The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-06-14
now WOMEN oUrw1rrrD nuMsrLLrn.

1t was toward the close of the war. The
boys from the front were coming homo to
Moore's Hill, Ind. The college halls that
had been deserted at the first call of the bu-
gle were to be peopled again. The towns
life was to be taken up again where 1t had
been left on, and the people had turned face
expectanty to the future, says q correspond
ent of the Commercial Gazette.
Quick to see that the growth Of the college
meant business opportunity TO the town, at
this very time a man established n saloon in
the place. The news spread through the
village, "a grog-shop has been opened" You
may imagine the sensation that it stirred-a
grog-shop in Moore's Hill-and the worthy
old president of the college in his catalogue
referring to the community as a moral one,
where 'such a thing as a saloon would not be
tolerated for an instant" The problems of
the dark days of the war, the struggles with
poverty at the hearthside. equalled only by
those other struggles where cannon roared.
had sharpened the wits and quickened the
wills Of the women OF Moore's Hill. In '65
with them TO hear was to think, to think was
to act and the first customer had scarcely
entered Moore's Hills new oaloon before the
door was darkened by a woman's figure.
She was the spokesman for her neighbors-
come to buy out the shop, and in her hand
she held the purchase money.
''But amt here to sell out. I've got to
make q living, and I'm goingto make it. I've
got as much right IN Moore's Hill as you
have and money won't make me get out "
Thus spoke the keeper. II the potency of
money had failed TO oust him, one would
conclude that the attempt was over. by no
means A private meeting was held, where
was evolved the mostnovel method ,of war
fare ever waged by woman against man.
Next morning, before the astonished bar
keeper could interpose, n file of solemn
faced, determined women passed through the
door of the saloon, and having arranged
themselves deliberately about the room,
drew out their work bags, and adjusted their
sewing caps. customer now an then strag-
gled in at the door. He glanced sheepishly
along the walls at the awful sight that stared
him in the face, fumbled out few remarks
about the weather, the crops, and darted out
into the fresh air. The village doctor peered
through the door, and fed over the hills so
fast that, tradition says, the boys might have
played nine-pins upon his coat tails. Thus
1t went-rather, one should say, thus went
the customers. At noon not q dram Of liquor
had been sold. The women had determined
to knit the saloon out Of town Twelve
brought fresh relay Of knitting
women, but the saloon keeper, poor man
had no reliefforce, and he stood at his pos
all day long, unassisted. At six in the even
! ing the throng OF the morning appeared
again and the next morning the keeper saw
once more his friends ofthe afternoon. T'wio,
he tried to smoke his unwelcome visitor
away, thrice he tried TO lock them in but h,
always failed. For days the unequal cOnNic
| ragged. Meantime, no customer dared run
| the gauntlet business was at a standstill
! The needles flew increasingly the wCSlleI
stockings grew and grew, and the salooi
| owner unconditionaliy surrendered. tn,
knitting needle is mightier than the demi
! john, or words TO that effect Now TO max
this narrative OF a local legend romantic, on
need only add that the despised and persecu
ted, the outwitted and outknitted vendor o
liquors became one Of the best known an,
most liked citizens Of the community ant
! such is the fact