Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1874 — THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. [ARTICLE]

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

Women’s Whisky War Relentlessly Prosecuted—Uncondlt lonal Surrender of Mr. Van Pelt, the “Waffkedest Man In Ohio”—He Empties His Stock In Trade Intothc Street, and Forthwith Joins the Praying “Band”—A Funny Incident— I The Ladies Beat a Most Inglorious Retreat, The Temperance Revival started some weeks ago in Greenfield, Ohio, has spread to many other towns and villages. The success which has so far attended this campaign is really wonderful— In some "town# every saloon and groggery has capitulated, and in all the number has been greatly reduced. Those who still hold out are having their profits greatly reduced, and are fast losing their customers. Influenced by the results, praying bands have been started in Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and Indiana, and perhaps other States. The reports from some points are very interesting. In the town of-Vienna the effort of the praying women had resulted in the closing of all the saloons except that of Mr. Van Pelt, who was forthwith dubbed tbe wiekedest man in Ohio. He said he would never give up the traffic, but on the 4th of February he capitulated. On that day he sent a printed circular to the citizens of Vienna, including the ladies who had persecuted him with their prayers and entreaties, inviting them to assemble in front of his place of business at two p. m. At that hour, the church bells were rung, and in a few minutes an immense crowd was assembled in front of the saloon where so many prayers had been offered. After singiug and prayer by the ladies, Van Pelt came to the door and said he was ready to give up his entire stock in trade for the good of the cause of Temperance. Jn a few words, full of emotion, he expressed his determination to makq a full surrender, not because of law or of force, but he said he yielded to the simple labors of love on the part of the women, lie then rolled out two barrels and one keg filled with whisky; and, taking an ax, knocked the heads out of the barrels and the bung out nf the lreg and emptied their contents intothe gutter. Then followed prayer and thanksgiving. In the evening a temperance meeting was held, in which Van Pelt took part. In Washington, Fayette County, the saloons are all closed, and all the druggists have agreed to sell only upon the prescription of a physician, except one. He has utterly refused to capitulate, and so the women, as they were refused entrance into his store and . thejyeaib.er was so inclement that they could not cohduct their services in the open air, caused to be erected a wooden and canvas structure, where tHey prayed and Bang until the tiling became a nuisance to the druggist, He commenced a suit against the ladies, and secured an injunction forbidding the continuance of the prayers and entreaties in front of his place of business, and directing the removal of the structure. 80 he is only an object of prayerful attention outside his own premises for the present. In some of the saloons very funny incidents occur in spite of the solemn surroundings. The ladies visited the saloon of a burly German, who was determined that he would stand no more of what he denominated the praying nuisance. So he rolled a keg of beer into the middle of the praying circle aud started the bung. The beer flew over tbe crowd and filled their eyes and ears, rendered their feathdrs limp and their silks nasty, and they were glad to beat a hasty retreat, feeling very moist and uncomfortable. _