Ghost Stories: The winter of 1874 and the Temperance Crusade

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”  – Anne Bradstreet (1612-72)

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been said that every mile is two in winter.

Truer words were never spoken.

Many of us enjoyed (or lamented) the unseasonably warm temperatures of December, but as we ushered in 2016 here in Highland County, Mother Nature brought with the New Year an arctic blast of much colder temperatures.

As I pen this latest offering, it “feels like” 13 degrees outside. When it’s this cold, I don’t relish braving the elements for an extended period of time – but bitterly frigid conditions didn’t stop an army of dedicated and determined women nearly 142 years ago.

It was the winter of 1873-74, and the ladies had waged a war on alcohol in uptown Hillsboro. We talked earlier about how their mission was to “overcome and vanquish the liquor-sellers with love and kindness alone” and had targeted the establishment of William Henry Harrison Dunn, one of the booze sellers in town.

On a very cold day, the proprietor had again locked the ladies out during their “regular siege of Fort Dunn,” but Temperance Crusaders were undaunted as the local newspaper reported “that 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...”

Dunn was none too pleased with the regular barrage of hymns and prayer, and threatened legal action against the ladies and “all others aiding or encouraging (the women) by means of money or otherwise…”

After he had issued his “pronunciamento,” which we detailed roughly a fortnight ago, “The Battle of Fort Dunn” became the talk of the town. According to the 1876 book “Fifty Years History of the Temperance Cause,” “This (pronunciamento) produced a great sensation.

Some thought he would prosecute; others were sure that he would not.”

When he reached his store the morning that he posted his pronunciamento in various places about Hillsboro, Dunn found the wives of the mayor and Methodist minister, Mrs. Doggett and Mrs. Conden, already there to talk the matter over. They argued and pleaded with him for nearly an hour; but all the satisfaction they got was the following:

“I am doing a legitimate business, according to the laws of Ohio and all well-recognized rules of morality,” Dunn insisted. “I am not a Heathen Chinee, that you need to come and pray with me. I tell you again and again, in the presence of these gentlemen, that I don’t want you to pray in my house, or come into it except on business. I have treated you as well as I know how, until my patience is worn out. I now tell you again to leave, and I will prosecute all who interfere with my business.”

At 9 a.m. on the same morning, a large number of Temperance Crusaders gathered at a church, discussed the matter and decided that Dunn’s proclamation did not scare them.

In fact, that’s when it was resolved that not only would they continue the barrage, they would erect a “tabernacle” in front of Dunn’s place of business. They received the blessing of Mayor Doggett, and in less than an hour “a score of willing hands were hammering away at the structure.”

When it was completed, 83 ladies “at once took possession and went on with their praying and singing as though there had been no interruption.”

This was more than the resolute W.H.H. Dunn could stand…

Let’s pause for now to warm up and come in out of the cold, 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.