Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-02-27
Elk POINT OAK. Feb. 18th 1884.
EDITOR COURIER

EDITOR COURIER
/ am impressed to write you upon
the evils Of intemperance, as we see
them shown forth in this pretty city.
People are not blind to these things,
although they may not say anything.
But to the facts:
Within a short time two men
hav been brought to this town who
were found in the highway, having
been thrown from their wagons,
while in a drunken condition, and
would have frozen to death, but for
the kindly Offices of neighbors who
CHANGED to pass that way. Each of
these persons having n bottle of the
damning destroyer with them, the
conclusion is.that it is only a ques-
ton os time, until come poor inebri-
ate shall be found stark and stiff,
then the cry will be who killed him.
Again we know Of an individual
in our midst, who said to friends
one night last week, well boys,
am going to quit drinking. am
going to serve notice on every saloon
keeper, tonight, that if he sells me
another glass Of whiskey, | shall
prosecute him." Before ten O'Clock
the following morning, he was drunk
This man drinks heavily while in
town, and when he goes home, in
variably takes a quart bottle filled
with the stuff, with him, and is sure
to return to town as soon as the bot
tie is empty. Now, Mr.. Editor, who
will say that man does not see hi:
true condition? And all! how hi
would like to unbind those terrible
chains. They haunt him day and
night, but he has gone beyond thai
point when he can say Eyes" or "no'
his viii power is shattered-he is
a slave. And yet tits man has many
friends who would do him good, iii
wore possible.
AN other sad sight witnessed by
the writer, was the PROSTATE body o.
a once thriving business man of this
city, lying in the doorway of one o.
these horrible places, too drunk te
help himself, and who was soon after
ward, picked up, upon the street
and carried home by friends. Years
ago this man never appeared upor
the streets in a drunken condition
now his shame has gone.
Within u short time we have seer
| several beardless youths coming Out
OF these living sepulchers, wipine
their mouths, and with u flush upor
their cheeks. Why are they there's
We say "boys it is dangerous ground
, We have been there. Stop long
enough to consider well the cost,
Lastly we notice that the four sa'
loons are owned and III by foreign.
born persons, and their recruits o.
to-day are largely from American
born boys. Now this does not look
right nor just to us. Tie laws or
our statute books, against selliA.
liquors to minors and ha!litua
drunkards, seems to be o dead letter
So who is to blame for this. state o
affairs? Let's see:
I stood On She banks VI a river.
lis current was deep and wide
Aud by me were floating namberless wreck
On its billowy, foaming tide.
OF those who in boyhood played
With me In the days gone by.
When all was bright as the MONDAY sun,
No, Q shadow was In the eky.
There were many there ! did no, know
Who hoaied by that day.
And their cry wac Help.
This awful current we cannot stay"
And We ihonght how end ;ht. terrible fate
o. those who might have been
AMessjng 10 Won and mr. and themselves,
Tho danger had they seen.
And then / thought. how can this hs.
Must this destr notion rtill 20 on,
AM thoaAsnds fsil0w countlcsr thoueaEds
Dow this stser ~ deep and long,