Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-08-08
MEDICINE LODGE BARBER CO. KANSAS AUG, 8, 1884

In walk of a mile and a half, and
about two hours time, we visited per-
sonally thirty five saloons, all of them
but one being as open and notorious as
any dry goods house in the city. OF this
number but one was in the second sto-
ry, and we went through a clothing
store to reach that. We entered but
one by the back door, and there we saw
three hundred barrels of liquor. We
visited seven in the same block with the
court house, and within a block and a
half south and a block north of this tenn
pie of justice there are not less than
fifteen. Surors and officers of the law
trying liquor cases OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
a good business point. AL were on tie
first floor except the one up stairs we
have mentioned and another We found
in cellar. This one in the cellar was the
only miscellaneous bar we saw-that is
full assortment of liq1ors behind the
bar, the rest were generally limited 10
beer. Two drug stores do the principal
liquor business. We saw from two to
fifteen men drinking in each place.
Drinks were servea;oyef the bar in some
places and In others on tables. Three
of the bars were ilocated in the front
end of the room with no more disguise
than the ordinary bar room screens.
The balance were in the rear end of the
room behind a plain board partition,
sometimes built all the way up TO the
ceiling and others only fewHeet high.
We will make an exception to this
last statement, and Ewhile we think
there can be no sham too ridiculous
about this alleged reform and enforce
ment of law this exception took the
breath from us. The building looked
like an elevator or wareroom. 1t was
partitioned off for general liquors, beer
and ice. Two big wagon loads of beer
were taken in while we were there.
The proprietor was a daisy in dress,
manners, style ard language. When he
learned our idea he desired us to name
him, and to say that he has never ceas-
ed selling for an hour, and that his
sales are now car load per day, but as
we do not publish liquor advertisements
we say no more thhn is necessary for
our purpose. During the five minutes
we talked with him at least fifteen
men took their beer out on the side
walk, ten feet from the building. and
slipped it under the shade of a tree. in
the presence of not less than fiftypeople
moving in all directions within a half
block. This Overcame us and we
tainted.
From thence we went to the court
house, and Mr.. Curtis, clerk of the
court, gave us some figures, of course
only general, because he hadn't time
to be acurate. In Shawnee county they
have had!l26 cases under the prohibito-
ry law, and Of these they have tried
80. About $4,000 has been collected in
fines, and from $4,000 to $1,000 is due
but stood off in some way or other.
There are fully 100 open and notorious
salOons-beg pardon, drink places in
Topeka. No ten year old boy, not even
Methodist preacher, need be SO SIM
pie and gullible as not to know every
one OF these places. They are as dis
tlnct, and possess characteristics as
striking to the passer-by as any dry
goods store on the street. The marshal
tells us the whole thing is an absurdity,
and we are Informed the mayor is sick.
sick the town is dirty and nasty,
and great heavens how gin does fiowl
Our advice is to throw overheard the
state law, adopt the Junction CITY or.
dinance, weed out two-thirds OF them
ahd make the balance support the city
A fool sentiment must ultimately give
way to common sense. This will be the
end in all municipalities. e,nr -s
We have no space to allude to con.
versatlons or sentimentwe gathered on
various points. The style of drinkers
range from the gentleman and business
man and morking man, down through
all grades of the. hummer who adorr
gin mills. We think the late decision
of the supreme court shas permanent,
opened these places. Anyhow the boy:
think it far more valuable than Clicks
pardons. m Gs4
This is the result where the friend.
of the measure have had absolute sway
And this is the fraud the. republican
party persists in going to ruin with
But as long as some one can trade fol
Office Who cares for ruinl