formed at the first to secure the use of unfermented wine by the churches in celebrat- ing the Lord's Supper. Then, fermented wine was in general use. Now, nearly all Protestant churches use the wine which can tempt no one.

The Department of Sunday School Work has se- cured much systematic temperance teaching in the Sun- day school, and the total abstinence pledges of thou- sands of the members, during all these years.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Department sent ont ship libraries, each containing twenty volumes of helpful reading. These have been named in honor of leading workers of the county, and are changed from ship to ship until worn out. Hundreds of comfort bags have been sent to hoth soldiers and sailors, with the New Testament and pledge among the furnishings. Num- berless books and leaflets have presented temperance truths to these who serve the nation in hard places.

Anti-narcotic teaching, pledging and legislation are worked for by a superintendent who believes these drugs are allies of the drink habit, as well as ruinous themselves. The Department of Medical Contests, both recitation and essay, pushes a most attractive way of presenting the broad principles of the organization to the public.

The Parlor Meeting superintendent plans an oppor- tunity for the exercise of the power of sociability to attract attendance and attention to a real temperance meeting, after all.

Chautauqua county has been strewed all over with the white leaflets of the Temperance Literature De- partment. The Press Superintendent teaches and practices the fullest permissible use of the press, as preacher and teacher, believing it largely true, "As a man readeth his newspaper, so is he."

As the "Fredonia Censor" prophesied, the temperance women learned by many hard experiences their need of the ballot to reach the legal status of the sa- loon. The Franchise Department is worked to convert other women, as well as men, not only to the justice of giving women the ballot, but also to the mighty power for the general good the measure stands for. In co- operation with the State and national organizations, Chautauqua County Union has helped effect State and national legislation in favor of the reforms they rep- resent. Not all of the work outlined by the County Union can be undertaken by the local Unions, but each choose a few phases to emphasize.

The Chautauqua County Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union has stood for the historical facts con- cerning the beginning of this woman's temperance work, in every possible way. The first banner bore the inscription, "Chautauqua, the birth-place of the W. C. T. U." The new banner has a good painting of the old Baptist church at Fredonia, under which are the words: "Crusade Church, Fredonia, New York, December 15, 1873."

About 1892 the organization erected a beautiful marble fountain in the corridor of Willard Hall, in the Woman's Temple at Chicago, at a cost of more than a thousand dollars. All who pass may read upon it: "Chautauqua County, New York, the birth-place of the W. C. T. U."

In 1894 the County Union invited the State Union to come to the old birth-place for its majority meeting. The entertainment at Jamestown was full and free, as befitted the occasion.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union has ac- complished its mission. The women, adorned with a little white ribbon bow, and supremely desirons of the purity which it represents, did not withdraw or falter until the righteous forces which, under God, they kept working, ostracised recognized alcoholic liquor drink- ing and selling, from the social and political life of their land.

The following facts and statistics are taken from the Directory of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Chautauqua County for the year 1918-1919:

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351

THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

County Motto: Faith is the Victory. County Flow- er: White Chrysanthemums. County Song: "Chau- tauqua Land." County Badge: Knot of White Rib- bon. County Rally Cry:

More than 2000 strong we march along, Ready to dare and do; Chautauqua County must be white- Birth-place of the W. C. T. U.

County Membership-September, 1917, 2070; Septem- ber, 1918, 2309.

Alphabetical list of County Unions: Arkwright, 91 members; Ashville, 76; Brocton, 90; Busti, 28; Cassa- daga, 42; Celoron, 20; Chautauqua, 41; Cherry Creek, 23; Clymer, 16; Conewango Valley, 28; Dewittville, 7; Dunkirk, 33; Ebenezer, 28; Ellington, 21; Falconer. 100; Forestville, 33; Fredonia, 100; Frewsburg, 106; Gerry, 50; Hanover Center, 40; Irving, 13; Jamestown Unions: Fanny O. Bailey, 408; Swedish Union, 210; Sylvia A. Harris, 8; West Side, 40; Kennedy, 100; Lakewood, 31; Levant, 38; Mayville, 70; Niobe, 80; Panama, 31; Ripley, 50; Sheridan, 25; Sherman, 16; Silver Creek, 73; Sin- clairville, 28; Stockton, 49; Watts Flats, 13. The total membership, 2356.

There are Young People's Unions at Dunkirk, Fal- coner, Fredonia, Gerry, Jamestown, Levant and Niobe, with a membership of about 100.

The Loyal Temperance Legion for Boys and Girls has legions at Arkwright, Brocton, Celoron, Chau- tauqua, Clymer, Conewango Valley, Ebenezer, Fredonia, Frewsburg, Gerry, Gerry School, Jamestown, Lakewood, Levant, Niobe, Panama, Stockton and Watts Flats.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union Day is a rec- ognized feature of the Chautauqua Institution each sea- son, and there are six groupings of towns for the pur- pose of holding Day Institutes. The work of the W. C. T. U. is highly systematized, and in Chautauqua county the following departments have been organized,

each with its own superintendent and plan of work: Americanization, Anti-Narcotics, Citizenship, Evangelis- tic, Flower Mission and Relief Work, Health and Heredity, Household Thrift, Humane Education, Medi- cal Temperance, Medal Contests, Mothers Meetings, Prison and Reform, Press Work, Purity in Literature and Art, Rescue Work for Girls, Sabbath Observance, Sabbath School Work, Scientific Temperance Instruc- tion, Social Meetings and Red Letter Days, Soldiers and Sailors, Temperance Literature, Temperance and Labor, Temperance and Missions.

Eight presidents have served the county union during its lifetime, 1882-1920: Mrs. Esther McNeil, Fredonia, 1882-83: Mrs. Milton Bailey, Jamestown, 1883-84; Mrs. Esther McNeil, Fredonia, 1884-85; Mrs. R. W. Scott, Ripley, 1885-86; Mrs. Silas W. Mason, Westfield, 1886- 90; Mrs. Martha S. Mead, Jamestown, 1890-95; Mrs. Ursula Babcock, Silver Creek, 1895-1900; Mrs. Martha S. Mead, Jamestown, 1900-04; Mrs. Flora H. Sterling, Silver Creek, 1904-15; Mrs. Katherine M. Warner, Niobe, 1915-20.

At the Thirty-seventh Annual Convention of the county organization held in Frewsburg, September 30, 1920, the following officers were elected : Mrs. Katherine M. Warner, of Niobe, president ; first vice-president, Mrs. Lizzie M. Perkins, Gerry ; second vice-president, Mrs. Emma M. Rickenbrode, Ripley ; third vice-presi- dent, Mrs. Nellie Londquist, Sheridan ; corresponding secretary, Miss Kathryn Hill, Panama ; recording secre- tary, Mrs. Daisy Stowell, Mayville; treasurer, Mrs. Anna L. Wilbur, Jamestown; Y. P. B. secretary, Miss Mneatha Cowden, Gerry; L. T. L. secretary, Mrs. A. May E. Walters, Jamestown.

THE POLITICAL EQUALITY MOVEMENT.

Early in 1914 a representative, Miss Jane Pincus, of the Woman's Political Union, an independent organiza- tion, came to Jamestown, opened headquarters, and pro- ceeded to work, as she stated, "on virgin soil." Miss Pincus being much younger than most of the suffragists here, probably did not know otherwise. She was a pleas- ing, vigorous young woman, and spoke before many societies and organizations.

Chautauqua county, noted for its broad-minded liberal men and women and as the birthplace of several pro- gressive movements, further prides herself upon the fact that Chautauqua was the first county in New York State to organize a County Political Equality Club, with the various local clubs of the county as auxiliaries.

While individual women throughout the county were believers in the principle of political equality, special interest in the movement was not awakened until Mrs. Lillie Devereaux Blake, president of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association, gave an address in the Opera House, Jamestown, on July 24, 1885. She urged organization at that time of a local club, but it was not until November, 1887, when Mary Seymour Howell addressed an assemblage at Institute Hall, Jamestown, that the women decided to organize. The following day Mrs. Howell met the women interested at the home of Mrs. Daniel Griswold, and there helped to organize the first Political Equality Club in the county, with thirteen members. Mrs. D. H. Grandin was made president ; Mrs. R. N. Thompson, secretary ; Mrs. C. W. Scofield, treasurer. The membership rapidly increased,

and the large club soon aroused the interest of women in neighboring towns and villages, and the following year clubs were organized in Kennedy, Kiantone, Frewsburg, Lily Dale, Ellington, Sinclairville and South Stockton through the efforts of the Jamestown Club. They were soon followed by nearly every town in the county. The clubs formed during 1888 were: Kennedy and May- ville, in July ; Frewsburg, Ellington and Fredonia, in August ; Sinclairville and South Stockton, in October ; Gerry, Westfield, Harmony and Kiantone, in November.

On August 16, 1888, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, renowned pioneers of equal suffrage, addressed afternoon and evening meetings in Allen's Opera House, Jamestown. There was present in the large audience Kate Stoneman, a native of Busti, the first woman lawyer to be admitted to the bar in New York State.

So great was the interest manifested throughout the county that a call for the purpose of organizing a West- ern New York Political Equality Club was sent out by the Jamestown Club. In response, delegates assembled in Jamestown, October 31, 1888, from Jamestown, Car- roll, Charlotte, Cherry Creek, Ellery, Gerry, Harmony, Kiantone, Kennedy, Mayville, Stockton, Sinclairville, Randolph, Pomona Grange and Ross Grange. Before the meeting was called to order by Mrs. D. H. Grandin it was decided by those in charge to organize a county club, instead of a Western New York Club.

Mrs. Martha R. Almy, of Mayville, was made chair- man, and the Political Equality Club of Chautauqua County sprang into being with these officers: Mrs. Martha T. Henderson of Jamestown, president ; Mrs. Anna C. Shaw, of Kennedy, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Kate S. Thompson, of Jamestown, recording sec-

NOTE-This account is compiled from the writings of Mrs. Elenora M. Babcock of Dunkirk and Mrs. Mar- tha Fuller Prather of Jamestown, two ladies grown white in the suffrage cause.

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

retary ; Mrs. Lois B. Lott, Mayville, treasurer ; execu- tive committee-Miss Jane Colburn, Fredonia; Mrs. L. McAllister, Sinclairville; Mrs. Mary T. Hiller, Frews- burg. This the first county organization for Woman Suffrage in the State was accomplished in the afternoon, and in the evening a meeting was held presided over by the new president, Mrs. Henderson. C. R. Lock- wood, of Jamestown, and Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell, of Albany, were the principal speakers.

A semi-annual meeting of the Club was held in Sinclairville, February 20, 1889, when the organization was perfected.

On June 30, 1889, a convention and picnic was held in the church at Bemus Point ; addresses were made by C. R. Lockwood, Rev. Henry Frank and Miss Kate O. Peate.

On the 4th of July Mrs. Marion T. Skidmore arranged for a celebration at Lily Dale, and invited all the clubs in the county. A fine program was carried out, consist- ing of music, the reading of the Declaration of In- dependence by Josh Ramsdell, and addresses by Rev. IIenry Frank, of Jamestown, Mrs. R. S. Lily, Miss Kate O. Peate and Mrs. Hannah B. Stearns.

The second annual convention was held in Temperance Hall, Fredonia, in the afternoon, and Normal Chapel in the evening, October 31, 1889, twenty-seven delegates being present from Mayville, Sinclairville, Dewittville, Cassadaga, Jamestown, Carroll, Kennedy, Kiantone, Lily Dale, South Stockton, Ellington, Frewsburg, Fredonia and Bemus Point. Cherry Creek did not send delegates, but reported by letter. Mrs. Martha T. Henderson was re-elected president. Rev. Anna H. Shaw spoke in the evening.

The semi-annual meeting was held in Jamestown with representatives from fourteen clubs, Dunkirk hav- ing organized since the last annual convention. The G. A. R. kindly donated their hall for the occasion. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Opera House, which was addressed by Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace of Indiana. Dr. J. E. Almy also made a short speech.

This year was one of unusual activity among the women of Jamestown, who determined that they should be represented by two women on the school board. Both the "Journal" and "Sun" expressed their disapproval of the proposed effort to make any change in the Board of Education, saying that they should let well enough alone. The "Morning News," however, edited by Benja- min S. Dean, advocated the election of the women. The Political Equality Club worked with a will and elected both their candidates-Mrs. N. R. Thompson and Mrs. Daniel Griswold-both highly accomplished women, well qualified for the positions. During the year 1889, Mrs. E. R. Clarke edited a magazine called "Equality." Fine- ly edited, and published by Archie McLean, of Sinclair- ville, it was not well supported, and passed out of ex- istence. During the years 1890-1894 a strong effort was made by the women of Dunkirk to secure the election of women on the school board of that city, but with- out success.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 82

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc. Number of Pages: 649

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649