Sullivan County, Indiana - Chapter 20: Temperance, 1909

In one form or another there has been in Sulhvan county a persistent movement against the Hquor traffic for more than sixty years. This movement may be said to have cnhiiinated on March 3, 1909, when at the county option election, held under the law passed by the last session of the legislature, the "drys" carried the county by 1,821 majority. The six precincts which "went wet" gave only small majorities. Hamilton township voted dry by 213 majority, and Curry, where the real fight had been made between the opposing forces of saloon and anti-saloon, gave a dry majority of 146.

With the exception of the lodge of Masons at Carlisle, which maintained its organization only a few years during the twenties, it appears that the first important social organization in the county was the Sons of Temperance at Sullivan, organized about 1848. The object of the order was to promote temperance, but, being a secret order, it became more of a social organization or club than otherwise. ]\Iost of the charter members were temperate men who were not in the habit of using spirituous liquors as a beverage, but the membership contained some who would be termed at that time "moderate drinkers," and these are said to have continued their convivial custom even after initiation. However, the lodge at Sullivan had a great influence for the promotion of sobriety in the town and adjacent country and a large proportion of the citizens Ij^canie members. A two-story frame hall near the sontlnvest corner of the square was built 1)}' this order. Many of the social occasions of the time were undertaken inider the auspices and leadership of this organization. The Ciood Templars and the Royal Templars were similar organizations that followed the Sons of Temperance, and at different localities had their following and influence.

In 1853 the legislature passed a law for the limitation and control of the liquor traffic, providing that the sale of intoxicating liquors should be under the control of a county agent, thus creating a new office in each county, and also providing that liquors should only be sold for medicinal purposes and on the prescription of a physician. Ihit the representatives of the state m controlling the liquor business lacked, in the majority of cases, the strength and judgment of character equal to the responsibilities put upon them by the insistent drinkers, and the system was a failure.

In 1855 the legislature passed an act which was prohibitory in its nature. The manufacture, sale or drinking of spirituous and malt liquors were forbidden in the state except for medicinal uses. Sullivan countv had prohibition under this act about six months, when the law was declared unconstitutional.

Jt was about 1872 that the Crusade Movement first set in. and in time spread like wildfire over the whole country. The women were in many localities the principal actors in this movement, and in some towns collected in parties and by intimidation and feminine suasion in many instances routed the saloon forces, caused the liquors to be poured into the gutters, and produced at least a temporary cessation of the traffic. The newspapers do not record during this time an}- forceful measures to stop the traffic in this county, but meetings were frequently held and the legal machinery then provided was constantly invoked to keep out saloons.

'Ihc agitalit^n Ijcj^uii with ihc Crusade resulted iu wliat was known as the "Baxter liill," which ])r()(kiced much excitement wlien it was passed in 1873. At the next session it was modified and finally repealed. It provided among other things that the saloon-keeper should file with his ai:)plication for license the ]x'tition of a majority of the voters at the la-t election m the township or ward wdiere he desired to sell, asking that he be granted license. During the continuance of this law various ways were devised by which the law could be evaded.

The organization of the Woman's Christian Tem])erance L'nion followed as a result of the Crusade Movement of 1873, and in this, too. Sullivan count}- has co-operated through its local organizations. The Prohibition party, which first placed national candidates in the field during the eighties, has had adherents in this county since that time. lUit perhaps the most efifective organization for combating the licpior traffic has been the Anti-Saloon League, which was organized about the beginning of this century, and is both a national and state organization. Though it originated as a church movement, it is in fact a general movement on the part of the people at. large, under tlie leadership of national, state and local executive committees.

Those who desire to follow the histor\- of the anti-saloon movement in its details in Sullivan cmmty will find much informatiim in the followiuQ chronoloeical items, culled from the issues of the Democrat during the past forty years. Murray Briggs, the editor for most of this time, was in active sympathy with the movement. The dates given are the dates of issue of the Democrat.

Jan. 7, 1867 - In compliance with a numerously signed petition the board of trustees of Sullivan passed an ordinance requiring $500 license of all liquor sellers.

"drying up of the last grocery" in .their town. The proprietors left town, whether from pnbHc sentiment or from fear of grand jurv. is somewhat uncertain.

Aug. I. 1867 - Board of trustees of Merom, Thomas Kearns president and H. H. Shideler clerk, adopted resolutions requiring saloon-keepers to pay a tax of five dollars per day for every billiard table, lo-pin or 9-pin alley, license of $100 per year for privilege of selling liquor and requiring certificate of good moral character of applicant signed by two-thirds of the legal voters of the town, and providing penalties for illegal selling and disorderly conduct.

Jan. 13, 1870 - The correspondent of the AVic Albany Ledger, writing from Farmersburg, says : "The moral sentiment of the people is of such a character that we are without the usual appendage of a western town, a grog shop."

Alarch 13, 1872 - A large number of indictments against liquor dealers are on docket, and numerous convictions. Jndge Patterson takes a new^ departure, now adding five days in the county jail to the usual fine of $5 and costs. Prosecuting attorney also announces his intention to pursue absent witnesses with attachment and make it rather expensive to hire witnesses to stay away.

Feb. 24, 1873 - Meeting held in Literary hall (schoolhouse) to discuss bill providing that liquor dealers must get signatures of majority of voters in order to get license. T. J. Wolfe presided. Speeches in favor of the bill made by James L. Griffin, W. T. Crawford, J. T. Hays, Rev. W. P. Armstrong, Rev. ^Ir. Robertson and others. Governor Hendricks was telegraphed that Sullivan county approved the law.

April 6, 1874 - Temperance meeting at the Presbyterian church was rather more spirited than usual. Speeches made by Hays, Crawford and Kildow. Effort had been made in March by the women to secure an eft'ective remonstrance.

Sullivan for the space of one year, and any petition bearing my name will be without my knowledge or consent." This was signed by about two-thirds of the voters, including nearly all the men of prominence in the town about that time.

Sept. 9, 1874 - Intense interest centered in the applications for liquor license under the Baxter law. At the last municipal election in this place, under the ruling of the attorney general, but one polling place was opened and all the votes taken there instead of bv wards as formerly. The applicants claim this was unconstitutional, and the petitions were made up on the basis of the election of 1873 and the applications are claimed to be signed by a majority of the voters in the wards as shown by the poll books of that election. Senator Voorhees appeared as legal counsel for the applicants, and N. G. Buff for the temperance men. The permits were granted.

Dec. 30, 1874 - The Sullivan Amateurs have made arrangements to bring out the popular play of "Ten Nights in the Bar Room" in fine style at Literary Hall. They purpose to give two entertainments, presenting this play and a new moral drama entitled "The Fruits of the Wine Cup."

May 5, 1875 - Temperance ticket nominated, and the following officers elected on that ticket : Trustees, James A. Catlin, A. B. Stansil, L^riah Coulson, Thos. Robbins, J. R. McKinley. Only one ofifice won by the opposing ticket.

Aug. 29, 1877 - Murphy or blue ribbon temperance movement has been inaugurated here and meetings held for the past week. Four hundred have signed pledge.

Oct. 24, 1877^ - Luther Benson lectured at court house last w'eek. Audience spellbound for an hour and a half. Mr. John Lee for a week has been conducting successful meetings on the Murphy plan at Carlisle. About 160 signers of the pledge, probably fifty of whom were regular drinkers. The damage to the saloon business has aroused keepers to point of retaliation, though the speaker was most gentle in manner and, moreover, frail in health. As he was leavine town several men followed him to the train and assaulted him.

Nov. 14, 1877 - Audience room at M. E. church nightly crowded, and people who never before went to temperance meetings attend regularly and hundreds have pinned on the blue ribbon. Messrs. Shelby and Black are conducting the meetings with wonderful success.

Nov. 28, 1877 - Shelby-Black meetings followed by weekly meetings at different churches. Executive committee have arranged series of meetings in surrounding towns and all the school districts.

Dec. 15, 1877 - Meetings still well attended. Middletown and Fairbanks movement highly popular ; at New Lebanon, 78 signers on Sunday night, and Monday '^'j more.

March 30, 1878 - County convention held at the court house. Lafayette Stewart chosen president, Rev. Taylor, A. D. Murphy and Prof. George W. Register, secretaries, N. Conkle of Farmersburg and Smith Greenfield of Carlisle vice presidents. A permanent organization was effected. A resolution passed promising continued diligence and disclaiming all intention to permit the organization to enter politics. Thirty clubs reported 5.000 signers of the pledge. The number of signers in Sullivan brought up to 994.

Julv 10, 1878 - On the 4th a temperance rall\- held at Sullivan, at which speeches patriotic and in the interests of temperance were made by the president of the county association, by John Springer of Jacksonville, 111. ; by VIrs. William Denny of Vincennes, by Luther Benson, and by John Billman and Captain Crawford. Great satisfaction was expressed that in a crowd of eight or ten thousand not a single drunken man was seen, and \\c disturbance of any kind.

1878-79 - Interest in meetings dechned (hu'in^;- ihiN winter, and tlie organization l)ecame inactive for a time. In hehruary. 1879. it was reported that .SuUixan was making no att.'ni])! to enforce closing ordinances.

Dec. 10, 1879 - Last weel< we published an a])plication for a liquor license in l*'armersburg. Within 24 hours after the recc])- tion of the paper containing the advertisement every citizen in tnwn had signed a remonstrance.

Feb. 22. 1882 - (iood Templars met in convention at Xew Lebanon, 26 delegates, three-fourths of whom were voters. Resolved to support no candidates who would not pledge themseheto vote for an amendment providing state prohibition.

Aug. 26, 1884 - W. C. T. U. brought ^Irs. Josephine R. Nichols to address the teachers" institute and secured resolution recommending the passage of a law requiring instruction on the elTects of alcohol to be given in the public schools.

Nov. 9. 1891 - The first Demorest medal contest won by Ethel Ireland. Meeting held to consider the organization of a W. C. T. L'. (The old association had apparently ceased.)

be directed against individual applicants; the judge of the circuit court that it should be against any and all persons desiring to sell liquor.

June 2"], 1901 - Compromise effected between the Anti-Saloon League and the saloon-keepers in the form of an agreement that the saloon-keepers will respect the Nicholson law in regard to closing from 1 1 p. m. to 5 a. m. and on Sundays, during which time no liquor will be sold or given away. Also will permit no gambling or unlawful games of any sort, and allow saloons to be inspected at any time by members of the league. The league agreed to suspend all remonstrances so long as the saloon-keepers kept faith. The agreement was signed by five leading saloon men, and remonstrances may be filed against those who do not sign.

June 19, 1902 - Remonstrance being circulated in Hamilton township. Efifort being made to induce majority of voters to give power of attorney to Joshua Beasley and William H. Crowder, Sr., to sign names on remonstrances against any and all applicants for saloons.

Sept. II, 1902 - Remonstrance held good in Hamilton township. The saloon men having caused almost every man who signed remonstrance to be summoned as witness, the temperance people made it the occasion for a rally in the court house yard. Free lunch was served to all. and speeches made by ministers and citizens. The decision has closed all but four saloons in Sullivan.

Dec. 25, 1902 - The supreme court sustains the power of attorney in the remonstrance against the liquor traffic. A remonstrance had been signed by John Ragle et al. against John Mattix in Jackson township in the spring of 1900, and the commissioners refused the license. This action was reversed by the Sullivan circuit court on the ground that the remonstrance did not mention Mattix, but

March 16, 1905 - Paper being circulated to give A. E. Hazelrigg and W. H. Crowder power of attorney to sign names of petitioners to all remonstrances against those who apply for license to sell liquor outside of business district in Sullivan.

Aug. 10, 1905 - Licenses granted to sell liquor in Sullivan, Shelburn and other places. Gill township was the first in the county to file remonstrance under the Moore law, and it proved effective.

July 20, 1905 - Meeting of representatives from Curry, Hamilton, Jackson, Haddon and Gill townships organize a Sullivan County Law and Order League, W. D. Scott chosen president of the Hamilton township branch.

Feb. 15, 1906 - Sullivan one of the few counties in the state in which saloons have increased in the past year, the number having increased from 55 to 64. This is due no doubt to the growth of mining camps. Dugger. a mining town, has no saloons, and all Cass township is dry under the Moore law.

Sept. 6, 1906 - Remonstrance signed by 578 persons filed by Currv township, a majority of 67. At present there are 64 saloons in the county, 22 being in Curry township.