Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-02-20
WOODWORK ON SUNDAY
Mrs. Nation Puts in a Very Busy
Day at the Capital of
Kansas.
HER "sMAsHERs" OWN THE TOWN.
Arrested in Her Career and Released,
She Invades a Cold-Storage Plant
4 and Is Again Arrested.

Topeka, Kan, Feb. 1S.-Mrs. Car
RE Nation put in a busy Sunday in
Topeka yesterday, and as result the
capital city has experienced more gen
uine excitement than can be remem-
bered by the oldest inhabitant. Mrs.
Nation literally crammed the day with
thrilling episodes; she succeeded in
having the contents of noted saloon
smashed; broke into cold storage
plant where a number of fine bars had
been stored away for safety and de-
molished them; addressed large mass
meeting of men and women, and was
arrested four times. The last time that
the law laid its hands upon her was
when Mrs. Nation emerged from the
church where the mass meeting had
been held. Last night Mrs. Nation an
nOunced that she would begin this
morning where she left off yesterday,
and would not rest until all the joints
In Topeka have been closed
Had a Mob of 500, Both Sexes.
Yesterday morning at 6 o'clock Mrs.
Nation sailed forth from the state
house grounds at the head of 500 men
and women, all armed with hatchets
Nobody but Mrs. Nation knew what
plans she had laid. In the crowd were
a large number of students of Wash
burn college, some of the ministers of
the city, and a number of professional
and business men. The company
marched silently out of the state house
grounds, down Kansas avenue, to the
place on east Seventh street kept by
Ed. Murphy. When the Joint" was
reached the work of demolition was
commenced without preliminary. Mrs.
Nation, brandishing a new Ratchet,
headed the onslaught and the wreck
was made complete in five minutes.
Arrest Followed by Release.
Her work over Mrs. Nation proudly
emerged from the place only to be ar
rested. She went along with the Off
Ger with a few followers and many
people who had gathered. At the po-
lice station she was released promptly
and hurried back to her work. She en-
tered a livery barn, in which some
bars had been stored and smashed
them. Then, at the head of twenty
five of her followers, she went to the
Moser Cold Storage plant and entered
In the search of some liquor she
thought had been stored there.
This time Mrs. Nation was
arrested by the county au-
thorities, and was taken to the jail in
patrol wagon. 1t was afternoon be-
fore she was released from jail on
bond, and after taking dinner with
Sheriff Cook she went to the First
Christian church. where she was ac-
costed by an officer with a warrant
and taken to the county jail again.
Quarrel Among the Smashers.
When Mrs. Nation was arrested the
first time her followers did not know
what to do next and they marched to
the state house square to talk over the
situation. The women composing the
party We're filed with wrath. They
declared that the men were towards
and that they never would go out on
raid with them again. The earnest
words of the women aroused the men,
and with loud cries of excitement they
started again down town to destroy
some joints, and to make their work
complete. Then it was that Rev. f.
w. Emerson, who was Mrs. Nations
manager during her recent trip, rushed
to the front and called the crowd to
desist from their purpose, telling them
that the entire city was now awake
and that further action would be use
less. DIR. Eva Harding engaged in a
spirited argument with the minister
during which some very choice compli-
ments were passed on either side. What
was left of the crowd then dispersed.