Lynden Votes to Go Dry
A landslide local election victory mandates the end of licensed saloons in the town for the coming year.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The annual town election was held Tuesday. Though it was plain that there was an unusual amount of interest being taken in it, yet everything went on in an orderly and peaceable manner. One remarkable feature about it was that only one ticket was in the field, the 'Majority Rule Ticket.' The important issue was the opportunity allowed to express by ballot whether the saloons should be licensed again next year. The Council elected are pledged to abide by the will of the people, and it seems they want a 'dry town' by the majority of votes that went in favor of 'no license.' Following are the results of the election: For Councilmen for two years: John Edwards, 194; Robert Healon, 171; V. Cruikshank, 159. For Treasurer for one year: George Blonden, 163. For licensing saloons: 87. Against licensing saloons: 111.
“The Council elected are pledged to abide by the will of the people, and it seems they want a 'dry town' by the majority of votes.”
This 1908 vote reflects the early, local-level successes of the temperance movement that would culminate in Washington State's own prohibition laws years before the federal 18th Amendment. Lynden's transition away from saloon culture was a defining moment for the civic character of the community at the start of the 20th century.
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