Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 52: Sparta Woman's Christian Temperance Union by Elizabeth S. Dunn, 1912

Chapter 52: Sparta Woman's Christian Temperance Union by Elizabeth S. Dunn

The mothers of Sparta caught the vibrating current from the crusade spirit emanating from Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1875, and tradition says Miss Francis E. AVillard gave an address in the Methodist Episcopal Churcli and organized the union; Mrs. Gorman, wife of the pastor of the Baptist Church, was chosen president ; Mrs. Hoyt, Mrs. Allis, Mrs. Ady, Mrs. Dr. Millegan, Mrs. Hageman Palmer, Mrs. Wolcott and Mrs. C. M. Foster were charter members, besides others whose names I have not learned. The early record was not preserved, therefore a correct history of the beginnings that perfected a firm foundation for reform work cannot be given.

AVe are told that the early work was conducted along the lines of the original crusade, which had its birth at Hillsboro, Ohio, December 23, 1874. These consecrated women, led by Mrs. Gorman, met in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after a session of prayer, marched sixty strong and prayed and sang in front of the saloons.

The union entertained the state convention in the fall of 1882 ; the sessions were held in the old Baptist Church. Mrs. D. T. Hoyt was president, Mrs. R. S. Baldwin, Mrs. D. C. Beebe, Mrs. M. A. "Wilson and Mrs. Dunlevy were among the helpers. The writer became a member at this convention.

Mrs. M. A. Wilson, Mrs. Sarah B. Dunle\y and Mrs. A. M. Pilcher served as presidents from 1883 to 1889. During Mrs. Wilson's administration a flourishing Y. W^. C. T. U. was organized, with Mary Foote as president and Belle Ady as treasurer, also a Loyal Temperance Legion was mothered by the union. Howard Teasdale gave good service as superintendent, and after he resigned Mrs. Fred Richardson took up the work. This most essential part of the work was given up for want of a leader in the existing organizations for children.

J 890 she received a iinaiiiinuus call to the ])residency, and for eleven years, until lilOl, she was i-e-elected annually by the wishes and votes of all. These were years in which tiie society exercised large intlueuce and enjoyed signal prosperity. In January. 1890, she inaugnrated the annual thaidv-otfering meeting, entertaining the AVhite Kibbons at her home. At these social functions national and state oilficers were invited; they came, bringing messages from workers of national repute; the money received was used to carry on the work. Mr.>. Foster a(loi)te(l -lohn \V<'sley's motto for the union's guitje lo adivity. to "Do all the good you can. to all the i)eoi)le you can. in all llic ways you can. and just as long as you can." Taking up the following departnu'uts of work : Kvangc^listic. mother's meetings, franchise, Hower mission, literature, jiarlianuMitary usage. i)ress, jail and almshouse work, scientific temperance instruction in schools, Sabbath observance, social purity, lumberman's work, narcotics, soldiers and sailors. A superintendent was api)ointi'(l to take charge of each department, several of these departments of work having been adopted in the early history of the union. (The national carried on forty departments of work, each local union adoi)ts as numy as can be made useful.)

The union was a prominent factor in the campaign in 1892 and 1893 that secured no license f<u- Sparta. Days of fasting and ])rayer Avere frequent, relying on the all wise Father for wisdom and strength to "Wage our peaceful war against evil."

In 1892 ]Mrs. Foster conceived the idea of having the union present a drinking fountain to the city; many devices were carried out that called for sacritice to raise the required sum to buy the fountain: Avheu it was secured, a committee Avas sent to a council meeting to present it to the city fathers, and instead of giving encouragement to ou.r plans they refused to aci^ept it ; their excuse was it would be in the way on Water street. Their refusal was a keen disappointment to the brave women wiio had made the blessing to the city jiossible. Proving that "Where there is n will there is a wa.w'' ]\Irs. Foster said, "Let us buy a property and put the fountain on it.'' On ^lay 27. 1892, the property on Water street was bought and llu' l)uilding used as a saloon was transferred into W. (". T. l'. rooms ami dedicated to tcMuperance Mork October 9, 1892. An artesian well was cVilled and the fountain put in place as it is today, and its liberal usi^ testifies to its need.

Woman'S Christian Teimeprance Union 541

Attaining towards greater possil)ilities in temperance work, Mrs. Foster, ]\Irs. AVilson. Emily Garrett and Mrs. AVolcott, as leaders in the niovenu^nt, conceived the idea of building a temple to take the place of the converted saloon, and as if by magic the structure materialized. The building was erected and dedicated in June 1895 to temperance reform work, to be known as the W. C. T. U. Temple of Sparta.

]\Irs. Foster's ability as a leader and organizer caused the AV. C. T. U. of Sparta to become one of the banner unions of the state, both in UK^nbership and methods of work. In May, 1899, the union entertained the state convention, meetings being held in the armory. As a reminder of the union's popularity at that time I quote from Dr. CVawford's address of welcome, "The present membership is about one hundred and fifty and it is a membership. It comprises some of the best women of the city. In this society may be found piety, cultivation, tact, social influence, business al)ility and practical poAver. "

Airs. Foster resigned the presidency in Alarch, 1901, on account of failing liealth, and Airs. AVilson, the vice president, acted as president until the annual election Alarch 22, 1901, when she was advanced to the president's chair, serving until December 22, 1901, when she resigned by letter. The office was not filled until the election in Alarch, 1902, at which Airs. Prill was elected; she served two terms, being re-elected in 1908, and in Alarch, 1904, Elizabeth S. Dunn was chosen to that office, which she still fills. AVith the passing years, noted changes have taken place, conducive to lessening the union's power for advancement and many of the true and tried have been promoted - Airs. Alae Richardson, Airs. Foster, Airs. Emily Garrett Foster, Airs. Hoyt, Airs. Sarles, Airs. Ady and many others, besides those who have moved from us. The formation of many clubs has reduced our membership ; the ministers of churches nor their wives of the later years have co-operated with us as in Dr. and Airs. Crawford's time. But through the inevitable changes we have endeavored to maintain the principles for which this organization was called into existence, the betterment of humanity ; keeping the fires of interest burning in the different departments of work. A calender con- taining topics for eaeli meeting is adopted eaeli year. Frequent visits to tlie county alinsliouse and asylum are made holding a service of song. AVe are active in fifteen lines of work. This year tlie franchise department undo- tlie supervision of ]\Iiss Belle Ady, is considered the most important.

This year, 1912, marks the receiving of a legacy of $1,630 left the union by Kmily Oarrett Foster, who loved the AV. C. T. U. Temple and made j)ossible the perpetuation of a "Avoman's building," which stands as a monument to her memory. Though taken from us, she still lives in the hearts of the AVhite Ribbon sisterhood. The present membership is between fifty and sixty; Mrs. E. S. Dunn has served as president since 1904.

We are glad we have a part in the largest organization in the world of women, Avaging our peaceful war (our weapons are agitation, education and converting public sentiment) against the greatest home destroyer, soul destroyer and vice creator in the world, the legalized liquor traffic, and Ave Avill not be justified in disbanding "until the last Avhiskey bottle comes off the medicine shelf; Avhen the last saloon is closed; AA^hen ti>e last church menil)('r has signed a dramshop petition ; Avhen the last boy has quit drinking beer; then the temperance people can sit doAvn and rest, until then our Avork is not done in the AVoman's Christian Temperance Union.