Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-02-16

JOHNSON HERE
FEBRUARY "a
World Renowned Temperance Lee
turer To Appear In Salem
M. E. Church
WAS VICTIM OF MOB
VIOLENCE In LONDON

Pussyfoot johnson, the world-re-
nowned reformer, journalist, author,
globe trotter, and far1ed as a detec-
tive and terror to liquid law viola
tors, will hold forth in Pocomoke
City at the Salem M. E. Church, on
Sunday, February "a, 80 P. M.
Pussyfoot's visit to London stirred
up intense opposition by the vets, so
much so that he was mobbed, and as
result of the mob violence one of his
eyes was injured so badly as to result
in its loss-the right one. This out
rage caused wonderful revulsion of
feeling which made a hero the
wounded man, and caused his. to
be used as household word a.
round the world.
In folder announcing the .ne
Of Pussyfoot to Pocomoke City eSau
is found a quotation from a
made by Baron Birkhead, Lord Chan
cellor before vast assemblage in
London. Referring to the mobbing
of the American prohibitionist he
said:
"It is profoundly to be regretted
that a citizen of the United States
should be subjected to such an out
rage. Pussyfoot Johnson was invited
here by an association of English peo-
pie who share his views. He was as
much entitled to express his opinion
as the Lord Chancellor would be~fn
the United States, if invited there bv
an American Association. Assailed
by overwhelming odds, Mr.. Johnson
did all a man could do to defend him
self land, overwhelmed by numbers
which should not be employed against
man of his age, he behaved as a
sportsman, a gentleman and brave
citizen of the United States. Hereaf-
ter however unpopular his views
might be, Pussyfoot johnson need
never fear but that he will obtain a
fair hearing from the people of Eng
land"
"This incident would have undoubt-.
edly have become an occasion for an
exchange of diplomatic notes between
the United States and England, but
for the fact that Pussyfoot, though
victim of terrible tragedy, like the
game sportsman that he is, accepted
the situation without resentment. His
fine spirit completely won the hearts
of the English people. Sympathetic
friends paid all of Johnson's hospital
expenses, and by popular contribution
large fund was presented to him.
Pussyfoot received it with thanks, and
Immediately turned it over to a hos
pital for the blind.
"Commenting upon the incident, a
leading newspaper declared, "There
has been a tremendous revulsion a.
gainst the liquor traffic in Great Brit
ain as the result of the cowardly as
sault of a mob of hoodlums on Will
lam E. (Pussyfoot) Johnson of West
erville, Ohio, the American Anti-Sa-
loon League representative in Eng
land. Just generation ago, the A
merican liquor traffic In America was
put on the toboggan by just such con-
duct. This London mob has sealed
the doom of the liquor traffic in Eu-
rope. 1t will intensity the determina-
tion of both American and British
prohibitionists that the British peo-
pie shall receive ample and correct
regarding Prohibition and
it's achievements in America"
Pussyfoot is parsonage with
whom everybody should, at least, have
a speaking acquaintance, even tho
meetings should be few and far be-
tween. He is citizen of the world,
a unique character land it will pay ev-
eryone who can to get glimpse of
him and hear him talk. No doubt
Salem Church will be crowded.