The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-31
THE vERMILLION T.R. CLUB.
Its Organizations Glorious Work--Gala Day
on the vermilltOn on Last saturday.

Had we been told ten years ago that temper
ance society would ever be organized in the
west end, or that portion of Bruce township
named by Benjamin + Mackcy Plumb Lock,
Gin honor Of "A burg by that name situated in 4
deep hollow near the foothills Of the Aleghe-
MES, in old Fayettc county, Pa, where he spent
his ga.ls.rious youthful prince We should not
have believed it. Neither would we Of later
years, when Harris Deutcher erected his little
grocery at the crossroads OF plumb Lock" for
the sale Of liquors. &c; or even after he relin-
iushed all right, title and equity Of rcdemp-
ton" of the buildings, whisky and tobacco to
Isaac Riggs, II jolly old Englishman whom the
ncighborhood boys gave the sobriquct Of "Buita-
TO-" from the rich growth of auburn, or reddlsl,
brown, hair which adorned his little round era.
mum in curls and twists similar to those of a
buffalo of the masculine gender, hence the nick
name, and substitution Of Buffalo Rancho" for
"Plumb Lock-" by which name the place was
known until two or three years since when Riggs
passed over the dark river into the regions of the
Unknown After Riggs; exit, and at present,
the crossroads were known rs Glasgow, $50
christoncd in honor of u merry little Scotchnan
named White, from the classic city of Glasgow in
Aud Scotland, who lives just across the road
from the grocery. lust north of the crossroads,
100 yards, is the residence Of Ben Mackcy, better
known as "IDdan Ben" from his associations
with the "noblc rcdmen' in early days, he hay
ing settled where he now lives in the year 1888
Ben has been, unfortunately, an ardent lover of
strong drink or "fre-watcr," ever since we came
to know him, but he says he never touched
drop until Bill Reddick became his neighbor and
the Methodists located in Ottawa. However be
that as ii may ever since the erection of the gro
Gerry ON the corner, "Plumb Lock" or buffalo
Rancho" until recently has been n curse to the
neighborhool, and many night was made hide
Gus by men in drunken reycls.
They were rcd.hot with drinking,
So full Of yaor that they smoc the air
For breathing in their faces. beat the ground
For kissing of their feet.
Porter Donnell and Norval Mackey, though
living in the immediate ncighborhood Of "Buila.
10 Rancho" stunned this vile den, and strove by
every means in their power TO break up the traf-
tic in lager beer and whisky but without success.
Finally, little Jimmie Mackcy, son of Benjamin
Mackcy came to the rescue and proposed the or
ganization Of Il temperance society, or Red Rib
bon Club, in the noighborhood Their keen
spirits seize the prompt occasion and the thought
starts instant action. Steps were Immediately
taken, and on the evening of February Is, 1873,
Porter Donnell, Norval and Burton Mackey and
little Jimmie Mackcy and few Others met at
the Ben.Mackcy school house, not twenty yards
from the grocery, and drafted constitution and
by laws and elected officers and organized the
vERMlLLIoN TEMPERANCE REFORM CLUB.
In nm incredibly short space of time the groce.
rvs doors were closed against all intoxicating
liquors and those of the ncighbOrhood who had
spent their days in rioting and vcNcd the drowsyl
ears of night with rcvclng are now fervent mem.
bcrs of the V. I. T. Club.
They have now a membership of $50, and so
Jealous are they of their cause that they think i'll
would be impious to pass year without Il eel
ebratlon or picnic in honor of the good accom-
pshcd. Their first picnic was held last fall al
the kirkpatrick Ford on the Nermillion; and their
second mt the same place on last Saturday, May
"a. On both occasions the attendance was large
and enthusiastic; their last one particularly so,
for their president, VIM Donncll, jr., rollicking
little lrshman, did everything in his power to
make II a gala day. Beneath the rich foliage of
a majestic maple tree that stood near the rivers
brink was erected the speakers stand, beautifully
ornamentcd with cvcrgrcens, banners notices
and picture of Christ Comfortable seats were
made and refreshments furnished About II
o'clock martial music by the Eagle band rcyerbc-
rated among the surrounding hills. Then, the
president having delivered his Salutatory, music
was discourscd by the choir
Who, as they sang, would take the prisoned soul
And lap It In Elysium.
After the music IN adjournment until after
dinner was announced. About this time there
was a cOmmotion in the camp, upon the arrival
af "Becmus" and Geo. Blake, of Ottawa. After
dinner speaking was announced and j. q. Arm.
strong ('Beemus") Blake. c. {. Campbell, Of
Ottawa; Rev, Coombs, Ewalt, Murdock, of Strca.
tor and Hon. Elmer Baldwin, OF Farm Ridge,
addressed the audience upon temperance and in
temperance. by whom their remarks we're well
received and appreciated
For the Kindness Of those who sent Us special
invitation we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We
are glad We were there, and our JOY was abund-
ant
And doth meeting Ike this make amends
For all the long wears I've been wandering away
To- see thus around me my youths early friends.
As smiling and kind rs In that happy day
All. we'll may W. hope. when this short life l. gone,
To meet IN some world OF more permanent bliss.
FOR a smile, grasp Of the hand, hast'Ring on.
l. All We enjoy Of each other In this.
/ WuDGRAyE.
Grand Ridge, May 2G 1871.