The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-18
SWANSBORO GOES
DRY BY MAJORITY
OF F0RTY-f|vE
Strenuous Campaign Results in
Victory for the Anti
Saloon Forces
WOMEN SING HYMNS
AS RETURNS COME IN
One or Two Trivialities Are
Discussed, But Contest is
Not Considered Likely
by the Winners

After q strenuous campaign. which
resulted IN the largest vote cast in
Manchester district for many years,
frict, yesterday resulted in a victory
Cor the 'drys" by As majority.
The total number of votes cast was
443.
Oak Grove--55 dry; 40 wet.
Stroud's-2s dry: 81 wet.
Ewansboro---16i dry; i25 wet.
Several years ago such an election
was pulled of, and the town went
'.wet" by considerable majority.
The present campaign began six
weeks ago. It was initiated by Rev.
Gr. Thrift. who led the forces for
eeform.
For a number. OF years there have
Neen several saloons in Swansbqro.
IN recent months complaints have
,een made as TO the conduct of the
Aloons. Mixed audiences would
tatronize the places. Much noise. ac-
sording TO those who fought the sa-
looms, emanated from the inner re-
eesses Residents of Swanseoro. who
cared little for street singing. and
loud conversation late at night. when
neople in quiet towns are supposed
% be asleep. complained.
Work OF Anu-saioon League.
The Anti-Saloon league took a
hand IN the fight The league sent
literature and men TO the scene. Aid
"a by the local preachers and the
women OF Swansboro. the anti-sasoon
men headed by Rev a. J. Richard
nm accom- plished much.
Not until the last moment did the
sswets' believe there was the slightest
ginger of defeat. When they realized
4fiat victory was drifting away from
Them, they got busy. but 1t proved too
late
The "drys' had captured the people.
They had urged young men TO qualify.
"A number OF them did This may lead
to a contest. although the defeat was
20 decisive that it is hardly. likely that
= contest will be had.
Ii a contest is called, II Will be
based upon the case OF s. q. T. Rock, a
young man. who will be OF age on
Eeptember 18th. He was urged TO
pay his taxes and register. This was
done on the construction of the
statute permitting a young man to
qualify. provided he becomes of age
before the general election. The ques-
ton may be raised that young Rock,
while ne may be of age before the
general election in November, and
could have voted at any primary cleo
ton before that time. could not vote
ht an election OF this character.
Busy Throughout Day.
From sunrise yesterday morning all
through the day. the interested parties
Ito the election were busy. Many
vehicles were placed In use in order
70 take men from their business, and
working places to the polls AS the
vote indicated. almost the entire cleo
torate was out
There was no disorder. Interest was
Intense, but arguments did not result
In Ill feeling, and the county officers
who were on hand all day. had moth
ang to do.
First Precinct Wet
Contrary to expectations the returns
from Stroud's came In first. This pre-
cinct is at the extreme western end
OF the district. 1t IL usually the las,
one to be heard from. Yesterday the
total vote was So. BY 5 o'clock the
vote was announced at headquarters
Hull street and Broad Rock road. II
showed a vote OF 81 wet and IS dry.
A majority OF three for the vets.
When this result was read out. there
was some applause. The crowd had
gathered. There were several hundred
people out to hear the returns.
Women Sing Hymns.
Across the street over Robbens
saloon, which was closed on account
OF the election. in large hall. many
6wansboro ladies had gathered. They
aang hymns, and as the returns from
Gtrouds came In. they sang louder
turns were announced. The drys had
carried that precinct by IL votes. That
made nine majority for the drys. The
" singing across the street arose louder
Interest grew intense. Officials were
busy counting the big Swansboro pre-
ed. while three were thrown out. be-
n cause of bad marking.
short while after 8 o'clock voice
from the depths OF the precinct pro-
precinct by 80 votes--161 dry. l25 wet
The singing across the street sound
ed louder and clearer. ana far above
the noise created by the crowd In the
street below could be heard. Praise
God from Whom All blessings Flow"
Liquor People stunned.
The liquor people were stunned
They had expected to have won out
BY at least fifty votes.
Under the laws all the saloons will
have to close their doors permanently
within sixty days after the election re-
to the clerk of the Circuit court.
~ One OF those put out of business yes-
t0rdAy stated last night that he had
practically determined to turn his place
Into = moving picture show. The
NJ Others have decided to conduct grocery
etOres.