The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-04
TWO DISTINGUISHED WOMEN.

street. Cnurcn puIplG tonlSnt, ana 30 SPEAK Ol
Monday evening under the auspices of the In
diana State Temperance Union, is well known
in Indianapolis from several visits made il
connection with the temperance reform Some
eight or nine years ago Mrs Foster achieved
the distinction of being the first woman to ap-
pear as an attorney IN an Indiana court. 1t wa:
at the time of the trial Of Mrs. Brown
for the murder of her husband, near Irvineton.
The local w. G. T. u. held, as mas1er of prin
ciple, that a woman charged with a crime sc
grave was entitled to legal counselor of heI
own sex, and therefore employed MEs Foster in
her behalf By virtue of the law 81 courtesy
which allows any reputable attorney of another
State to plead In an court of this State, Mrs.
Foster permitted to assist in conducting the
case. aud to make an argument On lthe after
noon that Mrs. Foster made her speech the
courtroom was jammed, crowds hung about the
corridor, and many went away mourning
because they could not get within range of the
woman lawyers" voice. Since then the law OF
courtesy has been strained further and two
women, Mrs. Elizabeth Eaglesfeld, and Miss
Cedora Liewellan have been admitted to the In
diana bar, though the Indiana Constitution I'M
equivocally enumerates ''being voEerY as one
of the qualifications of an attorney. Il
Mrs. Foster. though regarded as a Western
woman, SO long has she been Identified with
Western interests. is Boston born and bred The
daughter of Massachusetts, Methodist minister
and old-time Abolitionist, her vim, aggressive
ness l6ES
After her marriage with Hon. E. C. Foster, a
prominent lawyer of Iowa. she began to read
law. because" as she aptly says, II wished to
know what my husband did and he wished me
TO know, and thesirm of Foster & Foster is har-
monous with itself and at peace with all the
world" 1t could not we'll help being harmonious
when governed by such rare spirit of unity
and equality. o.
She was of the keepers athome; she cared
for her babies and read Story and Kent and
Blackstone between times, with no ambition for
"a L c+ip kxy
the crusade call. Then she went forth from her
home with prayer and plea for the protection OF
home.
Her husband recognizing her powers andrpos-
sibilities and being perfectly willing that's she
should be his comrade everywhere. urged that
she should apply for admission to isthe
fore an audience you can plead before
a court" She was examined and admitted.
She was the first woman admitted to practice
before the State Supreme Court. In all of her
reform and philap thropic work her legal knowl-
edge has been of Snestimable value.
When the Iowa amendment for constitution
al prohibition was pending. Mr.. and Mrs. Foster
and sons entered the campaign and labored for
its success. United they stood, helping and en-
couraging each other, an embodied prophecy Of
the household in politics.
From it's organization Mrs. Foster active
in all the councils and labors of the National
Woman's Christian Union until a few years ago,
its position with reference to the third party.
Mrs. Foster has the courage of her convictlons,
and unhinchingly makes them known to the
world whoever may agree or disagree. ae
A busy, tireless worker she Is, and has been
ever since she heard the command, "Go ye out
in the world" for temperance. for the
protection of home and children. for
woman and her equality citizen
Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, who will address
the anniversary meeting of the Indianapolis
Union Tuesday evening, at Roberts Park
Church, was Nantucket girl, and Is cousin of
Phoebe Hannaford the preacher ard poet, and
of Maria Mitchell. the renowned astronomer of
Vassar College. As schoolgirl. Mary A Bray
ton showed marked ability and won warm com
mendations from that progressive educator,
Horace Mann. Her father removed to Raven
ma, o., and while yet in her teens she had
reached both wifehood and motherhood, having
married Frederic Wells Woodbridge A resi-
dence in Cleveland followed her marriage, where
she continued in mental growth through reading
and cultured association. She was secretary of
literary club, over which General Garfield was
president. lie
When the women's temperance crusade began
she. like many other women who lived secluded
home lives, felt called toward public work
though she bad never spoken word in public or
offered an audible prayer. She attended agreat
union meeting whore she was Unexpectedly re-
quested to preside. She pleaded to be excused
until her pastor came to her a second tlme
when SO great was her timidity. SO severe
the ordeal that she said to a
audience to rise and sing Coronation I never
can walk up the aisle with these peopls booking
az me-" AS they sang she went forward, and
of tongues" was voucnafed her. Her words" to
quote from a sketch by her pastor, Rev. A NJ
Hill, poured forth in resistless eloquencetil the
multitude was moved as one man. In that one
sacred hour she was lifted by the providence of
God into new life. Her mission nads come.
Like St. Paul she had had revelation, and she
has not since been dlsobedient to her heavenly
vision"
Ever since then Mrs Woodbridge has been
closely identified with the Womans Christian
Union. She was made president of the local
- hnwn
for years president of her State, and in 1878 she
was chosen recording secretary of the national
". c. T. u, position she has since flied with
remarkable ability, her minutes never needing
the slightest revision.
Mrs. Woodbridges convictions cause her to
take an advanced position in the prohibition
movement. AT the national prohibition con-
vention at Pittsburg. in 1884, which nominated
a candidate for President, she was made one of
the secretaries of the temporary and permanent
organizations. Upon the resignation of Mrs. j.
Ellen Foster tat the St. Louis National w. @.
T. u, October, 1891. Mrs Woodbridge was
chosen national superintendent of legislation
and petitions. During the CONSTITUTIONAL
amendment campaign" in Ohio. Mrs Wood
bridge was an acknowledged leader, holding
meetings, directing appointments and editing
the Amendment Herald which attained a week
ly circulation of loo. 900 copies.
Recently, in answer to the question, Have
you entered politicslp she said: mo, we never
entered, that is never since we can remember.
for We were always in. We marched in Fourth
of July professions. personated the Goddess of
Liberty and sisterhood of States, bedecked in
red. white and blue. We put ont flag and
illuminated our houses. even If did not 'hur-
rah for our side when the victory was won.
Every woman who has heart and head has al
ways been in politics The white-ribbon women
have changed their party, that is all.
Mrs. Wood bridge. too, has the courage of her
and steadily pursues what she be-
lieves is the right course, with malice toward
none"
Miss Willard says of her: Happily for this
gifted woman, her husbands heart doth safely
trust in her Her noble son. up 10 mars
estate is so truly mothers boy that he drinks
in of her spirit and appreciates her
work. Out of gratitude TO God for
the immunity of her own family
circle Mary A. Woodbridge works--not out of
grief or desperation. Her home furnishes
salient refntation the foolish falacy that
women of brains, enterprise and public spirit
are not good housekeepers. Mrs. Woodbridge
is q rare florist; many varieties of roses embel-
lish her garden. Rare exotics flourish in her
sunny HOUSE.; vands prepared by her own
a. killed and induSfrionx hands render attractive