The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-09-16
MANUFACTURED TOBACCO.
Who Discovered the Secret OF
Using Licorice, and How
it Was Done.

The Baltimore Evening New has
the following;
In sn excerpt from the Reidsyille
IN. C.) Times, published in the News
OF yesteaday, the question WAS asked,
"who was the first manufacturer OF
sweet tobscco2" In reply il was sta
ted that Jesse Hare, OF Lynchburg,
va, first used licorice. Such, accord
ing to an old tobacconist of this city,
turns out to be incorrect, Baltimo-
rcan, Mr., William Abbott, having
prior claim OIL the invention, and
from whom, indirectly, Mr.. Hnro oh
tanned. The story may not be without
interest To the manufacturers of the
weed.
Nearly half q century ago VIM. Alb
bott kept u tobaccomist store on South
Broadway between Lancaster and
Aliceeanna streets. He did q very
successful business in small way,
and had good run of custom. For
years he experimental 10 pro-
duce q manufactured tobacco which
would become popular and palatable
and at length succeeded in making
the desirable article. His brand be-
came favorably known, and there
was great demand for it, but he was
one of the old, slow, but sure going
persons who was content to move
along in the ordinary groove and
supply his favOrile friends with tho
sweet mOrsel.
Mr.. jesse Hare was then sending
his tobacco from Lynchburg, Va. Ee
had seen some of Abbott's manufac-
tured tobacco and longed 10 get pos
session of the secret, as he knew there
was money In it. Through VIM,
lIeald, a commission merchant, to
whom Hare consigned his slip.
lnents, negotiations were opened ia
start a company with Abbott, Mr.
IIeald Offering to furnisli enough
money to put up a hundred presses.
Mr.. Abbott had but two.
The negotiations fell through, Alb
bott being satisfied to keep his secret
and small monopoly TO himself.
One day when Hare was in Balti.
more he was seated in Walter Mox'
ley's tobacco store. which was OH the
other side of Broadway, nearly oppo
site that of Abbott's. "Moxley,'
said Hare, IL wonder what the OLE
man [meaning Abbott p in hi'
tobacco"
81 don't know" replied Moxlcy.
"It sells like -" said Hare.
"Goes like blazes," returned Mox
ley.
allow can we find it out?"
"Analyzc it," suggested Moxley.
"Good idea! Here, boy, go over t.
Abbott's and get half apound of hi
sweet.tobacco.
The boy was given levy, tobacc
was worth hut twenty-five cents
pound in those days, and il fey
minutes returned with n long, fla
piece of manufactured tobacco.
| Mr.. Hare placed the cake on hi
knee and with q sharp knife cut
lengthwise and crosswise like check
er board. Then bending it so as t
get at the interior of the plug he be
gan picking at it with the point O
the knife which he carried 10 hi
mouth to taste.
Mr.. Moxley watched the operatio
and presently detected black spec
about the size of a grain Of whoa
"What's thatp" he exclaimed.
Down went the knife; back agai
to tho mouth. Hare let his tongu
beat o tattoo for moment on th
roof of his mouth as he tasted tn
particle of the black speck, when Ii
cried out, "I've got it, by-w
With that the spcck was remove
and laid oh the counter. The knit
cut it in halves. Hare taking one PAL
and Medley the other. "Licorice
came simultaneously from the pair.
"Yes said Hare. "and the old ma
forgot TO strain the water"
Moxley became no gamer by tn
discovery, but Hare went TO his hom
began his operations and in fe'
months swectened tobacco found il
way over nearly all the United State
Hare grew prosperous rapidly, an
in a few years, amsssed fortune.
Walter Moxley is the only one (
the persons mentioned now livin,
He still carries OH his trade at III
corner of Broadway and Lancastt
streets, a few doors from the old stol
where the secret of making sweet u
bacco was given to the world"