The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1911-12-13
AN OLD MINUTE BOOK
In Which are Recorded Events of
Many Years Ago.

The minute book of a temperance So
ciety which existed in Columbia from
July, 1887, to some time in 1913, lies be-
fore US. The addresses on the occasion
of its organization were delivered by
Rev. George Taylor, and Rev. Daniel
S. Colyan.
Daniel S. Colyan was elected Pres
ident, Geo. w. McBeath, Vice Pres
ident, and Junius Caldwell Secretary.
At one time it had as many as 1877
members. 1t was first known as the
Columbia Temperance Society,"" and
later called ''The Columbia Washing
tonian Society,""
On its roll were the names of Mon
roe's, Wheat's, Wagley's. Campbell's
SCOTS, Gathers, Adair's, Frazer's,
Bells, Caldwell's, Lobban's, Moss's,
Winston's, Gilmer's, and other names
of families that were leaders of society
then, but now forgotten to most of our
citizens.
Sam Bell MaXey, afterwards United
States Senator from Texas, also Gov.
Preston H. Leslie, Judge Zach Wheat,
and other men who became prominent,
belonged to it. When we read the list
we can find an explanation of the fact
that Columbia has always been town
of pronounced temperance sentiments.
The men and women moulded the senti-
ments which come down to us as an in
heritance from them.
1t is true, as appears from the min
utes, that all of them did not remain
steadfast, for we read that expulsions
and suspensions were quite frequent.
When brother plead guilty. and asked
for another trial, it was always given
to him. We find that on one occasion
when John C. Hardin Uniformed the
house that he had been guilty of drink
ing mint julep when unwell, &c. there
fore by the request of said Hardin, he
was excused by vote, &C." We can un-
derstand very well that as John was
unwell, he ought to have been excused.
Who would not feel unwell with the
flavor of an old time julep under his
nose, and a temperance pledge on his
conscience at such trying time. We
doubt not he felt real sick until he had
tried its quality.
We find the following minute on the
books: "W. T. Marvin. of Danville,
KY, visited Columbia on the 2lst day
of January. l843, agreeable to request,
drew the Washingtonian pledge and
delivered an address at o, clock. p. m ,
and on the 22nd, at IL o'clock a. m,
and o'clock, p. m, delivered two
more addresses, in all of which he pict-
ured in the finest, richest and most ex-
pressive words and sentences the hor-
rors of the inebriate, on the one hand
and the happiness Of the reformed
drunkard on the other-the one the
effect of the moderate dram. drinking
the other the offspring of the Washing
tonian pledges
Marvin was poet, and published a
book of poems. We knew him years
afterwards when we were in college al
Danville, but poor fellow, the Washing.
tonian pledge did not suffice to save
him from the Establishments of the cup
He fell as many other bright mer
have fallen. He used to sit on the
street corners, and repeat his poems te
boys who would stop to listen.
The last time we saw him was il
Louisville in 1865 or 1866. 1t was the
time of Democratic Convention, anC
Col. Tim Cravens and others of us were
delegates, end stopping at the Louis
vile Hotel =
What to some Of us was an amusing
incident, occurred between Marvin anC
Cravens. They had doubtless been &C
ouainted from the time of his visit tt
Columbia, as Cravens belonged to tn
society which had invited him to deliv
er the address.
Marvin happened to be around at thu
hotel at the dinner hour, and as he wa
seedy In appearance, and looked as i
he was in need of good square meal
Cravens invited him to take Dime
with him. They started up the step
to the dining hall, and when about hal
way up, Marvin, who realized his impe
cunious condition. halted and said wit
a troubled look, Say Tim, who is t
pay?" Cravens responded; ''You are
hell of man! Do you suppose woul
invite fellow to dinner, and not pa
the bill?' Marvin, treasured, followe
him to the dining room, and had til
pleasure of partaking of good meal.
H. G. B.