St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-29
John G. Wooley Anxious to
Provide a Home for
DrunkardSs
One Of the Beautiful Islands
Of Lake Pepin Chosen for
a Location.
He Graphically Portrays the
Temptations Of the Weak
and Unwary,
Glowingly Describing the
Death-Bed Promise He
Gave His Mother.

Rest Island, haven for drunkards,
seems a certainty. 1t is scheme
evolved by Hon. John G. Wooley, Of
Minneapolis, and the philanthropics
are lending every influence to further
the plan. The institution is to be 10
cated'o on one of the large Islands in
| Lake Pepin, as far removed as pos
sible from every bibuous influence or
| BachaDalian temptation. Incorporation
papers are now being drawn for the
| purpose under tile laws of the state, and
the caption of the concern will be 1.-The
Rest Island Company 1t transpires
| that Mr.. Wooley has enlisted the aid of
some wealthy Boston philanthropiSt iii
! the project, and there is little danger
| of the enterprise being stalled for lack of
means. MIR. WOoley is now engaged in
creating asympathy and active support
among the people of the two cities. He
| spoke last evening in the First Baptist
| church Oh the theme, before a large
| gathering.
Mr. WOoley began his address by
| graphic rehearsal of his life He left
out none of the odiOuS features. He
| pictured himself as at one time among
| the most depraved mortalS drawing the
breath of life. Then he importuned the
OOuSlCSdllOH W Ill Illc WOIh Ol
Ing up a monument to the cause of
temperance. To illustrate the impera-
tIveneSS of such course he recited the
incidents that had attended the dying
moments of his mother. Mr.. WOOley as
college student had contracted. I'M
Willingly. the bibulOnS habits that pre-
vail in most such institutions. This
condition was not unknown to his
mother. She summoned him to her
bedside and requested A solemn pledge
that he would never drink any more.
With her hand within his he promised.
Il believe you, my son; | believe
you." she said, and she passed away.
The story was told with a volume of
pathos. Then friend of the family
came to him and implored that he re-
main i'll the house until after the OBJ
sequieS. For the first time in his life
the thought flashed across his mind
that everybody was losing faith in his
habits, and he promised. and he kept
his promise. He saw that the fear was
that he would attend the funeral of his
mother i'll drunken condition.
After the funeral he came West in
quest of his fortune. The thought of
his promise to his dying mother was
ever present. He arrived in Chicago,
and there he walked the streets at night
repeating ever and anon the language
of his promise, II will never drink
again." The doors OF the dram shops
were invitingly open, but he passed
them by with clenched fists and rigid
determination. He came to Minneapo-
lis and entered upon professional ca
reer. The policy of the city was to per-
nit the liquor dealer to have full
privilege to tempt any one to
his everlasting ruin. He fell, and
the incidents that were present in his
days of debauchery were dilated upon.
Finally, i'll sheer desperation he sud-
denly said to his wife:
Il am going away. | am only a shame
and disgrace to you and to the children
as am, and l have determined to go
somewhere and seek strength of mind
and strength of body sufficient to resist
this mighty tempter."
Where are you going?" she asked.in
surprise.
Il don't know"
"When?"
Now"
And he Straightway prepared for his
trip, without destination and also with
out means. He went, and, by dint of
walking many times when he could not
get ride, he arrived in New York. One
morning he awoke there. He was sick
The room was strange-there were
strange pieces OF statuary. oil paintings
and tapestry. Where was ne? Soon a
strange face appeared at his bedside. 1t
was lady.
Where am I?'' asked he.
You are in my house." she replied
with compOSure.
''HoW did L come here?"
"My husband and l found you and
brought you here"
''Do you know me?'
"YeS; you are Mr.. Wooley"
The lecturer Staid there until he re-
, covered, his every want miniStered to
as if by all angel. Then a Christian
man came and said:
"Mr. Wooley come with me: | want
you to spend few days at my home"
This man took Mr.. Wooley several
miles out into the country. He spent
| several days there by the side of
| gurgling brooks, listening to the sweet
and tuneful songs of the birds that fit
ted from tree to tree. Then he went into
| the lecture field. His wife Joined
him. but he was never free
| from the old temptations. One
| morning it was the morning
| OF January 81, three years gone, Mr.
| Wooley awoke suddenly. A food of
light seem to pour upon him. 1t was
overwhelming, and it was a sensation
entirely new and strange to him. His
wife was sleeping by his side. He
awoke her and cried: MY darling,
God is here. He is with u.s." and they
| gathered their children in family cir
Gle, and for the very first time in their
existence held devotional exercises.
This means that l am never going
to drink again." he said, and his wife
| and family reioiced.
| Mr.. Wooley had always been an in
| fidel. He had never believed in God,
but since then he has practiced the
| faith of Christ.
This is the story of Mr.. Wooley's ad-
dress, abbreviated. He is an eloquent
and earnest talker, and the probability
is that his project will strike a re-
| Sponsive chord i'll the hearts of many
Twin City people, and that his dream
of REST Island" will some day in the
| near future be realized.