The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-06
MRS,NATI9N ON WARPATH
Leads a CrowG Of Men and Women
Against Topeka Saloons
SHE WAS ARRESTED FOUR TIMES

Now Held by the Sheriff For Breaking
Into a Cold Storage Warehouse-Had
Already Wrecked a Saloon and De-
stroyed Bars Stored in a Barn - A
"Joiut, Keeper Goes on Her Bond.
Topeka. Kan.-Mrs Carrie Nation
put in busy Sunday in Topeka, ana
as a result the capital ci-y experienced
more genuine excitement than can be
remembered by the oldest inhabitant.
Mrs. Nation literally crammed the day
with thrilling episodes. She succeeded
in having the contents of a notorious
"joint" smashed, broke irto cold
storage plant, in search of liquor
ruined the mirrors on several fine bars
stored in a livery barn, addressed
large mass meeting of men and wom-
en-, and was arrested four times. Inc
last time hat the law laid its hands
upon her was when Mrs Nation
emerged from the church where the
mass meeting had been held.
Five hundred men and women, head
ed by Mrs. Nation. assembled at the
State House at six O'Clock a. NJ, ana
marched in double column to saloon
on East Sixth street and completely
wrecked the place. No one WIS in the
building at the time. and it did not re-
uu;re long for the hatchet brigade to
smash all the windows. This done,
the door was broken open and the men
and women proceeded to destroy ever
bit of property inside.
They first attacked fine billiard ta-
BILE. A dozen women with hatchets
soon destroyed the slate and cushions.
Mrs. Nation, a few feet away. smashed
two fine showcases filed with cigars.
In backroom a half. dozen bottles of
beer were found and these wer' ,rek.
en- by Mrs. Nation herself as she
shouted praise God AID bless His
name"
Several policemen then arrived and
placed her under arrest. Mrs. Nation
was rushed to the police station, but
a half hour later was released.
When she came out she found 200
of her followers waiting for her.
Come on" she cried. and the crowd
marched to livery barn where two
bars and other saloon fixtures had
been stored. Mrs. Nation made a
search of the place and finally found
the bars in a dark corner. The hatch.
cts soon reduced the bars to kindlins
wood. Then Mrs. Nation smashed sev.
eral fine mirrors.
Walking cut she addressed the
crowd, commanding them to follow.
praise God for this work." she said
Then in double column the crusaders
marched to the large cold storage plant
of Moeser Bros. where it was said
saloon men had put their supplies.
Before any damage could be done
Sheriff Cook and a force of deputies
appeared and arrested Mrs. Nation.
They took her to the county jail
While Mrs. Nation was In Jail prep.
arations were being made for holding
big mass meeting. In the afternoon,
when the meeting was at its height.
Mrs. Nation entered and made her
Most Of the audience believed that she
was in Jail. and the cheer that went
up at the sight Of her must have been
inspiring to the joint smasher. Soon
she began volley Of words.
Mrs. Nation said she was going to
remain right here in Topeka" until
after the city election. so she could
help in the election of Mayor The
meeting then adopted resolutions pro-
testing against the pending resubmis.
sion resolution in the Legislature. and
as the meeting adjourned Mrs. Nation
asked the home defenders" to meet
her at the close.
She was going on another smashing
tour. But Deputy Sheriff Lawson
was waiting in the vestibule, and when
Mrs. Nation came out he served her
with another warrant.
Its for dcfacing property" said
the officer.
"Defacing property" said Mrs. Ma.
ton. why. defaced no property. ]
just destroyed it. I never deface any
property. But come along, Mr.. Off
cer-I am not afraid Of jail"
She was finally taken to the jail
amid much excitement, and stayed
this time two hours. and finally her
bond was signed by one of the ''joint"
keepers of the city, prominent negro
politician.