The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-09
MRS, NATION
BACKS DOWN
Refuses to Lead Women in
Another Raid.
PREFERS TO LECTURE
ON A CASH BASIS
Followers in Topeka Are High
ly Enraged.

Topeka, Kan. Feb. S.-Mrs. Nation
displayed the white feather last night
at a meeting of thirty Of her followers,
who, armed with hatchets, had Ga-h-
cred in secret to arrange a night raid
on Topeka joints. Several male stu
dents at Washburn college were to
come to town armed after midnight
and personally take part in the raid,
and alse see that the crUsades were not
molested The excitement at the meet
ing was intense, the women planning
minutely for the raid. 1t was decided
to saunter out at 3 o'clock in the morn
ing and demOlish every joint in town
Suddenly. when everything seemed sat
isfactorily arranged for terrlhc on
slaught, Mrs. Nation began putting on
her wraps and said she was gong
home Instantly her followers were II
an uproar. Mingled with expressions
Of surprise at her quick change OF
front. came words Of condemnation
Finally one woman. who had spent a
greater part of the day collecting
hatsLets and sOlicitILg aid Of the cru
sa iers. rushed to where Mrs. Nation
stood in the center of a group, and
shaking her fist in the Wichita WON
ans face. shouted eXciJedly-
You are a coward, Mrs Nation, you
are . coward
Il am not a coward, said Mrs. Ma
ton. with emphasis. 4 will go TINS
minute with any one woman ana
Smash a ioint.
Refuses to Go.
A dozen voices were raised: III go
III go" and for a moment II lOoheu
as if an instant raid would result BUT
Mrs. Nation, soon collecting herself
turned to bantering her followers, told
them that she was tired. that the LORD
did not wish her to go tonight anu
without further ado left the room.
While the women waited TO wonder
a their leaders latest move. MIS- Nd
ton. accompanied alone by a reporter
made the rounds of the joints 10 81
isfy herself that all were closed. Inc
jointists. apparently anticipating
raid. had shut and barricaded thelr
doors. and at midnight Mrs. NauVh
wa--- 20 her home.
During the evening, Mrs Nation was
questioned about her Chicago TIP
which mad been planned for next week,
but she could tell nothing dehhite
about 81
Il viii go when the Lord directs me,
she said At present he wants me 10
remain here
Prefers to Lecture for Cash.
She said, however, that she should
go to Kansas City today to I'LL her daJe
here.
Not to smash, she added, but sim
pl- To lecture"
Some Of the volunteer members OF
Mrs. Nations crusaders claim that
their leader has been induced 10 give
UP the smashing of joints in order 20
go on a lecture tour. Mrs Natlon i
expected 70 speak in Kansas City' OtH-
aha. Sioux City. Des MOineS ana IN
cago. and she has refused many olhet
Offers
Mrs. Nation. speaking today OF the
storm of reproac hes that had been IL
rected against her because of her re-
fusal 10 lead last nights rald, sara.
1t was beautiful TO see now ansIS
they We're Why, do you know, they
wanted to scratch my eyes ana pun
my hair for not going out with theil-
IT was delicious half hour L never
was so happy in my life would
rather die at the hands Of these Inaig-
nant women than from the saioOH
keeDers.
Laughs at the other Women.
Mrs. Nation burst into a hearty laugh
and she held her sides and fairly SHOOK
with merriment. Then she grew SOBER
once more and said.
I cont lose anything by the lndlS-
nation Of these women. but Kansas
gain great deal. When 1 first came
mere & had to do an the talking. but
you know, last night I had to stand
back and listen 10 them Seeding me.