Little Falls transcript., 1885-01-30
BIG SECRETS.
Over 100 Per Cent. Profit Eea1ized by
the Sale Of Bad Whisky.

Over 100 Per Cent; FEoat Esa,izea by
the Sale Of Bad Whisky.
From the New York Star:
GLOW is it." inquired reporter of
wellknown druggist on the Bowery,
"lthat have to pay ten cents for glass
of sodawater in your drug store and
only three cents in dive? What is the
reason for the difference?"
The druggists eye twinkled merrily as
he answered: "That's easily explained.
The soda-water sold here is properly
charged with carbonic scid, scientifically
prepared. The soda-water sold in the
dive is not soda at all, as druggists un-
derstand it, but is simply villainous
compound made of health destroying
materials. Why do you wish to know?",
Because am des1rous Of giving the
public some idea of the composition Of
tke class Of DRINKS sold to the public at
these places"
VERY we'll, then, in such cause [
am only too glad to be Of service. Let
US commence with whisky, which is
most appropriately termed 'rotgut,' for
such in reality it is. It seems to be
generally understood that the ordinary
form which the adulteraton Of whisky
takes is in the quantity OF water that is
put into it. But this is only partly true
its strength, having been first destroyed
by water, is restored by adding the lye
of ashes prepared especially for the
purpose. The whisky-water mixture
compared to this addition is compara-
lively harmless, while the form in which
it is given to the customer is d practically
ard doubly-d -di 5tilled lye. However,
that class of customers are not, as q
rule, Judges Of what good liquor really
is, because their taste becomes 50 vita
ted that We're a glass Of good quality Of
whisky given to them they would invari~
ably prefer the bad"
is brandy similarly trcatcd?"
"No, it yaries---in what is called
Trench branIv,' especially. Here the
molasses, beer root and potatoes, with
the addition of burnt sugar as color
ing material. The flavor is obtained by
adding essential oils of various kinds to
suit the palate TO the trade there is
knowa what is called distilled murk,'
which is simply the refuse skins of the
grave. This mixture is expressly made
for the class OF trade you refer to-"
''How about gin?'
"Gin auulteration also prevails large
ly,and it is even worse in its effect than
ha co+ Iyr
whisky. Water being the largest ele-
mnnt used, which makes it o whitish
color, other ingredients are added to
give it back its strength. These are
the poisonous acetate OF lead, alum and
carbonate Of potash. Tincture of cap
sicum gives it Il pungent favor, and the
havoring is made of various materials,
as almond cake, sulphuric acid, angeli-
ca root, hquorice powder, corriander
seeks and juniper berries
90 Won mean to say these additions
are made after they get into the dive
keepers hands?'
'No don't exactly mean that, but
those are the ingredients Of which the
vlles5 gins are composed. They pay Tor
the gin and ask no questions"
Now baving disposed of brandy,
whisky and gin, can YOU tell me any
thing about havoring eXtracts?"
'"This is where the 'key'--so to speak
of the whole situation comes in. Flaw
oring extracts contain the con1monest
form of aoultcration. Their exact analy-
sis am not familiar with r know one
fact, however, in relation to thenl. They
are put up in small ounce walls and are
very expensive. 1t is quite 4 common
thing for the person using them to make
gin, brandy or whisky ont of the same
barrel by pouring in o drop or two of
this tiayoring extract. Now, in order
not to be misunderstood, do not as
sumo that dive proprietors adulterate
their liquors themselves, but as they pay
low price for what they do buy Imain
tain thnt they are quite aware of the ma
ture and quality OF the vile stuff they
sell. They know perfectly we'll it is
'doetoreG "
In order TO ascertain tho opposite
side of the question, the reporter visited
saloon whose proprietor makes spe-
cialty of five and ten cent drinks, who
utterly repuliated the idea OF adultera-
ting his whiskey with any foreign mix
ture-save water.
He took three glasses filed with whis-
Ky and placed them on the counter.
Alongside he placed half-pint liquor
flask.
"Here are three qualities Of liquor.
Quality No. is sold for seven cents
hnlf pint. It consists of one-half of
plain spirits and one-h half of water. The
rest is coloring matter. The spirits
are from forty to fifty below proof
This liquor costs mo about cne dollar
gallon, and selling it in this way make
over 100 per cent. profit. Quality No. 2
contains about three-fourths spirits and
one-fourth water. Out Of this I make
seventy-tive per cent. Quality No. 5
contains proof liquor, and costs me 81 IS
per gallon. 1t is the best I keep, and
four glasses Of it would make O man
drunk. The coloring material is simply
made out of burnt granulated sugar.
In o five-cent business a man cannot af-
ford to bevery liberal with his whiskey."
"Do you use much alcohol?"
u don't use any, Alcohol costs So 20
a gallo.: plain proof spirits cost $1.2S
per gallon"
els there any other material that is
used?"
eyes. French spirits, which cost
81 80 per gallon, and cologne water,
costing $1.37. The latter is used in
modifying gin-two gallons of cologne
water to one gallon of gin. The reason
cologne water is used is to correct the
the effect of the fusil oil in the gin,
which could not be drunk under ordin-
ary circumstances. Cologne water,
in it's natural state, is just like water it.