The Temperance Hall and the Temperance Society written by Palmer Rude

From the early history of Coon Prairie, we learn much about the hardships and difficult conditions encountered by the early settlers. The Civil War hung heavy over their heads, prices for their farm products were extremely low and so money was in short supply for their bare necessities. Sickness, malnutrition and a bleak outlook for the future caused some settlers to start drinking. The diversion of their scarce money for such purposes was a matter of much concern among church members. Pastor Halvorson wanted very much to reach out to these settlers with consolation, encouragement and prayers for the future. The Pastor considered many things to do such as starting a Temperance Society.

After consulting with interested members of the congregation, Pastor Halvorson decided to organize a Temperance Society on Coon Prairie. He prepared a constitution, written in Norwegian, and then call a meeting on August 17, 1886, to formally organize a Temperance Society. After an agreement to organize, 19 interested persons followed Halvorson’s lead and signed their names to the necessary papers. The proposed constitution was then read and adopted. This constitution was written in Norwegian asking each member to pledge to abstain from drinking liquor, beer or wine and to avoid all places where these were sold. Then a committee was selected to check on the cost of building an adequate building for their meetings and programs.

At a later meeting on June 4, 1888, the committee reported that a building about the size and shape of a country schoolhouse could be built for $350.00. Volunteers were then asked for to get money and pledges for the building. At the meeting in September it was reported that $25.00 had already been subscribed. With this information a decision was made to start building that some fall. A parcel of land was bought from Christian Ballsrud for $55.00 but Mrs. Ballsrud donated $5.00 so that net cost was $50.00.

Mrs. Christine Schreiner reported that she had solicited south of Westby as far as the Three Chimneys. She pulled her one year old daughter Hildur along in a child's wagon and stopped at every place along the way. She said it was tiresome but rewarding. She got donations from every one and some generously.

When the building was completed it became the pride and joy of the Temperance Society. It became known as the Temperance Hall. Norwegians called it Avholds Forstue. Although the building was not large and elaborate it was adequate for their purpose. This was a place of their own where they held their regular meetings followed often by programs and a social hour. The youngsters would have some games and the adults would visit with others and discuss each other’s problems on the farm and make plans for the future.

As time went on the members kept increasing so available room was quite crowded, so in 1893, the society bought a 10-foot strip of land along the north side from Our Savior’s Church for future expansion. At the March 1893, meeting, it was decided to offer membership to the young people eight years or older who had their parents consent. They would have no voting rights but they were required to make the same abstinence pledge the adults did. This was probably the beginning of the Cold Water Army, which I joined about 1913.

After the building was enlarged it became popular as a meeting place for many groups, such as school class room and the public library. The library with Mrs. Ole Frederickson as librarian, was there until it was moved into new quarters upstairs over the newly built Westby fire station on West State Street. Places for meeting were scarce at that time so the Temperance Hall was used for many other groups.

continued next week

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