2023.50.108

Massachusetts born Susan Brownell Anthony was an early advocate of giving the women the vote, and in l869 had organized the National Woman' s Suffrage Association. Then set out stumping the country for the case. In March of 1879 she had a scheduled lecture at the Powers Opera House in Grand Rapids, and at some point of her stay in the state was approached by Mrs. Tamara Phillips Moore, the wife of Horace Moore, an early saw mill owner, who asked Miss Anthony to come to Saugatuck. The event was announced in the February 28, 1879 issue of the Lake Shore Commercial. She stayed at the Moore home, near the river, now the Park House B& B. The talk was originally scheduled for Morrison's Hall, at the south end of Butler Street, but was moved to the newly built Odd Fellow's hall, at the southwest corner of Mason and Butler later Flint's, now occupied by Kilwin's. Accounts of the speech praise her delivery, but are noncommittal about the contents. In Saugatuck there was a real attempt at cracking down on saloons - for a while. Susan B. Anthony died in 1906 at the age of 86 without seeing her dream come true. The vote was finally extended to women, nationwide, with the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920.

SDHS NL Inserts

Winthers, Sally

01/07/2024

01/13/2024