Temperance crusaders march historic route through uptown Hillsboro

Dressed in somber black lace, elaborate hats, and cross pendants on their necklaces, more than 100 people marched the streets of Hillsboro Saturday afternoon in remembrance and commemoration of the birthplace of the temperance movement.

Singing "Onward Christian Soldiers," reciting the Lord's prayer, and yelling out phrases such as "demon liquor" members of the Highland County Historical Society paid homage to their foremothers. The group began the historical reenactment at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, where a lecture was delivered on the movement, including the speech given to the original temperance crusaders prior to their march. 

The group then proceeded uptown where they stopped at seven spots that formerly housed bars, or drug stores that sold liquor, including the current Hillsboro City Building, the former Fifth Third Bank building, Hillsboro Uptown Drug, and the Parker Hotel.

Druggists and barkeeps dressed in period costumes defended their positions, saying their were obeying the law, and had to run an honest business to pay their bills. Others hurled insults at the ladies and offered them drinks. 

One little girl clad in period garb approached a bartender and said, "When my daddy comes home, he smells like liquor." The bartender replied, "Then blame your mother."
When an establishment owner relented and agreed not to sell alcohol, the group cheered and a white ribbon was hung on the door. If an owner refused, a black ribbon was hung, and the group would should "We'll be back tomorrow." 

The reenactment ended on the lawn of the Highland County Courthouse where symbolic bottles of "liquor" were poured out and a small crock of "whiskey" was set on fire. 

Gretchen Huffman, dressed as the intrepid Mother Thompson, put a match to the crock, setting it ablaze while the group shouted "Hallelujah."

Historical society member Bob Lambert said that the event was a rousing success, and something they hope to turn into an annual event. 

Next year, documentarian Ken Burns, known for his PBS documentaries on baseball, jazz and and the Civil War, will include the Highland County Historical Society in a documentary on the temperance movement. Lambert said the temperance movement, which began in the 19th century, was "corrupted" into what would eventually become Prohibition. 

Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst - who was a reenactor in the event -  said that the temperance movement is a part of Hillsboro's history that needs to be remembered. 

"Everywhere you go around Hillsboro you see signs that say, 'birthplace of Mother Thompson' and 'birthplace of the temperance movement.' I think that it is important that these aren't just signs, that we understand and remember what happened here. It is a part of our history."