New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1919-07-02

city was tine mecca SOI nuHuTeuS Oh
thirsty souls who were willing to abide
by the law and get on the wagon but
not withosst taking along certain
amont Of wet goods for an hour Of
need.
Come In Big Swarrns.
During the last week before wartime
prohibition took effect New Uln's
main street had the appearance Of a
continual holiday. It proved its attrac-
tiveness to hundreds and thousands of
people. Like an almost endless process
sion, automobiles from many miles
distant brought in these spathfnders
and led them to the "a cases where care
had been takensto clear the approaches
on all sides. Many unique sights were
crammed into this short space of time.
But cover them with the cloak of for-
getfulness. One thing is certain, how
ever, the heavy boxes and contents have
found their way to each little oasis
scattered over the whole neigh borhood.
New Ulm people accepted the change
ia their habiitual life good naturally.
Although unusually large crowds filed
THE downtown streets and the saloons
the last hours of King Alcohol in the
city went by without any disturbance.
The full police force was on duty to
meet any emergency should their inter
vention prove necessary.
But the whole performance was not
without some solemnity. When the
moment Of the departure drew near
the Hofmeister band standing on Mime
sofa street between First and Second
North streets began playing funeral
march and the crowds on the street
seemed to move slower and hang their
faces apparently being impressed by the
sadness Of the occasion. ssas
Achievement Of national prohibition
has been one Of the most spectacular,
as well as one of the longest reforms
movements in American history. Pro
hibition gained little ground until the
present movement started about fifteen
years ago. Then there were only three
| dry states; Maine, Kansas, and North
Dakota although many counties in the
south had voted local option.
Maine was the first state to adopt
prohibition, restriction being placed on
the sale Of liquor there in 1864. Real
Or ohibition was enacted IN 1851 there,
but was repealed in 1856. Then again
in 1853 it was reenacted by FIVE to one
vote.
Kansas was the second state TO fall
into the dry column, the vote being
taken in 1881. The law, however was
laxly enforced until about fifteen years
ago.
Carrie Nation Steps In.
This lax enforcement started Carrie
Nation noted prohibition advocate, on
her famous saloon smashing career.
Armed with an axe, she demolished
| the fixtures Of several Kansas saloons
running wide open violation 81 the state
llaw Her success at breaking 40 Kansas
saloons, with an extensive propaganda
lcanapign, caused her to continue. her
bar smashing in other states. 8sss
North Dakota followed Kansas, adopt
ing prohibition il 1889, and vas tie
first state to call . special session st the
legislature for the ratification Of the
recent federal amendment So
The scattering prohibition efforts had
little effect On the consumption 81 LIQUOR.
Served as . part Of the government
ration to soldiers during the Civil War,
The annual per capita consumption
gradually climbed from about SIS gallon
in 1860, until II reached almost twenty
three gallons III 4 900. This figure vas
| only slightly reduced until 1915. since
when the Consumption has dropped "a
I19.4 gallons.
The Fight IA consrsIs
After long az IS eons ga
by Richmond labarna
hero q tie rs s . 81 g
1.-THE nation1 "a &
CSntinpe g. asl