The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-05
MRS. NATION DEFEATED.
DisEraceful Affair at Topeka Be
tween w. {. II. U. Women and
RRSfauFnut PpnOIR

Topeka, Kan, Feb Mrs. Carrie MI
ton this afternoon met the first defeat
in her saloon smashing career Later
at the police station she laughingly declar-
ed that it was by no means her Waterloo
and she would soon again be at her chosen
work.
With six women, each armed with naw
hatchets, she had started out at 8 o'cloc1
to wreck restaurant in East Sixth street
that also dispensed liquor. Before she
could WELD her hatchet she was disamed
and a free for all struggle between res
taUrant peorle and wreckers was begun
Numerous eyes were blackened
Mrs. Nation had warned the proprietors
she would raid the place if they did not
stop selling liquors and they were pre-
pared for the attack. The hatchet was
lerked from her hand ny a stout man
and the women were forced back
A fierce fight followed between the
restaurant men and Mrs. Nations defend
ers For quarter of an hour they strug-
gle'l in the street while the mob yelled en-
couragingiy to Mrs. Nation. Many per
sonal encounters took place, but the police
seemed without power to stop it. Finally
in despair they arrested Mrs Nation on
a charge of disturbing the peace and took
her to jail The crowd followed her ana
the restaurant was left unharmed Mrs.
Nation was not injured.
During all the fierce struggle that went
on in the street, while women and boys
were knocked down and trampled on and
the crowd was shouting and yelling, Mrs
Nation never lost her presence of mind
Ladies, she cried, you are armed.
If you can't get to the place throw your
hatchets through the windows"
But the women were too demoralized to
obey, and stampeded
Mrs. Nation was led a way between two
police officers.
A the police station Mrs Nation was
formally charged with disturbing the
peace, ana her name was entered on the
docket. The police judge was at the sta
tion. Mrs. Nation refused to go to his
room to see him regarding her offense,
but insisted that he come to her. which
he did. Mrs. Nation was informed that
she would have to report for trial at the
Police Court tomorrow morning and was
then released on her recogniZance.
She said she would be glad to
to do so and then proceeded to hold an
impromptu prayer meeting in the police
station. She prayed that the work that
she had begun in Topeka might be abund-
antly prospered. While she was praying
drunken man was brought in by a po-
liceman. Mrs. Nation Immediately went
to the prisoner and informed him that
she was his friend at all times, even
though the policemen were not. She then
delivered a scathing address to the mem
bers of the police force present. She said
they would permit the joints to run in
open violation of law all the while and
would then arrest men who were made
drunk by the liquor sold there. Mrs. Ma
ton taunted the police, calling them cow
ards, afraid to arrest anybody but wo-
men and drunken men.
Followed by the crowd Mrs. Nation then.
went to the federal building, where she
inquired for her mail. She then mounted
the steps of the building and made an
address to the crowd. She said she would
smash ali the joints of the city and she
would stay here long enough to accom-
plish this purpose if il took months.