The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-28
BARTENDERs' BIG SECRETS.
Over 100 Per Cent Profit Realized by
the Sale Of Bad Whisky.

How is it, inquired reporter of
wellhnown druggist on the Bowery,
"that have to pay ten cents for a 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 rs
he answered. "That's easily explained.
The soda-water sold here is properly
charged with carbonic acid, scientifically
prepared. The soda-water sold in the
dive is not soda at all, as druggists un-
derstand it, but is simply yillainous
compound made of Notwithstanding
materials. Why doyou wish to know?"
Because I am desirous of giving the
public some idea of the composition of
the class of drinks sold to the public at
these places"
Every we'll, then, in such cause I
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. 1t seems to be
generally understood that the ordinary
form which the adulteration 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 compare
lively harmless, while the form in which
it is given to the customeris a practically
and doubly- distilled lye. However,
that class of customers are not, as a
rule, judges of what good liquor really
is, because their taste becomes SO vita
ted that were a glass of good quality of
whisky given to them they would invari-
ably prefer the bad"
as brandy similarly treated?"
"No, it varies-in what is called
French brandy especially. Here the
ingredients are spirits obtained from
molasses, beer 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. 10 the trade there is
known what is called distilled murk,
which is simply the refuse skins OF the
grape This mixture is expressly made
for the class of trade you refer to-"
"How about gin?"
"Gin adulteration also prevails large
ly,and it is even worse in its effect than
the commonest grade Of brandy OF
whisky. Water being the largest ele-
ment used, which makes it whitish
color, other ingredients are added tc
the poisonous acetate of lead. alual and
carbonate of potash. ''Tinct ffsSfGap
sicum gives it pungent kofy ta tI1
favoring is made of variods aat@ ds
as almond cake, sulphuric ~ Angel
ca root, liquoyice 3owder>
seeds and juniper berries. !"
"Do you mean to say these addition:
are madesafter. Yhey get into the DE-
keepers fands?" H.
"No. I don't exactly mean that;
those az the ingredients of which til,
vilest g>hk GIN are caaaasaspsed. They pay TO:
the gin and ask no questions"
"Now having disposed of brandy
whisky and gin. can you tell me any
thing about havoring extracts?"
''This is where the 'key-so to speal
of the whole situation comes in. Flav
oring extracts contain the commones
form of adulteration. Their exact analy
sis am not familiar with. l know on'
fact, however, in relation to them. The
are put up in small ounce walls and ar
very expensive. It is quite commo
thing for the person using them to max
gin, brandy or whisky out of the sam
barrel by pouring in drop or two c
this favoring extract. Now, in orde
not to be misunderstood, | do not as
sumo that dive proprietors adulterat
their liquors themselves, but as they pa
low price for what they do buy / main
tain that they are quite aware ofthe nt
ture and quality of the vile stuff the
sell. They know perfectly we'll it
'doctored
In order to ascertain the opposit
side of the question, the reporter visite
! saloon whose proprietor makes sp'
cialty of five and ten cent drinks, VII
utterly repudiated the idea of adulters
ting his whiskey with any foreign mi.
ture-save water.
: He took three glasses filed with viii
ky and placed them on the counte
Alongside he placed a half-pint iqu'
flask
ssHere are three qualities of hquo
Quality No. is sold for seven cents
half pint. 1t consists of one-half
plain spirits and one-half of water. II
rest is coloring matter. The spin
are from forty to fifty below proc
, This liquor costs me about one dollar
gallon, and selling it in this way NAL
over 100 per cent. profit. Quality No.
contains about three-fourths spirits al
one fourth water. Out of this maj
seventy-five per cent. Quality No.
contains proof liquor, and costs me ST.
per gallon. 1t is the best keep, al
, four glasses of it would make a nj
drunk. The colosing material is simp
made out of burnt granulated sugt
In tive-cent business man cannot s
ford to be very liberal with his whiskey
"Do you use much alcoholic"
II don't use any, Alcohol costs 50.
gallon: plain proof spirits cost 81.
per gallon"
SIS there any other material that
: used?"
"Yes. French spirits, which CO
$1.32 per gallon, and cologne watt
costing $1.37. The latter is used
modifying gin-two gallons Of colog
water to one gallon of gin. The reas
cologne water is used is to correct
, the effect of the fusil oil in the G
which could not be drunk under ord
!, ary circumstances. Cologne wat
Il in its natural state, is just like water
self to the taste. Gin of fair quail
b costs $500"
DO you use favoring extracts?"
!. 81 have two kinds of gum and
o, kinds of bitters.'
~ "Of what are bitters made?"
He declined to say.
ct Taking the above statement on
). own merits and supposing it to be