The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-31
Lawrence Ladies and Liquor Shops.

community. With this view, when
the Lawrence City Association /"
was formed, an article was inserted in
It's constitution, providing that no in
.oxieating drinks should be sold with
in the City limits. 1t provided that
every dead should contain clause to
that effect. This was with the concur
renee Of nearly all the members Of the
Association, and it was this early step
that gave the first start toward the
proud pre-eminenee Laurence now oc-
eupies in the eyes of the nation.
The strict adherence to temperance
principles, which characterized the set
mcnt, was continued until the increas-
ing excitement of the slavery question
drew attention to other subjects. en-
der cover of this excitement, the sale
of liquor was commenced in secret
manner, and like all evils, it began to
spread and to exhibit Its bitter fruits.
Last winter and spring our citizens
were again aroused to sense Of their
danger in allowing the traffic to go on.
A Temperance Society was organized
and spirited meetings were held; much
good was effected by this agitation.
and the traffic was in fair way of be-
ing repressed by the moral sentiment
of the community, when the "tocsin
of war" was again sounded and the
foray of May last, the destruction of
the Hotel and the Printing Presses,
again paralyzed the cause, and, for a
short period after the memorable twen-
ty-frst, the temperance agitation was
in abeyance. During the summer
months vigorous effort was made to
crush out the traffic in ardent spirits,
and for time the curse was removed
from our midst. The ladies, ever fore
most in all good works, determined to
stay its progress, and commenced pro-
ceedings against the dealers in the sun
clean thing They first bought them
out, taking their promise to sell no
more. When this proved unavailing.
they took more effectual mode of
action, and with Aatchets in hand Wis
tied these establishments, rolled out
the whisky casks and spilled their con-
tents on the ground.
This step proved efectual, and for
months our streets were not disgraced
ythe reeling drunkard, and our homes
defled by its influences.
The war broke oHt again; Lawrence
became the rendezvous of the Free
State settlers from all parts of the
Territory. A large Northern emlgra-
tion poured in. bringing in its train
many wild, restless spirits, whose blood
was fred by the tale of our wrongs,
and whose course could not be con-
trolled without the restraining arm ot
law. The physical and mental ex-
citement raging here created desire
In these Unbalanced minds for stim-
ulants. The demand brought tie
supply, for, taking advantage of the
general confusion, men were found
mean enough to pander for the cal
mighty Dollar !" to this appetite. The
business of liquor selling had increas-
ed to such degree, that from having
no establishment of the kind within
the limits of Lawrence there was, up
to last Saturday, no less than seven in
full operation.
On Saturday, the Oath inst, at hall
past ten in the forenoon, about forty
of the ladies of Lawrence commenced
tour of inspection to the reputed
grosgeries. The6rst place visited was
Mr. Rowley's saloon. in the basement
of Woodward 4 Finley's block. A
general demolition of de1niiohns and
bottles ensued, and all liquor found
was destroyed. The party then pro.
eeeded to Mr. Fry's bakery q barrel
Of ale was found here and was split on
The ground. At this stage of the pro,
ceedings Mr. Fry appeared on the
street, dourishing brace of revolvers
) threatening 20 shoot every body tha
had been engaged in lbe destruction o
his property. Several other establish
ments were visited in rapid successio,
Ly the ladies. and small quantities o
liqaor found IN them were destroyed
A call was then made at Mr.. Morey'
store. on Massachusetts street tn
party found the doors locked and Mr
M. informed them they could not en-
ter; he acknowledged that he had stor
ed there one barrel and keg of whis
ky. but denied owning them !; sn en-
trance wes finally Effected and geael
81 search made, which resulted in th
discovery and destruction of FEE bal
rels and one keg of liquor. The hatch
cts cf the ladies made short work {
the barrel heads, aud sooa the cart
Ras saturated with the ceaisnts.
By this time the whole town was
an upraar and on the spot. 4 grel
deal Of feeling was manifested for an
against the operation. The spisis,a
ssmpathisefs swore that they woal
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