The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-06-07
I. O. O.. T.
The Dedication of Good Templars'
Hall.

Considering the fact that this is a mining
camp, and consequently a "hard town. the
Good Templars of this place make a very
creditable showing. Indeed, we think that
the Butte organization will compare very
favorably with any town of its size IN the
temperance state of Maine.
Butte City Lodge No. 51-since changed to
No. ID; received its charter on the first day of
January, 1876. The lodge was organized
with thirty-fve members. The names of the
charter members are as follows:
Il. b. Wampler, Mrs. Josie Wampler, P.
Carney, M p. Mcdaniel, Miss A. l. McDan-
iel, Mrs. 9. J. Young, Ambrose Manahan,
Miss Dora 3eal, James Mexican, A. J. Run
dell, j. b. Wampler, Mrs. E. E. Belcher, A.
l.. Mcdaniel, John Hull, Jr., Miss L. NJ.
Rundell, j. W. Belcber, Thomas A. Rhea,
S. NJ. Fausett. H. M. Rundel, D. G. Drawer,
s. B. Cornick, Dan Cameroe, s. Holder, j s.
M. Ferguson, A. B. Agno, John u. Keith,
Henry Cruney, Wm. Nicholson, F. Hibbard,
The officers were as follows:
w. c. T., NJ. P. Mcdaniel W. V. T.,
Auroria S. Mcdaniel W. G., Andrew j.
Rundell; w. Sec, w. H. Young; w. A. S.,
James NJ. Ferguson; w. F. S., Dora Beal !;
w. r., E. E. Belcher; W. NJ, P. Carney.
AT presnet there is in the neighborhood
CT 1913 members in good sta nding. The lodge
has erected a building 65x2saa two stories and a
basement. The basement is occupied as the
county jail, the ground floor is rented to the
Inter Mountain company, and the second
floor is used as the G. T.. hall. The lodge
room is 4SX24, and they also have an ante
room l6x12 and a reception room 12x12.
The cost Of the building and lot was in the
neighborhOod of $1,000, and there is now
but a small debt remaining. This summer
the building will be brick-veneered. Last
evening was the time fixed for the dedication
of the hall. G.. W. G. T. Douglass, of Boul-
der, and G. W. S. Billiard, of Helena, were
present to assist in the ceremonies. The reg
ular business of the lodge was first transact
ed the dedicatOry ceremonies, which are
very impressive, were gone through with,
after which G. w. s. Billiard delivered an
address. Lack of space forbids any extended
notice of this, but we give a few of the points
made by Mr.. Billiard. He defined temper
ance as understood by the people of to-day,
as L" moderation in regard to things useful,
and total abstinence as to things harmful" AS
no organization could successfully battle
against ali vices, this order had selected the
appetite for strong drink, and had in this way
shown much courage, intemperance in drink
being by far the most widespread and the
hardest to combat. In referring to the best
means of putting al end to the evil, he
deprecated the doctrine that the best way to
close saloons vas by educating the people up
to such a point that they would refuse to buy,
and in that way force the liquor dealers tc
suspend for want of customers. On the con
trary he insisted that the traffic in Liquor
could not he stopped without the aid of law
and thought that the territorial Legislature
Should afford the same protection to white:
that il does to Indians. While there are law.
on our statute books prohibiting the sale O
liquor to Indians, there are none to protec
whites. Mr.. Billiard then referred to thu
many leading men of Montana tina
nave been ruined in mind ant
body some of whom have been killed other
} are in the asylum, and all caused by the &C
} cursed habit Of intemperance.
Mr.. Billiard spoke TO- about thirty minutes
being listened to throughout with an atten
ton that we'll displayed the interest Of hi
hearers.
, After this a collation. vas spread and a gen
eral good time had.