221. William M. Page, You'll Sell No Whiskey In Winchester, 1859.

  RCHS Blog Post Number 221.  

William M. Page, You'll Sell No Whiskey In Winchester

 Winchester Journal, May 12, 1859.

Application For License.

  William M. Page wants license to sell intoxicating liquors by a less quantity than one quart in his establishment known as the Franklin Hotel, S. E. corner Franklin and Main streets, Winchester, and according to the provision of Section third of the license law approved 5th day of March, 1859, he has given notice that he shall apply for the same at the next setting of the Board of County Commissioners. Let it be remembered that the same section grants the privilege to any inhabitant of any township in which application for license is made "to remonstrate, in writing against the granting of such license to any applicant on account of immorality or other unfitness." We hope our worthy Board of Commissioners may be besieged with hundreds of remonstrances against the granting of this license to retail whiskey. It is a plain case. Every man who is acquainted with the character of William Page, and who has a proper regard for the peace and good order of society, cannot be satisfied of the total "unfitness" of Page to be entrusted with such deadly and destructive weapons, as he proposes to sell. We need not refer to his utter disregard to decency in common conversation, to his ceaseless profanity and blasphemy, and in the untold wretchedness and ruin that he has entailed upon numbers of our otherwise good citizens by his traffic in rum, as evidence of his "immorality and unfitness" for that or any other position where he would be thrown in contact with the people. His influence in society is bad, and we now have the right and "privilege" to protest against the establishment of such a man in the retail whiskey trade in our midst, and let us do it.

  Every man, woman and child in White River Township is deeply interested in the refusal of our county Board to grant this license. Fathers, if you would protect your sons; mothers, if you would shield and guard your daughters, we urge you to remonstrate against the granting of this license to retail poison and death.

  You need write only a few lines, clearly setting forth your objection, but see to it that you do this, and that it be placed in the possession of the Commissioners.

  P.S.  Since writing the above, Messrs. Churchman and Neff have given notice of their intention to apply for license to retail drunkenness. Let every remonstrance include all the applicants.

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June 16, 1859.  

Dr. J. E Beverly, Thomas Ward, Thomas Best, James Flood and G. W. Monks were sworn, and were unanimously of the opinion that William Page was not a suitable person to entrust with a license to sell liquors. In addition to this testimony there was a remonstrance fully ten feet long, and numerously signed, praying the Commissioners not to grant the license.

  After the evidence had been heard by the Commissioners, Mr. Page submitted his bond, with Messrs. Edward Edger and Adam Wright as sureties. The Board, after a few moments consultation, unanimously agreed not to grant the license. 

  Messrs. Churchman and Neff, who were present with their application, withdrew it, saying they would apply at some future day.

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Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

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