Wayne County, Indiana - Temperance and Moral Reform, 1912

Temperance and Moral Reform

For more than 100 years Americans have had what the world calls freedom - the right to buy and sell and obtain wealth, to educate their children and to worship God as they chose. The country has grown up from a little persecuted band on Plymouth Rock to be an equal among the nations, in brain and wealth and population. It has come out conqueror through struggle and has broken the fetters of 4,000,000 of human beings. A few had stood on the watch-tower and knew how, notwithstanding all this prosperity, "the trail of the serpent was over it all." They saw the 60,000 drunkards going step-by-step into the trenches where there are no shrouds, no tears, no monuments, and the people wasting $500,000,000 year-by-year - enough to remove all the poverty of the land. They heard the great undertone that surges up from the cities where the wives and children die from want, exposure and brutal treatment. They saw the liquor traffic tearing down its breweries and distilleries and building greater, bribing highest officers of the land, making and unmaking laws, holding the government of cities, States and country under its control; but the mass of the people were indifferent or unconscious. In Baltimore, in 1840, six men, of different classes of labor and of intemperate habits, met together at one time and at one place (a saloon), where they had met before, and as none seemed inclined to call for their drinks and the feeling became known to each other, they felt a sudden hope springing up in their minds - a hope in the power of association. They organized themselves into a Society and called it the Washington Temperance Society. In every part of the Union the meetings of the reformed men became the attraction of the time. An organization under this name was perfected in Wayne county in 1844 to 1846.

Sons Of Temperance

The Sons of Temperance was organized about the year 1846 and continued for a number of years. They were composed of men only. Among the charter members were David P. Holloway and Benjamin W. Davis; later on women were admitted. The order early took the ground that the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage was always useless, always dangerous, and selling liquor was therefore a sin, and no law to regulate its, sale as a beverage could ever make the business other than a sin, and no sin should be allowed to exist in any community with the sanction of the law. Following this an organization- called the Daughters of Temperance was perfected. Men were allowed to be members. Out of this order a company of young men, called Cadets of Temperance, was formed and no doubt much good was the result. Those of the first officers were Alice Smith, president; Sarah A. Iliff, vice-president; and Nancy Paxon, financial secretary. After a few years of faithful labor they were succeeded by the Temple of Honor. An organization was perfected within this order, called the Social Circle, composed of both men and women and was very popular at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Halen V. Austin, Dr. Newton and wife, and others were among the members. After this had worked for a time, in answer to the spirit of change that marked that era in the temperance work, David P. Holloway, Wilson D. Schooly, Benjamin W. Davis, Jane Morrow, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, and others instituted the order of Reccabites. This society admitted both sexes and did a good work in saving many from perishing by the liquor traffic, until 1859. The Women Suffrage Association was organized about this time. Dr. Mary F. Thomas was one of the strong leaders in this effort. They believed that "taxation without representation was not right." This association continued until of recent date.

Good Templars

Richmond Lodge No. 69, Independent Order of Good Templars, organized about 1857 or 1858, was in existence until 1874. Among its charter members were Dr. Newton and wife, Sarah A. Iliff, Matilda Scott, Rev. J. V. R. Miller, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Edwin Cook, and others, well known citizens. It had under its charge at one time a large society of juveniles, called Young Templars, very efficiently managed by Mary Smith and others.

Genevieve Lodge, No. 369, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized April 5, 1856, and was in active work until 1873. H. C. Hones was chief templar and Alfred Coffin secretary.

Baxter Lodge was organized July 10, 1872; Chief Templar, John Randal; Secretary, Charles Wolfer. The members of the Good Templars, in association with William Baxter, State Senator from this county and resident of Richmond, rendered essential service in securing the passage of the Baxter law in 1873. This law, which was partly prohibitory in character, did much good, and while the friends of temperance hoped it would be a stepping stone to a more thoroughly prohibitory law, the legislature of 1875 repealed it. In 1873, Mr. Clark presented a resolution in the House of Representatives against capital punishment. When Mr. Baxter made a strong speech sustaining the resolution, the vote resulted in a tie.

Star Lodge, No. 102, Independent Order of Good Templars, organized in 1887, did good work for a few years; Chief Templar, John Kellor; Secretary, Sarah Moorman. There were two juvenile temples in charge of this lodge, namely: Senior Temple, -Mrs. M. J. Kuhlman, superintendent; Junior, Golden Gem, No. 55, Mrs. Eliza W. Morris, superintendent. The Good Templars also assisted the colored people of Richmond to organize and sustain a lodge of that order for several years.

The next phase of the Temperanee work was the Women's Crusade, which came into action in 1873. A great Drummond Light from Heaven was turned upon America and that light was the Women's Crusade. A nation has for once seen the magnitude of the enormity of the liquor traffic, and the hand of Jehovah was in it. The origin of this grand movement began before this date. In the East a drunkard's wife was struggling to clothe, feed, and educate her five helpless children. Notwithstanding abuse and want, it was a home of prayer. Finally, with other women, she visited the saloonkeeper who sold her husband drink, prayed with and for him, and besought him to give up his business. Their prayers were answered. Two score years afterwards her son, Dr. Dio Lewis, who became a prominent educator of this country, was telling to the people of the little town of Hillsboro, Ohio, the blessed answer to his mother's prayer and asked any who were willing to follow her example to rise; nearly every one in the house arose. God's time had come. A meeting was appointed to be held in the Presbyterian church at 9 o'clock the next morning. Dr. Lewis was a guest at the old mansion of Ex-Governor Trimble, father of Mrs, E. J. Thompson, a most cultivated, devoted, Christian woman and a mother of eight children. She was not present at the lecture. Few comments were made on the new line of policy.

When the daughter said gently, "Mother, will you go to the meeting this morning?" she replied, hesitatingly, "I? don't know yet what I shall do." *Her husband, appreciating the responsibility of the moment, said, "Children, let us leave your mother alone, for you know where she goes with all vexed questions," and, pointing to the Bible, left the room. The mother jsays in her diary: "The awful responsibility and the needs of the time was relieved somewhat by the thought of the cloudy pillar and parted waters of the past; hence, with confidence, I was about to turn my eye of faith up to the hills, when I heard a gentle tap at my door and my dear Mary, with her Bible in her hand and with tearful eye, said, 'Mother, I opened the one hundred and fortysixth Psalm and I believe it is for you.'" Upon entering the church that day she was startled to find herself chosen as the leader. On this occasion one who had never heard her voice in prayer would have thought the tongue of fire was set upon her. "Give to the winds thy fears," they sang. 'Hope and be undismayed. God hears thy sighs and courts thy tears. He will lift up thy head." While thus engaged in singing the women, seventy-five in number, fell in line, two-by-two, visited saloons, praying and entreating the keepers to quit the business.

Being born of God, its influence spread into nearly every city, town and hamlet, reaching Richmond in the winter of 1874, where the women met in Grace Church in prayer and consecration unto the leadings of the spirit, holding their meetings on North Eighth street. Martha Valentine presided over these Crusade Meetings, Hannah Johnson serving as secretary. They went forth to visit saloons, with prayer and entreaty to those in charge to give up their business. Many times they were badly mistreated; on a few occasions they were egged and many times turned out into the cold. One suffered all the rest of her life by her feet being frozen, Many kind friends did all they could for their comfort. Some did quit the business and afterward became temperance men.

It is not the purpose to detail the Crusade Movement. After three months of crusading, this band of praying women called themselves the "Women's League." C. C. Binkley presided over some of these public meetings, and it is said he expressed himself in after years that he never was more proud over any act than he was to have presided over these meetings. The enthusiasm was at its height; these women formed themselves 'into a new organization to promote temperance. Their object and purpose is embodied in Section 1, of their Constitution: "The undersigned women do hereby form ourselves into an organization to _be known as the Women's Christian Temperance Association of Richmond, Ind., and do hereby pledge ourselves to use our influence to suppress the traffic' in intoxicating drinks, and reform those who have become victims of intemperance." Martha Valentine was the first president and Mary Jarrett White was secretary. Among the first members were Esther Dickinson, Lydia Nordyke, Margaret Dennis, Elizabeth Fletcher, Mrs. J. C. Whiteridge, Susan Parish Smith, Mary Johnson, Rachel Maddoc, Elizabeth Johnson, Jemima D. Hindley, Jemima Hill, and others. For a time the members devoted their attention to relieving the poor of the city and administering to their spiritual needs by holding Bible readings and prayers in their homes. The first meetings of this organization were held at the Home of the Friendless until another place could be secured. The work was divided into different departments, each member choosing according to her wish and fitness for the work. The ministering of spiritual help was brought under the Department of the Evangelistic Department, which is the foundation of all good work. "Even as ye have - done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Martha Valentine once related her experience. She said in her earnestness of purpose, turning unto the "Father of all" in prayer, "How long, oh Father, will this condition last?" The answer came back to her, "It will get worse and worse until the people themselves will turn against it," which can to a great extent be applied to the present condition of political affairs. She, before this, believed the crusade would wipe out all saloons.

It was not long until tlie women found the liquor traffic was so strongly protected by the law that nothing but the laws of the Government could change it, and realizing that a great portion of the citizens of our country had no voice in the making or unmaking of the laws, "that taxation without representation was not right, and that women should and ought to exercise their right to voice their vote in the Government to which they were subject as citizens, the Department of Franchise was adopted, and since then the whole body of the Women's Christian Temperance Union are strong believers and workers for the enfranchise- ment of women," and by their efforts a great number of the Western States have adopted such a law, and wherever it has been tried and proved it has been for the good of the whole. As the work broadened, more lines of work were taken up, until at the present time forty departments are in active service for the education and general up-lift everywhere, with the one strong point in view of abolishing the liquor traffic. The temperance reform, like all other reforms, depends for its success upon an aroused an enlightened public sentiment. Public sentiment is created by individuals who contribute their. personal views to the right or wrong of any habit, custom or law. Abraham Lincoln well said that "with public sentiment nothing can fail, without it nothing can succeed." The great work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union is to educate sentiment against the use and sale of alcoholic liquors. One of the most important ways to accomplish this is by the free press. The Press Department is one of the essentials to success.

Scientific temperance instruction law bears an important part in our public schools, it being brought about by a leading W. C. T. U. woman, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, known the world over. A number of other laws have been promulgated and brought to success by the earnest workers in the department through the legislature. Purity in literature and art claim a large part of the interest of the department, also in the distributing of temperance literature. The Department of Mothers' Meetings is a wonderful factor in the educational line of helping mothers in the many ways of family cares and duties - helping them to more fully realize the responsibility of parent to children. Better mothers make better children, and the children are the future citizens of our Republic. The Loyal Temperance Legion has had its organization for several years. It is doing a grand and noble work; that of enlisting children in the interest of temperance by their contests of oratory, the sentiments of which teach and speak against intemperance and for total abstinence and the prohibition of the liquor traffic. A Loyal Temperance Legion was in active work about the year 1890, with Mrs. Doughty as superintendent, and at a later date one was organized among the colored people, with Mrs. Conrad as superintendent.

Jail and prison work has been a feature that has found ell to commend it. Our county jail has been visited regularly during a portion of the time for many years; spiritual food has been an uplift to many; resolutions to lead a better life has prompted many a one, and their determination to live right has been the boon of help to those who had strayed in the wrong path. Ninetenths of those wayward ones were there from the use of intoxicants. The signing of the pledge and the saving "grace of God" has led them to be useful and upright citizens. Letitia Smith was one of the earnest workers in this undertaking. In 1890, another Union was formed from this by the name of the Dr. Mary F. Thomas Union. The original one, which had borne the name of the Richmond Union, now adopted the name of Frances E. Willard Union. Through the kindness of one of the members, Ruth Anna Hunt Ratliff, and others interested in the temperance cause, they were enabled to purchase property at No. 515 North A street. This building was named "Rhoda Temple," in memory of Rhoda Hollingsworth, who was a strong temperance woman. "She being dead, yet her spirit liveth."

A share of Mrs. Hollingsworth's estate being left to her daughter, the latter willingly contributed a part of it to this building and the W. C. T. U. work, which was dedicated by a public service for the occasion, in 1894. The present officers are Mrs. Eliza W. Morris, president, and Mrs. Sadie E. Eves, secretary. This Union is a factor in the making of the county, State and National organizations, and each Union bears its part in the great educational work. The Young Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1904 and is composed largely of young women, although young men may be active members also, and can vote and hold any office except president. The first president was Anna Eves and the treasurer was Olive Wildman.

The Mary F. Thomas Union was organized out of a division of the Richmond Women's Christian Temperance Union, in May, 1890. The first president was Margaret Dennis. This division of the Union took up the various departments of work as would seem beneficial to the public, some of which were distributing literature, evangelistic, flower mission and charity work, and Sabbath observance, with rescue and mission work. In connection with the Mothers' meetings, Fathers' meetings have also been held. Mission work was carried on in the north part of the city in a rented building until the women of the Union had collected money and donations sufficient to build a suitable building for missionary work. But on Nov. 5, 1898, the building built by the women's efforts was dedicated and became known as the North Fourteenth Street Union Mission, in which the Mission meetings have since been carried on. Other departments of work are carried on as the Union sees it will benefit the public. The present officers are Mrs. M. J. Little, president, and Rowena E. Randall, secretary.

The Father Mathew Movement And Other Church Societies

In writing of temperance societies it is not amiss to mention briefly the greatest temperance movement ever inaugurated - the Father Mathew Crusade in Ireland. H. O. Ryan's "History of Ireland" has the following in regard to the great world movement:

"A new reformer arose in Ireland in 1838. His aim was not a political reform, but rather a social one. He began a crusade against drunkenness and traversed the country, preaching the doctrine of temperance, until the name of Rev. Theobold Mathew became synonymous with total abstinence. He began his exhortations in 1838 and within nine months, by his eloquence and his earnest appeals, he persuaded 150,000 persons to take the pledge. In a few years 1,000,000 people were sworn followers of Father Mathew's doctrine. Happy results attended this new movement; crimes due to intemperance decreased with wonderful: rapidity, families became prosperous, as far as conditions would allow, and quarrels were settled. Father Mathew died in 1856, at the age of sixty-six years, but with his death came not the end of his influence, for to-day, all over the world, Father Mathew Temperance Societies are bravely carrying on the work begun by this humble Irish priest."

A number of Irishmen living in Richmond have seen Father Mathew, and a few have taken the pledge from him. In 1850, the noted priest came to America and made a great many speeches. On invitation he addressed the Congress of the United States and was cordially received. Temperance societies have always been connected with St. Mary's Church, and through their instrumentality quite a number of persons have lived soberly all their lives.

The St. Aloysius Cadets, a temperance society for young men, was organized about thirty years ago and is still one of St. Mary's best assets. St. John's Temperance Society was organized about fourteen years ago, and was short-lived. It was mainly for older people and did considerable good during the brief time it existed. The Catholic church itself is one of the greatest temperance organizations extant. Every Catholic priest is supposed to be an advocate of temperance, and pledge cards are a part of the priest's effects. When men drink to excess they are induced to take a pledge, that in doing so they will be influenced to lead better lives. Several temperance revivals occurred during the period from 1885 to 1890. First, the Tammany Brothers Reformed Men gave a series of meetings, and pledge signing was a feature of their work. James Dunn followed with a series of lectures, with pledge signing. A large Band of Hope was organized, with Mrs. Nancy Brown as superintendent. Then Francis Murphy and sons were here. Few, if any, recent revivals in our city have been more successful in their result in the way of pledge signing. A Temperance Club was formed after these meetings, which rented a store-room on North Eighth street for its first meetings; afterwards it purchased the Pearl Street Methodist Church, and held meetings there until the church was sold to the Fifth Street Methodist congregation, jn 1893 or 1894.

Humane Society

The Wayne County Humane Society was incorporated under the laws of Indiana, Sept. 25, 1894. Its officers were J. E. Iliff, president; Mrs. Julia Clark, secretary, and Benjamin Starr, treasurer. Its officers are still the same, with the exception of Mr. Starr, whose death occasioned the election of Mrs. Edgar Henley as treasurer. The object of this society is to protect all animals and children and all infirm and destitute persons, and to prevent cruelty as far as possible. The charter members consisted of the following: Dr. T. Henry Davis, I. M. Hughes, Mrs. Allen Jay, Mrs. Anna M. Vaughan, William A. Bickle, Dr. W. T. Dempsey, John D. Vaughan, John S. Robbins, Edgar Iliff, Frank Clark, Dr. Levi Hoover, J. D. McMullen, John F. McCarty.

Anti-Saloon League

An Anti-Saloon League was formed and was in active service under the Nicholson Law. It worked in connection with representatives from the different churches,

Temperance Visitors

Some of the noted temperance visitors or lecturers who have been here are Miss Frances E. Willard, Mrs. L. M. Stevens, Col. George W. Bain, Anna Gordon, Jesse Ackerman, Rev. Anna Shaw, Miss Marie Brem, Olive W. Stewart, and John G. Woolley.