Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-02-13
The TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

Women's whisky War Relentlessly
PrOsecut cuted--UnconditionRI Surrender
OF Mr.. Van Pelt, the "VViclSedest Man
i'm Ohio"--He Emptics His Stock I'm
Trade Into the street, and Forthwith
Joins the Praying s'Band"--A Funny
Incident-The Ladies' Beat n Most
InglOrious Retreat.
The Temperance Revival started some
weeks ago In Greenfield, Ohio, has spread to
many other towns and villages. The success
which has SO far attended this campaign is
really wonderful. In some towns every
saloon and groggery has capitulated, and in all
the number has been greatly reduced. Those
who still hold out are having their profits
greatly reduced, and are fast losing their GUS
toners. Influenced by the results, praying
bands have been started in Massachusetts,,
New York, Illinois and Indiana, and perhaps
other States.
The reports from some points are very in
teresting. In the town of Vienna the effort
of the praying women had resulted in the
closing Of all the saloons except that of Mr..
Van Pelt, who was forthwith dubbed the
wickedest man in Ohio. lie said he would
never give up the traffic, but on the 4th of
February he capitulated. On that day he sent
printed circular to the citizens of Vienna,
including the ladies who had prosecuted him
with their prayers and entreaties, inviting
them to assemble in front of his place of bust
ness at two p. m. At that hour, the church
bells were rung, and in a few minutes an i'm
mense crowd was assembled in
front of the saloon where so
many prayers had been offered. After
singing and prayer by the ladies', Van Pelt
came to the door and said he was ready to
give up his entire stock In trade for the good
of the cause of Temperance. In few words,
full of emotion, he expressed his determina-
ton TO make full surrender, not because of
law or Of force, but he said he yielded to the
simple labors of love on the part of the women.
He then rolled out two barrels and one keg
filled with whisky, and, taking an AK, knocked
the heads out of the barrels and the bung out
Of the keg and emptied their contents into the
gutter Then followed prayer and thanksgiv-
ing. In the evening temperance meeting
was held, in which Van Pet took part.
In Washington, Fayette County, the saloons
are ali closed, and all the druggists have
agreed to sell only upon the prescription of q
physician, except one. He has utterly re-
fused to capitulate, and so the women, as
they were refused entrance into his store and
the weather was so inclement that they could
not conduct their services in the open air,
caused TO be erected a wooden and canvas
structure, where they prayed and sang until
the thing became nuisance to the druggist.
He commenced suit against the ladies, and
secured an injunction forbidding the cohtinu-
ance of the prayers and entreaties in front of
his place of business, and directing the re-
moval of the structure. So he is only an OBJ
ject of prayerful attention outside his own
premises for the present.
In some Of the saloons very funny incidents
occur in spite of the solemn surroundings.
The ladies visited the saloon of burly Ger
man, who was determined that he would stand
no more Of what he denominated the praying
nuisance. So he rolled keg of beer into the
middle Of the praying circle and started the
bung. The beer flew over the crowd and filed
their eyes and ears, rendered their feathers
limp and their silks nasty, and they were glad
to beat hasty retreat, feeling very moist and
uncomfortable.