Preparations made ahead of the march to the Mother Thompson Home
Lead Summary
By
Steve Roush-
Ladies and gentlemen, during our chat on the porch of the Mother Thompson Home, the friendship and admiration between Hillsboro temperance crusader Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson and fellow temperance pioneers Frances E. Willard and Lillian M. N. Stevens, both longtime presidents of the National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, has become evident.
Besides being well-known as the president of the WCTU, Miss Willard, who was born in 1839 in New York, was an educator who was instrumental in the passage of the 18th (Prohibition) and 19th (Women Suffrage) Amendments to the United States Constitution. She was the first dean of women at Northwestern University, and it’s been written that her tireless efforts for the temperance cause included a 50-day speaking tour in 1874, an average of 30,000 miles of travel a year and an average of 400 lectures a year for a 10-year period.
Miss Willard and Mrs. Stevens first met in 1875 and became lifelong friends, and “together they labored in the cause they loved and when in 1898 the angel of death called Miss Willard to rest, it was Mrs. Stevens who was called upon to grasp the reins of national leadership.” Stevens was born in 1843 in Dover, Maine, began teaching at the age of 16, became a temperance leader and social reformer, and when she passed away at the age of 71, Maine Gov. William Thomas Haines ordered flags to be at half-staff and said, “Mrs. Stevens has rendered a greater service to mankind than any woman who ever lived in Maine, with possibly one exception, Harriet Beecher Stowe. And I think the greatest service of any woman of this day and generation. She was a wonder of intellect, moral and physical strength.”
With that bit of knowledge in hand, let’s return to the porch of the Mother Thompson House.
“Mrs. Rives,” I say, “now that the word has come from Mrs. Stevens that a delegate of 500 temperance crusaders would be coming by train to Hillsboro on Nov. 16, 1903, I assume detailed preparations were made for the historic occasion.”
“Why, yes,” she replies. “Here’s a clipping from the local newspaper entitled, ‘Arrangements completed for the entertainment of the WCTU visitors Monday, Nov. 16.’
“The article reads, ‘It is desired that all those who worked in the Crusade will go to the Crusade Memorial Room on Monday morning as early as nine o’clock, without further notice or invitation.
“The Methodist Church will be heated and at the service of the public, in case an overflow meeting becomes necessary, and choice speakers will be supplied.
“A committee will be at Armory Hall as early as eight o’clock Monday morning, to receive the boxes, cream and other donations.
“The program for the exercises at the Presbyterian Church is printed and on sale at Stabler’s – five cents per copy. As it is a souvenir program, it is hoped that everyone will buy a copy and file it away as a reminder of November 16, 1903. Five hundred copies are to be given to the delegates.
“Mrs. Thompson desires it said that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Hillsboro will be delighted if the merchants feel inclined to decorate with white bunting and flags. The motto of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is, ‘For God and Home and Every Land.’
“Anyone caring to contribute, who has not been reached by the soliciting committee, can leave donations at Armory Hall early on Monday morning. Those who desire to contribute money will please leave it with Mrs. Gregg.
“Miss Olive Christian Malvery, of India, will probably be one of the speakers at the overflow meeting at the Methodist Church. The Cambridge Press, England, says she positively charms her audience.
“Rev. Mr. Deaton and Mrs. Deaton will receive the speakers at their church. Professor Warren will be assisted by Mrs. Cotton Mather and others in receiving and introducing the speakers at the Washington school building.
“Bunches of white immortelles will be sent by the national officers to be placed on the graves of those who worked in the Crusade, but who have gone from labor to reward.”
Let’s pause for now, and we’ll continue next week.
Steve Roush is a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press.
Besides being well-known as the president of the WCTU, Miss Willard, who was born in 1839 in New York, was an educator who was instrumental in the passage of the 18th (Prohibition) and 19th (Women Suffrage) Amendments to the United States Constitution. She was the first dean of women at Northwestern University, and it’s been written that her tireless efforts for the temperance cause included a 50-day speaking tour in 1874, an average of 30,000 miles of travel a year and an average of 400 lectures a year for a 10-year period.
Miss Willard and Mrs. Stevens first met in 1875 and became lifelong friends, and “together they labored in the cause they loved and when in 1898 the angel of death called Miss Willard to rest, it was Mrs. Stevens who was called upon to grasp the reins of national leadership.” Stevens was born in 1843 in Dover, Maine, began teaching at the age of 16, became a temperance leader and social reformer, and when she passed away at the age of 71, Maine Gov. William Thomas Haines ordered flags to be at half-staff and said, “Mrs. Stevens has rendered a greater service to mankind than any woman who ever lived in Maine, with possibly one exception, Harriet Beecher Stowe. And I think the greatest service of any woman of this day and generation. She was a wonder of intellect, moral and physical strength.”
With that bit of knowledge in hand, let’s return to the porch of the Mother Thompson House.
“Mrs. Rives,” I say, “now that the word has come from Mrs. Stevens that a delegate of 500 temperance crusaders would be coming by train to Hillsboro on Nov. 16, 1903, I assume detailed preparations were made for the historic occasion.”
“Why, yes,” she replies. “Here’s a clipping from the local newspaper entitled, ‘Arrangements completed for the entertainment of the WCTU visitors Monday, Nov. 16.’
“The article reads, ‘It is desired that all those who worked in the Crusade will go to the Crusade Memorial Room on Monday morning as early as nine o’clock, without further notice or invitation.
“The Methodist Church will be heated and at the service of the public, in case an overflow meeting becomes necessary, and choice speakers will be supplied.
“A committee will be at Armory Hall as early as eight o’clock Monday morning, to receive the boxes, cream and other donations.
“The program for the exercises at the Presbyterian Church is printed and on sale at Stabler’s – five cents per copy. As it is a souvenir program, it is hoped that everyone will buy a copy and file it away as a reminder of November 16, 1903. Five hundred copies are to be given to the delegates.
“Mrs. Thompson desires it said that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Hillsboro will be delighted if the merchants feel inclined to decorate with white bunting and flags. The motto of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is, ‘For God and Home and Every Land.’
“Anyone caring to contribute, who has not been reached by the soliciting committee, can leave donations at Armory Hall early on Monday morning. Those who desire to contribute money will please leave it with Mrs. Gregg.
“Miss Olive Christian Malvery, of India, will probably be one of the speakers at the overflow meeting at the Methodist Church. The Cambridge Press, England, says she positively charms her audience.
“Rev. Mr. Deaton and Mrs. Deaton will receive the speakers at their church. Professor Warren will be assisted by Mrs. Cotton Mather and others in receiving and introducing the speakers at the Washington school building.
“Bunches of white immortelles will be sent by the national officers to be placed on the graves of those who worked in the Crusade, but who have gone from labor to reward.”
Let’s pause for now, and we’ll continue next week.
Steve Roush is a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press.