Nation, Carry A., House - Medicine Lodge, KS
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 16.537 W 098° 34.921
14S E 537055 N 4125530
She wasn't using her ax, just yet, but she and her followers met here, and 24 miles south of here, in Kiowa, she began.
Waymark Code: WM8Y7V
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 05/30/2010
Views: 1
Historic Marker on Site Erected by: Woman's Kansas Day Club
Marker Text:
This Marks the home in Medicine Lodge of
MRS. CARRY A. NATION
Who did out standing work as a temperance crusader, in Kansas.
Born Nov. 25, 1846 ~ Died June 9, 1911
Some other Local History: [From the Kansas Historical Society:
Carry A. Nation, the militant crusader against illegal saloons, launched her career of saloon-smashing in Kiowa (24 miles south of here). She and her followers in Medicine Lodge, her hometown, had closed the local saloons by holding prayer meetings on their premises and displays of force. However, as the Women's Christian Temperance Union's jail evangelist, she found as many drunks as ever in the county jail. These men named Kiowa as their source of supply. A voice spoke to Carry, telling her to go to Kiowa and smash the saloons. On June 1, 1900, she attacked three "joints" in Kiowa, using stones, brickbats, full malt bottles, and one billiard ball as ammunition. Carry's attack surprised local officials, but because of the fact that the operation of such "joints" was illegal she was not jailed as she would be later in other communities. She did not adopt the use of her now famous hatchet until her visit to Wichita some six months later.
The Kiowa attack quickly received national attention and instigated great debate even among the temperance organizations. Carry Nation spent the remainder of her life in the crusade against the liquor interests and lecturing on prohibition. She died June 9, 1911.