The Use and Need of the Life of Carrie A. Nation [57]
before us in the presence of our enemies, our cup
runneth over." This happy condition was not what our persecutors
wished, and Mrs. Simmons and her husband, whom we called "Jezebel"
and "Ahab," were determined to separate us. Mrs. Simmons was telling
that I used obscene language to her husband.
{illust. caption =
THIS PICTURE TAKEN BY A MAN WHO CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE, TO SEE ME IN
TOPEKA JAIL. I NEVER WANT A PICTURE TAKEN OF ME WITHOUT MY BIBLE, MY
CONSTANT AND HEAVENLY COMPANION.}
These two were very much interested in having me adjudged insane,
for Mr. Simmons had in several ways laid himself liable to criminal
prosecution, especially in the matter of the quarantine. Mrs. Simmons
came to our cell door, and in the presence of Sister Wilhoit, to whom she
had told that I used "obscene language," I asked her if she said this?
She had to acknowledge that she did. I told her she spoke a "lie," for
I had never done such a thing. She sent her husband and son up to the
cell and they dragged me into the rotary and put me in one of those little
triangular cells, which was indeed a place of filth. The faucet leaked,
and kept a continual spatter, which made the foot of my cot damp. I
stayed there five days and while it was not as bad as Jeremiah's dungeon,
it was similar. The dampness and poison of this cell added to the already
deep cold on my lungs. Dear Bro. Schollenberger! Who has not heard
of this great hearted man of Wichita? He brought us little treats and
in many ways relieved us of our afflictions and bonds. I was not allowed
to be with my lovely sisters again in prison they would write notes and
send them by a "trusty," for they were very uneasy about me, fearing
foul play.
As soon as the sisters could get bonds, they got out, but I was not
allowed to give bond. I was not a meek prisoner, did not act like a
criminal. This vexed my prosecutors and they tried to humble me, but
I felt that I was right and that God would stand by me and I wanted
Him to look down and always find me brave and true and in nothing
to be terrified by my adversaries.
I had some money sent me while in jail and this I divided, often to
the last, with my fellow prisoners. To one I gave four dollars, for his
poor wife was soon to be confined. To the "trusty" John, I gave three
dollars for his destitute wife, and often bought little treats, such as
fruits and butter. The meals were meat and beans one day, then potatoes
and meat all cooked tip into a mush. I became very much attached to
my fellow prisoners and I found some with noble sentiments. What
do people do who have no hope of heaven, I often ask. What a joy to
have a place in view where there is no sickness, no death, no jails, no
suffering of any kind.
THE THIRD TIME IN TOPEKA JAIL.
I had become so disgusted with jail food that my stomach refused
it. As soon as I was put in jail I told Mr. Cook to send the milkman
to my cell. He came and was very kind. He agreed to bring me some
bread and milk, ten cents worth a day. This I lived on for the eighteen
days. In the cell with me was a woman named Mrs. Mahanna, who was
put in for selling beer. She did not happen to have a government license.
Poor creature! She bad been the mother of fifteen children; had a
broken hip caused by a kick of a drunken husband. She was very ignorant
but kind-hearted. The heat was intense and we were next to the
roof. Sometimes I would feel like I was suffocated. The windows
slanted so that but little draught came in. One pane of glass was partly
out and we would sit by that to get a breath of air. While in this jail
I had many offers from different theatrical, circus, and museum managers,
who tried to tempt me with all kinds of prices; one as high as $800
a week, and a palace car and a maid. I never for one moment thought
of taking any of them until two managers came from New York City.
The sheriff, Mr. Cook, brought their cards up. I said: "Tell them to
wait until morning." I prayed over the matter nearly all night and before
day all seemed settled.
runneth over." This happy condition was not what our persecutors
wished, and Mrs. Simmons and her husband, whom we called "Jezebel"
and "Ahab," were determined to separate us. Mrs. Simmons was telling
that I used obscene language to her husband.
{illust. caption =
THIS PICTURE TAKEN BY A MAN WHO CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE, TO SEE ME IN
TOPEKA JAIL. I NEVER WANT A PICTURE TAKEN OF ME WITHOUT MY BIBLE, MY
CONSTANT AND HEAVENLY COMPANION.}
These two were very much interested in having me adjudged insane,
for Mr. Simmons had in several ways laid himself liable to criminal
prosecution, especially in the matter of the quarantine. Mrs. Simmons
came to our cell door, and in the presence of Sister Wilhoit, to whom she
had told that I used "obscene language," I asked her if she said this?
She had to acknowledge that she did. I told her she spoke a "lie," for
I had never done such a thing. She sent her husband and son up to the
cell and they dragged me into the rotary and put me in one of those little
triangular cells, which was indeed a place of filth. The faucet leaked,
and kept a continual spatter, which made the foot of my cot damp. I
stayed there five days and while it was not as bad as Jeremiah's dungeon,
it was similar. The dampness and poison of this cell added to the already
deep cold on my lungs. Dear Bro. Schollenberger! Who has not heard
of this great hearted man of Wichita? He brought us little treats and
in many ways relieved us of our afflictions and bonds. I was not allowed
to be with my lovely sisters again in prison they would write notes and
send them by a "trusty," for they were very uneasy about me, fearing
foul play.
As soon as the sisters could get bonds, they got out, but I was not
allowed to give bond. I was not a meek prisoner, did not act like a
criminal. This vexed my prosecutors and they tried to humble me, but
I felt that I was right and that God would stand by me and I wanted
Him to look down and always find me brave and true and in nothing
to be terrified by my adversaries.
I had some money sent me while in jail and this I divided, often to
the last, with my fellow prisoners. To one I gave four dollars, for his
poor wife was soon to be confined. To the "trusty" John, I gave three
dollars for his destitute wife, and often bought little treats, such as
fruits and butter. The meals were meat and beans one day, then potatoes
and meat all cooked tip into a mush. I became very much attached to
my fellow prisoners and I found some with noble sentiments. What
do people do who have no hope of heaven, I often ask. What a joy to
have a place in view where there is no sickness, no death, no jails, no
suffering of any kind.
THE THIRD TIME IN TOPEKA JAIL.
I had become so disgusted with jail food that my stomach refused
it. As soon as I was put in jail I told Mr. Cook to send the milkman
to my cell. He came and was very kind. He agreed to bring me some
bread and milk, ten cents worth a day. This I lived on for the eighteen
days. In the cell with me was a woman named Mrs. Mahanna, who was
put in for selling beer. She did not happen to have a government license.
Poor creature! She bad been the mother of fifteen children; had a
broken hip caused by a kick of a drunken husband. She was very ignorant
but kind-hearted. The heat was intense and we were next to the
roof. Sometimes I would feel like I was suffocated. The windows
slanted so that but little draught came in. One pane of glass was partly
out and we would sit by that to get a breath of air. While in this jail
I had many offers from different theatrical, circus, and museum managers,
who tried to tempt me with all kinds of prices; one as high as $800
a week, and a palace car and a maid. I never for one moment thought
of taking any of them until two managers came from New York City.
The sheriff, Mr. Cook, brought their cards up. I said: "Tell them to
wait until morning." I prayed over the matter nearly all night and before
day all seemed settled.