Glen’s Falls in the Apostrophe Era — Billy J. Clark

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts based on local 19th century news reports before Glen’s Falls dropped the apostrophe from its name.

Dr. Billy J. Clark, an early 19th century physician in Moreau, cautioned the Rev. Lebbens Armstrong: “We shall all become a nation of drunkards unless something be done to arrest the progress of intemperance.”

On April 13, 1808 Clark organized, with 43 charter members, the Union Temperance Society of Moreau and Northumberland, regarded as the first temperance organization in the United States.

“Billy J. Clark, M.D., deserves recognition and record as one of the earliest advocates of temperance and as the chief among the first founders of the cause,” George Washington Bungay wrote in his 1881 book “Pen Portraits of Illustrious Abstainers,” published by The National Temperance Society and Publishing House.

Members pledged not to drink rum, gin, whisky, wine or any distilled spirits, expect “by the advice of a physician” to treat “actual disease,” at “public dinners,” or as part of “any religious rite.”

Members further pledged not to become intoxicated or to serve alcohol to others.

In other words, communion, a toast to the bride and groom, or a moderate dose of tonic, so long as it was under doctor’s orders, would be OK, but a round or two at the tavern would not.

“We smile at the loop holes of escape in the pledge of that day,” Bungay wrote.

It seems the goal was moderation, and avoiding intoxication, versus total abstinence.

The group fined members that violated the pledge 25 cents — the equivalent of $5.10 in 2019 dollars.

Members who became intoxicated were fined 50 cents, and those that served alcohol to others were fined 25 cents per person served.

“How many fines were paid into the treasury we are not informed,” Bungay wrote. “The influence exerted by the society, though local, was in the right direction.”

The society met quarterly for about 14 years.

Clark’s legacy lasted much longer.

The Glen’s Falls Division of Sons of Temperance, organized with 65 charter members, was named the “Billy J. Clark Division” in honor of the local temperance pioneer, The Glen’s Falls Republican reported on Jan. 8, 1867.

“There is a rumor that we are soon to have a Sons of Temperance in this village,” the Republican had previously reported on Dec. 11, 1866. “This will be a good opportunity for a reform among our young men, and one that is very much needed.”

The temperance movement also was percolating in Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls, where 13-year-old Scottish temperance speaker Jeannie Brown was drawing a “large and intelligent” audience.

“Our Sandy Hill neighbors are getting excited over temperance,” the Republican reported on Dec. 25, 1866. “Can’t she be prevailed on to visit Glen’s Falls?”

It’s not clear if Jeannie Brown, in fact, made it to Glen’s Falls.

But nationally-known traveling temperance speaker Gen. S.F. Carey of Ohio delivered “an instructive address on temperance to a large audience” at Union Hall in Glen’s Falls, the Republican reported on Feb. 5, 1887.

A collection of about $70 — the equivalent of about $1,216 in 2019 dollars — was received for the speaker.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.