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CHAPTER XXVI
TEMPERANCE ACTIVITIES IN ERIE COUNTY
The charter of Sandusky provided, in section 2, act of February 22,
1830, '' That the Mayor and Common Council of said toAvn be, and they
are hereby authorized, and shall have exclusive authority, Avhenever they
deem it expedient, to grant licenses for any time not exceeding one year,
to grocers or retailers of spirituous liquors, porter, beer, cider or ale, in
less quantities than one quart; and to license and regulate all houses of
entertainment, other than taverns, within the limits of said town; and
they are hereby authorized to make such ordinances, and pass such bylaAvs
consistent with the constitution and laws of the United States, and
of this state, as they shall deem proper for the regulation and control of
the same, and to impose any fine not exceeding fifty dollars nor less than
ten dollars, on any person who shall retail spirituous liquors, or keep any
such house within said corporation, without license, and to appropriate
the proceeds thereof as they may deem proper; Provided, that the tax
for such license shall in no case be less than ten dollars, nor more than
fifty dollars; Provided, also, That license shall be granted to none but
persons of good moral character."
On January 28, 1823, John N. Sloan advertises in the Clarion as a
watchmaker and silversmith that he will receive Avhiskey, flour, butter
and cheese in exchange for jewelry Avork.
The Sons of Temperance at one time had a strong organization in
Sandusky. The Sandusky Clarion notices its meetings as early as 1849.
and quotes Mrs. Partington" as saying:
"Fifty-two Sons of Temperance, and twenty-five daughters, too!
Why, bless me, hoAV many children has Aunt Tempy got? And I hear
them talk of Cadets of Temperance. What sort of debts are them ? But
no Avonder she OAves debts AA'hen she has so many children to maintain.
How I pity the old critter."
The Sons of Temperance met in Horeb Hall, AA'hich Avas in the
Hubbard Block at the foot of Columbus Avenue, Avhere the Good Templar
Lodge also held its meetings at that time.
In 1844 St. Patrick's Day Avas celebrated by a joint parade of the
Sons of the Emerald Isle and the Washingtonian Total Abstinence Society,
after AA'hich there Avas a dinner at the Mansion House. The officers
of the Washingtonian Total Abstinence Society were: Stephen Kneen,
president; James B. Griffith and William Marshall, vice presidents;
Henry D. Ward, secretary; and Daniel Dibble, treasurer.
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