The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-04-02
BIG TEMPERANCE MEETING
Mrs. Curtis. Of Texss. Addresses Large Audeccs
at Opera House

The coming of Mrs Mamie Curtis. the
temperance advocate aud speaker. Of
sherman. Texas. has been looked for
ward To 10y the Saloon League
managers aud friends of the cause of
local option a. the big gun in the fivht
wsgcd in thu city for the abolition Of
the saloon. Her welcome was all that
the most enthusiastic workers in the
movement could wish
The speaking was scheduled at eight
O'Clock. but before 7:3O the building was
half full and at o'clock there was
hardly standing room. Then two 20
licemen We're stationed at the front doors
aud over hundred people We're notified
that the house was full They could
not enter and returned TO their homes
say ing they would come earlier Tuesday
night. The audience NUMBERED around
700, OF which about 4JO were ladies
and $50 men.
On the stage was choir Of 80 ladies
and gentlemen, under the leadership OF
Mr.. Willard Adams. who sang two tenn
perance carols, My Country lis of
Thee and Our Battle Hymn" prior to
the address. and IL was " hen the closiI =
stauza Of the last had been sung that
Mrs. Curtis, accompanied by Prot 5. "
SOmerville aud Rev. Il A. Williams. ap-
peared on the stage. The coming OF
Mrs. Curtis was the signal for hearty ap-
plause.
President NJ. G. Willis. who presided,
arose and announced that Rev. r. Au-
brey Williams, pastor of the Baptist
church, would open the ceremonies with
pray er. Mr.. Williams iervently asked
Tor a blessing on the movement and
that it would eliminate in victory.
Prof s. ". Sonerville introduced the
speaker. He said it gave him pleasure
to announce that the great wave of tenn
perance which was sweeping over our
lair Southland had waited its breezs To
dear old fredericksburg. and if the
Christians of the city would stand
shoulder To shoulder that victory would
perch upon its banners; that il CAV. him
pleasure TO present, not introduce, for
all # us remember her, Mrs. NaaLie Cur
tbs. ~ sherman, Texas, one of the most
Jealous and brilliant advocates of the
cause oil temperance IN the county.
W hen Mrs. Curtis arose To sIeak IN.
received hearty greeting. Shc said Il
am glad YOU have not forgotten me.
While was born IN Tennessee feel that
! am part of Frederickrburg, for my
husband, Isaac Curtis, Confedr rate
scout, was born aud raised in Siaff RI. -"
She then paid tribute To Virginia and
virginia women and took Ser address
from Ezekiel. chapter 10. verses "a to
23. She handled her subject admirably:
told of revenue OF blood" Legislature
and Congress bought with blood MONEY
painted scenes of suffering and want
harrowi in their description, the re-
suit of drink; told of her experience IL
campaigns IN which she had pa ticip.t q
aud ended with an appeal that wac
e -pecially touching
At the conclusion of the addres. E,v
Aubrey " illiams announced that
funds were ncce. say to conduct the
campaign now on and asked AT "A col
lection be taken up bv a committee con-
posed of Mes-rs j Fred B-own. W. :
Chesley. :. Russell, ]. y Turner, NJ.
/ Lathram, Thomas Clark aud J "
Mus Gilman. The amount collccted was
$33 80.
Mr.. Williams also announced that
meeting of all the women Of the cit,
" no teel an interest in the cause of TEN
perauce would be held at the Methodist
church at 1 O'Clock Tuesday evening TO
map out plans for an auxiliary 10 the
Anti Saloon League.
Mrs Curtis announced that the meet
Ing Tuesday night would be 50. cially for
men; that while she will be glad to have
the women she wanted the men to have
the best seats. La closing she sang
This old town IL going dry" and ad-
vised that the song be generally sung on
the streets and elsew here, as it will bene-
fit the cause