San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-04
+" THE GRowLER.n
A Pen Picture Of One of San An
tonio's Industries.

Written for the LIGHT:
San Antonio is a great and popu
lar city-deservedly so. It's claims
to such distinction are as many al
they are varied, not the least Of
which is its well-earned claim to
the title Of the "Growler City," con.
ferred upon it only after years OF
struggling competition with the
uncomfortable appetite of man,
The "gTowler" plays very impor-
tant part in the commercial ave.
nues Of the city's trade, and while
1t is not labelled, there is always
something about it suggestive OF
Its peculiar and appropriate name,
no matter from whose hand it may
swing on its round trip. 1t needs
no introduction to the saloon keep
er, many Of whom rejoice at it's
frequent visits, while not q few of
them derive their main support
from Its patronage, which relieves
them of a great deal Of beer that
would otherwise spoil on their
hands in the absence of the neces-
sary number of callers to share in
the distribution at five cents a
glass.
As every one knows that crush.
ing the growler" or pushing the
can" are but denominations given
the beer bucket, and are Familiarity
termed such throughout the length
and breadth of the glorious "land
Of the free and home of the brave"
further Introductory remarks will
not be made to adequately describe
it's birth and the footbold 1t has
seemingly gained wherever the
amber fluid is unstintingly dis.
pensed with the usual nickle or
dime accompaniment, as the case
may be.
Since we are discussing the San
Antonio "growler," the peculiar Cd.
erations comprising its mysterious
visits and the reception usually &C.
corded, 1t will here be treated only
with the distinguished considera.
ton which 1t is justly entitled to,
coupled with every precaution to
avoid such personalities as would
tend to cast even the shadow, of
suspicion upon legitimate enter
prise that is legitimately carried
on by all parties concerned in the
transaction. }
Now, then, this much said, sup.
pose we turn our attention to the
daily habits Of the "growler" and
the many purposes it serves. or
course, the fact must not be lost
sight OF, that there are respectable
"growlers" and those without any
semslance Of respectability in their
composition, as the description
goes. True Is 1t that the enphoni.
GUS title by which it lie known was
not conferred upon the modest beer
bucket at the baptismal fount
where men have their high-sound-
ing prefixes so generously dealt out
by them, but by the man who turns
the faucet and rakes in the shekels
The respectable "growler" lie the
one which usually goes to the sa.
loon accompanied by at least Is
cents and never growls at the
amount of beer it receives. This
ores acquaintance is always Guilt
Vate1 by the average beer dealer,
and for the sum of Is cents he us.
ually gives about five or six glasses
OF the liquid, taking as a basis of
measurement the glass served over
the bar. This kind Of patronage is
generally derived by the higher
class OF saloons, and while not as
much sought as the regular bar
trade, 1t Is very prominent factor
in the days sales.
But the "growler" of our daddi !:
the "growler" OF the present gener.
tion, and the one which doubtless
had the name conferred upon the
innocent tin pail is the one of yery
large size. This one usually finds
It's way to the smaller saloons, and
10 cent Is the maximum price that
as often accompanies it on its
thirsty mission, and more frequent
~ i've cents. This is the proverbial
"growler" which inspired this ar.
tlele, and from all accounts has
active relatives in every city and
hamlet within the broad confines
Uncle Sans domain where beer is
Solo. Notwithstanding its well
applied name, 1t has many staunch
friends. But in the hands of some
people the five and ten cent "growl-
er" grew to be so bold and incon.
siderate Of the welfare of many
saloon men that few months ago
a number Of them in different
parts OF the city pooled to resist its
savage demands by hereafter
weighing the beer. Sixteen ounces