The Washington times., 1894-11-12
.Fmptr is the cradle. baby,g CONC. !"

''Emptv is the CRADLE baby's gone"
placard containing the above inscription
was tackled on the door of the erstwhIle pros
porous saloon OF j. j. Goodwin, No. 423
Four-and-a-half street southwest. yesterday.
1t was evidently the work of some wag who
knew that Saloonkeeper Goodwin had de-
parted for parts unknown.
The story connected with the departure was
learned from a policeman, and ii is an inter
esting one. Several nights ago, it is said,
Goodwin imbibed too freely of his own fire
water. and while in a frantic state OF mind
dashed out into the street fourishing a big
revolver and shouting like Comanche Indian
on the warpath.
When Officer Williams, of the Fourth pre-
cinct, heard of this occurrence he at once
procured a warrant for Goodwins arrest on
the charge of carrying concealed weapons.
In the meantime the saloon-keeper concealed
himself and finally disappeared from the city.
A few days later the barroom was closed and
Goodwin family also left, it is said, 10 join
the husband and father IN Boston.
Ever since that time the place has been
closed as tight as a clam at low tide. The
sequel to the above story was related to IA
TINES reporter last evening when he visited
The saloon. which has the appearance of hav-
ing been first-class resort.
The large show window is filed with bottles
neatly arranged in long rows oa circular
stand. similar in appearance to the tiers of
seats n ircus. There are about 150 bottles
in the window. all labeled in black and gold,
and containing such inscriptions as: Cog
nae, " 'Mgmms Extra Dry Kentucky
Bourbon Whisky. 'Old Tom Gin,'' etc. In
s-e.T
whisky and other liquors. while behind the
bar in gaudy array are the many decorated
booze receptacles which are usually found in
a modern lar room. In fact the entire place
presents the appearance OF well-stocked
saloon.
Appearances, however, are often deceptive,
as will be seen later on.
After Goodwin had become involved in the
pistol scrape and learning that the police
were hot after him, he decided, it is said.
that as the annual license season was at hand
the time was ripe for couD de main. by
means Of which he could at one fell swoop
clear himself OF the pohce authorities and get
out OF the saloon business.
Accordingly. so the policeman stated.
Goodwin went 10 wholesale liquor dealer
in East Washington and by promising to deal
with him in the future. succeeded in borrow
ing s40O for the ayUwed purpose OF securing
a saloon license for the ensuing Iwelvemonth.
The money was at once forthcoming. but
the willy saloonist had no idea. it Is sad. of
investing it in a license His vision was cen
tered on far away Boston. and as soon as be
had the S400 and some other money he had
collected, safely in his possession, he en-
| barEed on a Pennsylvania Railroad flyer and
soon left picturesque Washington far in his
wake.
When these facts were brought to the at
/ tention of the wholesale grocery and liquor
firm Of James /. Barbour E Co.. who were
Goodwin's heaviest creditors, those gentle
men Immediately proceeded to take possession
Of tho stock, fixtures. and good VIII of the
establishment They found upon investiga-
tion that while the item OF fixtures" was all
right, those Of "stock" and good wilI' were
very largely myth.
The hundreds OF gilt labeled bottles. which
made such a fine showing in the big window,
were found TO be filed with molasses water
The long lines OF cigar beyes on the shelves
were as empty as space. while the barrels that
lined the walls were found TO contain but air
and water. Mr.. Goodwin had succeeded in
hewing pretty close to the line, and al the
time of his departure he did not leave enough
whisky in the place to make sailor drunk.
This is what / call watered stock, with a
vengeance, one of the merchants is reported
to have said afte- his Investigation
The place was at once put under lock and
key until the mater can be disposed of IN the
courts. Ali that noW remains TO remind those
who were wont to frequent the place, Of the
gay times they had spent there is big gold
lettered signboard containing the inscription,
'Old Crow Whisky which hangs outside and
creaks farewell song as it sways in the pass
ing breezes