New-York tribune., 1901-02-09
MRS. NATION CALLED 4 COWARD.
WOMEN IN ATTACKING TOPEKA sA-
LooNs-GoEs OFF TO LECTURE

Topeka Kan. Feb s-Mrs Carrie Nation. the
temperance crusader. is alleged TO have backed
down last night for the time since she started
out 10 destroy the Illegal traffic liquor in Kansas
About thirty q her followers had gathered in
secret 10 lge night raid on Topeka Joints"
The women had been promised the aid of several
students al Washhurn College. who come
70 town armed, after midnight. and personally take
part in the raid. and also see that the crusaders
were not molested- The excitement AT the meeting
was intense. the women planning minutely for the
raid. II was decided 10 go out al a. and de-
molish every Joint" in town
Suddenly. when everything seemed 10 have been
satisfactorily arranged Mrs. Nation began putting
on her wraps and said she going home. In
stanty her followers were in an uproar Express
sions OF surprise quickly were followed by words
OF condemnation Finally who had
spent greater part OF the day collecting hatchets
and soliciting aid for the crusaders. rushed Mrs
Nation, and. shaking her fist in the Wichita wom-
ans face shouted exctedly. You're a coward.
Mrs Nation; you're a coward"
i am not a coward" shouted Mrs Nation Il
VIII go this minute with any one and
smash q joint"
A dozen women loudly expressed their desire TO
go with the leader. But Mrs. Nation again changed
her mind saying she tired adding is stated.
The Lord does not wish go tonight and
without further ado left the room
While the women stood IN little groups discuss
ing with wonderment their leaders action. Mrs
Nation. accompanied only by reporter. made the
ROUNDS OF the Joints 10 SATISFY herSeN mat all
Were closed The keepers, apparently anticipating
a raid. had closed and barricaded their doors. and
al midnight Mrs. Nation went 10 her home.
Questioned about her Chicago trip. which had
been planned for next week. Mrs Nation said she
could tell nothing definite about f. Il will go
when the Lord directs me- she said. AT present
He wants me 10 remain here" She said, however.
that she would 90 Kansas City to-day. not TO
smash" she added. but simply 70 lecture
Some OF the volunteer members of Mrs Nation 8
band OF crusaders claim their leader has been IN
duced give up the smashing OF Joints In order
go on lecturing tour.
Mrs. Nation started this afternoon for Kansas
City. She said: The women here are now warmed
the right pitch and Will carry out their work
with the Lord their leader. From Kansas City
VIII 10 Des Moines then 10 Alton and possibly
10 Chicago.
Kansas City. No. Feb "a dispatch 20 "The
Star from Topeka. Kan. says that Mrs. Nation
speaking OF the storm of reproaches directed
against her because Of her refusal 10 lead night
raid said: 1T a delicious half-hCur never
happy in my life When first came here
had 90 all the talking. but last night had 10
stand back and listen TO them scolding They
We're mad all the way through because I would
help them smash That's turning the tables.
ard. ! confess I was almost a coward when saw
the Indignation Of those women Verify, IL was
demonstrated Hell hath fury like a
sC0rned.' 80 Mrs. Nation laughed heartily over the
matter as she pointed out what she interpreted as
enthusiasm created by her actions