Carry A. NationA National and International Figure
Like many leading reformers, Carry gained international fame. She traveled extensively and used her notoriety to promote her cause. Carry was on the lecture circuit and appeared in vaudeville theaters and carnivals. Other reformers sometimes criticized her for her choice of venues, but to Carry it was a matter of finding the people who most needed to hear her message. After turning down several offers for public appearances, Carry finally agreed to a lecture tour organized by a New York promoter. The lecture poster pictured at right probably dates from this tour. In 1908-1908 Carry also toured the British Isles, making many public appearances to promote her cause. Very much aware of the symbolism of her name, she registered "Carry A. Nation" as a trademark in Kansas. "Carrie" was replaced by "Carry," although many continued to use the first spelling. 
Reactions to Carry formed around the United States as her fame spread. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the noted women's rights leader, stated to the New York World that Carry Nation's actions were justifiable because the women of Kansas had waited long enough for prohibition laws to be enforced. A Michigan supporter sent this stonecutter's hammer (left) to Carry, who in turn donated it to the Kansas Historical Society. Carry's name was used in ways she did not approve. A Mardi Gras club in New Orleans was named for her, as was a winning American Quarter Horse. "All Nations Welcome But Carrie" became a standard phrase in bar rooms across America.  A
Glimpse at a Personal Life
In 1977 a trunk was discovered by Carry's descendants. Among other things, it contained such personal effects as clothing, photographs, and letters. Over twenty years later, Dianne and Jerald Kelly-she being a great grand-niece of Carry's-donated the trunk's contents to the Kansas Historical Society. Many of these items were featured in the exhibit Carry A. Nation: The Famous and Original Bar Room Smasher.
The trunk from Callie's house held a bonnet, cape, and shawl frequently worn by Carry and seen in several photographs of her. The dress Carry is wearing in the photo at left was included in the Kelly's donation, and is pictured above, right. It is made in one of her favorite styles. Also in the trunk were dentures which may have belonged to Carry. Read more about Carry's dentures. 
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It was at the house of Callie Moore, Carry Nation's niece, that
the trunk was found. As a teenager Callie lived with the Nation
family in Medicine Lodge. Carry came to see her as a potential successor.
While she traveled with her aunt to the British Isles and other
engagements, Callie never took up the temperance cause.
