Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
AFTER SPEAK -EASIES.
The Town of Mcdonald Marked for
the Next Reformation.
ALAW AND ORDER SOCIETY MOVE.
Thirsty Oil Drillers to Be Deprived Of
Their Daily Liquor.
THE WAY TIE FINES WILL BE DIVIDED

The Law and Order Society having made
Pittsburg second CELESTIAL city has de-
termined to reform the wild oil driller and
to do SO will first make an attempt to sup
press the numerous speak-easies in Nc
Donald and surrounding towns The move
| VIII be made with as much danger as a
| charge on Richmond, but Agent Mcclure
| and his brave band have no fear when obey
! ing the mandates of the society they repre-
| sent. They have received orders to pro-
| ceed against the illegal liquor dealers in the
oil region of Western Pennsylvania, and
have had detectives in Mcdonald for
several days securing evidence. 1t isn't
hard to get
Any person who has been within ten
! miles of Mcdonald knows that it isn't
strictly prohibition place. There are no
licensed saloons nearer than Walkers
Mills, but thirsty oil drillers have no love
for law when they want liquor. Their de-
mands have resulted in the establishment of
the largest and best assortment of speak
easies to be found in the State, all of which
are said to do rushing business.
Beauties of Oil Field speak-Easies.
The oil country speak-easy is thing of
wonderful curiosity. Some are on the
ground floor of big buildings and others find
habitation in q dark corner of dreary
cellar They are all built as solid as a mil
tary fort and frequently have to stand
fierce cannonading of beer bottles or any
thing else in sight that is handy to throw
around. One of McDonald's ingenious sa--
loonkeepers has arranged sliding screen
which he pulls down over the bar to protect
himself and his wares when fight is started
in front. 1t is hung on weights, and only
momentis required to get it in position when
things commence looking dangerous. 1t is
far more convenient than door to escape
through, and besides it saves the furniture.
Little effort is made to hide the fact that
liquor is sold, and hitherto no determined
objection has been made. The Law and
Order Society is chartered to do business
any place in Pennsylvania, and as the season
is dull in Pittsburg. they have determined
to branch out. Besides, they will get half
the fines collected in liquor cases. while for
arrests of ordinary cigar dealers and such
people all the fines go to the State. 1t was
the raiding of seven speak-easies in
Pittsburg that gave Captain Wishart his
first start toward fame. and since
the harvest here has played out it is sup
posed the Law and Order people have con-
cluded to give Agent Mcclure similar
chance in another field.
Bright Pro spects for Broken Bones.
1t is a big undertaking, however, and the
carrying it out is likely to get black eyes
and broken noses for the detectives who do
the work Oil drillers are about as easy to
handle as nitro-glycerine and just as likely
to explode when agitated. They may submit
to arrest and they NAV not; it depends on
what humor they are in. 1t they deter
mine to resist, all of the State militia. in
cluding the gallant Eighteenth, would have
lively time enforcing the law. There are
about 5000 of a floating population in Nc
Donald and at least 30 speak-easies. The
Law and Order Society expect to go after
them this week.
They will also do some great work among
the drinking clubs at Oakdale, In ALLIE
gheny county. These clubs are kept up by
oil men, who secure key and membership
for small amount. They are not char
tered, and are nothing more than speak
easies. Agent Mcclure could not be seen
to verify the statement that they will pro-
ceed against the oil country violators, but
the information from Mcdonald is reliable.