Carrie Nation

"Carry Nation" redirects here. For the opera, see Carry Nation (opera). For the play, see Carry Nation (play).

Carrie Nation
Nation in 1903
Born
Caroline Amelia Moore

(1846-11-25)November 25, 1846
Garrard County, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJune 9, 1911(1911-06-09) (aged 64)
Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S.
Resting placeBelton Cemetery
Belton, Missouri
Other namesCarry A. Nation
EducationNormal Institute
Spouses
  • Charles Gloyd
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1867; died 1869)​
  • David A. Nation
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1874; div. 1901)​
Children1

Caroline Amelia Nation (November 25, 1846 – June 9, 1911), often referred to by Carrie, Carry Nation,[1] Carrie A. Nation, or Hatchet Granny,[2][3] was an American who was a radical member of the temperance movement, which opposed alcohol before the advent of Prohibition. Nation is noted for attacking alcohol-serving establishments (most often taverns) with a hatchet. She married David Nation in 1874. She was previously known by either her birth name, Carrie Moore and, after her first marriage in 1867, as Carrie Gloyd.

Nation was known as "Mother Nation" for the charity and religious work she did.[4] Like many in the temperance movement, she considered drunkenness a cause of many of society's problems. She attempted to help people in prison.[4] In 1890, Nation founded a sewing circle in Medicine Lodge, Kansas to make clothing for the poor as well as prepare meals for them on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.[5] In 1901, Nation established a shelter for wives and children of alcoholics in Kansas City, Missouri. This shelter would later be described as an "early model for today's battered women's shelter".[6]

In her autobiography, The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. Nation (1908), she also strongly opposed Freemasonry.[7] Nation was also concerned about tight clothing for women; she refused to wear a corset and urged women not to wear them because of their harmful effects on vital organs.[8] She described herself as "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what He doesn't like",[9] and claimed a divine ordination to promote temperance by destroying bars.[10]

  1. ^ 1850 United States Federal Census; this census lists the Moore family, and includes then 3-year-old Caroline. Carrie or Carry were nicknames.
  2. ^ "The ghosts at Great Dane Pub & Brewery". CBS58. Retrieved August 28, 2024. A frequent guest of the hotel was Caroline Amelia Nation, often referred to Carrie Nation or Hatchet Granny, who was a member of the temperance movement and torn up bars with her hatchet.
  3. ^ "Star-Gazette Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.stargazette.com. Retrieved August 28, 2024. Famed temperance advocate Carrie Nation, known as "Hatchet Granny," visited Elmira twice in the early 20th century.
  4. ^ a b "Carry A. Nation – Historic Missourians – The State Historical Society of Missouri". shsmo.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Hamilton, Neil (2017). "Nation, Carry". American Social Leaders and Activists, Second Edition.
  6. ^ Martinez, Donna (2016). "Nation, Carry". American Women Leaders and Activists, Second Edition.
  7. ^ "Carry A. Nation – Part 4 – Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Kansas Historical Foundation. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "Carry A. Nation". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  9. ^ McQueen, Keven (2001). "Carrie Nation: Militant Prohibitionist". Offbeat Kentuckians: Legends to Lunatics. Ill. by Kyle McQueen. Kuttawa, Kentucky: McClanahan Publishing House. ISBN 0-913383-80-5.
  10. ^ "Carry's Inspiration for Smashing". Kansas State Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 22, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2007.