Rev. Clarence True Wilson (1872-1939), prohibitionist

For a brief sketch of Clarence True Wilson, the Methodist minister from Oregon who was prominent in the temperance and prohibition movement, see here. For a more nuanced appreciation, see here. Curiously, as a result of a series of 46 debates over prohibition he developed a friendship with Clarence Darrow, the crusading attorney who was neither religious nor a teetotaler. For more about Wilson, see two books by Robert Dean McNeil, Valiant for Truth: Clarence True Wilson and Prohibition (Portland: Oregonians Concerned about Addiction Problems, 1992); and Clarence Darrow's Unlikely Friend, Clarence True Wilson: Debaters but Always Friends (Portland: Spirit Press, 2nd ed., 2007) [apparently a new version of the 1992 book]

TOC for the Unlikely Friend book

Introduction -- Ancestry and youth (1872-1895) -- From Delaware to California (1895-1904) -- Oregon years (1905-1910) -- Chicago and Topeka years (1910-1916) -- Move to Washington and prohibition victory (1916-1920) -- The story of the Methodist building -- Prohibition years (1920-1933) : from triumph to demise -- Darrow and Wilson: best friends -- Study of Ontario liquor system -- Repeal : bitter aftertaste (1933-1936) -- Wilson the writer -- Back to Oregon: restfull years (1936-1939) -- Postscript.