In a cold rain she made the round of the orthodox ministers but none would sign the call.

The Universalist minister, Rev.
J.H.Tuttle, agreed to be present and speak.

She secured thirty or forty signatures, engaged the city hall and advertised extensively.

The feeling against Stout was very strong and there was a determination among certain members of the community that this meeting should not be held.

Huge placards were posted throughout the city, urging all opposed to the sentiments of the call to be out in force, a virtual invitation to the mob.
When the evening arrived, October 7, the hall was filled with a crowd of nearly 2,000, a large portion of whom only needed the word to break into a riot.