Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-07-11
W. C.. L. u. NOTES.
PRE- CRUSADE WORK.
Mrs. II CuI-pcu

lH as have noted the ref
Sj-s-l erences made to thus-
early crusade days, as If
saloon-yisiting was the first known in
our land, have felt that perhaps III
Justice to some "who being dead" yet
would speak through me, | ought TO
furnish the public with the facts in con-
nection with an organization almost
identical in it's aim with the w. Z. L.
Z. in It's incipiency which was ELECTED
by a noble band of women in Northern
Onio in October, 1873.
Ash have read recently in the Union
Siqaars Crusaders Symposium oil
those early days, and noted how gem
eralIv the idea seems to have game.
credence that the thought of saloon
visiting was first conceived in the
brain of Dr.. Dio Lewis, when really IL
was a Go,i-given impulse in the hearts,
almost the hearts blood of women, my
heart is stirred to do my part in rem
dering "honor to whom honor is DUE
/ therefose subj bin the following facts
briefly, as ] take from memory, from
my secretary's book, and from an ac-
count then furnished the Clev Gland
papers:
On the evening of October IS, 1868,
n company of over forty women, under
the leadership, notably, OF "Grandma
Donaldson" visited one of the most
popular billiard and drinking saloons
of Clyde, Ohio. Astonishing revela-
tions were here made to many of the
wives and mothers who found hus-
bands and sons engaged diligently al
the cues, or quaffing death. We pre-
sumo there was some surprise at so
sudden descent of such a company III
their midst; at all events it is recorded
there was a scattering, but not alto
gether until after much good advice
was given, two or three prayers offered,
some singing, etc. Similar visits were
made (but in smaller companies), sew
eral times after. until the proprietor
found his business becoming unprofit-
able and closed his saloon, we believe
giving up this business.
The day after the first visit to said
saloon, meeting was held at the resi-
dence of DR.. StitsOn, son OF Grandma
Donaldson. In those parlors, crowded
with interested women, the organiza-
ton known as the "Woman's Reform
Association" was effected, with Mrs.
DIR. Stitson as president. From this
time on, for nearly two years, or dur
ing the time of my stay, weekly pray
er and conference meetings were held
at the various homes. Saloon-flslting,
usually by twos, was frequent. Whlle
endeavorng always to"reseue the per-
ishing and lift Up the fallen" among
women as we'll as among men, by WORD
,nd net we still saw to it that the
dignity of the law was maintained ana
utilized, as far as possible, for our
work.
On one occasion one of the members,
with the writer, visited a saloon Kept
by an ex-cIown, with bear, etc., TOT
attractions. We had been here before
and with much frankness he had told
us, as he solemnly raised his hand TO-
ward Heaven, that he "would to God
that there was not drop OF liquor solo
in Obio.n but quickly adding, 1.-THE law
,,nholds us.u He had said he should
give it up, but alas for resolves along
this line, At the time mentioned, as
nv friend aud / entered, the hrst
sight that met our eyes at the farther
end of the room was the proprietor,
dead drunk 4 minor was In charge,
and was carelessly dealing OUT drinks
tn minors. we at once conceived the
idea of buying some of the stuff, asking
the name of tho liquors, and TASTE
that we might be competent witnesses
in the by and by. This, OF course
seemed little strange, L fancy, 10
the bartender, but he granted our re-
quest. We tasted, merely, gave some
good advice to the boys standing about,
explaining the cause, in part, for our
act. and took our departure for the
neares Justices office. Our case q
ceived immediate attention. aud ere
our friend was scarcely sober enough
to comprehend the situation, he was
placed under arrest for illicit sales, to
appear in court in two days. HIS case
received hearing, we women acting as
witnesses against him, and he standing
almost speechless, except to say, "it
was good enough for him." as he freely
handed over $25, the amount of the fine.
He also all costs, which was at
ouce placed IN our treasury. How re-
freshing, as we think of it, the prompt
attention given to such law breakers
in those days. in comparison with
these. Verify, "the days are evil" in
which we live,
L have failed to mention thus far,
one of the most hopeful departments
or ou:growths from this woman's
movement. AS it is now, SO it was
then, the youth of the land were first
in our minds. Consequently Band of
Hope was organized, numbering nearly
an hundred. 1 had the honor of being
placed as its superintendent, and many
times then and since have regarded it
as u God-given privilege of sowing the
seeds of sobriety and of good habits
generally, as the triple pledge was
taken by every member, for which i
will ever he thankful, as I know that
some of Ohio's best Prohibition voters