The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the WorldHogan, Ben (Benedict)
History
The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the World
Hogan, Ben (Benedict)
Hogan, Ben (Benedict), 1841?-
In spite of his threat to make it warm for Hogan, the latter was released
from custody on condition that he would leave the city. This he did by
crossing over the river to Allegheny, and returning again the next
morning. He remained some two weeks longer in the city, and experienced no
further trouble from the Mayor.
Ben next went to Brookville, and there gave lessons in gymnastics. During
the six weeks which he spent between this town and Reynoldsville, the
crusade movement against whiskey broke out in active form in that part of
Pennsylvania. It was at the time that Hartranft was running for Governor,
and when he was anxious to conciliate the temperance vote. He spoke one
Sunday night in Brookville, and Ben was among those who attended the
meeting.
On the next day the women pushed their work among the saloons, the town
being crowded on account of the holding of the court. In one of the
bar-rooms where the crusaders operated, and where Ben chanced to be
present, some of the bystanders insulted the women in their work. Picking
out the ringleader of the disturbance, Hogan proceeded to deliver a
lecture to him after the following fashion:
"You have no right to interfere with these ladies. They are doing simply
what they believe to be right; and, whether right or wrong, no decent man
will insult them. It might be a good deal better for you if you had lived
up to the principles of temperance yourself. Perhaps your wife, then,
wouldn't be in want of bread to eat, nor your little ones without shoes or
stockings. If you had spent the money which you have wasted for liquor in
a better cause, you would be a good deal happier to-day. I am a temperance
man myself, although I don't believe in the total abstinence principles of
these ladies. At the same time, I am going to see to it that they are not
annoyed nor insulted. No man worthy of the name will do that to any woman.
Remember that you have had a mother, and perhaps a wife and sisters. Treat
these women with courtesy and kindness. They are engaged in a great work.
Now, gentlemen, we will all have a drink!"
This speech, as may be readily conceived, had its effect upon the crowd;
and where Ben Hogan became the champion of the crusaders, none of the
Brookvillers thought it wise to molest them.
After leaving Brookville, Ben went to Pittsburg again, where, falling in
with a young man whom we will designate as George, he made his way into
Indiana county. There he entered upon the counterfeit money game, on a
somewhat different plan from that adopted in New York. I will attempt to
describe the method used.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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