The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-30
MAY DIE AT ANY TIME
NO MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE CON-
DITION OF GEN. NEAL DOW.
The Aged PrOhibitiOnist Still Alive at
SOOn-His Temperance Work.

PORTLAND, Me-, Sept. 30.-General Neal
Dow was still alive at midnight. The end
is liable to come at any moment, yet he may
survive for hours.
General Dow came from a long-lived
Quaker family. His father lived to be
ninety-five years old and his mother was a
centenarian Up to the time of his last
illness he was in the habit of rising at 5
o'clock every morning and taking a long
walk He would often drive twenty miles
of an afternoon, and was remarkably active
for a man of his age. General Dow
achieved national fame as the father of the
Maine prohibition law. Since 1910 he was
the leader of the Prohibtionists in Maine,
and was oftentimes their champion in other
Commonwealths. He was perhaps the most
influential temperance advocate in the
United States. Twice he was called upon
to go to England in the interests of the
temperance cause, and he spoke in all of
the large cities of Great Britain. He was
mayor or Portland several times ana
served two terms in the State Legislature.
His bravery in the civil war won him the
rank of brigadier general
Neal Dow was born in Portland March 90
1904. His father was a well-to-do tanner
After being educated in the academy the
son engaged in business with his father
Young Dow had always been taught to
abhor liquor. On every occasion he used
his influence against the traffic, but II is
said that only by accident he was lead to
take the field in an open fight for prohibit
ton. A woman whom he knew asked that
he use his influence to keep her husband
from drinking, as he was about to lose his
position on that account. He was in the
habit of getting his liquor from a certain
place. and she thought If the saloon keep
err could be pursuaded not to sell TO him he
would reform. Dow made the request for
her, but he was rebuffed by the saloon keep
err This treatment led him to begin war
on the traffic, which resulted IN driving
every liquor dealer from the State. In
1871 he gave up his business and started
on a campaigning tour through the State.
He travelled in a carriage in summer and a
sleigh in winter visiting every section of
the State, delivering speeches and leaving
wide trail of temperance tracts behind.
When he had saturated the State with pro-
hihition sentiment he prepared bill for
the Legislature which prohibited the man
ufacture and sale OF liquor in Maine. 1t
was passed IN 1851. and every saloon was
driven out OF the State Mr. Dow was serv-
ing his second term as mayor or Portland
when the law was passed.
When the war broke out Mr.. Dow raised
a regiment and went into the field as
colonel Of the Thirteenth Maine Volunteers.
He rose to the rank of brigadier general.
During a whole winter he was confined in
Libby Prison and In 1864 was exchanged
for General Fitzhugh Lee He was twice
time in England. working for the abolition
of the liquor traffic. OF late years he was
much at home. attending 10 his business
| affairs. reading much and writing some.
| General Dow was OF pleasing personality
| and had a bright, kindly face. ilHe Was