The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-10
"A TROOP OF REFORMERS
THE ANTI-ROADHOUsE LEAGUE ON
THE wARPATH.
Women Visit Drug stores and Use
tOrs-One Man Ready to Quit.

The inspecting citizen returning to his
home in North indianapolis last night
would at once have become imbued with
the belief that Carrie Nation, reinforced, by
band of sympathlzers. had unexpectedly
returned to this part of the country with
the intent of demolishing everything in
sight.
The suburb WIS probably never in such
a ferment before. and the excitement was
directly attributable 10 a band of women,
all members of an organization known as
the North Indianapolis Anti-roadhouse As
ISOLATION, who made the rounds of a num-
Der of drug stores in North indianapolis
for the purpose of charging the proprietors
with the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors
and warning them of the consequences un-
less they discontinued that branch of their
business.
Only three drug stores were visited, but
by the time the women had reached the
last one the streets were crowded with men
and boys who followed and cheered them on
their way. The women were headed by
Mrs. A. Clark, secretary of the Ant-road-
house Association and each was decorated
with badge on which was printed in bold
letters r the words The whisky joints must
60. The badge was fastened with a pin
in the shape of a Ratchet. The first place
visited was the drug store owned by Cart
WrlBHl SlOWeTS. Inc women entered sing
ing in brave tones and with determined
faces the hymn, Onward, Christian Sol
der
CALLED FOR THE PROPRIETOR
AS soon as they were all assembled Mrs
Clark stepped up to the clerk, who had
been listening to the song with a smile on
his face, and asked for the proprietor. The
bland young man behind the counter in
formed the women in a loud voice that
Mr. Showers was not in. At first there was
a disposition to doubt the young mans as
sertion, but when he had reiterated the
same statement several times the band of
anti-saloonists withdrew and betook them
selves to the drug store of John Powell
This time the proprietor was in. and as
soon as order was restored Mrs. Clark adj
vanced to the front of the crowd and be-
gan 10 address the astounded drug store
keeper on the iniquities of rum selling. ut
is the general belief of all of our citizens
said Mrs Clark, that the principal bust
ness in which you are engaged in this So
called drug store is that of the Illegal sale
of intoxicating liquors. Not only have we
plenty of evidence that you are violating
the laws of the State, but you have ad-
mitted it yourself by pleading guilty when
brought into court by an organization.
After dwelling on the Generalization to the
neighborhood that came from alleged viola
tions of the laws by druggists, Mrs. Clark
concluded by saying: I'VE have been long
| suffering. Patience has now ceased to be a
virtue. and we feel that we will be held ac-
| countable should we permit this disgrace
| full violation of law to continue in our
| midst" During the whole time that Mrs.
| Clark was speaking the proprietor of the
| store never uttered a word. When she had
concluded he still preserved his taciturnity
| and gave no sign that'he was aware OF any
other presence in the room than his own.
| His silence left no room for further argu-
ment or appeal and the women were forced
| to withdraw totally uncertain as to the
good or bad effect their visit might have
| had.
ANOTHER TRIAL.
Mastering their courage for another trial.
| they next visited the drug store of Joseph
| Firqun. In this place they were cour-
| teously received by the proprietor, and
after they had finished their songs and
| Mrs. Clark had delivered her speech, to
| their great establishment Mr.. Firquin came
| out from behind his counter and stated that
| he fully agreed with everything that had
| been said, and that he had been trying to
| get rid of his place for the past two weeks.
| He said If they would give him two weeks
more he would sell out and leave the place
| and never go into the liquor business again.
| Some one began TO sing Praise God from
| Whom All Blessings Flow" and the wom
| en-, with joyous faces and some with tears
| In their eyes, took hold of Mr. Firquin' 8
hand and called him brother" After
| leaving the store the women disbanded and
went to their homes.
The Anti-roadhouse Association of North
Indianapolis was organized about the mid
| die of February, and IL now claims a men,
| bership of 1 400. Since its organization the
| members of the association have waged a
| bitter warfare against the saloons and
| other liquor resorts Of that part of the city,
with the intention of ultimately wiping
| them out. The move made by the women
| of the association last night at the
suggestion of their husbands and parents.