Evening journal., 1901-02-05
First Failure in Her Saloon
Smashing Career
RATCHET BRIGADE STAMPEDED
She Tried 10 Wreck a Restaurant
and Was Met by a Determined
Resistance

Topeka. Kan, Feb. 5.-Mrs. Nation
yesterday afternoon met the first de-
feat in her saloon smashing career.
Later, at the police station, she laugh
ingly declared that it was by no means
her Waterloo, and she would soon
again be at her chosen work.
With six women, each armed with
new hatchets, she had started out at 3
o'clock to wreck a restaurant in East
Sixth street that also dispensed liquors.
Before she could WELD her hatchet she
was disarmed and free for all strug-
gle between the restaurant people and
wreckers was begun. The greatest eX-
citement prevailed for a time, during
which numerous eyes were blackened
and many noses bled. Mrs. Nation,
herself unable to accomplish anything,
shouted orders to her followers TO re-
open the onslaught, but the hatchet
brigade had been stampeded, and not
another hand was raised against the
obnoxious restaurant. Mrs. Nation was
led away to the station on a charge Of
disturbing the peace, and she was fol-
lowed by a jeering crowd.
She took her determination to raid
the place very suddenly. At a meeting
of the "hatchet brigade" in the Uni
ted Presbyterian church yesterday af-
ternoon she announced that a raid
would be made on a drug store and
joint at o'clock this morning. The
women were greatly alarmed at the
publicity which Mrs. Nation gave her
plans, but Mrs. Nation said she was
mot particularly interested in keep
ing the matter a secret"
'All those women who will promise
me to come with their hatchets to-
morrow at o'clock to do some work
stand up" said Mrs. Nation. Nine
women stood up.
That's good" exclaimed Mrs. Ma
tion. Two are enough to smash a
joint, and three women are a host. l
broke up joint myself all alone in 20
minutes. Now want to give you lit
tie advice. We are not fooling about
this thing. We are in holy warfare.
Don't be scared. II you are afraid to
start the work / will start It for you.
Above all, be quick about It, Smash
just as hard as you can. These saloon
men won't hurt you. You will see
| them shake as If they had the ague
when you come near them. They are
afraid of the arm of God. You men
need not come with hatohets; don't
come armed, for there is to be no
bloodshed. But II a saloon man tries
to stop us women You may have the
privilege of rolling him in the snow.
That won't hurt him. Now everybody
take courage and come around bright
and early tomorrow morning"
Then came the conference and the
determination to wreck joint immedi-
ately. Surrounded by half a dozen
women, all armed with hatchets, Mrs.
Nation led the way down Kansas ave-
nue.. She was followed by thousands
of people, who tramped behind and be-
fore her in the deep snow, shouting
! like a mob. Mrs. Nation had no
hatchet. She stopped at a store and
bought one. The procession went on
until the Unique restaurant, 116 East
Sixth street, was reached, few min
utes before o'clock Then the wO-
men, headed by Mrs. Nation, made a
rush for the door. She had warned the
proprietors that she would raid the
place If they did not stop selling
liquor, and they were prepared for her
attack. The hatchet was jerked from
her hand by a stout man and the wo-
men were forced back.
A fierce fight followed between the
restaurant men and Mrs. Nations de-
tenders. For quarter of an hour they
struggled in the street, while the mob
yelled encouraglngly to Mrs. Nation.
| Many personal encounters took place,
but the police seemed without power to
stop it. Finally in despair they ar
rested Mrs. Nation and took her to iail
! The crowd followed her and the res
taurant was let unharmed. Mrs. Ma
tion 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. The hatchet was
jerked from her hands, but that did not
disturb her. She appeared surprised.
but smiled and called to the women:
Ladies, you are armed. IL you can't
get to the place throw your hatchets
through the windows" But the women
were too demoralized to obey her.
They had not her presence Of mind.
Mrs. Nation was led away between two
big police officers.
At the police station Mrs. Nation
was formally charged with disturbing
the peace, and her name was entered
on the docket. The police judge was
at the station. Mrs. Nation refused
to go to his room to see him regard
ing her offense, but insisted that he
come to her, which he did. Mrs Ma
tion was informed that she would have
to report for trial at the police court
today and was then released on her
own recognizance. She said she
would be glad to do so, and then pro-
ceeded to hold an impromptu prayer
meeting In the police station. While