The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-08
"DRYS" WIN BY
INCREASED VOTE
fredericksburg Turns Down Sa.
looms Again.
A MAJORITY OF 81 ROLLED UP
Good Feeling Prevailed-Much RejOic-
ing Over the Result A Parade. Etc.

In marked contrast with the local
option election of May, 1908, that OF
Tuesday closed without a harsh word
spoken or trace of bitterness among
our people. 1t seemed to be a purely
business proposition, which has now
been settled for long time. All day
there was an air Of confidence among
the drys and when the polls closed large
numbers gathered. Some Of the vets
still had hope, thinking the quiet vote
would be their way.
The total vote cast was 73y. OF which
81 was cast in the Upper Ward as fol
lows: Wet, l59; dry, 207; thrown out,
5; majority, 4S. Lower Ward, 1858,
wet. l6l, dry, POS; thrown out, 2; ma
jority. "a. Total majority in city -,
as against a majority of 81 in May,
1908, in q vote Of 67y.
1t will be observed that the majority
of Tuesday is within one Of three times
the majority of 1908.
Ii did not take more than half an
hour to count the ballots and when the
count was completed Mr. w. 5. Ches-
ley, Judge of the Upper Ward, walk
ed to the window Of the polling place
and announced a majority Of As for the
drys at that precinct. Shouts OF JOY
were heard.
A mass Of humanity that filled the
streets and sidewalks surged towards
the lower polls. When half way down
they were met with a crowd equally as
large bringing news of majority OF
a. Then pandemonium reIgned.
The ringing Of church bells was the
signal to announce the victory and their
notes pealed forth on the night air.
The corner Of Commerce and Princess
Anne, near Johnston & Pearson 3 drug
store, seemed 20 be the rallyng point
and there congregated over thousand
people, men, women and children.
Their shouts could be heard beyond the
suburbs Of the city. Ministers of the
gospel. business men. women Of all
ages, boys and girls made up the as
semblage.
There was strong effort by the cool
heads to prevent parade. but this was
powerless and hundreds marched the
streets.
BY ten O'Clock all was quiet and the
fight that has absorbed the attention Of
scores of business men for the last
month was over.
Before 5 O'Clock Tuesday morning
abe stiffness was broken by the ringing
of church bells and in few moments
the doors Of residences were thrown
open and women and children came
forth and hurried TO the Presbyterian
chapel. where the prayers for the sue
cess Of the local option movement were
held from sunrise until the going down
of the sun.
At this early gathering were over
$50 mothers. Some on the last lap OF
life. some in the prime of womanhood,
some in early maturity; these with
young women offered earnest prayer
and a chorus Of children sang hymns
and their voices rang in the ears Of the
workers at the polls nearby, wet and dry.
On the corner Of Princess Anne and
George. near the lower polls, was a
lunch booth erected, in charge Of Mrs.
p. V. d. Conway, Mrs. Fannie Z.
Keene and Mrs. w. +. Brooks, assist
ed by corps of ladies, and at the
Willis building. opposite the upper
polls. were Mrs. 3. +. Willis. chair
man: Mrs. NJ. F. Tankard, Mrs. Thos.
Jackson, Mrs. c. W. Cash. Mrs. j. 5.
Chaffee. Mrs. Victor Moon and Mrs. F.
H. Hart, and free lunches were served
throughout the day. Near the polls
there were crowds Of workers. The
drys had the majority and prominent
among them were ministers Of the city
and a number Of leading business men.
The vets were represented by num-
Der Of business men.
The best Of feeling seemed TO exist
on the surface and not a single case Of
disorder marked the day.
Many challenges Of votes were made
to the judges and all settled amicably.