The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-01-29
w. c. T. U. COLUMN
CONDUCTED BY MRS. M. L. HOBBS.
Industry and Thrift.-And No Saloons

From Madison (wis) Mail.
1t was just before election that we
were invited to visit the southwest
ern town in this county. We were
met at Mt. Horeb by a young
thrifty Norwegian who took US inI
his carriage for twelve mile rlde|
to the town OF Perry. Over hills
and thro' valleys his faithful horses
took us till the darkness OF night
shut us in from the wonderful scene
ry on every hand.
Farm houses and barns attracted
our attention. Almost without ex-
ception they were located with little
references to the highway, but with
special reference to wood, water and
shelter from winds, and this put
them in the ravines or under the
hillside. Here and there log
building was to be seen, the dwell
ing place Of the early pioneer, but
now vacant, the tenants having
moved into well built, thrifty look
ing homes.
Forty years ago we were told the
sturdy Norwegian began to make
his home in this region. AT first
his home was a SOFT of dugout in
the side of the hill, covered with
|, straw and earth. After little log
house was built which did good ser
vice for several years. During the
past ten years fine dwellings, cost
ling from 81 800 to So 900, are to be
. found on nearly every farm. You
20 inside and you are surprised to
Lind such taste and even elegance
/. in the furnishings. On every hand
are indications of comfort and real
competence. :,
"Any saloons here?" | asked
q "Not a saloon," said my friend
"Nor have we had any for years.
= eIAny at Mt. Horeb?" | asked.
"No," said he, "but they used tc
have them there and some OF oul
people were made the worse for 1t
They have had none there for some
, eight years. Didn't you notice
what a nice town is Mt. HorebY
4 eyes" | said, 81 think it has th'
II flargest number of beautiful homes
:. showing the most thrift of any tow
lof like size in the state. How d'
you account TOR it?" said |, "Well,
said he, 81 think it is because the,
are without saloons. There used t
be lots of drunkenness and idleness
but since they voted out the saloons
everything has changed. Wha
I'd went down mems throats is useC
/. for improvements, and it's wonder
ful how the town has picked vi
since" "But," said |, people say
shut up saloons and you shut on
trade. Don't you think Mt. Horel
would be better off to-day if you ha'
kept saloons?" "No, no, that towl
and the whole country around woul'
Id have been far worse off. | know
: il would" was his earnest reply.
And this set me to thinking
; Why don't other people see it
/, Here is region of country, no
the best in the state, settled by yer
} poor people, who have been indus
4 ,'Itrious and frugal and temperate.
Ice And now after a series Of year
they can show as fine farms and farr
: buildings, as well furnished homes
as can be found anywhere in tn
, state. From one eminence min
\ church spires can be counted
I About the principal church in tow
AlI counted over 200 teams on Sur
g day morning. True, it was cor
EIfirmation day, but ! was told tn
4 pastor always has full house. $
s. the people are religious as well
, temperate. :.
p Just outside the village of M
Horeb is an academy, a fine builC
! ing well furnished, in which is a
excellent school. This is anoth'
ed indication of the thrift Of the PEI
on pie, and helps to make them pro
porous. -.
After all character is the chi
thing in building a state. Woul
that we had more such commun
ties in our state. Surely we shouI
be in advance of what we now ar
I. There is one dreadful evil owe