The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-29
MRS. NATION IN fJAYHAwKER
CAPITAL.
LAUGHS AT BRooMsT|ck
Takes Beating from Jointist's Wife
Without a Whimper-Does
No Smashing.

s>
Nation caused a great furry among
the Joint keepers of Topeka tonight
and was roughly handled by a mob.
She arrived in Topeka at $40 O'Clock
and Immediately hunted up a news
paper reporter, with the request that
she be shown some Of the leading
Joints of the city. Two newspaper
men volunteered to pilot her around.
She said she did not wish to begin a
smashing crusade, but wanted to talk
to the "jointists."
The keepers of saloons had been ap-
prised of her intentions and when she
arrived at Ed Myers joint, on Kansas
avenue, she was confronted by the
wife of that individual, who rained
blow after blow on her head with a
broomstick, while Myers stood by and
encouraged her efforts. By this time
a crowd of a thousand people had
gathered, among whom were numer
Gus sympathizers of Mrs. Nation.
Nobody attempted to interfere and
soon the jointist's wife stopped her
assault.
Mrs. Nation said she was not hurt
by her experience in the least. What
does a broomstick amount tor she in
uuired, s'to n who has been SO much
used to rawhides, rocks and rotten
eggs? That woman should be i'm
mediately arrested, though. Where
is an officer?"
4 policeman then appeared on the
scene for the purpose of protecting
Mrs. Nation. He commanded the mob
to stand back and started up the street
with Mrs. Nation, all the time fol-
lowed by hooting, jeering rowdies,
who were sympathizers with the joint
keepers.
Mrs. Nation at last found refuge in
the editorial rooms of the Topeka
Capital, where the crowd was not al
lowed to enter. Here she detailed
the story of her experiences and what
she expected to do in the future. She
asked the Associated Press CORES
rondent how many joints were in
Topeka. On being informed that
there were more than a hundred, she
threw up her hands in horror and said
the condition must not last any longer.
She added: II would go out against
these joints tonight if I had some
women to go with me. But I will rest
for a day or two Something will be
done here yet. You may count on
that"
Mrs. Nation then inquired where
she could go to swear out a warrant
oro;,,e% fh., r1r,or x,h0 occor1foC
her. Policeman Luster, who wa:
present, volunteered to take her tt
the city attorneys Office where she
could swear out a warrant. Mrs
Nation readily consented to accom-
pany the officer on his assurance tina
he would let nothing harm her.
AS Mrs. Nation and the policeman
stepped out the door of the Capita
building the crowd which had BEEF
waiting in the street surged towar'
her. The policeman instantly drew
his pistol and shouted above the up
roar: IT am here to protect thi
woman, and I will shoot the frs
man who makes a move toward he1
Stand back, you Williams"
The ~ruffians fell over each other get
ting out Of the way and Mrs. Natio
proceeded to the office of the a~ssistar
city attorney, where a warrant wa
sworn out. The crowd attempted t
enter the office building, but WE
cowed by policemen with drawn pi
tolls. Mrs. Nation addressed the me
for a few moments and they gave hi
attention. She gave a logical expl'
nation of her action and she said 81
was a law abiding citizen whenev,
she raided a joint, as a joint had I
rights.
Chief of Police Stahl is an ardel
temperance worker and he will ord,
his officers to protect Mrs. Matte
from mob violence whenever nece
sary.
Mrs. Nation will deliver an addre
tomorrow night in one Of the large
churches of the city
QV Indication ne nm