The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-11-14
A ONE MAN
CRUSADE
By M. QUAD
Copyy49ht, 1919. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By M. QUAD


In the town Of NeTbern as a part OF
hts vacation.
Mr.. Stevens found a political boss
and . political ring in the town.
He found one-half too many saloons
for town OF its population.
He found the sheriff Of tae county
and his deputies and the constable In
cahoots with the tough element.
The Justice Of the pace was the
keeper of saloon and passed drinks
over the bar. and he protected his own
sort when it came to legal troubles.
Why don't you do something" he
asked OF a merchant Of the town who
was a representative Of the better ele-
ment.
"And get boycotted and driven into
bankruptcy" was asked in return.
''Is il as bad as that?'
1.-The gang has US by the neck and
has US scared We have no leader"
A few weeks later, when ready 10
take up his ministerial duties. Mr.. Ste.
vens asked to be sent to Newbern.
But we have a minister there" was
replied.
But he has lost nearly all OF his con.
regaton."
Yes. the reports from that parish
are not at all cheering. and I believe
Brother Baker would welcome Il trans
fer. You know it's one Of the hardest
towns in the state.''
II have spent four days there"
'The cause OF religion IS reported as
very lukewar1n.''
Il didn't know that there was any
there at ALL" smiled the minister.
"Well. you'll he appointed to the
place. / hope you may stir things up."
The Rev. Mr.. Stevens arrived He
started out with sermon that jolted
and Jared. He spared neither Chris
tian nor sinner. While he criticised
tho former for lack Of backbone, he
plainly told the latter that the crisis
had come. The crisis meant decency
and reform without any shame about
II. After the sermon he fingered to
talk with members OF his congregation.
He found them looking forward with
great timiditv. II he sta rted q crusade
he must not expect any active help fron
them. They were thoroughly cowed.
This is to be one man crusade
he answered them. II did not expect
your aid, aud so I'm not disappointed
Monday morning the crusade open.
cd Mr. Stevens visited the sheriff,
and, without any beating around the
bush, he said:
Sheriff, am the new minister"
"Yesp
II am going for your crowd tootb
and toe nail"
why do you call it my crowd" was
asked
Because it is. There are violations
Of the law every hour OF the day, and
you stand by without interference
You drink in every saloon. and yor
cOmrade with every lawbreaker. It's
the same with your deputies and the
constables. It's got to stop. YOn have
got TO do your sworn duty"
Another reformer struck the town,
eh!' was the insulting reply.
The sheriff went from saloon TO Sa.
loon and laughed at the reformer and
said there SHOULD ne no interference
from him. Withia two weeks he was
removed and another man named by
the minister was in his shoes. The
citizens Of Newbefn were stunned. Ii
seemed incredible
The Rev. Mr.. Stevens visited the jas
tice in his saloon and s"id
Its for you to enforce the law. ami
here you are among the lawbreakersi
The others are depending upon yon to
dismiss any complaint made against
them. What course are you going to
take:'
"None Of yo;lr business"
The next day the minister complain
ed Of nine saloons which had violated
the law. Each one Of them was Dis
missed. Inside Of twenty days the Old
Justice was out and a new one in.
There were ordinances against Sun
day sports They had not been en-
forced in five years. They came &c
tie front now. No more baseball or
horse racing.
Beat the meddler up" was whisper
Ell. and q shake purse was made ur
to reward scrapper for doing it,
He started out with great ardor %
uake a two minute job Of it. but II
lasted only half thar time. The min
ister knocked him out with a jab on
the jaw and then had him arrested anS
fined for disorderly conduct
Then public meeting was called al
hall. and the minister did some tall
talking. He put heart into the decent
citizens SO strongly that they came
out boldly to his support, and the op-
position saw that their cause was lost.
One thing more. The Rev. Mr. Ste
vens from his pulpit raked the citi-
gems Of Newbern as they had never
heard minister talk before. They
owed a duty to God and to man. They
must show up at church, whether they
we're -Christians ar not The Sunday
school must b rcsurrected There
must be church work. Religion and
politics must mir until every Office in
the county was filled by a decent man.
Tho 6evil had haa possession Of New.
bern long enough. Now he must b