Liquor Thrown Away After Conversion

Pennsylvania, 1896

A novel scene was witnessed at the North East saloon, East Patrick street, Frederick, yesterday. Wm. L. Gilbert, the proprietor, last week professed religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church during revival services.

On Saturday, Gilbert, who says he intends leading a moral life and to assist others to do so, informed his pastor that he was offered $150 for his liquor license and the stock of goods on hand, and while he was desirous of waging war against the traffic yet he was sorely in need of funds for the support of his family.

Sunday Rev. Mr. Zimmerman set forth the case of the new convert to his audience in the City Opera House and requested that the amount be raised to start the young man in a more legitimate business. The sum was soon raised, and yesterday afternoon Rev. Mr. Zimmerman, accompanied by a committee, proceeded to Gilbert's saloon, and in the presence of a crowd of several hundred people loaded two barrels of liquor, a keg of gin and a slot-machine on a dray, and driving out on a lot on the gas-house road, dumped the liquor into a hole.

Gilbert, who is 27 years of age, has been a member of several different churches and also of the Salvation Army.

—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Jan. 24, 1896.