Connecticut western news., 1874-02-20
The Ohio Whisky War.
Another Victory for the WOmeM-Vnl Pelt Snrrendcrs with Pack and Rag caye.

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 Pelt Snrrendcrs with Pack and Bag-
 gage.
 The most noteworthy feature in the news from the woman's whisky war, says Cincinnati letter, is the intel lieence of the sudden surrender of Van Pelt, at New Vienna, Ohio, who was rapidly becoming known as (" the wiclxedest man in Ohio. Van Pelt swore he would never capitulate, but he gave mp the struggle very unexpec- tedly. A dispatch from New Vienna says:
 A request was circulated from Van Pelt inviting tho citizens to appear in M. At one F. M. the lad1es meet at the Baptist church, and at two they took up their march, 100 in number, to Van l Pelt's. The church bells were rung, and in Q few minutes an immense crowd was assembled in front of the saloon where so many prayers have been offered After singing and prayer by the ladies, Van Pelt came to the door and said that ho was ready to give up his entire stock in trade for the good of the cause of temperance. In a few remarks, full of emotion, he ex-
 
 full surrender, not because of law or force, but he soid he yielded to the simple labors of love of the women. This was what had reached his heart. He then gave Rev. D. Hill, of the of the Baptist church, privilege to bring out his whisky and beer. They rolled out two barrels and one keg.
 Van Pa1t than tcolx ovo I ck o> mad forward, and held it up, crying, "1'his is the same weapon used to terrify the ladies now use it to sacrifice tIat which I fear has ruined many souls"
 So saying, he knocked the heads out of the barrels and the bung out of the keg, and emptied the entire contents on the ground. Prayer was offered by Brother WiGter, during which time n photographer took a picture of the crowd, with Van Pelt with axe in hand. After another hymn, and prayer by Brother Hill, there was an announce ment made that thanksgiving meeting would be held in the Christian church at o'clock P. M., in which Van Pelt would give some of his experience as D liquor dealer and present some argu- ments in favor of temperance. The women gathered around Van Pelt to shake hands and congratulate him. He said he rejoiced with them that it was woman's work. He had stifed his con- victions for days, and had been having thoughts that he had not made known
 At the meeting in the evening Van Pelt came forward and spoke about twenty minutes. His manner was char acterized with good degree of humil- n11yC 1V,ka frequently called forth hearty applause. He first made apologies to individuals and corrected some false reports. He then proceeded to give briefly his views of the liquor traffic and the temperance work. He had felt for some days a deep conviction that he was doing a mean business, but had used every ar grment he could to sustain himself; 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 his heart. No men or set of men would suffer and endure what the ladies had endured in this work. He referred to his saloon as a low groggery, saying. Yes, I'll call it low groggery. for no man can keep a high one." He had often taken the last ten cents from Q man for whisky when he knew thatthe money had been earned by his wife or child. Every man who sells whisky does this. Little faces thus robbed had often appealed to his heart with greater force than any words of man. lie was now determined to quit this business forever and throw his strength on the other side of the Ques- tion. He thought places of innocent an kn hn abolished to entertain those who seek emphatically.
 into this work he wanted to encourage 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 ness that he might see the great iniqui- CTS to quit the terrible business.
 At the close of the speech the audi enoe expressed their delight by pro- longed applause. Some ot the ladies are to go to the Hillsboro mass meeting on Saturday and Van Pelt is invited to accompany them. The audience made Van Pelt present of $150, not as Q compensation for his whisky, for he did not ask that, but as an expression of their good feelings toward him for his sacrifice.
 The temperance war has broken out in Delaware, Delaware county, and in Pomeroy, Meigs county. At Pomeroy fifty ladies organized and visited the saloons, singing and praying for the proprietors and against the sale of liquor. This was their first demon stration.