{"id":2751,"date":"2018-07-08T22:05:32","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T22:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2023-05-07T19:25:25","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T19:25:25","slug":"hot-dancings-popularity-overwhelmed-church-foes-a-century-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/?p=2751","title":{"rendered":"Hot Dancing’s Popularity Overwhelmed Churchmen a Century Ago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twenty-Second in a Series<\/em><\/p>\n

By Matt Chaney, for ChaneysBlog.com<\/p>\n

Posted Sunday, July 8, 2018<\/p>\n

Copyright\u00a0\u00a92018 for historical arrangement by Matthew L. Chaney, Four Walls Publishing<\/p>\n

In memory of rockabilly drummer Al Jordan, Hayti, Missouri<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As dancing\u2019s popularity exploded during the 1880s and \u201990s, driven by music beats of jazz, ragtime and string picking, the morality debate rose again in America. Churches had long forbidden dancing by members, with Methodist officials famously hard-line, but revolt grew fierce as the 19th<\/sup> century wound down. People wanted to dance, Protestant and Catholic.<\/p>\n

Congregations argued, some split apart, and anti-dance preachers were assaulted in Oklahoma Territory and Missouri. Newspaper commentators derided the spectacle, blaming staid old church officials. \u201cFoolish clergy,\u201d opined The Kansas City Star<\/em>, dismissing no-dance commandments as pass\u00e9, out of touch with “overwhelming” public sentiment. The paper proclaimed\u00a0 \u201cthe edict of the priests and elders must be modified to conform to modern ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Methodist Church also condemned liquor, playing cards, theaters, Sunday baseball, racetracks and more so-called amusements. Offending members supposedly faced expulsion unless exhibiting \u201creal humiliation,\u201d but even church leaders disagreed on particulars.<\/p>\n

“All Christendom is divided on the question,\u201d a pastor said of behavior selectively targeted for condemnation. \u201cI do not believe that it is always wrong to go to a theater or play cards. If you forbid a horse race, why not forbid a football game\u2026 This amusement law is a dead letter. You cannot enforce it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Controversy at turn of the century shook Methodists in Bird\u2019s Point, Mo., the lively river landing and rail head across from Cairo along the Mississippi. The young women\u2019s choir fell into \u201cgeneral disruption\u201d after a hymnal practice, 1900, because some danced when ragtime was struck up on the piano. \u201cIt is said that a number of the sisters threaten to withdraw from the membership and start a church of their own,\u201d reported The Cairo Telegram<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Dance advocates sought reform at the upcoming Methodist convention in Chicago, but having addressed the assembly before, they’d surely lose again, predicted a Missouri paper. \u201cAgain and again the question\u2026 has come up, but innovators could never move the great law-making power in the church,\u201d The Springfield Leader and Press<\/em> editorialized. \u201cAre dancing, card-playing and theatre-going real sins, or not?\u201d When the Methodist delegation acted as usual, voting to uphold the anti-amusements edict, resolute that dance and such were Satan\u2019s ways, critics only carped louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is amusing to watch the developments of the crusade against dancing which has been inaugurated by a few cranks during the last year,\u201d stated a newspaper commentary in 1901. \u201cIt is too bad that the people who find fault with society did not live during the [Puritan] era, when the young people found all their joy in gloom.\u201d The piece appeared on the op-ed page of The Caruthersville Democrat<\/em>, in Pemiscot County of the Missouri delta, where music and dance were indulged by the majority of folks, religion notwithstanding, based on this author’s extensive review of local newspaper coverage.<\/p>\n

Quality music from good to great was available practically every night in Pemiscot County, among communities and back roads, along place names like Pascola, Game, Mound, Kinfolks Ridge, Rowland\u2019s Mill, Cottonwood Point, Chute Sixteen, Free Silver and Gayoso. Dancers jammed floors in homes, halls and saloons, on riverboats and outdoor platforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cEd Chagle had a \u2018Big Doings\u2019 at his house over on the bayou last Saturday night,\u201d a Democrat<\/em> correspondent reported from Steele, near the county border with Arkansas. \u201cThere was music and dancing and plenty to eat\u2026 every boy and his best girl was there and all enjoyed themselves, owing to the geniality of the host.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nearby, \u201cyoung people of the Trainor mill town gave [Persimmon] Hill a call and made some nice music. The performers on the violin were John Smith and Huett Yarbro. There were three guitar pickers, Mrs. Donie Alexander, Miss Claudie Trainor and Miss Carrie Ferguson.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was still Swamp-east Missouri, with dry conditions most desirable for music events, but people hardly deterred by bad weather short of flooding and severe storms. On one winter night, merrymakers slogged through the elements from every direction to a dance in Braggadocio. \u201cThe boys report a good time and plenty of mud,\u201d read a dispatch.<\/p>\n

Memorable Caruthersville gatherings were hosted by Mrs. M.H. Hudgings, a doctor\u2019s wife, such as a party that offered guilty pleasures in judgement of churchmen. \u201cThe evening was most pleasantly passed in playing cards, conversing, listening to sweet music and dancing,\u201d The Democrat<\/em> reported. \u201cA tarpaulin was spread upon the sitting room carpet and some very remarkable feats of dancing were performed thereon. The crowd was jolly and did not mind a few bumps or trodden toes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A dance hall opened for lessons and events in Caruthersville, operated by teacher Susie Moad and her musician brother, Albert \u201cJop\u201d Moad. Their brand of proverb stood posted: On with the dance, let joy be unconfined<\/em>. Susie Moad soon married Elmer Hazel, talented local musician, and the couple began their family of future performers.<\/p>\n

Showboats were an institution on Pemiscot shores, delivering professional artists for a half-century, after being introduced on this river stretch by circuses and other interests. The music was first-class, commonly, aboard the “floating theaters” that lined up at Caruthersville, delta town uniquely elevated on a firm bluff. \u201cThe time of the showboat, the circus and theatre companies is at hand\u2026,\u201d The Democrat<\/em> announced in September 1904, \u201call with greater attractions than ever before known, all with new performers and new songs and new dances and new guff to draw the crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

The showboats included French\u2019s\u00a0New Sensation<\/em>\u00a0series of barges and steamers, legendary for decades, along with the Cooley-Thom watercraft, Emerson\u2019s fully wired\u00a0Cotton Blossom,\u00a0<\/em>\u201cstudded with hundreds of electric lights and flaming arcs\u201d\u2014and, in 1911, Markle\u2019s mammoth\u00a0Goldenrod<\/em>, entertainment palace of the rivers.<\/p>\n

Newspapers chronicled much of the local music culture, publishing staff reports, reviews, and promotional advances and advertisements. Texts sometimes lacked basic details. \u201cA showboat, owned by a firm with an unpronounceable name, landed here Wednesday and drew great crowds two nights,\u201d The Democrat<\/em> noted on Sept. 27, 1901. \u201cThey carry a fine band and make an excellent street display. The show itself is said to be fair. There is another showboat up the river which will be here shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riverboat excursions were preferred by dancers. A Caruthersville group hit the wharf on a summer evening in 1902, while the moon burst silvery over the Mississippi, and rushed onto a barge in tow of the steamer Hock White<\/em>. The pilot \u201cpushed from the bank\u201d on an angle, steering his flotilla past dangerous shallows and timber wads, to reach the main channel and drive upstream. \u201cGood music was furnished,\u201d a reveler reported, \u201cand as the lights of the city vanished in the distance, a lively two-step [beat] announced that dancing was to be the chief feature of the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

The excursion plan changed, causing \u201cmuch regret,\u201d the scribe recounted, \u201cwhen, as we neared Gayoso, we discovered the barge had sprung a leak and dancing would have to be discontinued. The party took refuge on the Hock White<\/em> [and] Capt. Shepard headed homeward, where we arrived at 11 o\u2019clock, having spent two hours most pleasantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

For prime music on land at Caruthersville, big-top circuses offered orchestras and street bands. And star entertainment appeared regularly after 1900 in the opera house and other facilities, with so many performers traversing the area for the great river, ferry crossings and railroads.<\/p>\n

Black entertainers wowed audiences, such as the Georgia Minstrels, famed since the Civil War, along with Allen\u2019s New Orleans Minstrels and the Georgia Smart Set Minstrels. Good vaudeville shows were packed, particularly for the music and dance acts, and early blues artists came through, like young singer Gertrude Pridgett, someday famed as \u201cMa Rainey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Local club rooms were “exhilarating” venues of the early 1900s, featuring extraordinary music and dancing. Among stage highlights, the Optimus and Elks clubs hosted musical giants in the making, like black pianist John William Boone, the Missourian renowned as \u201cBlind Boone.\u201d William Christopher \u201cW.C.\u201d Handy was a regional draw, his genius apparent in Caruthersville, as delta bandleader and composer to become known as Father of The Blues. Dance crowds were talented, skilled, with couples and individuals showing off, capturing their own spotlight \u201cin the whirl of dreamy waltzes, lively two steps and quadrilles,\u201d by one account.<\/p>\n

But the mirth angered moralists who opposed dancing, alcohol and saloons, gambling, silent movies, Sunday amusements, further debauchery. \u201cAs soon as revival meetings open, then the dances begin to flourish,\u201d The Pemiscot Press<\/em> observed.<\/p>\n

Similar information came from McCarty community, where evangelistic revivals were lowly attended next to a farm dance that attracted the crowd. \u201cWe are quite sure there were not any of our neighbor girls there, for they don\u2019t go to dances anymore, we are proud to say,\u201d attested a female correspondent, obviously a traditional Christian, who confessed: \u201cbut we know of a few boys around here who went.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHereafter, we hope while there [is a revival] so near, the dances will be postponed, and everybody attend the meeting and get the old-time religion, so you won\u2019t want to go to dances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Americans were \u201camusement mad,\u201d a preacher remarked in northern Missouri, cracking that ministers might compete by singing ragtime and telling jokes. In Columbia a college professor characterized dancing as \u201cunchristian movement\u201d among aroused, amoral participants. He said dancing had \u201cmany more friends than has Christianity,\u201d adding, \u201cDrunkenness and the whole round of vices emanate from the modern ballroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

YMCA leaders spoke at State University in Columbia, courtesy of the Athletic Department, urging students to avoid dancing. These messengers of Muscular Christianity told young males to enjoy divine sport instead\u2014like collision football. At Normal College in Cape Girardeau, the president foiled a dance party off campus by restricting female students to their dorm, locking them in for the night.<\/p>\n

Churches reemphasized bans on dance throughout southeast Missouri, at Doniphan, Sikeston and elsewhere. \u201cPastors of Dexter churches have put on a vigorous war against waltzing,\u201d stated a news report. \u201cThe town is much wrought up over the agitation.\u201d Protestant and Catholic clergy decried the \u201csheer devilization\u201d of ballrooms and halls in a book titled Immorality of Modern Dances<\/em>. The Baptist journal Word and Way<\/em> editorialized from Kansas City, blaming dance as elemental in societal trend \u201cto lower moral and religious standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Caruthersville Methodist Church brought in Memphis evangelist G.A. Klein for a week-long revival. Addressing dance obscenities, Reverend Klein \u201cmade plain the evils of this amusement, particularly because of the indiscriminate mingling of the sexes, and [he] quoted strong testimony of the effects such had upon both men and women, and the ruined lives that often resulted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crusaders of the Missouri Bootheel gained a loud ally in editor-politician Harvey E. Averill at Caruthersville, when he took over The Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, \u201cknocker\u201d newspaper. As the Methodist General Conference summarily rejected reformists in 1908, 1912, 1916 and 1920, Averill cheered in print, condemning dancing and more abominations of Pemiscot County.<\/p>\n

Averill, a county native and supporter of Prohibition, enraged many by branding Caruthersville \u201cA Wicked City\u201d in the regional press. Averill alleged illicit gambling and alcohol sales were sanctioned by town leaders who partook, and he printed names. Averill scoffed at the notion Caruthersville needed saloons for a strong economy, much less 10 taverns in a municipality of 4,000 people.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we have a wide-open city, and prosperity is seen on every street corner,\u201d Averill sneered. \u201cOf course the city could not exist other than as a \u2018crossroads\u2019 without the saloons which are supporting it. Of course these conditions are very pleasing to the entire citizenship of the town. Of course, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaruthersville has been made notorious for a long time by its saloons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Averill exhorted church hierarchies to enforce dance bans. \u201cEvery church member who dances should be given the choice of withdrawing from the church or giving up the dance,\u201d Averill commented in 1916. \u201cSo long as there is any temporizing with this violation of the church ordinances, just so long will the dance hall draw away the young people from their church duties and, in many instances, will finally result in ruined lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pulpit that does not condemn dancing evidently approves it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps most local clergymen did support dancing, tacitly; undoubtedly, Pemiscot County\u2019s general populace embraced it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDancing seems to be the go in this vicinity,\u201d a scribe reported from Game community. \u201cThere was [a party] at Mr. Bennett\u2019s Friday night, and another one will be at Liddie Cummings\u2019 Wednesday night.\u201d At Tyler landing, folks wanted \u201cdancing and more dancing,\u201d noted a Democrat<\/em> correspondent. \u201cSome dance all night long, and then have to hurry to get home for breakfast.\u201d At Willow Pole Bridge: \u201cIf there is anything they like down here better than dancing it is more dancing, and then some of the boys have to take their [hangover] to the doctor next day.\u201d In a grove at Caruthersville dancing platforms were “most popular” for a barbecue with two bands; the crowd \u201cdanced and sweated\u2026 sweated and danced.\u201d<\/p>\n

And racial prejudice of a few whites could not silence fine music for the accepting majority after a “moving picture show” at Pascola, Pemiscot County, on a Saturday night in 1917. \u201cIt seems that some of the boys objected to music being furnished by negroes, but the crowd was in favor of a dance, and dance they did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Futility of the anti-dance movement deflated crusaders following World War I, nationally and locally. Schools everywhere had adopted dance instruction for PE classes, including at Caruthersville and at Hayti, hometowns of Averill. Defiant churches of various faiths were ignoring bans to endorse dance for members. Catholic parishes in southeast Missouri held benefit dances and picnics, and had for decades. Southern Methodists had largely abandoned the old decree on amusements.<\/p>\n

Dancing\u2019s popularity had blown upward another level, opined a critic at end of the war, citing\u00a0 return of military personnel as impetus. Additionally, automobile transportation and the failure of alcohol Prohibition were factors. Record phonographs, for music play in home, hall and theater,\u00a0 contributed to the dance craze.<\/p>\n

Moreover, this was the halcyon era of excursion riverboats, impacting dance in southeast Missouri, bringing waves of great music and players. Black bandleader Fate Marable, whose ensembles featured rising jazzmen like Louis Armstrong , was mainstay on the Streckfus excursion steamers landing at Cape Girardeau, Bird\u2019s Point, New Madrid and Caruthersville.<\/p>\n

Anti-dance rhetoric was the butt of jokes by 1921, when Averill printed a final shot at dancing heathens and cowardly clergy, as he saw them in Pemiscot County. \u201cUnless the church ceases its attitude of complaisance with the sins of dancing and card-playing among the members, just so long will [transgressions] continue to flourish, to increase, and to lead astray hundreds of the younger people who are trying to pattern their lives after those of the elders.\u201d Averill sold his newspaper soon after and didn’t return to journalism until years later, in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

In 1924 the Methodist General Conference finally dropped its rule banning members from dance, cards and theaters\u2014with a caveat, of course. \u201cThe church no longer specifically forbids its members to dance, play cards, or to go the theatre, but bans instead \u2018amusements which cannot be enjoyed in the name of the Lord Jesus,\u2019 \u201d The Boston Globe<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n

National debate fell quiet then dormant, but anti-dance crusades would revive again, over future moves like the \u201cjitterbug,\u201d and future music, rockabilly.\u00a0Southeast Missouri and native artists would fight the battles.<\/p>\n

Matt Chaney, writer and consultant, is compiling a book on historical song and dance in the Missouri delta, tentatively titled <\/em>From River Music to Rock ‘n’ Roll. For more information, see the <\/em>ChaneysBlog page\u00a0<\/em>“Music History and Legend of the Missouri Delta.”<\/a> For information on Chaney’s previous books, visit\u00a0<\/em>www.fourwallspublishing.com<\/a>.\u00a0 Email:<\/em><\/em>\u00a0mattchaney@fourwallspublishing.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Select References<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Chicago Tramp. (1902, Dec. 4). Pemiscot Press, Caruthersville MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

A Disgraceful Affair. (1904, April 29). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 14.<\/p>\n

A Resident of Bird\u2019s Point. (1900, March 17). [Reprint from Cairo Telegram<\/em> IL.] Cape Girardeau Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

A Swell Affair. (1899, April 7.) Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

A Trenton Preacher. (1911, June 3). Ste. Genevieve Fair Play<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Afloat\u2014Chapman\u2019s Floating Theatre. (1837, June 6). New Orleans Times-Picayune <\/em>LA, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Another Cutting Affair. (1897, June 17). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

As Seen by Me. (1902, May 20). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1909, June 24). A wide open town. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1909, July 1). \u2018The most popular form of amusement.\u2019 Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1909, July 22). A statement for the plaintiff. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1909, July 22). A wicked city. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1911, Jan. 12). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1916, March 16). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1916, March 30). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1918, Jan. 10). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1918, Jan. 10). The church member and his example. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1918, May 29). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1918, Sept. 19). The Sunday excursion. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1919, Jan. 16). What the grand jury says. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Averill, H.E. (1921, Jan. 13). The Pemiscot Argus. Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Bishop Faude. (1886, Aug. 25). Fort Wayne Daily News<\/em> IN, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Bishop Hughes Goes to Chicago. (1924, May 28). Boston Globe<\/em> MA, p. 12.<\/p>\n

Blind Boone\u2019s Concert. (1900, Nov. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Briggs, Harold E. (1954, Autumn). Entertainment and Amusement in Cairo, 1848-1858. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society<\/em>, 47, pp.231-251.<\/p>\n

Caruthersville. (1896, Nov. 12). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Caught at the Court House. (1904, Aug. 26). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 10.<\/p>\n

Chautauqua. (1885, Aug. 19). Rev. Oscar P. Fitzgerald, of Nashville, on Popular Amusements. Nashville Tennessean<\/em> TN, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Church Rule Strict. (1916, May 25). Columbia Evening Missourian<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Chute 16. (1897, Feb. 18). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Coeds Get Dates for Dance; Prexy Says No, Can\u2019t Go. (1916, March 10). Cape Girardeau Weekly Tribune<\/em> MO, p. 6.<\/p>\n

Coming. (1913, Oct. 16). [Advertisement.] Caruthersville Pemiscot<\/em> Argus MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Correspondence. (1903, April 10). Stanley Dewdrops. Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Cottonwood News. (1902, Sept. 4). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville Democrat MO, p. 12.<\/p>\n

Dancing Masters Say. (1919, April 29). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p. 6.<\/p>\n

Down on Dancing. (1887, April 11). St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Dramatics on a Flatboat. (1884, Jan. 20). [Reprint from New York Sun<\/em>.] Louisville Courier-Journal<\/em> KY, p. 14.<\/p>\n

Editorial. (1900, Aug. 30). The Word and Way<\/em> is squarely against dancing of any kind. Word and Way<\/em>, Kansas City MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Editorial. (1919, Sept. 18). Lowering standards. Word and Way<\/em>, Kansas City MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Evils of Dancing. (1910, April 28). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 7.<\/p>\n

Excursion Coming. (1921, April 22). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Free Silver. (1898, July 14). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p.1.<\/p>\n

Funny Things That Happen on a Mississippi River Show Boat. (1905, July 23). St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em> MO, p. 40.<\/p>\n

Game Locals. (1902, Nov. 20). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 11.<\/p>\n

Game News. (1921, May 12). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 6.<\/p>\n

General News of City & County. (1901, Oct. 1). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

General News of Town & County. (1901, Sept. 27). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

General News of Town & County. (1904, Sept. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Graham, P. (1951). Showboats: The History of an American Institution<\/em>. University of Texas Press: Austin TX.<\/p>\n

Grand Opera House. (1905, Sept. 11). [Advertisement.] Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Gymnasium Classes. (1912, Oct. 3). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Gymnasium Work. (1912, Sept. 26). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 8.<\/p>\n

Harland, M. [Penname of Terhune, M.V.] (1888, Feb. 26). Girls and dancing. St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em> MO, p. 23.<\/p>\n

Hazel-Moad. (1903, June 11). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 13.<\/p>\n

How a Blind Missourian Gained Wealth and International Fame as a Concert Pianist. (1960, Jan. 15). Caruthersville Democrat-Argus<\/em> MO, p. 9.<\/p>\n

Huffman, J.B. (1945, Dec. 25). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p. 19.<\/p>\n

If There is a Town. (1911, Feb. 24). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

In Our Own State. (1895, Jan. 17). Crusade against dancing. State Republican<\/em>, Jefferson City MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Is Modern Dancing \u2018Sheer Devilization,\u2019 as One Minister Says? (1910, Jan. 2). St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em> MO, p. 49.<\/p>\n

It is Amusing to Watch. (1901, Oct. 22). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Kage Will Welcome Catholic delegates. (1916, May 5). Cape Girardeau Weekly Tribune<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Local and News Items. (1909, July 22). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local and News Items. (1910, Aug. 18). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local and Personal. (1901, May 30). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local and Personal. (1901, Aug. 13). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local and Personal. (1905, Sept. 25). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local and Personal. (1916, May 4). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Locals and Personal. (1907, Oct. 25). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 8.<\/p>\n

Local Lines. (1898, Sept. 22). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Local News. (1879, Jan. 9). Cairo Bulletin<\/em> IL, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Local News. (1897, Dec. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

McCarty Items. (1911, Sept. 21). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p.7.<\/p>\n

Methodist Conference Against Dancing. (1908, May 22). Plattsburg Leader<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Methodist Discipline. (1900, April 26). Springfield Leader and Press<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Methodist Revivals. (1920, June 3). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Methodists Keep Ban on Dancing and Theaters. (1920, May 27). St. Louis Star and Times<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Methodists Oppose Worldliness. (1896, Nov. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Methodists Retain Ban on Amusements. (1912, May 19). Minneapolis Star Tribune<\/em> MN, p. 6.<\/p>\n

Minstrel Coming Under Canvas. (1906, June 12). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Moad\u2019s New Hall. (1901, Aug. 16). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Moonlight Excursion. (1902, Aug. 15). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Mound. (1898, Jan. 6). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Mound. (1898, Jan. 27). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Musical and Dramatic. (1859, May 22). New Orleans Times-Picayune<\/em> LA, p. 3.<\/p>\n

New Musical Publications. (1887, May 1). Boston Globe<\/em> MA, p. 10.<\/p>\n

Nobody Admires a Knocker. (1909, July 9). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p.2.<\/p>\n

O.O.H. (1900, May 4). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, pp. 1, 2.<\/p>\n

Old Memphis. (1875, March 24). Memphis Public Ledger<\/em> TN, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Old Showboat is Prepared for Its Grave. (1931, Jan. 2). Carbondale Daily Free Press<\/em> IL, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Opera House One Week. (1902, Dec. 19). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Optimus Dance. (1902, June 6). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Our Exchanges. (1849, Oct. 25). Louisville Daily Courier <\/em>KY, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Our River Front. (1897, Dec. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Palmer, R. (1984, Oct. 28). New York Times<\/em> NY, p. H6.<\/p>\n

Pascola. (1917, July 13). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Pastors Assigned. (1904, April 6). Stanberry Headlight<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Personal and Pertinent. (1895, July 20). Cape Girardeau Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Preacher Roughly Treated. (1896, Oct. 8). Kansas City Journal<\/em> MO, pp. 1, 2.<\/p>\n

Preachers Condemn Waltz. (1903, April 10). St. Louis Republic<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Rev. A.T. Tidwell. (1886, Aug. 5). Rolla Herald<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Rev. Beryl and Associates. (1904). Immorality of modern dances<\/em>. Everett and Francis Company: New York NY.<\/p>\n

Rowland\u2019s Mill. (1902, Feb. 7). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Shreds and Patches. (1904, Sept. 2). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Southeast Missouri. (1897, June 24). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 8.<\/p>\n

Southeast Notes. (1895, June 22). Benton News Boy<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Southeast Notes. (1909, Sept. 23). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Southeast Siftings. (1903, Jan. 9). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Spalding & Rogers. (1858, Nov. 19). Vicksburg Daily Whig<\/em> MS, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Stanley Dewdrops. (1903, April 10). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Steamer Sidney Coming. (1919, Aug. 7). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Steele Items. (1902, June 13). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Tanner\u2019s Lake. (1898 Sept. 22). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Telegraphic Brevities. (1885, Sept. 30). St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em> MO, p. 8.<\/p>\n

The Amusement Question. (1916, June 14). Shelbina Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

The Banker\u2019s Association. (1904, Oct. 28). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

The Cotton Blossom. (1910, July 1). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

The Dance. (1901, May 30). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 12.<\/p>\n

The Dance of the Day. (1892, May 21). Cape Girardeau Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

The Foolish Clergy. (1892, Jan. 2). [Reprint from Kansas City Star<\/em> MO.] St. Joseph Herald<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Goldenrod.\u2019 (1911, Sept. 1). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Grand\u2019 Opera House is Now Open. (1902, Feb. 14). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 6.<\/p>\n

To Surrounding Towns. (1909, Aug. 3). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 2.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Poem. (1916, April 11). Bridgeport Evening Times and Evening Farmer<\/em> CT, p. 9.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1909, July 23). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1911, June 20). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1911, Nov. 14). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1912, Aug. 16). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1914, Nov. 27). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Town and County News. (1916, Jan. 4). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 3.<\/p>\n

Too Much Can Hardly Be Said. (1902, Aug. 21). Pemiscot Press<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 5.<\/p>\n

Tucker, T. (1920, Dec. 17). Dear Santa. [Letter.] Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 6.<\/p>\n

Two Excursions Sunday. (1918, Sept. 10). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Two Performances Daily. (1903, Sept. 10). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 9.<\/p>\n

Tyler News. (1918, July 5). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n

Urges Men to Live Clean. (1913, Feb. 20). Columbia Evening Missourian<\/em> MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Western Normal and College of Music. (1911, Nov. 2). [Advertisement.] Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 8.<\/p>\n

Why Boys Go Wrong? (1920, Feb. 20). Pemiscot Argus<\/em>, Caruthersville MO, p. 1.<\/p>\n

Willow Pole Bridge. (1918, June 25). Caruthersville Democrat<\/em> MO, p. 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Twenty-Second in a Series By Matt Chaney, for ChaneysBlog.com Posted Sunday, July 8, 2018 Copyright\u00a0\u00a92018 for historical arrangement by Matthew L. Chaney, Four Walls Publishing In memory of rockabilly drummer Al Jordan, Hayti, Missouri As dancing\u2019s popularity exploded during the 1880s and \u201990s, driven by music beats of jazz, ragtime and string picking, the morality … Continue reading Hot Dancing’s Popularity Overwhelmed Churchmen a Century Ago<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[283,374],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4ywFp-In","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2751"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2751"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4473,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2751\/revisions\/4473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}