Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-02-12
Wanting Van pelt yanouishcd.

New Vienna, Highland county furnishes thc
most interesting item Of the temperance move
ment that has occurred in the state Among the
OF the place was one Van Peit who
was the proprietor OF the lowest drinking saloon
of the town, and the hardest case the
ty-an average One-anorded. Van, when the
whiskey crusade was inauguratedi in the county,
was loud and liberal IN his threats against the
women, should they dare visit his haunt Not
withstanding his profuse threats of intimidation,
thew rallied and called upon the lion in his den.
In response TO prayer, snpplication and song,
Van refused to listen to their offers, or make
owe to them, but cursed them and threw
dirty water on them. Not dismayed or discour-
aped. they increased their visits in frequency
and length, until, with persistent prayer, Van
Peit signed articles OF equalization. A cores
pondent ofthe Cincinnati Commercial thus paints
the scene:
A request was circulated from Van Pelt in
viting all the citizens TO appear in front of his
place of business at 2 P. NJ. At p NJ. the Ia
took up their march, about one hundred in mum
Der, to Van Peltis. The church bells were all
rung, and in a few minutes an immense crowd
was assembled in front of the saloon. where 50
many prayers have been offered. After singing
and prayer by the ladies. Van Pelt came to the
door. and said that he was ready to give up MS
CutlIC StOChl III " thC kOSl VI ~ 80
of Temperance. In 4 few remarks full of emo-
ton, he expressed his determination to make q
full surrender. not because OF law OF force. but
he said he yielded to the simple laoors OF love OF
the women. This was what had reached his
heart He then gave Rev. ID. Hill, Ofthe Friends
Church, and Rev. H.. II. Witter. of the Baptist
Church, privilege to bring out his whiskey and
beer. They rolle,l out two barrels and one ksg
Van Pelt then took an Ak. and stepping forward
held it up. crying: This is the same weapon l
used to terrify the ladies. ! now use it to sacrl-
faa that which 1 fear has ruined MANY SOULS
So saying he knocked the heads out Of the bar;
rels, and the bnng out of the key, and emptied
the entire contents on the ground.
At an evening meeting, in one of the church
e., Van Pelt appeared as one or the speakers.
and said:
He had felt, for some days. deep convictions
that he was doing a mean business. but mad
used every argument he could to sustain MIN
self-had tried TO argue with the ladies and get
the best of the argument: it was not arguments:
| but their prayers and suffering that had touched
bis Rta hs Il ire No d men nuS or rassss set 81 i .aea %oela Z. sa snss
work. He referred to his saloon as a low dog
gerry, saying: "Yes, I'll call it a low dOggery,
Tor no man can keep a high one" He had often
taken thelast ten cents from a man for whiskey
when he knew the money had been earned by
his wife or child. Every man who sells whiskey
does this. Little faces thus robbed had often ap-
pealed to his heart with greater force than any
words of man. He was now determined to quit
this business forever, and throw his strength on
the other side of the question. He thought
places of innocent amusement and resort ought
to be established, to entertain those who seek
company at our saloons. He believed this EN-
phatically a ladies work He believed God had
led them into this work. He wanted to encour-
age them to go on till the country is freed from
the greatest curse of the Land. He had been
thinking for several days that perhaps the great
God who Overrules all had allowed him to go
into that low business. that he might see the
great %iniquity. and be better able to influence
others to quit the terrible business.