davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national prohibitionist. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1907-1911, 1908-05-21
MURFREEsBoRo's DRY YEARS
What the No-Saloon Policy Has Done for
Another Tennessee City

MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn May 14-( Special cor
respondence) 1.-The census of 1900 gave MurfreeN
0oro, population of 1899, one less than 1000 A
careful census that has just been completed makes
the present population $500. Along with the in
crease in population the town has grown in COM
mercial and mercantile strength and the civic
Improvement in the past five years has been far
greater than in fifty years in the previous history
of this place.
Attribute this to any cause you may, there
be no denial of the fact that the Punishment of
the saloons from Murfreesboro has been by far
the greatest contributing cause to the present adj
vanced position.
Every argument that has been advanced for
the suste11ance of the saloons falls fiat when the
record of this place is considered.
Those who favor the retention of the saloons
argue that it hurts business to abolish the liquor
traffic Since the saloons went out of Murfrees-
boro, five years ago, all lines of business have
expanded greatly, and enterprises have been es
tablished that make it longer necessary for the
youth of the town to seek other fields for profit
able employment.
The man who campaigns for the saloons says
that to Danish them from community will bring
about such conditions that business houses will
be left vacant, but the history of Murfreesboro
since it went in the dry column shows that bust
ness houses have been so greatly in demand that
new blocks have been built up to accommodate
the demands in other lines of business.
The argument that the adjustment of saloons
does not decrease crime has been rendered abb
surd by conditions here Law and order are so
we'll regarded under present conditions that crime
has been reduced to a minimum, and drunkenness,
rowdyism and ruffianism have been banished foF=o
ever from this community.
The advocates of the saloon will have to cite
some other place in telling that just as much
whisky is drunk without the saloons as with
them, for drunken man is now a Scarce art-
cle in this little city, and bootegging, that is
said to be of the greatest banes of dry towns,
is a small operation and carried on occasionally
by few negroes.
Another great argument used for the retention
of the saloon is that taxes go up when saloons go
out That has not been the case here. There has
been no increase in taxes since the saloons were
banished except a small levy of eight cents that
was made to secure funds to erect a school build
ing, which the growing population made neces-
sary. The debt contracted for this purpose has
already been wiped out and at the same time,
improvements by the city government have gone
on steadily. All people here agree that it was
Godsend to Danish the sale of liquor from Muir
freesboro and under no circumstance would any
part of its population to have the sale Of
liquor reestablished
The national prohibitionist. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1907-1911, 1908-05-21

sumo therefor larger responsibility for pub
lie debt, while bearing the burden of tax rate
only trihe more than half that which Nation
has been imposing upon its citizens in the license
days.
wider study of the subject may be made by
examining the table which stands at the top of
page one. In this table are grouped the important
financial facts concerning the municipal affairs of
all the twentythree cities of Illinois that fall in
the group of cities having population between
5000 and $4,000. The figures are taken, as in
the cases already considered, from Bulletin No.
As of the United States Census and apply to the
year 1908.
The table shows with regard to each city, the
population the number of saloons, the amount
of saloon revenue, the amount paid for public
safety that is to say, for the support of police,
fire and health departments and for courts, the
number of public school teachers employed, the
total paid for education, including the cost of
maintaining libraries, the per capita expenditure
for schools, the number of miles of paved streets
in the city, the number of miles of sewers the
per capita cost of all municipal expenses, the value
of municipal public property, the per capita debt
OF the city and the tax rate upon the basis Of
$1,000 of actual property value
The table, of course, shows that Evanston has
no saloons and receives saloon revenue, but
that Evanston pays for the protection of her peo-
pie more money than any other city OF the group,
save two, both of which have larger population;
that Evanston has more miles of paved streets
than any of the other cities, one, more miles
of sewers than any other city of the group;
ploys more public school teachers than any other
CITY OF the orOuD. paws for Db1ic education sum
far and away beyond any other city of the group;
has public property of greater value than that
owned by any other city of the group, while its
tax rate is below the average of the group, the
average tax rate of the twenty three cities being
$1215 per thousand of actual property value,
compared with $114s the tax rate of Evanston.
And still another valuable table may be COM
piled, regarding the results of the saloon in ar
rests in the II consideration. This is
shown in table 4
Here, are 1e first column the totals
of arrests in 49, cities under consider
alton, all caus, luded. In the case of
Nation tbs ne for convictions rather
than for ar1-slo In the second column appear
the number Of arrests for drunkenness in the
third column the number of arrests for disturbing
the peace and in the fourth the number of
rests for assault and battery. These three Of
lenses are commonly included in police estimates
under the one general head of drink crimes. -
From the table it will be seen that Evanston has
less arrests for drunkenness than any other city
of the group and smaller total of arrests for
drunkenness, disturbing the peace and assault
and battery than any other city, excepting Alton,
which has but little than two-thirds of the
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
neiqbborbood Deus.

Miss Nina Hull has resigned hel
position as teacher at district No. tc
teach in the high school at st. Louis
Her place is taken by Miss Murphy OF
Alma.
Mr.. ana Mrs. T. j. Adams of Arcade
were testing their new auto and calling
on friends in this vicinity Sunday.
Mrs. Eugene St.Johns is recovering
from her attack of fever.
Mr.. and Mrs James Mills were visit.
ing Mr.. and Mrs. Lee Raycraft of the
Hicks farm Sunday
Mrs. d. Wilkinson visited at the
home Of l.. Buchanan of St. Louis,
Sunday.
The much needed rain came at last
and served to check the fires along the
Ann Arbor track west of here. If rain
had not come considerable damage
would have been done.
Merle Boyer and wife visited with
friends in Alma, Sunday.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
GRANGE HEIGHTS

Beet harvest is well under way Some
will begin to deliver as soon as the sheds
are open.
The school officers raised flag pole
at the Morse school house last Friday.
Now Old Glory may be seen floating in
the breeze on fair days.
Jasper Nevins, who draws the milk
on this route, was sick last Thursday
Fred Durkee took his place for that day.
Mrs. f. L. Smith of Alma, with her
little son Gerald. spent Thursday with
her cousin, Mrs. H. G. Clark.
Messrs. Baumgarten and Schaffer of
St. Johns, with their wives, came to
Frank Gilkins' Tuesday night. return
ing home Wednesday.
Verne Bamber and wife entertained
Mrs Bamber's uncle, Walter White and
family of Maple Rapids, and her sister,
Miss Lucy Hale of Elmwood, from
Thursday until Monday
There was meeting of the township
board at the Grange Hall Saturday foi
the purpose of auditing the bills of the
weed commissioner.
Miss Florence Wood, With her brother
Arnold, visited friends i'm their old
neighborhood Sunday.
Harry Walstoe and wife, Mrs. Mosh.
er and Carl Smith were Sunday visitors
at the home of Alvin Miller.
Mr.. and Mrs. Verne Bamber, with
their guests, spent Sunday with Mrs
Bamber's parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Hale OF
Elmwood Corners, Midland county.
Mel. Sharrar's little daughter Margsr.
eft has Inflammation in her eyes and il
unable to attend school
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
CENTRAL PINE RIVER

Mrs. James Mills was in Grand Rapids
the last of the week visiting friends and
attending the west Michigan State fair
Mr.. and Mrs. David Wilkinson were
visitors at Vestaburg, Sunday at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. J. Billings.
Mrs. Roy Cumberworth is on the sick
list this week.
The addition to Pine school house is
finished and it is fine. School commenc-
ed Monday with Myron Hull and daugh-
ter, Miss Nina of st. Louis as teachers.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merle Boyer entertained
Miss Blanch Harrison and Mrs. H.
Rogers of Detroit, Saturday and Sunday.
Quite a number from this vicinity
attended the yearly meeting of the
Church of Christ at Forest Hill the last
of the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Crasette visited the
latter's parents, Elivin Rogers and wife
of West Pine River, Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Erva Rogers are the
happy parents of baby girl, born Sun.
day the 10.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. J. White visited al
the home of Geo. Davidson and wife
Sunday.
II. J. Carpenter and wife were tn,
guests of John Owen, Sunday.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Iona Drouoht Broken.

The long drought in the eastern
states, which has resulted in disastrous
forest fires, stopped industrial pur-
suits and caused a water famine in
many districts has been broken. Rain,
which fell lightly Monday morning,
Increased in volume as the day ad-
vanced, and reports from throughout
the affected territory announce that
the rainfall has become general and
heavy High winds accompany the
storm and are damaging telegraph
wires, thereby interfering with com
munication.
Brief dispatches, however, have
come to hand from many points in
the Catskills, the Adriondacks and
other regions which have suffered
from forest fires, announcing that
copious rains are falling and that the
fires are being rapidly obliterated.
Although reports from some Adrion.
dacks districts still indicate menace
from the flames, il is believed that
the effects of the rainfall accompany
ing the widespread storm will soon
be beneficially felt throughout all the
affected DISTRICTS.
The drought, which has been the
most prolonged in many years, has
lasted about eight weeks So serious
has been its effect, especially in the
country districts, that prayers have
been offered up in many churches for
relief
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

Hal Wilson took advantage of the
excursion to Detroit. He went to the
city to see the Tigers" play Sunday,
returning Sunday evening.
Mrs. Palmer left Wednesday morn.
ing for different points in Pennsylvania
for visit with relatives.
Clarence Martin went fishing near
the dam just north OF town last Satur-
day and brought home nearly a score OF
"dandies."
Claude and Floyd Davis of Evansville
and Chicago respectively came home
last week to attend the funeral of their
grandfather. N. X. Strsyer.
The new NJ. F. minister is Mr.. A. +.
North.
Mrs. Bristow of Pennsylvania is visit.
ing Mrs. Rachael Clspper of this place.
Mrs. Long and Mr.. and Mrs. John
Ross changed houses this week.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Assistant postnasters ORGANIZE.

Jackson, Mich, Sept. 25-The Mich.
igan State Association of Assistant
Postmasters was organized here on
Thursday. About nifty were present
coming from different parts of the
state Officers were elected as fol
lows: President, Frank S. Knowles
Jackson: first vice president. c. H
Hall, Grand Rapids; second vice pres
ident. ]. S. Fink, Alma secretary
w. S. Mum, Eaton Rapids: financial
secretary, G. j. Weller, Muskegon
treasurer, f. b. Watson. Three Rivers;
executive committee, John J. Scenter
Saginaw; Charles Cunningham. Mt
Pleasant; George II. Sexton, Lansing
w. ~ Chidester Hastings.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

Flowing through snow storm, east
bound, a Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy passenger train, running over
the Northern Pacific railroad, crashed
head-on into a freight train at Youngs
Point. Mont, where the trains
were TO pass, and in the commoion
that followed a score of lives were
crushed out, and a score of persons
were injured, several probably fatally.
The freight hagman failed to signal
the passenger train in time to prevent
the collision, it is said. because OF
the binding snow.
The express car telescoped the
smoking car, and most OF the fatalities
and injuries were TO persons in the
latter car. The express car was raised
over the platform of the smoking car,
and the superstructure swept the
seats away.
Not a passenger in the smoking
car escaped death or injury. Passen-
gers in other cars escaped with cuts
and bruises.
OH the Tx NdS thC opOhchC dciO-
cation to the national irrigation con-
gress at Albuquerque. None OF these
were injured.
The smoking car debris was hope
lessly mixed with heads, bodies, legs
and arms. presenting a horrible sight.
In one place seven bodies were so
tightly wedged together that they
were separated only with great diff
Guilty. 1t was impossible TO succor the
injured without trampling on the dead.
Wrecking and relief trains were
sent out from Livingston and Billings.
The freight, which was an extra, west
bound, in charge of Conductor Hickey,
was heading in at the east end of the
siding on short time, when the passen-
ger train, running good into the blind
ing snow storm, struck il. On ac-
count of the storm. neither train had
any warning, and the passenger train
struck the freight locomotive full In
the side. telescoping the baggage car
and smoking car and partly crush
ing the day coach. Little could be
done towards rescuing the buried and
injured passengers until the wrecking
trains arrived. None of the passen-
gers in the two sleeping cars were in
jured.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Ethel Barrymore In Wreck.

The Diamond special on the I'LL
nois Central railroad Monday ran into
an open switch at Diveron, twenty
miles south OF Springfield, Ill. The 10
connective plunged into ditch and was
demolished. Engineer A. j. Shell and
Fireman Edward Taylor jumped, but
both were injured. Elizabeth Nc
CURE. seven years old, was playing
in a yard near the tracks, and flying
fragments of the demolished -locomo-
tive killed her. All the cars OF the
train left the track. but no passengers
were injured. Ethel Barrymore was
on the train. She could not get out
of the coach door, and porter pulled
her through a window.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
NOT SOCIAL FUNCTION,
Rseadier General Bates Cuts Out
Pink Tea Affairs at Camp.

Fort BENJAMIN Harrison, Ind, Sept.
2s-Brigadier General Robert J. Bates
administered wallop TO national
guard customs Sunday afternoon,
when the dress parade of troops was
scheduled to come off. 1t did not
IT had been understood that the big
pageant was TO take place Sunday,
and due preparations had been made,
the public announcement of the event
causing many outside delegations
from Indianapolis and the surround
ing country 10 seek out the camp OF
instructions.
Unfortunately for those who expect
ed to witness the sight, Brigadier Gen
eral Carter, L. 5. A., the superior OF
the ichigan militia chief, informed him
in the morning that the days pro
gram would rest with him. The order
to the effect that there would be no
parade followed
The reason why Brigadier General
Bates didn't allow the parade was that
il is not according TO the customs OF
the regular army, the rule being that
no maneuyers except those directly
necessary shall take place on Sunday.
Ii has been the one big aim of the
Michigan commander since arriving
here to make the Michigan national
guard as near TO regular army stand
ards as possible, and he has been con-
Quoting the encampment according TO
the methods OF the regulars.
Bates has been ripping out lot of
pink tea lining. He is showing his
spurs into mollycoddleism and stamp
ing out any social ambitions during
the encampment season.
And his methods are receiving favor
able comment.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

Detroit, Mich, Sept. ga. IL. Fol
well, a young fellow who claimed in
fuential relatives in New York, has
been sentenced to fourteen years III
Marquette prison by Judge Connolly
In the recorders court for passing
worthless checks Folwell and Roy
Heller came here with some letters
written on letter heads of S. G. Con
dit & Co. There is big tobacco firm
In New York named Steven G. Con
dit & Co. They presented their let
tiers in the Metropole and succeeded in
getting check for $3.50 cashed. At
the Wayne they got $40 and in South
Bend, Ind, they got $40.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
ELWELL J0TTINGS

Dick Hillsinger and wife were tn,
guests of G. w. Toffr and wife Sunday
Claud Shepard has moved into tin,
house that he bought of l. r. Hillsinger
Elisha Norton is getting ready to
build house on the lot that he bought
Of Hiram Hilsinger.
Grandma Hilsinger spent Sunday
with her son, Arthur Hilsinger.
Andrew Layman and Margaret
Rockwell attended the dance at River.
dale, Wednesday night.
Will Layman has purchased a new
buggy of w. O. Pugsley.
Mrs. Chas. Tam and daughter,
Mamie, were the guests Of Mrs. Chas.
Hildrette last Thursday.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Woman Meets Horrible Death.

Flushing, Mich, Sept 26.-Mrs.
Eugene Parsell, twenty-three years OF
age, was burned to death in a hor-
rible manner Mrs Parsell was sub.
ject to fainting spells While light
ing the lamp one of these spells came
on, and she fell on the unprotected
burning wick, upsetting the lamp and
setting fire to herself and to the room.
Before aid could arrive. Mrs. Parsell
was dead. The neighbors succeeded
ia saving the house.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
places Fire Losses at $4,000 600.

Ann Arbor, Mich, Sept. 25.-After
travelling through the entire north
country in the regions where the fires
ragged hottest. Professor Filbert Roth
OF the forestry department OF the Uni
versity OF Michigan estimates the
damage done this season at $4,000.
600. He declares that between 5000
and 1000 acres of the Michigan for.
est reserve has been destroyed and
over 100000 acres of timber land
devastated.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
FOREST HILL

Art. Spere is home for few days.
His mother is very poorly at this writ
ing.
The long -looked-for rain came the
'2Sth. Now look out for lack frost"
Howard Lake commenced work in the
Alma sugar factory as assistant chemist
this week.
Mr.. and Mrs Geo. Kemp visited in
Coe Sunday.
The Forest Hill "cubs" took sweet re-
venge on the Alma city team Saturday
and clouted the ball for 10 runs in six
innings. Five hits were registered off
pitcher Ross in one inning. Final score
was 10 to A. The "cubs" won a seven
inning game Sunday at Elwell from the
fast Elwell team, score 8 to4. The cubs
play Vestaburg next Saturday at
Moody's park. Vestaburg has one of
the strongest teams in Central Michigan
and has beaten the Forest Hill boys
once this season. Everybody turn out
and see a fast game. 1t will certainly
be base ball treat. Admission to the
grounds l0c.
John Sullivan of near Alma visited
Fred Creech Sunday.
We have new teacher this week, as
Miss Nina Hull resigned. Miss Mabel
Murphy of Alma takes her place.
The NTaooaHaae ard m faxx, ,.o,uLl ,o~e
gave O. K. Atwater aud wife pleasant
surprise last Thursday evening. Ice
,ream and cake were served. The Mac
cabees presented Mr.. Atwater with a
pair Of gold sleeve buttons, and Mrs.
Atwater with a nickeled baking dish as
tokens of their esteem. Mr.. and Mrs.
Atwater intend moving to st. Louis
next week.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Taft and Bryan In West.

Candidates Taft and Bryan are both
campaigning in the west this week,
through Wisconsin, Nebraska and the
Dakotas. Each day both make from
dozen to twenty speeches from the
rear platform of their respective
trains. Both we're in Minneapolis
Sunday at the same time, but con-
ficting engagements prevented then
meeting. Courtssies we're exchanged.
however. through messengers.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

Arthur Hilsinger is putting celler
under his house.
Geo. Dick and Bert Heff are building
the new weigh station at Meyers cross
ing for the Alma Sugar company.
Geo. Sandal was the first man in this
vicinity to begin hauling beets.
William w. Norton has bought the
Will Sheldon property and will ia Ike
possession Nov. /.
Mr.. and Mrs. Langworthy attended
the funeral of N. K. Strayer at Elm
Hall, Saturday.
l. +. Hilsinger is starting to build a
new house on his property west of town.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
Trolley Car Kills Farmer.

Mt. Clemens. Mich, Sept. 26.-Hi-
ram Lewis, sixty years old well.to-do
farmer living near New Baltimore,
was struck and instantly killed by a
Detroit bound car at the switch this
side of New Baltimore. Lewis had
been in Mt Clemens and left for home
on the Rapid railway. In alighting
at the switch he failed to notice the
approaching limited car and stepped
IN front Of IL. His head was severed
from his body.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
KILLS SELF.
Old Lady First Prepared Herself For
Burial.

Jackson, Mich, Sept. Distressed
in the sombre black gown in which
she had expressed a wish to be buried,
her hands peacefully folded over her
bosom, Mrs. Charlotte Northrup, aged
seventy-fve, was found dead on the
bed in her room by her son, A. C..
Northrup. All evidences show that
the aged woman deliberately planned
her death. After going To her room
at night she took bath, arrayed her
self in her burial clothes and, after
carefully stopping up all the crevices
in the doors and windows, turned on
the gas and then laid down. 1t is
thought that Mrs. Northrup was de-
mented
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

The greatest sale that was ever held
in Alma is now on at the Lee Mercantile
store. You can get dry goods, silks
ladies' suits, skirts, cloaks, jackets
hosiery, underwear, linens, men and
boys clothing and shoes for men, women
and children at prices you never dreamed
of before. Come and see for yourself
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

Be sure and come to the great bargain
carnival now on at the Lee Mercantile
store at Alma. Over $4,000 in stock is
going at prices lower than you ever
heard of before. IL
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01

The literature of all European ooun-
tries revealf the feminine hand Male
writer's are devoting themselves more
aId more to sport and industry All
CO., books arc cffeminate In char
Er.e Aiaenz. Vienna.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
CENTRAL PINE RIVER

Mr.. and Mrs. Theodore Sprague Of
Elm Grove and Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
Rogers Of Ithaca were guests of H. l..
Sprague and wife Sunday.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
SCOTS
EMULSION
1t sets the whole body going
again-man, woman and child.

Send this advertisement. together with name
al PAPER in which ii appears, your address and
four cents to cover postage. and we will send
you Complete Handy Atlas Of the World"
SCOTT 6 BOVINE. 400 Pearl ST.. New York
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
COLLISION IN =. :
SNOW STORM.
Score Killed and Another Score
Hurt.
NEAR LIVINGSTON, MONTANA.

FIagman of Freight Train Failed to
Signal Oncomins Passenger-Not a
Passenger In Smoking Car Escaped
Death or Injury-Rescue Work De-
Iayed.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-01
BLOOD

We live by our blood, and on
it. We thrive or starve, as our
blood is rich or poor. There is
nothing else to live on or by.
When strength is full and
spirits high we are being re-
freshed-bOne, muscle and
brain, in body and mind-with
continual flow of rich blood.
This is health.
When weak, in low spirits, no
cheer, no spring, when rest is
not rest and sleep is not sleep,
we are starved; our blood is
poor; there is little nutriment
in it.
Back of the blood is food,
to keep the blood rich. When
it fails, take