As Boise saloons thrived in 19th century, growing temperance movement pushed prohibition

At a meeting of Boise City’s Prohibition Club in February 1894, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: “This meeting extends its sympathy to our worthy chief of police and his first subordinate in their endeavor to maintain order against the violence of the liquor men and promise them our most hearty support in all their efforts in behalf of law and order and public decency.”

Among those who spoke at the meeting were the Rev. Dr. Wilson, the Rev. F.W. Walden, the Rev. R. B. Wright, H.A. Lee and Mrs. Stevenson. The Rev. Wright and his family had recently arrived from Denver to take over leadership of the city’s Congregational Society.

Prohibition of the sale, possession or manufacture of alcoholic beverages had been tried as early as 1846 in the state of Maine, and by 1906 there were 18 states that had tried statewide prohibition, but only Maine, Kansas and North Dakota still had it. Local option was more successful, but there were widespread violations wherever that was tried.

A major factor in the creation of national prohibition in 1919 was the work of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (often rendered “Women’s Christian Temperance Union” or simply WCTU). The group first organized on Dec. 23, 1873, in Hillsboro, Ohio. Two years later an International WCTU was formed, and included in its goals were women’s suffrage and converting people to Christianity.

On Aug. 19, 1889, the Boise City chapter of the group ran an ad in the Statesman announcing its Third Annual Convention, to convene in the First Methodist Church and run for four days beginning Aug. 30. Sadly, the largest word in the ad spelled it “W.T.C.U.” The ad gave specific instruction to the delegates, who were told to be in Boise by the 29th. “Every Union is entitled to four Delegates, and one additional for every twenty members. Delegates will be entertained by the Ladies of Boise City. We extend a kind invitation to other Temperance Organizations, Good Templars. Blue Ribbon Clubs, and all others who love the cause of Christ.

“DEAR SISTERS: Let us come together with a prayerful spirit; with a burning love in our hearts to save our land and the Lord will bless us.

“Please elect your delegates as soon as possible and send the names of those elected to Mrs. J.C. Straughan, Local President, and also to Mrs. Chas. L. Kingsley, Local Secretary, that they may send you in time the name of your entertainer during your stay here. All delegates are requested to wear our badge, the White Ribbon.”

The Idaho Statesman noted on June 4, 1893, the continuing work of the temperance movement in Boise City: “Tomorrow evening a gospel temperance meeting will be held in the Baptist church. Everyone is cordially invited. The friends of the temperance cause are especially requested to be present. There will be a good program of earnest, able addresses and singing.”

That summer the Methodist minister in Hailey was expelled from the church “for drunkenness and visiting houses of ill fame.”