Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-18
outh steps of the State house"

dismal corridor under the east steps
of the capitol building and patiently
awaited the coming of it's leader. AS
they waited, their number was aug
mented by many more men who en-
tered the State house grounds with
axes slung over their shoulders. Two
men came in with great mining picks,
and others had sledge-hammers. These
weapons were too large for the women,
who composed one-ffth of the party,
but they carried bright new hatchets.
Soon the electric lights on the street
went out, and day began to break.
When the darkness had almost dis
appeared two women could be seen in
the distance running to the scene of
the rendezvous. They were Mrs. Ma
ton and DR. Eva Harding, with whom
she had stayed during the night. Mrs.
Nation had actually oversight herself.
by one hour, o'clock having been the
appointed hour for assembling.
Joint smashing, she explained had
gotten to be such an ordinary affair
with her that she never had occasion
to lose any sleep on account Of the ex
element it caused.
But we are here now" she said.
''We will begin. work at once. Get in
nd
be about the Lords work now Get
your hatchets ready and follow me"
And they did. Two by two, weapons
in hand, they moved out on their mis-
sion of destruction. In the front
proudly marched Mrs. Nation with her
Ratchet raised Behind her were Mrs.
Rose Ceist and Mrs. Madeline South
ard, who accompanied her on the trip
to Chicago, and DR.. Eva Harding. Next
came six Washburn college boys, bear
ing an immense battering ram. Three
of the boys were on each side of the
ram,to which they held with one hand
and with the other hand each clutched
bright new. Ratchet that had been
procured by sMrs Nation.
AS they entered Kansas avenue, some
of the women wanted to stop and de-
molish drug store which has the rep
utation of selling liquor. Mrs. Nation
demurred. She had other plans and
meant to enforce them. She gave the
order to march again and the crowd
followed her as before.
AS they passed another notorious
place the crowd wanted to stop again,
but Mrs. Nation had not yet reached
the desired point. The crowd turned
the corner of Sixth street and soon
reached the front door leading to
Murphy's fashionable bar. Four DO
licemen stood at the door to guard the
entrance. They commanded the peo-
pie in very dignified tones to stand
back
Smash, smash, smash called out
Mrs. Nation. Don't pay any atten-
ton to them"
The boys with the battering ram
came forward, and in less time than it
takes to tell it, the big plate glass win
dows were shattered into thousands of
fragments Dozens of men then rushed
on the building, armed with their axes,
and soon had the doors and window
frames cut entirely away Then with
an exultant cheer the crowd rushed
into the building.
Praise God, women. Smash the bot
ties and the windows" called out Mrs.
Nation again. and raising her famous
Ratchet she sent it through window
glass. The police managed to recover
from their scare by this time and
seized Mrs. Nation. They started off
with her to the police station is quick
ly as possible. She waved her hands
and frantically called out to her CO.
workers:
VII hOSp IL up, yOu CAN 40 II
without me. Praise God. keep it I'D:
keep on smashing; you don't need
me-"
For moment the crusaders were
thrown into confusion by removal of
their leader. but the parting words of
Mrs. Nation seemed to move them TO
further efforts. The crowd surged for
ward into the building and soon all
the front part of the room had given
way and all could enter at will.
A man inside struck a match and
then turned on the electric lights. A
case of beer found in the room was
soon smashed Slot machines, cigar
cases, billiard tables, chairs. counters
and even the stoves We're smashed TO
smithereens. The policemen danced
! hither and thither trying to keep the
crowd from destroying the property
but their efforts were expended in
vain.
The doors of the outbuildings were
| smashed in. but no more liquor was
found, During the night it had been
removed to a place of safety.
After being satisfied that there was