USA > Ohio > Highland County > Hillsboro > Hillsboro crusade sketches and family records > Part 4
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"Mrs. Thompson was appointed to present
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appeal at hotels and saloons." "The first call was made at the Ulirig saloon, on East High Street. There we were met by smooth words and fair promises, but no signatures." "Kramer House proprietor-not at home." "Ellicott House-the polite landlord said he did hope we would suc- ceed, but could not close his bar unless the others would." "The kind proprietor of the Woodrow House half agreed to give up the miserable busi- ness, and said he certainly would if the other hotels of the town would close up."
It was quite evident to the minds of the ladies that the question with these gentlemen turned upon the pivot of popularity and finan- cial success, and not upon any innate love of the curse, for the fact was too apparent that the effects of liquor -drinking had proven the hardest part of a landlord's office.
Fortified with hope in the evident unrest of these men, who were building upon sandy foundations-their hope of gain-our next call was at the saloon of John Bales. He was cool and polite, treated the subject-matter of our visit in a purely business way, proposed selling out his entire stock, billiard tables and all, at two- thirds of invoiced value, and sell no more liquor! As this was quite out of the line of our warfare against spiritual wickedness in high places, we turned our faces towards the first-class saloon
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(as it was called) kept by Robert Ward, on High Street, a resort made famous by deeds, the inem- ory of which nerved the heart and paled the cheek of some among us, as the seventy entered the open door of the "witty Englishman" (as his patrons were wont to call the popular Ward). Doubtless he had learned of our approach, as he not only propped the heavy door open, but with the most perfect suavity of manner held it until the ladies all passed in; then, closing it, walked to his accustomed stand behind the bar.
Seizing the strange opportunity, the leader addressed him as follows: "Well, Mr. Ward, this must seem to you a strange audience! I sup- pose, however, that you understand the object of our visit?" "Robert" by this time began to perspire freely, and remarked that he would like to have a talk with Dio Lewis. Mrs. Thompson said : "Dr. Lewis has nothing whatever to do with the subject of our mission. As you look upon some of the faces before you, and observe the marks of sorrow, caused by the unholy busi- ness that you ply, you will find that it is no wonder we are here. We have come, however, not to threaten, not even to upbraid, but in the name of our Divine Friend and Savior, and in his spirit, to forgive, and to commend you to his pardon, if you will but agree to abandon a busi-
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ness that is so damaging to our hearts and to the peace of our liomes !"
The hesitation and embarrassment of the famous saloon-keeper seemed to afford (as the leader thought) an opportunity for prayer; so, casting her eye around upon that never-to-be- forgotten group of earnest faces, she said, very softly: "Let us pray." Instantly all, even the poor liquor-seller himself, were upon their knees, Mrs. McSurely, wife of the Presbyterian minister. was asked by Mrs. Thompson to lead in prayer, but she declined. The spirit of utterance then came upon the latter, and, as a seal of God's approval upon the self-sacrificing work there inaugurated, the Holy Spirit touched all hearts. As we arose from our knees, dear Mrs. Doggett (now in heaven) broke forth in her sweet, pa- thetic notes, and all joined with her in singing:
"There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains."
The scene that followed, in a most remarkable manner portrayed the spirit of our holy religion. Poor wives and mothers, who the day before would have crossed the street to avoid passing by a place so identified with their heartaches, their woes, and their deepest humiliation, in
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tearful pathos were now pleading with this de- luded brother to accept the world's Redeemer as his own. Surely, " God is Love !"
Shortly after the ladies retired from this their first saloon prayer-ineeting, a message from Dr. Lewis, at Washington Court-house, was received by Colonel William H. Trimble to this effect: " The women over here are terribly in earnest." As the report of union in this strange work first greeted our ears and strengthened our hearts, " Praise ye the Lord" seemed more and more a · fitting prelude to our "Magna Charta"-the 146th Psalın-and we entered upon the Saturday morning prayer service with renewed faith and courage.
Dr. Mathews, president of the Hillsboro Fe- male College, the renowned and venerated edu- cator of woman in our community for so many years, presided over the meeting, and spoke to our hearts such words of earnest commenda- tion and sympathy that the "doubting ones " could but have been convinced as was Thomas of old.
William H. H. Dunn, the druggist, who was not at his place of business on the morning of the visit by the "band of ladies," sent in his reply to their "appeal." It read as follows:
"LADIES,-In compliance with my agreement I give you this promise, that I will carry on my business in the future
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as I have in the past; that is to say, that in the sale of intoxicating liquors I will comply with the law, nor will I sell to any person whose father, mother, wife, or daughter send ine a written request not to make such sale."
There was some discussion as to whether Mr. Dunn's pledge should be received as satisfactory. Remarks were made by the gentlemen as well as the ladies, but it was soon apparent that there were mothers in that audience who could never vote to have "his business" carried on "in the future as in the past." Action was therefore deferred.
Next in order came a message from Mr. Ben- net, the master of the Hillsboro Grange: "Say to the ladies for me, God bless them; and, poor man that I am, I will back them with fifty dol- lars if it is needed."
.
It was resolved at this Saturday morning meeting to hold a mass temperance-mecting in the Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday even- ing, December 28th, and a committee of three ministers-Rev. Dr. McSurely, of the Presbyte- rian Church; Rev. Mr. Cowden, of the Methodist ; and Rev. John Ely, of the Episcopal Church- were chosen to take charge of said meeting, in- viting both ladies and gentlemen to speak. Rev. Mr. Ely was also requested to invite Father Dona- hue, of the Catholic Church, and his temperance society, to join us in our work. 6
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After uniting in a fervent prayer and singing part of a favorite hymn, the committee adjourned to meet on Monday morning, at the same time and place. Procession then formed, and visits were made at two hotels and three saloons. One ot the saloon-keepers expressed a great desire to get out of the business. With this encouraging prospect we ended the first week of the "Cru- sade" in Hillsboro.
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HILLSBORO CRUSADE SKETCHES.
D ECEMBER 27, 1873, we find recorded on the minutes of our " Woman's Temperance League," the first desire expressed on the part of a liquor-dealer of Hillsboro "to quit the busi- ness." In a few days after that, two others man- ifested a willingness to be relieved! The ways and means were under consideration, and well- chosen committees were quietly intrusted with the cases.
In the meantime, the morning prayer-meetings were continued with increasing interest. The daily visitations of the band, now numbering over eiglity, to "all places where liquors were sold and drunk on the premises" were faithfully kept up. The mass-meeting in Music Hall, or
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in the Methodist Episcopal church, several even- ings of each week, were always well attended and of great interest to the public, as reports were made there by the zealous workers of incidents " along the weary way," and the speeches, pray- ers, and songs were of that enthusiastic order peculiar to the times.
January 3d, the morning prayer service was of a most impressive nature. The committee which had been appointed to present the " Physi- cian's Pledge," Mrs. McSurely, Mrs. Thomas Barry, Mrs. Jessie K. Pickering, Mrs. James Pat- terson, Mrs. William Barry, reported as follows : " Found the County Medical Convention in ses- sion; were presented to the Convention and po- litely received." The object of the visit being made known, the physicians there present signed an approved physician's pledge to the number of seventeen of Highland County's best-known phy- sicians.
This was received with thanksgiving, as those intrusted with the care of families know too well the fearful risk of intoxicating prescriptions from the family doctor, not to appreciate the value of such a victory.
When the hour for business had passed, and the usual visiting ordeal was in order, the ladies were most agreeably surprised by the announce- ment that they would be expected to call upon
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Colonel Cook to express their thanks that he had closed the bar of the "Ellicott House." After singing, with an unusual amount of zeal, “ Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," the proces- sion formed, and at once proceeded to make this visit. The ladies were politely met by the genial landlord and his kindly wife, and ushered into the spacious parlor of this old and popular hotel.
During the conversation that followed, the colonel complained that the temperance public had not stood by him, when, on a former occa- sion, he had closed his bar, but patronized hotel- where liquors were sold.
The leader of the band, feeling the embarras. ment of the situation, proposed that all should unite in prayer that the temperance people "stand by their colors," and with heart and soul sustain their brother in his effort for the right. It was most natural that an earnest petition should be added for the proprietor, who was bravely fac- ing the losses as well as the crosses of the situa- tion. Blessings from full hearts were invoked upon the colonel, his wife, and his house, and as that honest prayer was ended, all joined in a sweet song of thanksgiving, and parted with the most cordial good feeling.
The Visiting Committee proceeded to call upon the other hotels that morning, to secure, if possi- ble, the consent of the proprietors to close their
-
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bars on the approaching stock-sale day. Saloons were also appealed to upon the subject. Some consented; others promised to be very careful in their sales! Our secretary furnished the follow- ing facts after the sale-day was over :
" The result of the day's work was most satis- factory. There was less drunkenness on the streets than had ever before been known on a stock-sale day ; indeed, almost none at all !"
Some matters of business were looked into pertaining to the charitable feature of our work. Then it was determined to appoint a committee of three ladies to report to Mr. Dunn that the Woman's Temperance Association could not con- scientiously agree to his last proposed " druggist's pledge;" but instructions were given to this com- mittee of Christian ladies-Mrs. Judge Evans, Mrs. Pickering, and Mrs. Nelson-to convey to Mr. Dunn the good wishes of our Society, with · the sincere desire that he would agree to the uni- form druggist pledge, and thus remove one of the greatest stumbling-blocks out of the way of our success in this community.
The band, after singing most feelingly the hymn so expressive of their convictions that morning,-
"Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the world go free? No, there's a cross for every one, And there's a cross for me,"-
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took up with renewed courage the sacred cross, and proceeded to their work of visitation.
Passing along Main Street, west of High, on that cold, snowy January morning, a sign, hith- erto unobserved by the band, appeared in view. It read, "The Lava Bed;" it was in the base- ment of a large business house; the proprietor's name was Joseph Lance. It only required a moment's reflection, and, led by the regular offi- cers of the band, they descended the steep, snowy, stone steps to hold a prayer and song service on the sawdust floor of that low-down saloon! It was literally a low-down saloon, but the women recognized the fact that Joe Lance had a soul to be saved from the woe of making his neighbor drunken; so they felt constrained to give him their prayers and songs, their Scripture readings and their persuasion, just as they had given them to those nearer the light of heaven, who were en- gaged in the same business. The poor fellow was taken by surprise, but was kind and respect- ful, and after the ladies left had "strange thoughts," as he afterwards confessed.
Reports were now coming in from many quar- ters of the wonderful success of this "woman's movement," as it was called, and many who had been faithless were now saying: " It must be of God !" Messages from our association to Wil- mington, New Vienna, Greenfield, and other
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places, were sent, and from them to us in return, until it really did seem that a chain of love for God and humanity was about to bind the hearts of Christians together for royal service for the Master! And although after twenty years we may well sing:
"It may not be my way, It may not be thy way, And yet, in his own way, The Lord will provide "-
as,
" Bands of ribbon white, Around the world !"
do witness.
V.
O NE of the most remarkable features of the " Woman's Temperance Movement" was the rapidity with which the fire of enthusiasm . spread; and another was the spirit of zeal and self-abnegation that seemed to take possession of the best and most useful women in commu- nities touched by this fire. We learn from re- corded history that "in less than two weeks from the time it was inaugurated at Hillsboro three or four counties in Southern Ohio were taken by storm !"
A reporter of the Cincinnati Commercial says (January, 1874): "The excitement pervading the
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entire community over the 'Woman's Temper- ance Movement' exceeds anything we have wit- nessed in Hillsboro during a residence of twenty years. And yet, on the part of the women en- gaged in it-despite old prejudices and present discouragements-a spirit of courageous faith and earnest prayer, added to a most forgiving disposition towards those wliose business they especially antagonized, seems to characterize the movement wherever developed."
On the morning of January 12th, our early services were conducted by Dr. McSurely in the Presbyterian church, and his words and faithful Bible readings (always good) were so fitly spoken that they were indeed "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Business of much interest followed. First, General McDowell said he had been requested to state to the meeting that the hotel-keepers wished a committee of gentlemen to be sent to confer with them in regard to "this movement," and to receive their proposals. It was "moved and carried" that the ladies vote on this request, and the request was granted.
The following gentlemen-Mr. F. I. Bum- garner, Mr. J. M. Boyd, General J. J. McDowell, Mr. M. T. Nelson, and Mr. Samuel E. Hibben- were appointed to wait upon the hotel-keepers. as a committee of conference. The men in charge of aiding tlie business houses who wished
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to reship their liquors to Cincinnati reported the readiness of two firms to accept terins and quit the business. The ladies, true to their promise, signified their intention of meeting at an ap- pointed time for the purchase of candies, glasses, beer-mugs, etc., and thus aid the parties to start in a more desirable occupation.
A message was sent in by one or two of the hotel-keepers, through Mr. Samuel E. Hibben, requesting that the following ladies be added to the committee of gentlemen appointed to confer with them: Mesdames Colonel Trimble, Williaın Scott, Jessie K. Pickering, Judge Evans, and E. J. Thompson. The society indorsed the request. A message announcing the pleasant news that our Washington Court-house friends would be with us that evening was received with evidences of delight.
A committee was also appointed to invite town, county, and United States officers to attend the meetings of the Woman's Temperance Asso- ciation. Meeting adjourned with the benedic- tion. and the ladies formed in procession and made several visits to saloons, inviting all to come out and hear from our Washington Court- house friends.
The mass-meeting in the evening was large and enthusiastic, with addresses by "Mr. More- house, the superintendent of schools, and Mr.
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Dean, teacher of high school" of that place. They gave accounts of the work there to the delight of all interested, although many of us felt heavy about the heart because of the "stones" that were not yet "rolled away" in · our community.
An unusually large number of men and women assembled in the Presbyterian church at an early hour on the morning of the 13th of January, 1874. The regular order of business was set aside that the audience might hear from the visitors from Washington Court-house-that fortunate little city whose "liquor - sellers" all gave up to the prayers and entreaties of the good women, two of whom, Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Pruddy, gave us some words of encourage- ment. After adjournment, the ladies of the band went out for "visitations," found some doors closed, and our dealers hard and unrelenting, be- cause they were fortified against the "Washing- ton Court-house women," whom they expected with us! The men's prayer-meeting continued in session at the church, and the bell was rung at the end of every prayer.
About this time there was much feeling with regard to Mr. Dunn's course toward the ladies and their reasonable wishes. Without consult- ing them, our highly-esteemed friend, Rev. J. McD. Mathews, aided by the man whom all
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society delighted to honor, Mr. Samuel E. Hib- ben, decided to secure the names of prominent business and professional men of the community to a personal appeal, and present it to Mr. Dunn. Over two hundred names were secured, and in the most kindly manner these two good men presented an appeal, and received from his at- torneys his reply.
VI.
T must "needs be" that much of interest is I passed over in silence as we attempt a report of Crusade incidents. So varied and unique were the duties and thrilling occurrences of each day that of "making many books there would be no end," if all were told.
The following appeal, signed by about two hundred male citizens, had been presented to Mr. Dunn, the druggist, at the request of the temperance people, by a committee consisting of Rev. J. McD. Mathews and Mr. S. E. Hibben :
APPEAL. MR. W. H. H. DUNN :
Dear Sir,-We, the undersigned citizens and bus- iness men of Hillsboro, would respectfully and kindly ask you to sign the "Women's Temperance Druggist's Pledge." We appeal to you as interested with us in the good name and prosperity of our town, and in view of
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the fact that some of our saloon-keepers are trying to make you their covering. We address you in no spirit of coercion, but as your neighbors and friends, who would have you with us in this temperance movement.
Should you decide to adopt the course here sug- gested, you will entitle yourself to our gratitude, as well as subserve, in our judgment, your own interests.
The subjoined reply was received at the hands of Mr. Dunn's attorneys:
MR. DUNN'S REPLY.
To HON. SAMUEL E. HIBBEN AND REV. J. McD. MATHEWS :
Gentlemen,-Mr. W. H. H. Dunn, our client, to whom you presented a petition, signed by certain citizens of Hillsboro, requesting him to sign the " Women's Tem- perance Druggist's Pledge," bids us answer thus:
He is unable to see any difference between the re- quest made in the petition referred to and the request originally presented by the ladies. He saw fit to refuse such request then, and sees no reason now to change his mind.
The " movement" forced him into the courts, and consequently placed him in direct antagonism with the temperance people connected with such "movement."
Until such a request as the one referred to is accom- panied by proper concessions to him on the part of such temperance people, he can scarcely honor it with respectful or serious attention.
We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, very respectfully yours,
BEESON & SLOANE, COLLINS & PARKER.
It was a very singular pleasure that our band enjoyed on the morning of the 17th of January,
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1874, to pass out of the church in a body, after the morning services were concluded, singing (in our hearts) that old gospel hymn,-
"Help us to help each other, Lord, Each other's cross to bear; Let each his friendly aid afford, And feel his brother's care,"-
then to go where we believed a man was honestly making an effort to get out of a business so fraught with disastrous results to all concerned. When we arrived at the "Bank Saloon," we found our committee of temperance men finish- ing their part of the work of reshipments. They kindly proffered their aid, and the auction com- menced, which resulted in each woman possess- ing a trophy, and Mr. Koch a full purse and an empty house, ready for (as we had hoped and prayed) a successful shoe-trade, as that was his original business. The pledge was presented to Mr. Koch, and from our minutes it seems he signed it with the added clause, "never to en- gage in the business in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio."
.
The women of the Association were most pleasantly surprised, at the evening meeting in the Presbyterian Church, to find themselves pre- sented with two large and beautifully illumi- nated text-cards from Captain Amen, one to be
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hung in the Presbyterian Church, and the other in the Methodist. The texts were,
"In union there is strength." "God's work pays sure wages."
It was moved (and seconded by Dr. Fullerton)' and carried, that Dr. Fullerton be requested to frame these mottoes at his own expense. It was no sooner said than done, and those embel- lished cards, with their inspiring texts, and the kindly thought on the path of our "weary way," gave the band much good cheer.
One morning about this time, as our ladies were engaged in a song and prayer service in one of the saloons, a message was received from our friend of the "Lava Bed," who had not been for- gotten or neglected. A conference was soon ar- ranged with a committee of ladies, and Mr. Lance made known his situation and his wishes. Plans were immediately formed for the poor fellow's relief from the heavy penalties resting upon him, and Joseph found himself a free man, selling fresh fish from a fine business stand, giving strength, not "muddle," to human brains, and peace to his own conscience.
It is needless to say that "fish, fresh fish," became the popular dish in the homes of the Crusaders (as they were beginning to be called),
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and our new "importer " for a time did a flourish- ing business.
Mr. Wm. Swartz, of the Jefferson House, now demanded attention. He was only a temporary actor in the saloon connected with the hotel, the property belonging to his widowed sister, Mrs. Liber. Mr. Swartz and his wife had tastes dif- fering from that sort of life; hence it was not a very difficult task to persuade them to withdraw from it. Terms were agreed upon, and after the reshipment of liquors to Cincinnati, and the auc- tion of beer-mugs, etc., Mr. Swartz found himself behind the counter of a flourishing grocery, and his little family enjoying the peace of an honest home without the "trail of the serpent."
News still reaching us of other localities com- ing under the influence of this marvelous "bap- tism of the Spirit," our hearts were being en- larged for further service, and communications of cordial sympathy were now of frequent oc- currence ..
VII. THE DRUGSTORE-DAY.
S ATURDAY morning, January 24, 1874, was a morning long to be remembered. After devotional services of more than usual interest and power, the women of the band, numbering
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about eighty, sallied forth from the dear old church that witnessed their first consecration, to encounter the piercing blasts of nature's cold, but more to feel the sting of malicious persecu- tion, and witness the frowns of former friends, as they gathered in front of the " Palace Drug- store " for an all-day service of prayer and song.
It may be well to give our readers an idea of this day's work from an outsider's impression of it, as given in an organ of the Baptist Church, the Watchman and Reflector, of Boston. The editor prefaces the narrative by saying:
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