The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-03-29
A CHILLY RECEPTION
Mrs. Nation Finds Very few Friends
in LeavenwOrth

Leavenworth, Kan, March "a
Mrs. Nations reception here was
rather chilly. No church or hall
could be secured for her to speak
in and her visit was used as politica
capital by both parties, the Republic
cans claiming the Democrats brought
her and the Democrats asserting that
the Republicans are responsible for
her visit.
Mrs. Nations visit was productive
of nothing sensational. She did not
smash a Joint, nor did she attempt to.
She tried to enter but one place, and
found that locked, and at the moment
she laid her hand on the door two
policeman dressed in citizens clothing
caught her and gave her to under
stand once and for all that the motto
of Leavenworth is: "Don't monkey
with this community" and that at the
first sign of any violence on her part
she would be hauled off to jail. Then
she visited the Soldiers home and be-
gan abusing Governor Rowland for
allowing a canteen to be run on the
grounds. After listening to her a
short time, the governor called cap
tain of police and had her escorted off
the grounds and placed on car for the
city.
In the National Hotel where she
stopped is one of the finest bars in the
city, but the proprietor of the hotel
took no chances and had the barroom
locked and watchers at the door to
admit only those who had business
there. A big crowd filled the Office all
day, and in the afternoon Mrs. Nation
held receptions and prayer meetings
in her room. Owing to the crowd it
was necessary to keep policeman at
the stairs to prevent anybody from
rushing up at once.
After trying in vain to get some
place in which to speak, Mrs. Nation
gave up the idea of holding meet
ing this afternoon. No hall in town
would be rented to her. When in
formed of this fact Mrs. Nation was
much put out. 1.-The devil has got all
OF them in his power" she remarked,
referring to the owners of the halls.
Later several ladies came in to see
her. One of them remarked that she
was Baptist. Cant you get ;per-
mission for me to speak in your
church," Mrs. Nation asked her.
The lady was not sure that she could.
a moment later a negro who had come
up to see her was asked if he could
not get a church. "I'd just as soon
speak in a niger church," said Mrs.
Nation.
Then a messenger arrived stating
that she could speak in the Conserva-
tory of Music, in which the Christian
Scientists hold their services. She
was escorted there by Mrs. Merrill,
and theusual crowd, but when they
arrived they found the hall locked.
Mrs. Van Fossen. who lives on West
seventh Street, in the rear of the hall,
offered her the use of large vacant
lot. Mrs. Van Fossen is one of the
temperance workers of the city, and
invited Mrs. Nation here some time
ago. Mrs. Nation accepted the offer
and went to the vacant lot. A big
crowd followed her, but when she got
into the lot the police officers refused
to let her speak. Then she got mad
and began to berate the officer. He
informed her that he was not acting
on his own esponsibility, but only
on the orders of Chief Cranston.
He also told her that he was not the
proper subject for any facetious re-
marks from her, and that if they con
tinued he would be forced to earrest
her. This threat did not seem &c
bother her in the least, for she kept W
her TRADE. Then a policeman took
her by each arm, and walked her ou
of the lot. A moment after arriving
| CIV bllO WI w NihN NllS Ndl, SlllN
Cranston drove up and gave her per
mission to make speech, and declar
ed the arrest Off. Mrs. Nation wen
back to the lot, and mounting chair
talked for about fifteen minutes.
She said that Leavenworth was
modern Sodom. "The devil has don,
a pretty job here" she said. "Thi
is the worst town in the state. Wors,
than Topeka, if possible. I'm no
going to do anything here now, bu
when come back, something is goinI
to happen. If these hell holes ant
murder shops are not shut then, III
take these women see around me anC
We'll clean 'em out"
"Jesus" Mella, proprietor of tn
National, was uneasy for fear Mrs
Nation might take a notion to raj
his bar so he put up the price of he