The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-05
Mrs. Nation Arrested, Taken to the
Police station and Slated as
Dfsturber of the Peace.
INCIDENTS OF THE STRUGGLE
ALL THE WOMEN ARMED WITH
BRIGHT NEW HATCHETS.
Commander Of the Army Did Not Lose
Her Presence of Mind, but Her
Followers Were Ratified.


tion this afternoon met the first defeat in
her saloon-smashing career. Later, at the
| police station, she laughingly declared that
1t was by no means her Waterloo, and she
would soon again be at her chosen work.
| With six women. each armed with bright
new hatchets, she had started out to wreck
a restaurant in East Sixth street that also
dispensed liquors. Before she could WELD
her hatchet Mrs. Nation was disarmed. and
free-for-all struggle between the res
taurant people and her wreckers was be-
gun. The greatest excitement prevailed
for time, during which numerous eyes
were blackened and many noses made to
bleed.
Mrs. Nation. herself unable to accomplish
anything, shouted orders to her followers
to re-begin the onslaught. But the hatchet
brigade had become stampeded, and not
another hand was raised against the OBJ
noxious restaurant. Mrs. Nation was led
away to the station on charge of disturb
ing the peace. and was followed by jeer-
ing crowd.
Mrs. Nation took her determination to
raid the restaurant very suddenly. She
made up her mind in five minutes. "A
group Of women had gathered in the
United Presbyterian Church 70 plan for
a raid tomorrow morning. when Mrs. Ma
ton decided to go out Immediately and
show how she could smash joins" Sur
rounded by balf a dozen women. all armed
with hatchets, Mrs. Nation led tho Way
down Kansas avenue. She was followed
by thousands Of people, who tramped be-
hind her in the deep snow. shouting like
a mob Mrs. Nation had no Ratchet. She
stopped at a store and bought one The
procession went on until the Unique res
taurant was reached. Then the women.
headed by Mrs. Nation. made a rush for
the door. Mrs. Nation had warned the
proprietors that she would raid the place if
they did not stop selling liquor. and they
were prepared for her attack. The hatchet
was jerked from her hand by stout man,
and the women were forced back.
A fierce fight followed between the res
taurant men and Mrs. Nations defenders.
For a quarter of an hour they struggled
In the street, while the mob yelled en-
couragingy to Mrs. Nation. Many person.
al encounters took place. Eyes were black
ened and noses made to bleed. The police
seemed without power to stop 1t. Finally
ir despair they arrested Mrs. Nation and
took her to Jail. The crowd followed her
and the restaurant was left unharmed. Mrs.
Nation was not injured.
During all the fierce struggle that went
on in the street, while women and boys
were knocked down and trampled on, and
the crowd was shouting at the topaof its
voice Mrs. Nation never lost her presence
81 ind Tba hofa
her hands, but that did not disturb her. She
appeared surprised. but smiled and called to
the women: Ladies, you are armed. If
you can't get to the place throw your
hatchets through the windows" But the
women were too demoralized to obey her.
They had not her presence of mind. Mrs.
Nation was led away between two big po-
lice officers. She was not downcast at her
lack Of success and laughed when people
spoke jestingly to her.
At the police station Mrs. Nation was for
mally charged with disturbing the peace.
and her name was entered on the docket.
The police judge at the station Mrs.
Nation refused to go to his room to see
him regarding her offense. but insisted that
he come to her, which he did. Mrs Nation
was informed that she would have to re-
port for trial at the Police Court to-mor-
row morning. and was then released on her
own recognizance.
She said she would be glad to do so. and
then proceeded to hold an impromptu
prayer meeting in the police station. She
prayed that the work that she had begun
in Topeka might be abundantly prospered.
While she was praying drunken man was
brought in by a policeman. Mrs. Nation
Immediately went to the prisoner and in
formed him that she was his friend at all
times, even though the policemen were not.
She then delivered a scathing address to
the members of the police force present.
She said they would permit the joints to
run I'm open violation OF law all the while,
and would then arrest the men who were
made drunk by the liquor sold there. Mrs.
Nation taunted the police, calling them
towards. afraid to arrest anybody but
women and drunken men.
Followed by the crowd. Mrs. Nation then
went 20 the federal building. where she in
quired for her mai. She then mounted the
steps OF the building and made an address
10 the crowd. She said she would smash all
the joints OF the city. and she would stay
here long enough TO accomplish this pur-
pose II IL took months.