The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-05
NEAL DOW AND HIS WORK
What the Father of Prohibition Did and
What He Claimed for II.


Portland, Me-. Oct General Neal
Dow's last battle ended at $3.50 Saturday
afternoon. His remarkable vitality en-
abled him 10 make that fight hard one.
Death was due to old age. His last sick
ness began just a week ago today. Sum
day he dressed for the last time. II was
not until Tuesday that the probable IA
tai nature Of that sickness was seen.
General Dow was from the first per-
fectly resigned. He was conscious up to
within one hour Of his death. He rec
ognized his son. Colonel Fred Dow. long
after he was unable TO speak.
The news Of mis- death was received
with regret throughout the city. The
flags on the public buildings are at half
mast as a mark OF respect to mis- memory
and will remain so until after his burial.
II is probable that the funeral will either
be Tuesday or Wednesday and win De
public.
Neal Dow was born on March 20. 1904,
IN Portland, Me-, In house that stands
opposite the mansion which he built az
ter he became a man. and in which he
spent the last years Of his life. His par
ents were Quakers. He grew Up among
the Friends and imbibed the notions and
ideas Of their sect. The elder Dow was
a tanner. and the son learned the trade
Of his father. as was the custom in the
simple line in which he lived.
As a boy Neal Dow wandered among
the wharves and the Shipping OF the sea
town. and saw cargoes Of spirits landed.
He a.eo saw the sailors get drunk. bus
the bad examples thus witnessed impress
sed him only in one way. They made
him feel sad and soory for those whose
appetites for liquor were too strong fer
them.
He saw these things as he went on
his way 20 school and TO the academy.
He was years old when the first tenn
perance society was organized in the
United States. II was at Saratoga. y.
Y, and the little company met in log
schoolhouse. After that meeting Rev.
Justin Edwards began to preach the Cos
pei Of temperance. He arrived in Port
lend one day and spoke about the curse
OF the LIQUOR trafic. Dow, although a
STRIPPING, was vastly impressed with the
words and became more than convinced
that the saloon business was essentially
wicked.
Still. ne grew up and was married be-
fore ne felt the call that led him OUT
among men 70 p-each-not temperance,
but total abstinence: not the regulation
or ne LIQUOR traffic bu: its absolute ex-
termination. He was drawn into the
work by an accident, II would seem.
One day ne got note from a woman
expressing a wish % see him. Her hus-
band was a Harvard graduate who he'd
a position in the service OF the United
States. He was a victim Of dipsOmania.
There was a large family and Il was de-
pendent upon the salary OF he father 1O-
its living His wife told Mr.. Dow that
aer husband always went 10 one saloon
for his drinks and tha, II that saloon
keeper could be persuaded not 20 sell him
the liquor she felt sure she could keep
him in .ha house until he could be 60:
ready for his appearance at the office.
Mr. Dow went az once 20 the saloon
and asked fo- her husband. The keeper
| OF the place denied le vas there, bu;
| Mr.. Dow heard voices in a back room
! AMI boldly opened the door. There "a,
his man drinking. Mr.. Dow drew aim
/ him tina; ne sell the man no more dr.qh-
! ,uz q the crowd and explained nsty--v
10 the saloon-keepsr AMI reques,ea q.
You viii save the mans life. his hap
| piness and the happiness o. his family
I and children" said Mr.. Dow. TIE "a
| ,oon-kesper appreciated The gravity q
] the situation. 5ut saw ;ha: Il ne followed
! NJ. Dow's advice in th.s case ne should
I follow Ii in al ana ais business would DC
a. an end. 50 ne said 70 TIE peace
! make
1T Is my business % sell Eu1- l have
| license 20 sell -u-T- snail sell . any
/ one who wants /; and aas he Nancy .
| psx for L I supoort nv sa-ni.y oy sell-