The Story Of The "Ark" (Defiance Democrat 6-11-1909)

St. Joseph river bridge Milford Township (Defiance County)

    "The Ark" the floating saloon, which was launched on the St. Joe river in Milford township (Defiance County), and which has brought about a Beal law local option election in that township to be held June 18th, has caused the Bryan Press to go back to the days of the Noah's Ark and tell the story of the modern Ark on the St. Joe, in the style of tales as they were written in the days of long ago. The Bryan paper tells the story of the Milford township Ark as follows:
    'This is the story of the disastrous cruise of the ark on the raging St. Joe river
    As everybody knows Williams county was voted dry last fall and ever since has been well cared for by a large number of watchful guardians of the law who can smell a whiskey breath a block away or less. Since the days when the great drouth (drought) came over the the land, it has been exceedingly puzzling to those who formerly dispensed liquid happiness to the thirsty and inasmuch as our neighboring county, Defiance, has not yet joined the ranks of those who thirst no more, the great thought occurred to Jacob Lahrman and William Cape, two caterers to human joy in St. Joseph township, that the river at Edgerton afforded a very facile highway to the land of promise and that a good ship might be built there and sailed down to the land across the county line, where away from the vexatious laws of villages and surrounded by the greening landscape they might purvey their merchandise to a responsive public and avoid all compilations with stringent laws of the land.
    "So a couple weeks ago, work began on the ark. Its progress was watched with much the same curiosity that characterized the onlookers long ago when Noah began a similar work in expectancy of the big rain.
    "Finally everything was done and a week ago last Sunday, the launching took place. Now, see the modern ark floating proudly on the bosom of the placid stream. How stately the craft breasts the gentle tide and dips in graceful salutations to the spring breezes.
    "After due ceremonies the mighty craft began its voyage down the stream piloted by its careful builders and carrying its burden of joy to the Ararat, where anchor is to be cast and invitations to be flung to the air for all who wish to enter.
    "Just across the county line, just in the edge of wet Defiance, the craft is brought to anchor. The licenses are place in position, fresh kegs are put into service, come the waiting people and the cheerful tune of the cash register begins to disturb the somnolence of the countryside. 
    "Alas for human plans. Success never attended great enterprise but at the expense of long sustained endeavor. For two days the proud ark steadily rides the waves and attracts great traffic. The Clarksville bridge forms a secure roof, to protect the muslin stretched over the bar, but suddenly rains descend and with the rising stream rises the ark until its well designed roof becomes a menace and "Cast off", is the order, while the stately affair floats away from danger.
    "No sooner however, is this menace avoided than a more serious one threatening the great enterprise. Adjacent land owners Jonathan L. Creager and Henry Dohner one on the north and one on the south close and acting under the advice of the learned layers closely beset the ark with injunction. These the court allows, according to the law of the land. Other enemies appear before the grand jury in session last week and ominous clouds darken the sky of hope. It looks bad for the ark. Surely its days are numbered. Down came the gilded licenses, invitations for the grand gathering Saturday night are hurriedly cancelled expected are warned and darkness and quiet settle over the ark.
     Meantime petitions for a local option election in Milford township, the place selected for the cruise are circulated. The requisite numbers of signers are secured in a half a day and the machinery of the state is set in motion against the undertaking.
    Thus on easy seas, storms ahead,shoals behind, enemies lurking on every side, the great ark lies becalmed, the mighty plan accomplished,the ambitions of the builders frustrated. 
    And this is the story of the ark,as it has occurred in this county in the past few days.