Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-09
MRS. NATION TOO TIRED
70 GO JOINT SMASHING.
ACCUSED OF COWARDICE BY TO-
PEKA WOMEN WHO WE'RE
READY FOR THE FRAY.
SAY THE LECTURE PLATFORM.
WITH ITS ALLUREMENTS OF FAME
AND CASH HAVE COOLED
HER ARDOR.

TOPEKA, Kans.. February S.-Mrs.
Carrie Nation, the temperance crusa-
der, is alleged to have backed down
last night for the first time since she
started out to destroy the illegal traffic
in liquor in Kansas. About thirty of
her followers had gathered in secret to
arrange a night raid on Topeka
Joints. The women had been prom
ised the aid of several male students
at Washburn college. who were TO come
to town armed, after midnight, and
personally take part in the raid, and
also see that the crusaders were not
molested. The excitement at the meet
ing was intense, the women planning
infinitely for the raid.
1t was decided to saunter out at 3
a. N. and demolish every Joint" in
town. Suddenly, when everything was
satisfactorily arranged, Mrs. Nation
began putting on her wraps and said
she was going home. Instantly her
followers were in an uproar. Express
ions of surprise quickly were followed
by wods of condemnation. Finally
part of the day collecting hatchets and
soliciting aid for the crusaders, rushed
to Mrs. Nation
And Shaking Her Fist
in the Wichita woman's face, shouted
excitedly:
You are coward, Mrs. Nation;
you are coward"
Il am not a coward" shouted Mrs.
Nation. Il will go this minute with
any one woman and smash a Joint"
A dozen women loudly expressed a
desire to go With the leader, but Mrs.
Nation again changed her mind, saying
she was tired, adding, it is stated:
1.-THE Lord does not wish me to go
tonight" and without further ado
she left the room.
While the women stood in little
groups discussing with wonderment
their leaders action, Mrs. Nation, ac-
companied only by a reporter, made
the rounds of the 'joints" to satisfy
herself that all were closed. The keep
ers, apparently anticipating a raid, had
closed and barricaded their doors, and
at midnight Mrs. Nation went to her
home.
Questioned about her Chicago trip,
which had been planned for next week,
Mrs. Nation said she could tell moth
ing definite about it. Il will go where
the Lord directs me- she said. "At
present He wants me to remain here"
She said, however, that
She Would Go 10 Kansas City
To-day, mot to smash" she added,
"but simply to lecture"
Some of the volunteer members of
Mrs. Nations band of crusaders claim
their leader has been induced to give
up the smashing of Joints" in order
to go on lecturing tour.
KANSAS CITY, February S.--A spec
ial to the Star from Topeka, Kansas,
says:
Mrs. Nation, speaking of the storm
of reproaches directed against her be-
cause of her refusal to lead a night
raid, said:
1T was a delicious naf hour.
never was so happy in my life. When
| first came here | had to do all the
talking, but last night ! had to stand
and listened to them scolding me. They
were mad all the way through, because
| would not help them smash. That's
turning the tables, isn't it? Don't
blame them for calling me coward.
| confess was almost a coward when
| saw the indignation Of these women.
Verify, it was demonstrated, Hell hath
no fury like a woman scorned.
Mrs. Nation laughed heartily over
the matter as she pointed out what she
interpreted as enthusiasm created by
her actions.