The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-02-21

more in 1910 by n party of six indi-
viduals-all old topers-who were in the
habit of associating together in one of
the popular haunts of the city. Three or
four of them had listened to a temper
ance discourse by an eloquent clergy
man who was preaching in Baltimore at
the time, and, on reuniting over their
bottle, one of the number, impressed by
what he had heard, suddenly exclaimed:
"I'll tell you what, boys; let's form a
society and make Bill Mitchell presi-
dent" agreed" cried the rest, and
the more they talked over the idea the
better they were pleased with it, Right
then and there a pledge was drawn and
the next morning, Monday, it was
| signed.
The next point to be considered was
how to pay expenses and enlarge their
membership. 1t was finally agreed that
each man should bring a friend, every
one paying twenty-five cents on becom-
ing u member and twelve and a half
cents monthly thereafter. Then they
were iii dilemma as to u name, but,
after long discussion, they selected that
of washington" in honor of the Father
of his Country. Before Christmas in
that year, 1910, thousands were enrolled
as members. The spirit of reformation
spread like wild fire, reaching distant
cities. Distinguished speakers flocked
to the standard of the six projectors,
and the whole land seemed filled with
festivals, professions of children's cold
water armies, banners, bands of music
and the songs of the "Washingtonians.
In 1849 additional impetus was given
to the "Washington" movement by the
arrival of Father Mathew. For ten
years previously he had labored as an
agitator and reformer in Ireland and
England. The famous temperance priest
was received with the highest honors,
entertained by the president of the
United States and distinguished senator's,
and at the conclusion of his tour through
the country upwards Of 600, 900 persons
had enrolled themselves under his BAN
ner of total abstinence.
The influence of the "Washingtoni-
ans was evidently felt in the army at
that time fighting our battles in Mexico,
for it is related of Gen. Zachary Taylor
tislt a. tIdNcitT III Tic WeSJ ODe Jay en-
countered an emigrant journeying with
his family to the regions beyond the
Mississippi, all his worldly goods being
packed on wagons. On one load there
hung huge jug with the bottom gone.
The emigrant was asked his reason for
carrying that with him. "Why," he
said, ''that is my Taylor Jug" ''And
what is a Taylor jugy was asked.
why" said the emigrant, 81 had son
with Gen. Taylor's army in Mexico, and
the old gentleman told him always to
carry his whisky jug with hole in the
bottom; and since then have carried
my jug as you see it, and find it the
best invention / ever met with"
The following story is probably famil-
lar, but will bear repetition. The
night before going into the battle of Mo-
bile Bay, one of his officers said to Ad-
miral Farragut, "Admiral, won't you
consent to give Jack glass of grog in
the morning; not enough to make him
drunk, but enough to make him fight
cheerfully?"
"Well," replied the admiral, 81 have
been to sea considerably and have seen
battle or two, but 1 never found that |
wanted rum to enable me to do my duty.
l will order two cups of coffee TO each |
man at 2 o'clock. and at o'clock will |
pipe all hands to breakfast in Mobile |
Bay" And lie did give Jack the coffee; |
then he went up to the masthead, and |
the result is known. ]
n