The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-26
HEROINE OF HATCHET
Mrs. Carrie Nation Lectures to
Large Crowd at the Expo.
A SURPRISE TO HER AUDIENCE
Simple Story of Her Work as She
Told It-She Visits q
Saloon.

Mrs. Carrie Nation, the Kansas heroine
of the hatchet, converted large audience
at the exposition building last evening.
The conversion was in the attitude Of her
hearers toward herself. Probably three
fourths of those who heard her went to
the exposition building out of curiosity or
with the expectation of being treated to
a good laugh. They came away impressed
with the womans sincerity, singleness Of
purpose and bigness Of heart, however
they might have differed from her as to
methods and conclusions. Having heard
her lecture, the explanation of her cru
sade was as simple as the primal element.
Mrs Nations appearance and her story,
doubtless without intention, disclosed the
fact that she lived a strenuous life LIT
tie ease has been hers. She has done her
own :housework, her own washing, her
own ironing and her own scrubbing. She
said SO in such a simple, matter of fact
manner that she could not be doubted
But while she was on her knees scrubbing
she was thinking and the burden Of her
thought was how to secure the better
enforcement of the prohibition law of
Kansas in her county. Her ambition went
no farther.
She could find no solution OF the prob
lem, and turned to her Bible, when she
found time to do SO, and there she read
the instructions to the children Of Israel
images of the heather. She read how
Josiah sent out smashing parties Ito use
her own words) to break down the affairs
and high places of false gods. Then she
woke one morning and she ''heard words"
not voice, just words; they said
go to Kiowa and smash em up ,-.
Keeping the matter to herself she
rocks and broken bricks, which she
| wrapped In separate papers. These she
loaded into her buggy. Then she got
ready and drove to Kiowa, arriving about
9 p. m. She went into a place alone and
addressing the proprietor, said:
John (if that was his nancy, told you
to close this place UP when / was here
last fall, and you haven't done it. Now
| I want you to step aside for I'm going to
smash things and don't want to hurt
| you
Herewith the rocks and bricks began
to fly. Il threw as hard as could,' she
says in her almost child like narrative,
land hit everything threw at
The remainder of her smashing crusade
was Of the same kind Of work. The hatch
ct came later; it seemed to be an after
thought.
Her Method one of Last Resort.
The whole thing was as simple as that.
It was as if she had been trying some new
"easy cleaner on her kitchen floor, and,
having found it wouldn't work, had taken
her old scrubbing brush and soft soap in
| the old way. She had tried persuasion
and other methods on the county officials
and 1t wouldn't work, so she got together
her rocks and brickbats and went smash
| ing. In going on the lecture platform
| Mrs. Nation is actuated, she says, by the
single purpose OF aiding the temperance
cause. Mrs. Nation does not impress one
as one of the "strong-minded" class.
There is nothing. masculine or. coarse
| about her. She has been in Jail seven
times because of her methods, and she is
| now paying off fines on the instalment
plan. But, for all that, there is nothing
| of bitterness in her talks. No harshness
| or vindictiveness SO far as men are con-
| cerned She is the enemy Of the saloon
and all that it stands for, and not of men.
twenty-five prohibitionists," +" she says, Tor
I'd feel that l was reaching the one in
real need in the barkeeper.''
Visits a saloon.
Following the lecture she entered a
Central avenue saloon, talked with the
/ bartender and assembled crowd, and there
began lecture on saloons, which con-
| tinued until she was urged to leave the
street car at her destination.
Questioned by an Auditor.
r. AL Lne Close OF the iecture man asked
some questions that displeased the crowd
and was saved from being elected by Mrs
Nations appeal to the officers Among
other things the man asked why she got
g divorce from her husband. The reply
was that Mr.. Nation was ashamed OF her
methods and that she did not wish to be
/ an incumbrance upon man who didn',
want her.. But he was the one to get 8
divorce.
DR.. q. D. Haggard presided at the meet
ing and Rev. T. e. Archer gave the ad-
j dress OF welcome.