The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
PILGRIMAGE OF We. T.U.
DELEGATES WENT IN BOIsY TO TIE
HOME OF "MoTHER" THOMPSON.
Michigan Secured Prize for Largest
Increase In Membership During
Year-OhiO Came Second.

CINCINNATI, Nov. 16.-Tfe national
convention of the Womans Christian Tenn
perance Union, which began here last FRI
day and continues until next "Wednesday.
is held in the Ninth-street Baptist Church,
where the first gathering of fits founders
was held soon after the crusade started
in Hillsboro, O., in 1873. Some of the orig
inaI crusaders still reside az Hillsboro,
among them Mrs. Eliza Thompson, who be-
came known as Mother Thompson after
she led the crusaders in 1873. She is the
daughter of Allen Trimble, formerly Gov
ernor of Ohio, and she stu resides in their
ancestral home with her son and two
daughters. Her husband was prominent
jurist.
Mother" Thompson is now In her eighty
eighth year and unable to get to the
convention here, so the convention went to
her to-day.
The distance is sixty-one miles. Excur-
sion trains started early over the B. & o.
Southwestern Railway. In addition to the
500 delegates, almost as many more joined
the pilgrimage. On their arrival. the Wis
itors were conducted over the same route
taken by the seventy original crusaders on
the cold morning of Dec. "a. 1873, and then
they marched into the First Presbyterian
Church to inspect the memorial room and
be received by DR.. Faulconer, the pastor
The devotional services there were the
same as at the opening OF the conventions
here every morning.
Although the ladies were in the rain
all day, the Hillsboro pilgrimage was not
only a success, but a memorable event.
Mother Thompson was able 10 be present
at the church and sat in the Frances VIII
| lard chair" The old crusade bible was
| used during the services in the church.
bouquets and the Cleveland delegation gave
| her a fine Japanese shawl. In order to
reach Cincinnati In time for an afternoon
Hillsboro and ate their luncheon on the
train while returning. On reconvening in
Cincinnati. there was long discussion on
| the motion to include the use Of tobacco"
| in the white ribbon pledge. When this mo-
| ton was laid on the table, notice was given
| that constitutional amendment would be
offered at the next annual convention on
| the prohibition OF tobacco.
The reports of superintendent of de-
partments being resumed, Mrs, ingalls,, OF
Missouri. reported on Narcotics" Mrs
| and Reformatory Work." Mrs. Frances w.
| Letter, of Ohio, on Physical Education"
Mrs: M. M. Allen. OF New YORK, on Non
| Tomlinson, of New Jersey. on Social Meet
| ings and Red Letter Days"
| State jubilee night was observed tonight
by the presidents of States has ing made a
net gain in membership of 500 br over dur
| ing the year, as follows: Michigan, OHIO.
| Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, New
York Missouri, southern California, east
| ern Washington, Texas. The national
prize membership banners wefe presented.
| Michigan secured the prize for the highest
increase in State membership CT LOO MEM
bers, Ohio being second and Pennsylvania
| third. The fourth district of siichigan Sc
| cured the district prize. Bradford county,
| Pennsylvania, won the county brfze. There
was a tie between Central CITY and Berk-
! ley for the local prize The prize for the
| largest per cent. of increase OF member
| ship was awarded to Idaho.