In 1903, Carrie Nation arrived at the Fowlerville Fair, as scheduled, and spoke about the ills of drinking. The article "Record Breaker" was found in an issue of "The Fowlerville Review." Carrie Nation's schtick was (supposedly) going into saloons with a hatchet and chopping at the bar.
I don't believe there were any authentic hatchets in view during her speech but, a couple years later, a wooden hatchet was given out as a promotional item at the fair. Were the organizers inspired by Carrie Nation? We'll never know but it does make one wonder.
Today is Wednesday, June 14, and I am at the library historical collection until noon if anyone would like to stop in to see the hatchet. Or any of the other wonderful items we have in the collection.
