The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-06-20
Dedication of the w. G. II. u.
Drinking Fountain.

!. There was a large attendance, Saturday eve
ming. at the exercises connected with the open
| ing of the w. c. T. U.-Drinklng Fountain.
! AT 7:3o Rev. Andrew Wilson called the as
semblage to order, and mixed quartet, station
ed in the third story of the Riddle Block. fur
nished fitting music. Mr.. Wilson then gave
an earnest and appropriate address. of which
the following is brief synopsis:
This is an occasion of interest, not only to the
| citizens of Ravenna, but to all who visit this
beautiful village. The water in large per cent.
OF the wells of this town is unfit to drink, and
for the health of the citizens supply of pure
walter was necessity. Crystal Lake has been
compelled to render valuable service, Into
nearly all our homes an abundance of pure wa
ter has been forged The need of drinking
fountains has been seriously felt The town
responded by erecting one near the postoffice
| The w. Z. /. U. determined to erect another.
The efforts Of an earnest and persevering COM
mttee have been crowned with success To
The request of the ladies for money. the citizens
cheerfully and generously responded.
Some features of this Fountain are worth
mentioning and remembering. Its constant in
vitation is, Come all who are thirsty, and par.
take freely, without money and without price.
| The water is free to all. More than this Al
who partake arc left free. The drink here fur
nishcd does not make slaves of either the bodies
or souls OF men. 1t does not tarnish character
OF diminish manhood. Can the same be truly
said of the drink furnished by saloons?
1t will stand as a constant guardian of both
citizens and visitors 1t is said that hunger
will break through stone walls" So thirst
sometimes becomes SO intense as to TEMPT neo-
pie into places where they are ashamed to enter.
This fountain will help lessen temptation. Peo-
pie need not go into saloons for something with
which to satisfy thirst. The pure article that
satisfies is found at the fountain This does not
create burning thirst-does not irflame the
%Qist Hassions-does not curse the town with
paupcrism and crime. This court house tells a
sad story of the effects of strong drink Its
records explain why people are so heavily taxed
We should do all possible to diminish tempta |
ton.
And SO we say all honor to the Christian |
Women who have worked So earnestly and so |
successfully IN this worthy enterprise. And all |
honor to our citizens who have SO generously !
to the request for money. May this |
fountain remain as perpetual memorial of the |
conservation of the women and the liberality of
the citizens.
Following Mr.. Wilson's address, the Rev.
Earl d. Holtz was introduced, and among other
thin rs said:
nd
central Palestine constructed a fountain for the
public good. 1t cost labor and much time and
expense to dig such well. 1t was one hundred
feet deep, down through limestone. The clear,
pure, sparkling water was found. To this well
lhe tribes OF Israel came for drink. To it the
pilgrim came and was refreshed To it the
beasts, the cattle and sheep were brought and
Watered. 1t was public benefit. And SO Ia
cob. the son of Isaac, is remembered. Jacobs
well became at once both fountain 10 refresh,
and monument to the memory of its founder
A man works hard for self and selfish motives, |
and is forgotten and buried in the grave Of iethe.
PUT lot 4 man b;oqmt: q public henefaoter-let
aim do something by which the world is better
sd. and his name Is imperishable. A monument
out monument as the result of benefit to II
humanity, will endure the shock of ages the
crash of worlds. He who would LIVE and be
of MOST WORTH to the world must do some
hing worthy Of his being and in keeping with +
ais immortal nature. He must go out of self to p
ind world which he may touch and lit up h
seltshness has no authorized place in this world
l
he forces most in demand and must make their h
widening way through the world
Fountains are as old as history. jerusalem,
hat city of marvellous interest has nothing more IL
ttTactive than IFS fountains, In every Oriental ID
ity and on many of the highways the public In
ountain is prominent. Fountains from where It
lows the clear, sparkling water, are never out of
late, and there was never a greater need for H.
hem than now. We can afford to do without
nany things, but water we must have Honest
fater, which ne'er left man i the mire
Inviting fountains, where pure, sparkling wa
er flows, are in demand, and must, of necessity, II
ttract.
| would have these fountains spring forth up Ii
N every street corner, until there would no l,r
/ =
lance of desire to seek the haunts of vice, to
uench burning thirst.
| would have these cold water fountains take
he place of the saloon. First, because they are
ess expensive. | have been told that this beau
iful drinking fountain cost $500. Be it so. 1t Ip
5 cheap at that. Had it cost $4,000. it were
hen less expensive than the saloon. Its waters
E-s, +I,-
he brain, nor darkens the home. 1t never !,
flights the life of our youth nor curses the fam
y. That fountain refreshes, quenches thirst,
nd gives health
In my travels have touched on the shores of le
very continent of the globe, and have never II
ound any water to equal the water of Crystal
AXE. 1t is pure. soft and health giving. k,
l say this cold water fountain is less expensive
han the saloon. Your II saloons costs the city
If Ravenna no less than $4,000 annually. We
annot afford to support these haunts of vice, II
hese dens of iniquity, at so fearful COST 1t
Then, second, these Cold Water Fountains "
hould take the place of the saloon, because
hey are more productive of good. The saloon tt
S evil, and only evil, continually, while these
:
lie who may crowd our streets. Our young
men will here grow strong,and wiser and nobler.
Who placed that fountain yonder, where it is
o be of such great public good? Why, the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union" did
his. Yes all honor to these noble Christian
aides! 1t is just like them to do such thing
S that. 1t is commensurate with their noble
nd philanthropic nature. All honor to them
This fountain shall be monument to their
memory
| congratulate the citizens of Ravenna on this
ood work, and may great good result therefrom.
The exercises closed with prayer by
Rev. Andrew Wilson. |!
Hatfield Reunion. Ii
The sixth annual reunion of the Hatfield fam
y was held at the home of +. q. Hatfield, oppo-
lite the Congregational Church. at Charlestown.
t was a beautiful day and sixty-fve ofthe friends
net to renew the associations of bygone times.
Me dinner was spread in the basement of the