USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 46
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
Sir Knights R. H. Lansing, E. P. Safford, W. E. Evans, J. N.
37
522
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Miller, and A. C. Ireland, of Chillicothe Commandery No. 8, were. present to assist in conferring the orders.
The first knight created was Daniel McLean, the oldest Mason in the county. He was made a Master Mason in Hillsboro, Ohio, in July, 1825, and was in his seventy-second year when created a knight.
The first regular officers appointed were : C. Garis, E. C .; J. F. Ely, G .; A. M. Stimson, C. G .; Mills Gardner, P .; J. W. Woods, S. W .; A. C. Johnson, J. W .; A. B. Adams, R .; J. R. McLean, W .; B. F. Coffman, S.
A charter was granted by the Grand Commandery, August 27, 1877. Since the organization eighty-three knights have been created, and four received on dimit. There have been ten with- drawals on dimit, seven suspensions, and death has also stricken from the roster the following worthy Sir Knights: George H. Smith, of Wilmington, Ohio, in 1878; M. S. Creamer, in 1879; and Henry E. Browne, in 1881.
The following Sir Knights constitute the present officers : J. B. Hudson, E. C .; R. Millikan, G .; R. B. Brown, C. G .; Mills Gard- ner, P .; C. S. Snyder, S. W .; W. W. Savage, J. W .; D. Furt- wangler, T .; T. J. Lindsey, R .; M. Rockwell, S. B .; B. H. Milli- kan, S. B .; T. D. McElwain, W .; J. L. Millikan, S.
The commandery has participated in two National Triennial Conclaves-at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1877, and at Chicago, in 1880. It is now in a. thoroughly prosperous and growing condition.
THE CRUSADE. -
Three movements for the suppression of intemperance, nearly allied to each other in mode of operation, and almost simultaneous in organization, were set on foot in three different localities. Wash- ington Court House can not, strictly speaking, claim priority of or- ganization, yet while the other movements never reached beyond the limits of the point of initiation, and proved in themselves local and ephemeral, the seed fell upon good ground in Washington, and sprang up, grew, and multiplied, forming a nucleus from which it has radiated in every direction all over the civilized world, wield- ing an influence that is felt by every nation, morally, socially, and
.
523
UNION TOWNSHIP.
politically, and as a matter of history should be recorded as a stand- ing monument to the heroism of our modern American women.
INAUGURATION.
On the evening of December 24, 1873, the Lecture Association of Washington Court House had in its course a lecture on "Our Girls," by Dio Lewis. During the evening he dwelt somewhat largely upon the havoc being made by tobacco and ardent spirits, and offered to suggest a new plan for fighting the liquor traffic, which, he asserted, if carefully adhered to, would close every saloon in the place in one week's time. The proposition was heartily ac- cepted, and a meeting appointed for Christmas morning, at 10 A. M., in the Presbyterian Church.
At the appointed hour on Christmas morning a large congrega- tion assembled in the Presbyterian Church, eager to see the plan of Dr. Lewis inaugurated with all earnestness and prayer. "Awake! awake! put on thy strength, O Zion!" was sung by the choir; prayer by one of the pastors, and reading of a Bible selection by Dr. Lewis, who at once proceeded to his work. We will attempt no report of his words; suffice it to say that his arguments were unanswerable, and his expose of the fallacious subterfuges present- ed by temperate drinkers was complete. For one hour, argument, illustration, appeal, and demonstration, followed in rapid succession, until at the conclusion of the address the entire audience were ready to heartily indorse the plan presented, and there was organ- ized one of the grandest reformatory movements of the age-the movement now so well and fitly known as the " Woman's Crusade."
On motion of Dr. Lewis, three secretaries were elected and in- structed to report the names of all the women present, as a com- mittee of visitation, whose business should be to go in a body to each of these places, and personally appeal to the proprietors of the same to stop the business at once, and seek other means of liveli- hood. This committee was to enlist for the war-that is, to keep up the work until accomplished.
On motion of Dr. Lewis, a secretary was appointed to take the names of a number of men, to be called a committee of responsi- bility, who should furnish pecuniary means needed in the prosecu- tion of this work. William Millikan, sen., was elected to this office, and in a few moments the following persons volunteered for this committee :
524
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
A. E. Silcott,
C. O. Stevens,
James Pursell, George Carpenter,
O. M. Grubbs, G. M. Ustick, R. Simpkins, A. L. Reed,
· John Foster,
Mills Gardner, H. P. Cherry, Allen Heagler,
Dr. Salisberry,
Thomas Craig,
R. C. Miller, C. L. Getz, M. Herbert,
William Craig, A. McCandless, William Heagler,
I. C. Vandeman,
H. P. Ustick,
C. H. Brownell,
T. M. Ustick,
James M. Adams,
P. E. Morehouse, Dr. Matthews,
William Pine, E. C. Hamilton,
C. F. Dean,
W. A. Ustick,
John Vandeman,
James King,
William Millikan,
J. L. Vandeman,
Z. W. Heagler,
J. P. Robinson.
The committee appointed to present the names of the ladies, offered the following names, all of whom were unanimously elect- ed, and better still, nearly all served in daily work :
Mrs. P. E. Morehouse,
Miss M. A. Love,
Mrs. William Stevens, Mrs. O. Grubbs, Mrs. J. Vandeman,
Mrs. Colonel Maynard,
Mrs. E. Millikan,
Mrs. A. Blakemore,
Mrs. Dr. Coffman,
Mrs. William Smith,
Miss Bell Stuckey,
Mrs. P. T. Light,
Mrs. H. P. Cherry,
Mrs. H. L. Hadley, Mrs. B. Ogle, Mrs. F. Nitterhouse,
Mrs. D. McLean, Mrs. Allen Heagler, Mrs. G. Carpenter, Mrs. M. V. Ustick,
Mrs. George Dahl, Mrs. M. Gardner,
Miss Kate Foster,
Mrs. A. C. Hirst, Mrs. Dr. Dennis,
Mrs. J. B. Priddy, Mrs. Allen Heagler, Mrs. M. Blackmore, Mrs. A. E. Silcott, Miss L. Millikan, Miss Emma Wilcox, Miss Ustick,
525
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Miss A. E. Robinson,
Mrs. H. P. Ustick,
Miss Julia Wood,
Miss Ida Dean,
Miss Anna Cherry,
Mrs. J. Hopkins,
Mrs. S. Lydy,
Mrs. C. L. Getz,
Miss Brightie Ogle,
Mrs. T. Gardner,
Miss Flora Ogle,
Mrs. William Gordon,
Mrs. Barnett,
Miss A. Kephart,
Mrs. Farmer.
On motion of Dr. Lewis, a committee of these ladies was ap- pointed to draw up an appeal to our citizens engaged in the liquor business. The chair appointed Mrs. George Carpenter, Mrs., A. C. Hirst, and Mrs. A. E. Pine, to serve on this committee. Mrs. B. Ogle was then added to this committee of appeal. Closing appeals of stirring power were made by Dr. Lewis and Rev. A. C. Hirst; and after a vote of thanks to Dr. Lewis, for his work among us, the meeting adjourned to convene in the Methodist Church and hear the reports of the committees appointed.
Temperance was the all-absorbing theme on that day around every Christmas board, and upon all the street corners. In the evening a prayer-meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, at which time the chairman of the committee on appeal, Mrs. M. G. Carpenter, reported the following:
APPEAL.
" Knowing, as you do, the fearful effects of intoxicating drinks, we, the women of Washington, after earnest prayer and delibera- tion, have decided to appeal to you to desist from this ruinous traffic, that our husbands, brothers, and especially our sons, be no longer exposed to this terrible temptation, and that we may no longer see them led into those paths which go down to sin, and bring both body and soul to destruction. We appeal to the better instincts of your own hearts in the name of desolated homes, blasted hopes, ruined lives, widowed hearts, for the honor of our community, for our happiness, for our good name as a town; in the name of the God who will judge you as well as ourselves; for the sake of your own souls, which are to be saved or lost, we beg, we implore you, to cleanse yourselves from this heinous sin, and place yourselves in the ranks of those who are striving to elevate and ennoble them-
526
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
selves and their fellow-men ; and to this we ask you to pledge your- selves."
This appeal was adopted, and has since been used very generally, not only in Ohio, but in several other states. Many prayers and earnest words were uttered, and the meeting adjourned to reassem- ble Friday morning in the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 9:30 A. M.
On Friday, December 26, 1873, the meeting convened, pursuant to adjournment, in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The services were opened with singing and prayer, and reading of the Scriptures. One hundred copies of the appeal, to be presented to dealers in in- toxicating drinks, were ordered. to be printed and circulated throughout the community. Mr. John S. Foster and Mr. Allen Heagler were appointed to attend to this business.
A call for volunteers being made, Mrs. Dr. Dennis, Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. Getz, Mrs. Blakemore, Mrs. Gardner, and Mrs. Johnson, add- ed their names. Mrs. J. L. Vandeman and Mrs. D. McLean were appointed to lead the procession, and Mrs. George Carpenter was appointed captain and reader of the appeal. Mrs. A. E. Pine was elected to lead the singing, and Mrs. M. V. Ustick was elected sec- retary.
And now came the most interesting moment of this meeting. More than forty of the best women in the community were to go forth on their errands of mercy. There was much trembling of hearts, much taking hold on God, much crying, and supplication in prayer. Such a scene was never witnessed in Washington. Down the central aisle of the church marched these women to their work, while the brethren continued in prayer to the Almighty, that he would be with these people as they went from place to place, with Christian song and prayer, to appeal, face to face, in their various places of business, to those men who were at work selling liquor. the tolling of the church bell keeping time to the solemn march of the women, as they wended their way to the first drug store on the list.
The number of places within the city limits where intoxicating drinks were sold was fourteen-eleven saloons and three drug stores. Here, as in every place, they entered singing, every woman taking up the sacred strain as she crossed the threshold. This was followed by the reading of the appeal, and prayer; then earnest pleading with the saloon keeper to desist from his soul-destroying traffic, and sign the dealers' pledge.
527
UNION TOWNSHIP.
The novel procession created the wildest excitement on the streets, and was the subject of conversation to the exclusion of all others. The work of the ladies was thoroughly done. Not a den escaped. Into the front door, filling both the front and back rooms. Prayer, followed by Bible arguments, was the answer to the excuses of these men. Down into the cellar, everywhere, they went with the same eloquent plea : " We pray you to stop this!" "We mean you no hurt!" "We beg you to desist!" In tears the mothers, wives, and sisters, pleaded for their cause.
Thus, all the day they went from place to place, without stopping even for dinner or lunch, till five o'clock, meeting with no marked success. But invariable courtesy was extended them; not even their reiterated promise, "We will call again," seeming to offend.
No woman who has ever entered one of these dens of iniquity on such an errand, needs to be told of the heart-sickness that al- most overcame them as they, for the first time, saw behind those painted windows or green blinds, and entered the little, stifling " back room," or found their way, down winding steps, into the damp, dark cellars, and realized that into such places those they loved best were being landed, through the allurements of the bril- liantly lighted drug store, the fascinating billiard table, or the en- ticing beer gardens, with their siren attractions. A crowded house at night, to hear the report of the day's work, betrayed the rapidly increasing interest in this mission.
Saturday morning, December 27th, after an hour of prayer, an increased number of women went forth again, leaving a number of men in the church, who continued in prayer all day long. Every few moments the tolling' bell cheered the hearts of the crusaders, by pealing forth the knowledge that another supplication had as- cended for their success, meanwhile notes of progress being sent by the secretary to the church from every place visited.
On this day the contest really began; and at the first place the doors were found locked. With hearts full of compassion, the women knelt in the snow upon the pavement, to plead for the di- vine influence upon the heart of the liquor dealer, and there held their first street prayer-meeting.
At night the weary, but zealous workers, reported at mass-meet- ing the various rebuffs, and the success, in having two druggists sign the pledge not to sell, except upon the written prescription of a physician.
528
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
· The Sabbath was devoted to union mass-meeting, with direct reference to the work in hand; and on Monday the number of la- dies had increased to nearly one hundred. That day (December 27th) is one long to be remembered in Washington, as the day upon which occurred the first surrender ever made by a liquor dealer of his stock of liquors, of every kind and variety, to the women, in answer to their prayers and entreaties, and by them poured into the street. Nearly a thousand men, women, and chil- dren, witnessed the mingling of beer, ale, wine, and whisky, as they filled the gutters and were drank up by the earth, while bells . were ringing, men and boys shouting, and women singing and praying to God, who had given the victory.
But on the fourth day the campaign reached its height, the town being filled with visitors from all parts of the county and adjoining villages. Another public surrender, and another pouring into the street of a larger stock of liquors than on the previous day, and more intense excitement and enthusiasm.
Mass-meetings were held nightly, with new victories reported constantly, until on Friday, January 2d, one week from the begin- ning of the work, at the public meeting held in the evening, the secretary's report announced every liquor dealer unconditionally surrendered, some having shipped their liquors back to wholesale dealers, others pouring them in the gutters, and the druggists hav- ing all signed the druggists' pledge.
Thus a campaign of prayer and song had in eight days closed eleven saloons, and pledged three drug stores to sell only on pre- scription.
· At first men had wondered, scoffed and laughed, then criticized, . respected and yielded.
Morning prayer and evening mass meetings continued daily, and the personal pledge was circulated till over one thousand signatures were obtained. Physicians were called upon to sign a pledge not to prescribe ardent spirits when any other substitute could be found, and in no case without a personal examination of the patient.
A property holder's pledge was also circulated-pledging men not to rent or lease property to be used as saloons, nor to allow any dealings of the liquor traffic to be carried on upon any prem- ises belonging to them. This pledge was generally signed by holders of real estate.
During this week came a plea for help from Hillsborough. In
529
UNION TOWNSHIP.
answer to that call on Monday, January 12, a committee consisting of Profs. Morehouse and Dean, and Mrs. M. G. Carpenter, Mrs. Judge McLean, Mrs. Judge Priddy, and Miss Annie Ustick went to Hillborough, spent the evening in attendance upon a mass meet- ing there, and next forenoon in prayer and conference with the workers, returning in time to attend the mass meeting at home, bringing with them encouraging words.
By this time, the new method of fighting whisky began to at- tract the attention of the press and people in surrounding places, and meetings were announced to be held in every village and school district in the county ; committees of ladies and gentlemen were sent out to assist in these meetings. Committees were also sent, by request, into all adjoining counties, the meetings being constantly kept up at home and all the while gaining in interest. Early in the third week, the discouraging intelligence came that a new man had taken out license to sell liquor in one of the deserted saloons, and that he was backed by a whisky house in Cincinnati, to the amount of $5,000, to break down this movement. On Wednesday, the 14th, the whisky was unloaded at his room. About forty women were on the ground and followed the liquor in, and remained hold- ing an uninterrupted prayer meeting all day and until 11 o'clock at night.
The next day-bitterly cold-was spent in the same place and manner without fire or chairs; two hours of that time the women being locked in, while the proprietor was off attending a trial. On the following day, the coldest of all the winter of 1874, the women were locked out and stood on the street holding religious services all day.
Next morning a tabernacle was built in the street just in front of the house, and occupied for the double purpose of watching and prayer through the day, but before night the sheriff closed the saloon and the proprietor surrendered ; thus ending the third week.
A short time after, on a dying bed, this four days' liquor dealer sent for some of these women, telling them their songs and prayers had never ceased to ring in his ears, and urging them to pray again in his behalf; so he passed away.
About this time came word from Columbus that the Adair Liquor Law was in great danger of being repealed ; consequently the following communication was sent to every known temperance organization throughout the state :
530
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
" WASHINGTON, C. H., January 30. " To the Secretary of Women's Temperance League at-
" DEAR SISTER-By order of the entire body of our Temperance League, we send you an urgent request that you immediately ap- point a committee of not less than six of the most earnest and effective workers, who shall be ready at an hour's notice to respond to the call embodied in the following resolution :
" Resolved, That the secretary of this meeting be requested to correspond with the ladies in all places where the temperance movement is now, or may be progressing, asking the same to ap- point a delegation to appear at Columbus when called, if any action of the legislature threatening the safety of the Adair Liquor Law may be contemplated."
" Please notify us of your decision in the matter, forwarding us one name to whom we may telegraph."
[Signed by the secretary.]
" Responses poured in from all leagues addressed-the word ' ready.' But the law remained undisturbed that winter.
At this time the Cincinnati Commercial sent a reporter to view the land, from whose graphic pen we quote the following :
" I reached Washington at noon, of January 20, and seeking a beer garden in the vicinity, found the owner in a state of ter- rible nervousness, as the ladies had spent the forenoon in front of his place. He evidently regarded me as a spy, but was much moli- fied when assured that I was only a journalist, and made vol- uminous complaints in 'High Dutch' and low English :
'I got no vitnesses. Dem vimens dey set up a shob on me. But you don't bin a 'bitual drunkard, eh ? No, you don't look like him ; vell, coom in, coom in. Vat you vant, beer or vine? I dell you dem vimins is shust awful. Py shinks dey puild a house right in the sthreet, and stay mit a man all day a singin, and oder voolish- ness. Bud dey don't git in here once agin, already.'
" In obedience to his invitation, I had entered by the side door- the front was locked and barred-to find four customers indulging in liquor, beer, pigs feet. One announced himself as an 'original Granger,' a second as a retired sailor, while the others were non- committal. They stated that two spies had just applied for admis- sion-' men who would come in and drink, then go, and swear they were habitual drunkards under the Adair Law '-and that ac- counted for the proprietor's suspicion of me.
531
UNION TOWNSHIP.
" The Adair law I find everywhere to be the great horror of saloon-keepers. It allows any wife or child, or other relative dir- ectly interested, to prosecute for the sale of liquor to husband or father ; and almost any one may prosecute for the sale of liquor to an ' habitual drunkard.'
" Whether such a law be just or constitutional there is much dispute ; but it is evident that it gives great opportunity for fraud and blackmailing. It is, however, just now the strong rock of de- fense of the Ohio temperance people ; and it may be that by its enforcement, some saloon keepers have been driven out of the busi- ness who would have withstood the prayers of an archangel and all the tears that sorrowing pity ever shed.
"At the saloon just referred to, the house was kept open nearly all night; the sounds of revelry were plainly heard, and in the morning several drunken men came into town, one of whom tumbled down in a livery stable, and went to sleep on a manure pile, from which he was carried to the lock-up. Matters were evidently coming to a crisis, and I went out early, but the ladies reached there in force just before me. I met the proprietor hur- rying into town to consult his lawyer, or, as he phrased it, 'to see mein gounsel venn I no got a right to my own broperty.'
" The main body of the ladies soon arrived, and took up a posi- tion with right center resting on the door-step, the wings extend- ing each way beyond the corners of the house, and a rearward column along the walk to the gate. In ludicrous contrast the routed revelers, who had been scared out of the saloon, stood in a little knot fifty feet away, still gnawing at the pigs feet they had held on to in their hurried flight; while I took a convenient seat on the fence. The ladies then sang-
' Oh, do not be discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, He will give you grace to conquer, and keep you to the end.'
"As the twenty or more clear, sweet voices mingled in the en- livening chorus-
' I'm glad I'm in this army,'
The effect was inspiring. I felt all the enthusiasm of the occasion, while the pigs feet party, if they did not feel guilty, certainly look-
.
532
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
ed so. The singing was followed by a prayer from Mrs. Mills Gardner, who prayed for the blessing of God on the temperance cause generally, and in this place particularly ; then for the saloon keeper and his family and friends, his house, and all that loved him; and closed with an eloquent plea for guidance in the difficult and delicate task they had undertaken. In one respect the prayer was unsurpassed; it was eminently fitting to the place and the oc- casion. As the concluding sentences were being uttered, the pro- prietor and his 'gounsel' arrived. The ladies paid no attention to either, but broke forth in loud strains :
' Must Jesus bear the cross alone ? No, there's a cross for me.'
" I should need the pen of an Irving and the pencil of a Darley to give an adequate idea of the scene. On the one side a score of elegant ladies, singing with all the earnestness of impassioned nature ; a few yards away, a knot of disturbed revelers, uncertain whether to stand or fly; half way between, the nervous proprietor, bobbing around like a case of fiddle-strings, with a hundred pounds of lager beer fat hung on them, and on the fence by the ladies a reporter scribbling away as if his life depended on it. It was pain- ful from its very intensity.
The song ended, the presiding lady called upon Mrs. Wendels, and again arose the voice of prayer-so clear, so sweet, so full of pleading tenderness, that it seemed she would, by the strength of womanly love, compel the very heavens to open and send down in answer a spark of divine grace that would turn the saloon-keeper from his purpose. The sky, which had been overcast all morning, began to clear, the occasional drops of rain ceased to fall, and a gentle south wind made the air soft and balmy. It almost seemed that nature joined in the prayer.
" Again the ladies sung :
'Are there no foes for me to face.'
With the camp-meeting chorus-
' O, how I love Jesus, Because he first loved me.'
533
UNION TOWNSHIP.
"As the song concluded, the lawyer suddenly stepped forward and said :
' Now, ladies, I have a word to say before this performance goes any further. This man has employed me as his attorney. He can not speak good English, and I speak for him. He is engaged in a legitimate business, and you are trespassing on his property and right. If this thing is carried any further you will be called to account in the court, and I can assure you the court will sustain the man. He has talked with you all he desires to. He does not want to put you out forcibly ; that would be unmanly, and he does not wish to act rudely. But he tells you to go. As his attorney I now warn you to desist from any further annoyance.'
"Again the ladies sang :
' My soul be on thy guard, Ten thousand foes arise.'
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.