The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1886-05-05
CharIestOn's Battle Between the
Home and the Saloon.
7. 0. G.. T. and w. C. Il. q. at the
Front.
". G. T. u account Of the Contest and
Victory.
CHARLESTON, W. VA.

CHARLESTON, W. VA.
DEAR MRS JOHNSON:
1 did not know until [ received
the FREEMAN to-day, but that Bro.
johnson was keeping you posted as
to the "battle" in Charleston, and
I thought his reports would be
much better than any L could
write. I suppose he has been too
busy, though, to think of writing.
Truly we have fought battle in
Charleston, or rather in Kanawha
county, and are still fighting and
expect to have to fight all the year,
and perhaps longer, but we are
strong in faith that God will give
us the victory, as he did last Mon
day morning, at the session OF the
County Court.
Two weeks ago, last Monday
night, it was suggested at this Good
Templar's Lodge, that a petition
be circulated, praying the Court
not to grant license in Kanawha
county this year, Several days af-
ter, meeting of temperance men
was held, at which they decided to
circulate the petitions. They had
them printed and called on the W.
G. T. q. and other ladies to assist
in circulating them. Copies of the
petition were sent all oyer the
county, and a Temperance mass
meeting was held on Saturday at
the Rink, when several good speak
ers delivered earnest addresses.
Rev. Samuel Bettes, an evangelist
who has been holding union servi-
ces here for the past few weeks, has
done US great service in preaching
Temperance sermons to white and
colored people. And right here l
will state he is the best temperance
preacher I have ever heard in fact
1 think our success is due in a
great measure to his services,
On Thursday the City Council
met to grant permits. The petit
tions were presented, but a motion
was carried to lay the matter over
till the following night. The day
was spent in canvassing for more
signatures, and the list was almost
doubled by Friday night. The
City Fall was crowded with gen.
tlemen and ladies and saloonkeep-
ers. Mr.. S. G. Burdette was the
legal counsel on the anti-whisky
side, and Mr. Bettes was engaged by
the W. G. 7. U. to present their pc
titions, which he did in an elo-
quent manner. Nevertheless the
Council voted eight for license and
one against. Were we discour-
aged? No! We worked hard all
day Saturday, and in several places,
we learned afterwards, they solicit
ed signatures all day Sunday, the
petitions not having reached them
until Saturday night. Monday
morning at 9 o'clock, a large num-
Der of ladies met at the residence of
Rev. Stanley, of the Kanawha
Presbyterian Church, and marched
down to the Court House, which
was soon filled, and also the yard
outside, with people from all parts
of the county, whisky and anti
whisky men. One of the Commits
sioners was to come up on the boat,
and be did not arrive until twelve
o'clock. Three hours were granted
each side to discuss the question of
license or no license. Four lawyers
were engaged by each side. The
ladies staid all day, until six in the
evening, not even going to dinner.
But the gentlemen kindly went ont
and brought us a lunch, and a
bucket of lemonade was passed
around, which was very refreshing.
At 6 o'clock the President, Capt.
"Bob. Carr" arose and said, "1here
will be no license granted IN Kanae0-
ha County this gear"
The shout that went up was
heard several squares away, and
many ladies cried with joy, and We
all felt well repaid for our work and
patience.
But now we feel that the work
has really just begun. So this af-
ternoon called meeting of the w.
G, T. U. was held at the Dickinson