The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-18

which afterward became famous as the
Crusade Hymn marched out of the lit
tie church and down the main street OF
the village straight to the largest and
most finely appointed saloon IN the place.
They filed through the doors still singing
Then they knelt in the sawdust which
covered the floor and prayed earnestly
Their action created the most profound
establishment. No intimation of their in
tentions had been made public. The viii
layers were shocked to see the most
prominent women of Hillsboro entering
saloons and conducting prayer meetings
before the bars. Barkeepers and proprie-
tors of the drinking places were speech
less with amazement. In the same man
ner every saloon in the town was visited
The next day the visits were repeated
and prayer meetings were again held.
The women We're sometimes met with
derisive cries, to which they paid not the
slightest attention.
After delivering the address at Hills
boro, DR.. Lewis went to Washington
Court House and the following night lee
tured there. His fiery eloquence had an
effect similar to that at Hillsboro and the
next day the saloons of that place were
invaded by bands of women Leading the
women at this place, where the crusade
came to its greatest success was
Mother" Stewart, a prominent temper
ance advocate. So earnestly did the cru
saders work that nearly every saloon and
bar in the town was obliged 10 suspend
business on account of the disfavor into
which they fell. The news of the move
ment spread 10 other towns and similar
meetings were carried into effect in vii
lagos, towns. and cities all over Ohio,
and. also In surrounding States In some
places the men of the communities sided
with the women and declared that should
the saloons open after once closing their
doors in Difference to the wishes of the
women they would be burned to the
ground.
Women marched to saloons in bands of
fifty sometimes, singing the crusade
hymn, and knelt and prayed IN the streets
Rock of Ages" was a hymn so popular
and oft sung that the crusaders we're
dubbed The Rock of Ages Women" an
appellation which they joyfully adopted
In many places the crusaders were Of
fered violence. Dogs were tied before he
saloon doors and barkeepers threatened
TO shoot the invaders but. so far as has
been recorded, no one was severely in
jured. The agitation spread to Chicago
and prayer meetings were held in the
streets There women were arrested for
obstructing the thoroughfares, and among
those incarcerated was Mrs. Mary Glenn
ent Leayitt, now an honorary vice presi-
dent of the Worlds Womans Christian
Temperance Union. The prisoners were,
however, soon released.
The manufacturers of liquor soon began
to see the havoc the crusade was working
with their sales and they rallied to the
support Of the saloon men. Huge posters
ridiculiDg the women were circulated
throughout the country. Some of these
represented women's bodies with the
heads of animals and announcement was
made that the Temperance Menagerie"
would appear at a certain date. No lanes
were mentioned on the posters, but there
was such a play upon words as to leave
no doubt as to the persons referred to.
The actions OF the Crusaders found
hearty support on the part OF many promi-
nent Ohio men. Among them was Presi-
dent Mckinley, who at that time was
lawyer. He espoused their cause heartily.
The press Of the country commented freely
upon the Crusade, and opinions ranging
from severest condemnation to highest
praise were expressed.
The movement continued TO spread In
1874 but gradually diminished in force The
more prominent of the leaders soon dis
covered that the attacking of the saloons
was beneficial but not calculated to bring
about a permanent reform. They realized
that the only way to attain their ends was
through legislation. and they began to
think of some plan by which legislation
could best be secured. Then was con-
ceived the idea of a temperance society