Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-08-26
NOTE or WARNING.


There is a habit prevalent among a
great many people throughout the
country that is proving most disastrous
in its effects. This is the coco cola
habit, and is of comparatively recent
origin for 1t has been but a short time
since the introduction Of this deadly
~decoction Of poisonous drugs.
Coco cola was first introduced a. the
soda founts as a "nerve tonic" and peo-
pie we're iuduced to drink it, for like
some other poisonous drugs, it had a
pleasant effect at the start. Thus, with
many people. men, women and children
a habit WIS formed, which like the o
caine, morphine, whiskey and other
habits Of a like nature leads 10 ruin.
The writer knows a number Of people
who have b, Ell seriously iujREsd both
physically aud mentally, by this habit.
AT this they got the deadly dtcoction At
the soda f%ounts, out they now get it In
bottles from rhe different dealers who
commenced handling it as the habit.
aud consequently the demand, increased
among the people. They buy it and
drink it as the drunkard does the liquor
that hurls him to destruction.
No one but a close observer who has
opportunities to mix with the people,
can have sny idea Of the vast number
of men and women who are running
themselves with the habit. Among its
terrible effects are shattered nerves,
physical and mental weakness, result
ing in sleepless nights and a nervous,
restless broken down condition, which
renders one incapable Of ~transacting
business, except when full OF COCO
cola. Recently, for a few weeks the
writer was thrown with a gentleman,
who had formed this habit. He had
been a man of physical strength and
vigorous intellect, but he had become
addicted to the habit to such an extent
that his health was impaired he was
nervous, Ill -natured and unfit for any
work, except for a while after drinking
a large amount of COCO cola. He kept
a full supply on baud, which he used in
large quantities. He often spoke of the
evil into which he had fallen and de-
plored it, but was without sufficient
will-power to overcome it, This is but
one of the many instances hat might
be mentioned to show the demoralizing
effect of this poisonous %decoction. It
shows the danger of the habit which is
gaining such a strong grin upon many
of our people.
Here is a fine field for the w. O. T..
o., the press and the pulpit to fight for
a much needed reform. There is moth
ing in the drug and liquor habits more
dangerous to the body and mind Of the
victim than coco cola. 1t is even more
dangerous because it is sold at places
where men, women aud children go for
refreshments and the chances Of on
tracing the habit are therefore much
greater than the drug or liquor habit.
Would it not, therefore, be a good idea
for our reformers ana for all good citi-
zens to consider the matter of asking
the next Legislature to prohibit its sale ?
If we prevent the sale Of liquor, we
certainly should not allow another evil,
Of a destructive and d~emoralizing ma
ture, to spread its whitening, biighting
effects among our people.
Meanwhile we would advise young
men, and young ladies too, against this
evil, and all who have contracted the
habit to stop before it is too late Me-
ridian Evening Star, Aug. 22nd.