Roanoke Anti-Saloon League Formed, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/blindtigers.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= September 2001 NO BLIND TIGERS [illegal liquor operations] ---------------------------- Sunday night a prohibition mass meeting was held at the Baptist church which was attended by a large and representative congregation of men and women. The service lasted from 7 to 9:45 o’clock, but the interest was unabated and there was not a dull moment in the two hours and three quarters spent in jubilating over the advent of prohibition and in planning to make it permanent and effective. A large choir, under the direction of Mrs [J. F.?] COLLINS, rendered an animated musical program, Rev R W ANDERSON offered prayer and Rev T J PORTER read the Scripture lessons. The latter, who had charge of the services, then presented Rev Geo STOVES, who made a characteristic and telling speech, ably covering the several phases of the subject. He was followed by Brother PORTER, who measured fully up to the occasion, raining terrific blows upon the liquor traffic -- especially the illegal traffic -- and prophesying a better and brighter era. Brother ANDERSON also made a very forceful short speech. At this juncture the meeting was thrown open for a general discussion and the following resolutions were introduced by O H STEVENSON, who moved their adoption, after time being given for a free discussion: RESOLUTIONS Inasmuch as the sovereign people of Roanoke and Randolph county have emphatically said that the ruinous traffic in intoxicating liquors shall not longer be tolerated in this town and county, and recognizing not only the demoralizing results which such traffic works in any community, but the still further evil effects that come from the disregard of law, let it be resolved by the citizens of Roanoke, in mass meeting assembled, -- First; That it is the sense of this meeting that every willful violation of the prohibition laws in Randolph county, upon proof, should call forth the full penalty provided for such offense; that we request every trial judge in our town and county before whom such conviction shall be made to apply the most rigorous penalties consistent with the law and with his own sense of justice. Second; That we urge the federal authorities in our state to be most diligent in bringing to justice, and in meting out proper punishment to, every violator of the federal laws regulating the traffic in liquors. Third; That we hereby pledge to our judicial and executive officers our most active moral support in the faithful discharge of their duties. Fourth; That we most earnestly and respectfully petition the Congress of the United States to enact speedily a law that will prevent the shipment of liquors from without the state into prohibition territory within the state; also to so amend the law regulating the issuance of federal license to sell liquors so as to prohibit the issuance of such license in territory where such sale is barred by state enactment, thus giving dignity to the doctrine of local self-government in a case involving vital interests. Fifth; That in order to make effective the foregoing resolutions we meet at the Baptist church Monday night, January 6th, for the purpose of organizing a local Anti-Saloon League. Following the reading, short but enthusiastic speeches were made by Messrs S H STRIPLIN, A M AWBREY, J C HORNSBY, J F COLLINS, J C WRIGHT, H C McDONALD and John T HEFLIN. The resolutions were then adopted by a rising vote, which was practically unanimous. LEAGUE ORGANIZED Notwithstanding it was very rainy and muddy Monday night, a good crowd of determined men met at the Baptist church and went into permanent organization of a local branch of the Anti-Saloon League. After prayer Rev T J PORTER was elected temporary chairman and R L BRUMBELOE temporary secretary. Thirty-two names were enrolled for membership. Upon motion the chair appointed a committee of five to nominate the permanent officers. The committee was composed of J C HORNSBY, J C WRIGHT, John T HEFLIN, J F COLLINS and O H STEVENSON. The committee submitted the following report, which was unanimously adopted: President, George STOVES. Vice President, T J PORTER. Secretary-Treasurer, R L BRUMBELOE. Committee on Law and Evidence: A M AWBREY, Chairman; H C McDONALD, J C HORNSBY, J C WRIGHT, W H McMURRY [McMURRAY], Z J WRIGHT, R E TAYLOR. The president, upon taking the chair, made an appropriate speech. Several talks were made by members, indicating their determination to see that prohibition does prohibit. Upon motion of J C WRIGHT a fund was subscribed to aid the League in detecting and prosecuting any violators of the prohibition laws. In a few minutes $745 dollars was raised. Prof McDONALD was appointed to canvass for further subscriptions among friends of the cause. It was decided to have frequent meetings of the League and invite the public to attend. In the meantime those wishing to enroll their names can do so by calling upon the secretary, Mr BRUMBELOE. ANVIL SPARKS Brother PORTER made the fire fly when he said he had rather his child would learn his alphabet in heaven than read Latin and Greek in hell, sent there by whiskey money. Mr STRIPLIN, who is an old veteran blind tiger hunter, said he would go in with any two or three men to keep blind tigers out. He said the citizens could do more than the officers, because the latter would have to wait for the evidence, while the citizens could go ahead and enforce the law by main strength if necessary. One of the hits of Brother STOVES was that the man who wanted the ministers to preach the “Gawspel” and let public questions alone didn’t want any Gospel -- he only wanted whiskey. Mr STRIPLIN’s Carrie Nation idea of dealing with blind tigers caused considerable merriment, but Prof COLLINS said he had known it tried in one town he had lived in, and when the offender was told to “git,” he got. Prof McDONALD thought tar and feathers none too good. Mr Carter WRIGHT advocated the raising of a large subscription fund, to be drawn on when needed to enforce the law, and he subscribed liberally. Mayor HEFLIN aroused hearty endorsements when he said in the conclusion of his speech that he would go blind to friend and foe in trying any case that might be brought before him. Mr AWBREY and Mr HORNSBY spoke as veterans who had been on the firing line a long time. The former wanted to see every offender given a working sentence, and Mr HORNSBY said if there was anything left of the tiger when we get through with him here he should take him on to Wedowee and see what we could do with him there [county judicial punishment]. A striking instance of the fraternal spirit now prevailing in our community was the eulogy paid to Dr Len G BROUGHTON, the great Baptist minister of Atlanta, by the Methodist pastor Sunday night, while from the same platform the Baptist pastor paid tribute to the late great Methodist evangelist, Rev Sam JONES, to whose labors he attributed much credit for the prohibition victory in Georgia. --------------------------- LOCAL BREVITIES --------------------------- In his speech Sunday night Rev T J PORTER referred to the defunct dispensary [town saloon] as “an old corpse,” and said he wished some one would hang some crape on the door. Monday morning revealed that some of the boys had liberally decorated the door and windows with black calico, which regalia still dangles in the breezes. -------------------------- A GOOD RECORD [excerpt] -------------------------- Roanoke has had prohibition a week, and the record has been most satisfactory. At this writing not an arrest has been made for drunkenness or disorderly conduct since January first, and the only prisoner confined in the calaboose was for vagrancy. [All from The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 8 Jan 1908, p.3] --------------------------- RAMBLING REMARKS --------------------------- “I notice you are publishing what some men in town are saying of conditions since Roanoke went dry, but you just ought to hear what the country people are saying about it,” remarked Vernon KITCHENS to the editor some days ago. “They are more than delighted,” he continued: “its the greatest improvement imaginable.” So far as we have heard the people in the unincorporated districts are highly delighted with the results so far. They were the greatest sufferers, and they have a right to feel good. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 29 Jan 1908, p.2]