Ghost Stories: The Battle of Fort Dunn

Ladies and gentlemen, according an old Irish proverb, a man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man.

In this series of offerings, we’ve discussed how three generations of the Barrere family fought in wars – and more than 140 years ago, one of the Barrere women enlisted in an army of Hillsboro women who waged a “War on Whisky.”

In the winter of 1873-74, the army of ladies, commanded by Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson, fought the “fight of faith” in uptown Hillsboro.

The Highland News, the newspaper the Barrere family would purchase 10 years down the road, devoted a lot of ink to the Temperance Movement.

Let’s pick up an edition and read a little bit about their crusade…

The Temperance war continues in our town, with unabated vigor on the part of our brave and devoted Christian women, who have solemnly and unshrinkingly pledged themselves to each other, with God’s help, to overcome and vanquish the liquor-sellers with love and kindness alone.

Each day during the past week, they have met every morning at the Presbyterian Church, and after earnest prayer and consultation have moved out to the attack on the enemy’s strongholds.

Last Saturday, they laid a regular siege to the drug store of Mr. Dunn, who had locked them out of the first time on the day before. On this occasion, they found themselves locked out again, but nothing daunted by this indignity, they encamped round about the front door, and filled the side
hall leading to his private room, and soon the streets resounded with their beautiful hymns, followed by the subdued and solemn voice of prayer.

Thus, for seven long hours without intermission, did these noble Christian soldiers fight the good fight of faith, and offer up prayer after prayer to God for victory over the stubborn and unyielding proprietor of the store.

As fast as one detachment became tired and cold – for it was a bitter cold day, with a keen and cutting wind blowing – they were relieved by another, and went into the residence of Mrs. John A. Smith, a few steps distant, to warm and rest, and then renew the fight. Mrs. Smith kindly
furnished the ladies an excellent lunch at noon, so that they could continue the siege without going home to dinner. Such a scene was never before witnessed in Hillsboro, and the impression it produced on every spectator must be deep and abiding. It was a good day’s work for the Temperance cause, making new friends for the movement, and materially weakening the enemy’s
lines.

The next day “Fort Dunn” was besieged again, and again Monday, but it still holds out, the proprietor still refusing to sell liquor only upon the prescription of a regular physician. It is rumored that he has threatened to sue the women for trespass, and Judge Mathews has volunteered to defend them without charge.

Three saloons, Bales’, Uhrig’s and Ward’s, still hold out, but they all acknowledge that the liquor trade in Hillsboro, and that their business is nearly ruined. Why not stop at once, then?

The night Temperance meetings at the churches and Music Hall continue to be crowded, and the public interest is increasing every day.

At the Hall on Tuesday night of last week, Rev. J.P. Patch, of Circleville, delivered an able address, and on Saturday and Sunday nights the Hall was crowded again to hear Rev. Mr. Hirst, of Washington, who is an eloquent and very effective speaker. He also preached an able sermon bearing on the Temperance movement, on Sunday morning at the M.E. church, Rev. Mr. Cowden filling Mr. Hirst’s pulpit in Washington.

The programme for the present week is to continue to fight with undiminished zeal, trusting to God to give the victory to the side of Right, in his own good time and manner.

As the army of Hillsboro ladies gear up for another siege and Brigadier General W.H.H. Dunn prepares a counterattack, 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. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.