Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1890 — MODERN CRUSADERS. [ARTICLE]

MODERN CRUSADERS.

They March to Trial With a Brass Band to Lead Them. Our wows columns contained a report last we>ek of the destruction of a saloon a. Spickardsville, Mo., by women crusaders. The 'owner of the saloon property had those engaged in the riot arrested. Dispatches received on the 22d will prove interesting, the trial being held at Trenton, tae county seat: The 9:30 train was loaded down with Spickardsville temperance crusaders and their sympathizers. They came to attend the trial of the ladies arrested for demolishing the saloon of Thomas Brady. When the train stopped at the station the sixteen crusaders first alighted and were followed toy some 300 people, who had come to attend the trial. At the station a crowd of 300 Trenton crusaders were drawn up to see the “martyrs.” Besides these there were about two hundred people who had been attracted through curiosity. The Trenton crusaders were headed by a brass band, and scattered through the ranks were numerous standard bearers, who carried aloft banners and transparencies bearing mottoes and appropriate sentiments. A procession was then formed, with the sixteen Spickardsville crusaders in. the place of honor. The march was taken up. The Roy. J. H. Cox, pastor of the Methodist church and marshal of the day, called upon thci hosts to sing “Hold the Fort.” The hymn was sung with a will. The procession then marched to the music of the band to the opera-house, where arrangements have been made for a public meeting. There the Rev. Mr. Cox presided, and when he had called the meeting to order the house was packed to the door 4 with a crowd of 1,200, A song was Rnnir , prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Knox of the Presbyterian church, and the chairman announced that short speeches were in order. Addresses were made by the Rev. J. P. Davis and the Rev. B. Lockhart, of the Christian church, the Rev. Mr. Robbins of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Spikardsville and J. C. Ringe, an engineer of this city. The Rev. Mr. Cox announced that the ladies of Trenton had prepared a collation for the visitors, and the meeting then adjourned for luuch. A11:30 the cas6 was called and proceeded rapidly, but it will require some days to complete it.