Photo by Mike Brothers
Fountain Honored with Memorial
The East Central Illinois Woman’s Christian Temperance Union placed a wreath on the WCTU fountain located on the Moultrie County Courthouse lawn Tuesday, June 7. The wreath commemorated Frances Willard who founded WCTU in the late 1880s. Local members participating in the noon ceremony, which included prayer and a song, were Marjorie Miller, Mary Blue and Laura Ayers of Sidney; Jim and Shirley Rideout of Kansas; Debbie Mitchell of Pesotum, Ann Roley of Charleston and Norma Taylor of Mattoon. The fountain in Sullivan was constructed after WCTU members were urged to erect drinking fountains to prevent men from going to saloons. The fountains became popular for watering horses and pets. There are 88 fountains remaining in the United States. The next WCTU meeting is 10 a.m. July 5 at the Dutch Kitchen in Arcola.