Morgantown New Dominion
July 2, 1914
Celebrate First "Dry" Day in State
W. C. T. U. Has Good Program at Oak Park in Spite of Showers
Sabraton Observes Day
With considerable pomp and ceremony, in which patriotic sons were intermingled with outbursts of oratory, the ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Union yesterday ushered in the prolonged dry season of West Virginia. It is doubtful if any city in the state observed the day as extensively as did Morgantown and had the weather man behaved properly the local celebration would have been larger in many ways. When the special M. & K. train pulled out for Oak Park at 10 o'clock yesterday morning six coaches were comfortably filled and scores of people came from other points, including Point Marion, Masontown and Reedsville.
The shower just after dinner forced the picnickers to hunt cover but it did not interfere with the plans as plenty of space indoors was found to seat all. Mrs. M. H. Ridgway, local president, presided over the afternoon meeting and addresses were delivered by Rev. E. B. Moore, of Masontown, E. M. Everly of Morgantown and Mrs. Geo. C. Sturgiss of this city. Mrs. Sturgiss took advantage of the occasion to say a few words on the suffrage question and her remarks met with popular approval. Mrs. Walter Mestrezat pleased the large audience with two readings, as well as little Miss Pearl Buseman, who read the selection which won her a silver medal offered by the Loyal Temperance Legion.
Patriotic songs were sung during the afternoon and several cheers were given. The special train carrying the celebrators reached here shortly after 7 o'clock.
The celebration here was not confined to those who went to Oak Park. At the Sabraton mill the workers celebrated by decorating the mill from one end to the other with American flags and giving numerous cheers during the day. The spirit was universal but was particularly noticed among the young men employed at the plant. This is indeed encouraging as the younger men will be effected more by the new law than the older ones. Many homes were decorated with flags during the day and no one seemed to regret that the days of old General Barley Corn were at an end, at least in West Virginia.