USA > Ohio > Highland County > Hillsboro > Hillsboro crusade sketches and family records > Part 7
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BUT
LIFE TO THE SLAVE."
Much kindly feeling was the result of this united effort, and some money in the temperance treas- ury of the State for future work.
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XV. THE DUNN TRIAL.
O N the 30th day of January, 1874, a suit for $10,000 damage was brought by David Johnson and Wm. H. H. Dunn, druggists of Hillsboro, Ohio, against the temperance people engaged in the work of reform, known as the " Woman's Crusade." This suit was called an "action of trespass," and was tried at the May term of the Court of Common Pleas, in the year 1875, before the Hon. T. M. Gray, R. T. Hough being clerk of said court, and Cary T. Pope, sheriff. Counsel for the plaintiff were Sloan & Smith, Collins & Dittey, Henry L. Dickey, and Judge Safford. Counsel for the defendants, A. F. Perry, Cincinnati; M. J. Williams, Toledo; James H. Thompson, A. G. Matthews, and George B. Gardener, of Hillsboro.
The eventful morning, 17th of May, 1875, when "the ladies" were requested to take their seats in the court-room, came at last. There was much curiosity as to the conduct of the Crusaders; but the slow, solemn peal of the old church-bell at eight o'clock satisfied all that they had not forgotten their morning prayer- meeting. Every woman was at her post promptly on that morning, and our bright, brave young
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ladies, who were so true and useful during those Crusade days of self-denial and cross-bearing, were on hand in full force, and never did their sweet, clear voices ring out with such pathos as on that occasion.
Precious promises from God's own Word were read by the leader. "My faith looks up to Thee," was sung with much feeling; then a few brief, earnest prayers were offered, just to the point, notably Mrs. Foraker's, which made a lasting impression upon all hearts. She appealed to the Lord, "in his righteousness, to confuse and confound the lawyers who were engaged in prose- cuting the women of Hillsboro (who were his believing children) for trying to remove the stumbling-blocks out of the way of the weak, and to establish his righteous laws for the pro- tection of the sons and daughters of our com- munity."
After joining with "one heart and one mind" in the amen to that prayer, the doxology was sung; then, two-and-two, the line of march was taken up, with modest mien but brave hearts, for the court of justice.
The Crusaders were conducted to the seats assigned them, and, after quietly taking in the situation, the first thing that attracted attention ยท was the heaps of law-books profusely marked, that were piled upon the table by which sat .
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Judge Safford (senior attorney for Dunn). Natu- rally, we "poor, weak women felt, Can there be so much against us in those books of doom? But we cried still more earnestly (in our hearts), "O Lord, undertake for us !"
For some time after we took our seats the judge seemed very much absorbed examining these books, and marking new points of law; finally he took his glasses off, placed them in a bright morocco case, laid them down on the table (unfortunately too near the edge), and, gracefully turning himself, so as to give atten- tion to the speaker, who was very earnestly " opening the case," lost sight of his spectacles. Quick as thought, our officious little dog (named " Busy Bee " by his little master, because of his perpetual motion), danced up on his hind legs to the table, where he spied the bright spectacle- case, and, taking the tip-end between his little white teeth, darted off under tables and seats to-nobody knew where. Very soon there was occasion for some of those marked portions of legal lore, and the spectacles were in de- mand, but search was made in vain. The "con- fusion " that followed was "confounding." No one, save myself, seemed to know of the dog's trick, and I was called out to meet an expected guest; but as I was passing hastily out, Mrs. Foraker drew me down to her, and, with her
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expressive face all aglow, said: "I do believe I prayed a little too hard."
The court-room was crowded every day by visitors from town and vicinity, and from a distance. In the hope of convicting the Cru- saders of damaging Mr. Dunn's trade, many wit- nesses had been subpoenaed. Examinations and cross-examinations were indulged in on both sides, to the utter weariness of all concerned. Finally the argument, in all its variety com- menced, and, as the minutes have it, "argu- ments, reason, logic, pathos, humor, impassioned defense, and malicious personalities, which are better forgotten than recorded;" after which the judge charged the jury. The eagerness with which its action was awaited can well be im- agined. The countenances of the Crusaders said in legible lines of unrest, "Vain is the help of man," remembering the rulings of the judge; but when the bell rang, hundreds from the out- side, willing to shout for the winning side, flocked to the court-house to hear the doom. The jury, obliged to base their decision upon the legal proofs in the case, as allowed by the court, found the defendants guilty of trespass. And as it was proved that Mr. Dunn lost the sale of a gallon of coal-oil and some other trifling matter in con- sequence of the presence of the ladies on his steps and sidewalks, the damages were put at
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five dollars instead of ten thousand; but that was enough to throw the costs upon the temper- ance men. Immediately a bill of exceptions was made to Judge Gray's rulings by counsel for the defense, and the case was sent to the Superior Court. Expectation was quite general that the decision would be reversed; but it never was, be- cause the active member of the firm, Wm. H. H. Dunn, soon after took the benefit of the bank- rupt law, and his assignee declined to defend the suit in the Supreme Court. The costs were set- tled, and the wrath of man became as "stubble fully dry," and was "devoured," as was promised in Nahum i, 10.
XVI.
A FTER the weariness and excitement of the Dunn trial, the undaunted, invincible Cru- saders met again in the dear old church where their first vows were recorded, and proceeded to business as quietly and peacefully as though they had not been under the arrest of human judg- ment, feeling in their hearts the comforting as- surance, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" The devotions on that day were solemn and impressive, and plans for future work were entered into with harmony and zeal.
First, it was decided to meet weekly, at the
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homes of the members of the League alternately, for prayer and conference; once each month a public temperance-meeting should be held in one of the churches; children's temperance-meeting once a week, and the young people of the town be urged to continue their gatherings three times each month. The feeling had been growing on the part of the ladies that a room set apart for their own line of work was a necessity, and they voted unanimously in favor of immediate action. Later, by appointment, the following committee took charge of the matter: Mesdames Dr. Sams, D. K. Fenner, S. Janes, J. Stevenson, E. J. Thompson. From the minutes we find: "Mon- day, evening, December 6, 1875, the general monthly temperance-meeting was held in the League-room for the first time. By the united request of the ladies, Dr. McSurely conducted the services of dedicating our little temple to God and humanity, and it was done in a man- ner most helpful and pleasing to all in attend- ance. After singing 'He leadeth me,' Mrs. Thompson was asked to give the history of the League-room, how it was obtained, how and by whom furnished, etc. This she did, and demon- strated fully that the whole thing was a special providence."
The detailed account as given then would be uninteresting at this late day; but we may, with
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righteous pride, turn to our "temple" in Chicago, the outcome of "woman's faith."
This humble old building was divided by a slight partition into two rooms. Removing this line of separation, we had a respectable oblong room, with front door and two windows, the same in the rear. Plaster, paint, paper, scrubbing- brushes, carpet, seats, tables, stove, blinds, mot- toes, pictures, Bible, and books of song and many other conveniences, were all the spontaneous of- ferings of earnest hearts. Not one dollar of debt was left upon the ladies when the first songs of praise and voice of prayer were heard under that lowly, consecrated roof.
A series of morning meetings of a devotional character had been arranged to follow the open- ing service of the League-room. These meetings were to be presided over by the Crusaders, alter- nately, and this Tuesday morning service was assigned to me. As our audience increased, and the sweet songs of Zion floated out upon the clear, crisp air of that December morning, a noble heart for whom earnest prayers were as- cending from that sacred place felt "strangely drawn;" and when the dignified form of General McDowell entered this newly-dedicated "tem- ple," and took a seat near the door, there was a visible mark of answered prayer upon the faces of many present.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HILLSBORO, OHIO. BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE OLD CRUSADE CHURCH.
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After several prayers, songs, and telling ex- periences, the leader invited her "Uncle Mc- Dowell" (in a friendly way) to say something to them; as he had throughout the Crusade been such a wonderful stay and help to the ladies, all felt a desire to hear from him now in their new line of work. At once he arose, laid off his over- coat, and, walking slowly up towards the front said, with quivering lip :. "I am not worthy to speak before you good women. During the war I grew more and more hardened and embittered, as those professing Christianity vilified each other, and brothers shed their own brother's blood. I confess I came to believe there was no such thing as religion. But I have watched the Crusaders with an interest few understood, and as I have seen those among you who were tenderly reared, kneel upon the sawdust floors-yea, even upon the pavements in front of barred doors-and have heard them, with tears coursing down their cheeks, pray for their worse than murderers, and for their wives and children, and then have fol- lowed them to the churches, and found the same spirit evinced there, I have been led to feel-yes, that is the Christ love! And I want to tell you, iny dear sisters, that I feel it in my heart this morning !" He was deeply moved, and so were all who heard him. And that dear little wife, our first vice-president and zealous Crusader, who
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had prayed so faithfully for the beloved husband of her youth for fifty years, now realized with new joy the faithfulness of her covenant-keeping God, and joined the happy group of sympathiz- ing friends in songs of praise. That meeting, long to be remembered, closed with a new seal of God's approval upon the Crusade, and a recognition of his presence in our "gospel tem- perance " meetings.
General McDowell lost no time in communi- cating with his friend and pastor, Dr. McSurely, and at once renewed his early membership with the Presbyterian Church. From the hour of his new life-experience his growth in grace, and marvelous Christian development were "known and read of all men;" for the tender Savior knew how soon he would be called from labor to re- ward; hence he made of him a "shining light." General Joseph J. McDowell was a successful man in life, possessed a fine personal appearance, was an attractive speaker, fine conversationalist, and during his terms of public service in State and National Councils, won laurels, socially as well as politically. But what were all these perishable gifts and graces to that touch of "Divine love" which transformed his nature into the "image of the heavenly," and made him meet for the kingdom that "endureth forever?"
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XVII.
T HE result of the Spirit's influence in the meetings at the League room was most manifest and helpful, and yet the loss of the sweet songs of Zion on the early morning air in our Crusade services seemed greatly missed by many; indeed it had been to the outside world as an open-air concert, because of the superior voices of our faithful and devoted leaders, the three sisters, Annie, Bessie, and Maggie Wilson. The two elder especially were our reliance-for they allowed none of their active home duties (never neglected) to hinder prompt attention to the song-service of church, street, or saloon ; their bright faces and the clear, soft melody of their voices gave inspiration to many a faint heart dur- ing those days of early rising, hard work, and bitter persecution. Aided by the many young ladies of our town who possessed gifts of voice, spirit, and will, the Crusade movement was pe- culiarly fortunate in this department.
But now that we must needs be shut up, as it were, in close communion, under our own vine and fig-tree, as compensation for the loss of much that was inspiring we almost daily witnessed God's power in some new and striking demon- stration of the Spirit. Reports were now brought
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into our League-room meetings of conversions in prison through our zealous sisters in charge of that work, and letters were read from prisoners in our county jail who felt they were God's free men, saved from their sins by the merits of Clirist and the kindness and the prayers of the good women. After the release of one of these men from prison a request was sent to the So- ciety that he might, before leaving for his home, be permitted to attend one meeting in our blessed League-room. Consent was gladly given, and some of our faithful men were invited to meet with us.
As the time drew on for our anniversary, the general feeling was that the day must have spe- cial attention, and a meeting was called for ma- turing plans, in fulfillment of which, on Thursday evening, December 23, 1875, Mrs. D. K. Fenner, as secretary of the Woman's League, gave a con- densed report of the Crusade from the first morn- ing, 1873, until present date, 1875. Mrs. Pick- ering, as secretary of the children's work, reported that branch, and Dr. McSurely (by the earnest request of the ladies) gave a finished address, showing that "this movement, extending as it has in its influence over the whole civilized world , is an inspiration of God's Holy Spirit." Thus was marked the second "milestone" of the Woman's Crusade in Hillsboro.
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At the regular monthly meeting, January 5, 1876, after devotional exercises and reading the minutes, it stands recorded: "Mrs. Thompson proposed that a committee be appointed at once to canvass the town for more subscribers to the woman's paper, The Union Signal."
The next business in order was the consider- ation of a letter from Mrs. H. C. McCabe, Ohio's president, with regard to a plan of her own de- vising, whereby the State treasury might be sup- plied, as at this early stage of our work it was empty.
Each local Union was requested to send to her, at Delaware, a square of silk of given dimensions, patchwork, quilted or embroidered, but lined with linen, the usual gray color, and on that linen lining the names of all members who would send a dime or more must be written legibly, and if possible, in fadeless ink.
Our ladies at once responded, favoring the scheme, and a committee was appointed to take charge of the Hillsboro block for the "Ohio Cru- sade quilt." Mrs. Weatherby, who was superin- tendent of the Children's Temperance Band at that time, provided a beautiful square for them, and sent it, with $5, each child giving five cents with the name. Our woman's block was em- broidered handsomely, and $10 in dimes sent with it.
IO
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During the winter of 1876 the different Churches of our town had been faithfully served by their respective pastors with protracted serv- ices, and yet, the " partition walls" having been so effectually removed during the Crusade, there was a great desire, on the part of the Christian women especially, that there should be a union service, where all denominations could once more meet around one common "mercy-seat." The subject was brought up at our meetings in the League room, and finding no opposition, it was made a subject of earnest prayer.
Very soon matters were all adjusted. The Methodist Episcopal church being the largest in town, was, by consent of the pastor, Rev. Lucien Clark, and trustees, agreed upon as the proper place for holding these services. Nathan and Esther Frame had been secured as evangelists, and for weeks a most blessed revival of religion refreshed and strengthened all denominations.
The humble little League room was found quite too small for the new additions to our num- bers, who flocked to our gospel temperance- meetings; hence the women of the Union quickly procured and fitted up another hall, with dimen- sions ample for all purposes, even the children's meetings.
At the regular monthly temperance-meeting, May 1, 1876, it is stated in the minutes that, by
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request, Mrs. Thompson gave a concise account of the progress of the work during the past two months. She also spoke of the work in Brook- lyn, N. Y., and of its wonderful results, express- ing her confidence in the ultimate success of the cause. Her address was followed by short speeches from Rev. Mr. Bowen, of the Episcopal church; General McDowell, and Judge Mathews. A letter was read, addressed to Mrs. Thompson, from the national president, Mrs. Wittenmeyer, requesting the Hillsboro Crusaders to send a tel- egraphic protest to the Centennial Commission against permitting the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Centennial Fair grounds. Such telegram was at once forwarded, and paid for by the League. Mrs. Wittenmeyer also requested the Hillsboro League to contribute to the National Temperance Fair, which was to be held in Phil- adelphia, beginning the second week in June.
. The Crusade fire still burned upon the altar of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and it is inspiring at this late date to read in their minutes the comforting facts plainly indi- cating that the "God of Jacob" was still lead- ing on to the victory, which, unseen by them, was all planned by his mighty love and power.
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XVIII.
"A PRIL 5, 1877-Meeting opened by Mrs. Thompson, who read the 146th Psalm, and suggested that we concentrate our faith and prayers upon the coming of Francis Murphy the following week to our town, that the promises contained in our blessed Crusade psalm may be verified in the hearts and homes of our people, and that the Lord in his mercy may at tliat time 'raise' some that have been long bowed down." (Minutes.)
The prayers that were then offered came from warm hearts and not from feigned lips! And, as the sequel proved, were heard in heaven, " His dwelling-place," and answered on earth to the joy of many hearts.
The "Murphy Temperance Movement" was inaugurated in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, early in the spring of 1877. Hon. Henry L. Dicky, ex-member of Congress of that place, became a convert to the new code of sobriety, "with malice toward none and charity for all," and it had a magical effect upon his brethren of the Hillsboro bar, composed, as it had been for many years, of men possessing unusual talent and rare legal ability, famous, most of them, for social qualities, too often sinfully heightened by
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that enemy which. "steals away the brain." Hence the "Macedonian cry" was the more gladly heeded by the distinguished convert of Greenfield, and he came over to aid our earnest aspirants after a new code of jurisprudence.
On the appointed evening, May 14, 1877, the city hall was lighted up, the Hillsboro orchestra was in fine tune, anxious hearts were throbbing, and all things seemed to take on a readiness for the very remarkable "Temperance Pentecost," which, inaugurated upon that evening, grew to such amazing proportions in our county.
Many of the men who were then redeemed from the curse of appetite are to-day beacon- lights, and some have left
"Footprints on the sands of time,"
For
"A forlorn and shipwrecked brother."
The grace of forgiving spirits engendered by the "love that never faileth" was beautifully illustrated in the harmony that characterized the blending of Crusaders and Murphyites in the work which followed; indeed, the prominent counsel on Dunn's side, in his suit against the women of the temperance siege, were for a long time among the most earnest and zealous co- workers in the grand battle for the right in the "Blue Ribbon " army.
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For many months the converts to the peace- ful, God-trusting card of Francis Murphy formed a self-constituted band of workers, and went into rural districts, and by invitation to adjoining towns, speaking to crowds and gaining signa- tures to the pledge by the hundreds. And as so many of our "Murphy men" were lawyers, we had the advantage of trained talkers, and much good came . of their efforts. Strange to say, when the gospel of temperance takes hold of the conscience, it is apt to inspire the heart with such interest in poor humanity that words are given, as we have seen abundantly proved in this as other communities.
After a visit from Francis Murphy and months of ceaseless labor, the "Murphy men,", aided by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the ministers of the town, commenced each Sunday afternoon "Murphy meetings" at city hall. These services continued to be well sus- tained for years, and were always cheered by the faithful few, among them my husband, Judge Thompson, who at this late day is justly proud to be recognized as a successful " Murphy man," and much of the joy of our declining years results from the peaceful blending of the senti- ments represented by our badges-white and blue.
During all the years since 1877 the work of
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the Crusaders, although taking on new forms of service and new lines of work, has kept march- ing on. Notable workers, both women and men, have from time to time been with us by invita- tion, and thus we have been greatly strength- ened. Since the days of Crusade zeal and Murphy helpfulness, however, the White-ribbon sisterhood finds it much more difficult to keep a full treasury, and many times our aspiration after the oratory of truth fails to culminate, simply because we can not afford it, and those who could help us will not do it.
XIX.
TENTH ANNIVERSARY.
I IT was on the morning of December 24, 1873, that our women first set out, heeding only the inward voice which said: "This is the way; walk ye in it." As the tenth anniversary drew near, the Crusaders were impelled to celebrate it in a service commensurate with the thanksgiving in their hearts.
By invitation of the Union, Frances E. Wil- lard, the beloved national president, accom- panied by Miss Esther Pugh, treasurer of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
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and Miss Anna Gordon, Miss Willard's faithful private secretary, came to add honor to the day. A reception and supper in Music Hall, on the evening of December 22d, was a financial and social success. Services for the children were held on Sunday, 23d, at 2 P. M., conducted by Miss Gordon in the Presbyterian church, and assisted by Miss Pugh. A Murphy meeting in the City Hall, at three o'clock, was in charge of Rev. Mr. Shade, at which Miss Willard narrated the call to which she surrendered the cherished plans of her life to become an evangel to "the great unwashed, untaught, ungospeled multi- tude." Exceptionally fine music completed a memorable service.
A mass-meeting in the evening was presided over by Mrs. Thompson at the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. J. W. Weatherby, pastor of the Baptist Church of Seville, Ohio. Miss Esther Pugh, with the unflinching principles of her Friends' faith, and the never-give-up spirit of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was the most suitable reader of the Crusade psalm. The battle hymn of the Crusade was most impress- ively rendered as a quartet and chorus, all of which made a fine setting for Miss Willard's thrilling exposition of the results of a decade of Crusade work. A liberal contribution was made for the national treasury, and Rev. John Pearson,
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presiding elder of the Hillsboro District, invoked the blessing of God at the close.
Storms and cold winds had too long seasoned the spirit of the Crusaders for them to be intim- idated by the rigors of the morning of December 24th, which found them assembled in the old Crusade Church with hearts glowing with mem- ory of the goodness of God and the power of the truth. As Miss Mattie Mather said : "The mar- velous growth of the Temperance Crusade, now making our quiet conservative town a very Beth- lehem, was most aptly illustrated by the ancient legend of the tent in the walnut, brought by an Oriental prince to his father, which being un- folded, covered the king, the councilors, the kingdom and the world."
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