Connecticut western news., 1874-03-20
The Crusade in Columbus, Ohio.

Two Hundred w omen Marching in Pro-
 oossiOn to tho Principal Drin king
 SalOOns--Praying and Singing Ina the
 Bnrrooms.
 The sensation of the day and the general topic of conversation are in all circles, says Columbus, Ohio, letter, is the beginning of the active temper ance crusade by the ladies. Prayer meetings are held at 10 o'clock A. M. and P. M., to pray for strength to be- gin the work. At three o'clock about two hundred ladies left the prayer meeting and marched to the American Hotel, headed by the Chief of Police and one patrolman to keep the streets open, leaving the church filled with to work. The bells of three churches were tolled during the time the process sion was moving. At the American Hotel the proprietor signed the dealers pledge. The proprietor of the bar re- fused to sign. In the meantime large crowd assembled in front of the hotel.
 The procession then moved to MT. Vests billiard room, completely filling it. Three ladies interviewed Sam West, the proprietor, who welcomed them as Q gentleman would his guests. He refused to sign the pledge, but said he would willingly sellout and promise to never again engage in such business. When asked if he was not sorry he was in such business, West said he was just now particularly sorry. He said he had no objection to the ladies pray ing or singing in his place. A fervent prayer was offered and hymn sung, after which the ladies thanked him for his courtesy and withdrew, shaking his hand and promising to pray for him. As the procession was passing out sev- eral men made themselves prominent by offering to treat and calling for beer, but the colored barkeeper pre- tended not to hear them.
 The next place. visited was the most fashionable drinking place in the city, known as Ambrose's. The ladies' par lors were taken possession of, when Mir. A. Stevenson, one of the proprie- tors of the place, appeared, and when asked if he objected to prayer being offered, no doubt supposing the women had come to sing and pray until he sur- rendered, said he did not want his business interfered with, as his parlors were in use constantly by regular boarders. He did not want any dis turbance. Prayer was then offered, and on the way out MT. Stevenson was begged to give up the business of liquor selling. His attention was called to the fact that he had children growing up, who were in danger as we'll as the children of other citizens but he an- swered that he had living to make for his family, and did not want to be forced into giving a final answer as to what he should do. He would, how ever, consider the question. Most of the ladies shook hands with him and showered prayers and good words on his head.
 The Neil house was then visited. Stephen Danthert, the clerk, informed them that Mir. Failing, the proprietor of the house, could not be seen, as he was watching at the bedside of dying brother, Henry Failing, and also that the bar of the house h"d been closed for four days. He said he did not ob- ject to having prayer offered. Prayer was offered and hymn sung. A beau tiful and feeling prayer was also offered for Henry Failing, the dying man. The stairways and office were filled with spectators, and as the ladies knelt in prayer all hats were removed and per feet respect shown. The pledge was handed around, but obtained only few signatures.
 The procession then passed to the main grocery, but the proprietor was absent. One clerk signed the dealers pledge. The next place visited was Wm. Taylor's store. Taylor was ab- sent, and the clerks refused to sign the pledge, but one would consider the matter. At every place the ladies visited they were treated courteously, and promised to call again.
 The procession then returned to the church, where they were heartily wei comed and congratulated. Letters were read from c. A. Wagner, proprietor of prominent restaurant, saying he had stopped selling liquor. A letter was also read from MT. Say, brewer, say ing he would never brew another keg of liquor. The ladies expressed them selves as greatly encouraged, and will renew the warfare. The talk and pro- gress were utterly devoid of any harsh words, and abounded in kindly expres- sions for all engaged in the liquor traffic.