West Virginia’s Dry Crusade Ignites: Prohibitionists Unite Against Liquor Traffickers

In a bold display of solidarity, prohibitionists gathered in West Virginia for the Law Enforcement convention, their enthusiasm palpable as they declared war on the liquor trade. On October 13, 1915, a dozen impassioned speakers took to the stage, each one more resolute than the last in their pursuit of national prohibition. The crowd was electric as Governor Hatfield, a stalwart enforcer of the law, addressed the assembly, his words dripping with defiance against the liquor traffickers who had been terrorizing the state.

Chairman Rev. W.S. Dysinger set the tone for the day, condemning the liquor racketeers and their ‘wet parade’ scheduled for that evening as an affront to law and order. ‘Such a demonstration is pure anarchy,’ he thundered, leaving no doubt as to the gravity of the situation. Governor Hatfield, with his characteristic bravery, stood firm against the liquor interests, earning the admiration of his fellow prohibitionists.

Hon. J.A. White of Ohio echoed the praise, lauding Governor Hatfield’s unwavering commitment to enforcing the law. ‘He is unbossed, unbought, and unafraid,’ White declared, his voice filled with conviction. As Ohio’s dry allies, they vowed to join West Virginia in its fight against the liquor menace, their resolve strengthened by the governor’s unwavering stance.

The convention, a testament to the growing momentum of the prohibition movement, sent a clear message to the liquor traffickers: the people of West Virginia would no longer be silenced by their nefarious activities. As the sun set on the state capital, the prohibitionists marched forward, their spirits unbroken and their determination renewed.

The stage was set for a battle royale between those who sought to protect the state’s citizens from the scourge of liquor and those who would stop at nothing to peddle their poison. One thing was certain: the war against liquor would not be won without blood, sweat, and tears. But for the prohibitionists, the reward was worth the risk: a future where law and order reigned supreme, and the people of West Virginia could live free from the grip of the liquor trade.

As the convention came to a close, the prohibitionists left with renewed hope and a sense of purpose, their resolve to bring national prohibition to fruition burning brighter than ever. The fate of West Virginia, and indeed the nation, hung in the balance, but one thing was clear: the people would not be silenced.

Rev. Taude P. Terry’s opening prayer and Prof. E.O. Excell’s rousing singing had set the tone for the day, but it was Governor Hatfield’s unwavering commitment to the cause that would be remembered for years to come. The prohibitionists had found their leader, and with him, a reason to believe that their dream of a dry America was within reach.