WCTU: Where art thou?

The Women's Organization ... Purity League

The first women's organization was known as the Purity League. Let's look in on this. The women of Pelican began a crusade against intemperance. The usually quiet and peaceful little village was in a state of confusion. The leaven of lawlessness seemed to have permeated the whole cheese until all law -abiding citizens with a love of decency had broken out in a general law and order revival.

There were thirty charter members of the league called the Purity League. The men had formed a Vigilante Committee of O. A. Burdick, L. A. Williams, J. P. Wallace and Frank Putnam, but up to this time, the Vigilante Committee had been silent. The women went on a crusade against the intemperance shops, or what was better known as "blind pigs." This was illegal selling of liquor. In the spring of 1885, when certain parties, whose credit, they say, was cut by the "tonic men"(another name for "blind pigs), turned state evidence and with the aid of the council began a vigorous prosecution against these illegal vendors that almost resulted in disorganizing the village corporation. The citizens were about equally divided on the question of granting license at the village election of 1898. The question of license was voted upon and carried, but a professed anti-league council was elected which refused to grant authority to vendors of liquors and promised the people that the reign of the "blind pigs" was at an end.

Everything went smoothly for a while, but finally, the"pigs" began to show signs of life. A crusade was organized in the J. P. Wallace Hall, above what is now the Pelican Recreation Center. And at 2 p.m. on January 31st, a procession of fifty ladies marched on the town, calling on the "blind pigs" and going right through the places examining the contents of jugs and bottles. The Broadway Resort, with one of the numerous Smiths as its proprietor, was the scene of considerable excitementon this date. The women decided if it was a proper place for the men to go, it was also proper for the women. If it was not proper for the women, it ought not to exist. These women took their knitting and crocheting, and they stayed there, sitting on boxes they had brought with them. When the first ladies tired, others took their places. Mr. Smith was very polite at first. He then let the fire go out. At closing time, however, the ladies were all with him, but none of his friends had called that day.

The next morning found him in Fergus Falls to see what he could do about the situation. When he came back to open up, there were the ladies! He was enraged! He picked up a gasoline can and threatened to throw gas on the fire. The ladies stood around the stove with their eyes heavenward, where they expected soon to be. Mr. Smith weakened in the face of such nerve. He had never faced such a determined band, bent on teaching him the lesson of his life. He cooly retraced his steps, set down the can of gasoline, and said, "You ladies are entitled to the soup house. It shall be mine no more. I see I cannot run my business to suit your league." The case was brought before the Village council on the charge of threatening to dispose of his building, and the Purity League was dismissed when Mr. Smith left the village, never to return. One by one, the roses fell! The ladies' committee was now the master of the situation. And the "blind pigs" squealed no more.

Women's Christian Temperance Union

The Pelican Rapids Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized on September 6, 1945. Charter members were Mrs. John Hanson, Myrtle Johnson, Mrs. M. M. Sorensen, Mrs. Henry Olson, Mrs. Henry Kantrud, Mrs. John Olson, Mrs. Nola McCasland, Mrs. Anna Nordberg, and Lillian Sjogren.

The membership continued to grow until our membership at the present time in 1958 is 58.

Throughout these years our Women's Christian Temperance Union has worked earnestly and hard to keep liquor out of Pelican Rapids. We have also kept in touch with our State Representatives in regard to any bills pertaining to temperance which might come up, writing letters in protest to those which were against our principles.

For several years we sponsored a Loyal Temperance Legion group of children under the leadership of Eleanor Sanden and Mrs. Dyrud.

At the present time we try to work through the various churches and our school, using films and speakers.

Our prayer is that God will continue to be with us and guide us in our work.

from "75 Years of Progress"- Pelican Rapids Diamond Jubilee History Book, 1958