Charles Willis Buck and the Crystal Fount

In 1873, C. W. Buck was "Editor and Proprietor" of the "Crystal Fount" a newspaper "Devoted to Temperance, Morality, Literature and General Intelligence -- Neutral in Religion and Politics".  This "Family Paper", published in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, cost two dollars per year. In the November 3 issue for 1873, C. W. Buck's column (dated October 3) was in favor of prohibition, closing with "Destroy it from the land by forbidding it made and sold; and we shall soon have no drunkards to convert and save."   His column of October 7 was "We make Ourselves" in which he said that God's works are perfect and "man made himself what he is".  This issue also noted publication of the paper would be suspended for one month due in part to "failure of subscribers to pay up" and pleaded for financial support.  "We have done wrong in sending out the paper without the money, and will hereafter strictly abide by the cash system."  The Crystal Fount was intended to be the “Organ of the Grand Lodge of Alabama”. The Grand Lodge of Alabama was part of the Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT) – a fraternal organization that promoted temperance or total abstinence from drugs and alcohol.    The IOGT was founded in the 19th century and modeled after Freemasonry; however, the IOGT was not part of the Freemasons.  The IOGT still exists today but the Crystal Fount was published for only about two years.

My dad had this copy of Volume 1 of the Crystal Fount.  Although barely readable, it may be the only remaining issue.