The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-03-05
The Crusade in Ohio.

I We give the following graphic account o
the progress Of the womeu's crusade agaius
| the drinking saloons in Xenia, Ohio. It wa
telegraphed TO the N. Y. Tribune uudel
date Of Feb 10:
The greatest victory yet achieved in the
| temperance war has been gained here to-day
in Whiteman street. The nine saloons Or
that short street.-the within the space oil
three hundred yards-have gained an unen-
viable reputation, and are known about town
as .tShades Of Death, I" "Hell's Half-Acre,'
"Certain Death.'' MULES Ear" and 'sDev-
IFS Den." For three days the ladies have
labored almost necessarily in front Of the
"Shadcs Of DEATH" the proprietor only
seeming to grow more stubborn, but at z f.
NJ. to-day he opened his doors, invited the
ladies in, and announced his unconditional
surrender. The news few as on the wiods
over the town, and in few minutes it seem-
ed that all the population we're hurryipg to!
ward Whiteman street. A dispatch was sent
to the State Convention of Grangers and
chat body. numbering six hundred, rose and
INDUCED in three hearty cheers. All the
church-bells were set ringing, and the entire
town turned out to rejoice.
Reaching the scene of victory. I found
the proprietor rolling out his liquors and
delivering them to the women,. the
latter, some two hundred in number, mean
while waking the echoes of the narrow street
with "Praise God, from whom all blessings
aow." Not only the women, but ministers,
merchants. and men Of all professions and
trades seemed overwhelmed with JOY. A
half barrel of highwines, another of black
berry brandy, three kegs of beer, some bot
ties of ale, and few gallons of whiskey we're
poured out amid the plaudts Of a thousand
people. Then the leading lady of the pray
ing bands made her address, in which she
announced that MIR. Phillips had quit the
liquor traffic without exacting single
condition that he purposed to enter anoth
business, and they all felt it to be their
Christian duty to support him. Another
shout and another song, and the assembly be-
come to happy for orderly manifestation -
Some women were laughing, some crying
others praying. but the majority rejoiced in
sang or silence. Nothing was to be Witness
ed but tears, songs, prayers, haudshakings,
and congratulations. In the outskirts of the
crowd was an old lady almost ia Mysteries.
but still shouting in that rapt manner one
often hears at camp meetings, "B'ess the
Lord O! O! O! Bless the lord p On
inquiry learned that she belonged to one
of the first families in the city, and ordina-
rily most quiet, placid woman. One
sou she has lost by intemperance, anoth-
er is in danger. To her this victory over
the saloons was contamination long prayed
for.
-Four large bands spent the day in song
and prayer before other saloons, aud dozen
small companies visited other places. Be
fore night it was rumored that three more
saloons had agreed to surrender Tomorrow
morning A notable feature of the war 10
this city for the last two days has been the
presence Of a large school Of girls, led by
their teacher, singing before the saloons
such songs as Say, Mr.. Barkeeper, has faith
er been here ~ and Father, dear Father.
Come Home = It is seriously proposed to
close all the schools and business houses for
a portion Of each day that the whole popula-
ton may be brought to bear on the saloons.
This is night of rejoicing in Xenia Those
best acquainted with the situation are so
sanguine as to believe that not month will |
pass before eyary saloon in Aeuia will be
closed. The ''Shades of Death" they say,
was the backbone of the rebellion"