The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-04
OPEN SALOON
Is HERE.
After Fifteen Years Without
the Whisky Curse
1t Boldly Re-establishes Itself
in Topeka.
A PLATE GLASS BAR
With AprOned Bartender and
Handsome Cut Glass
Open Today in the Carl Jock
heck Building.
WITHIN TEN MINUTES
Twenty-Five Men PatrOnize the
New Resort.
Mostly Poorly Dressed Who Can
Ill Afford
To Squander MOney-Is the Sa-
loon Paying for Protection?
To Squander Money-Is the Sa-
loon Paying for Protection?

The dav of the open saloon in Topeka
is at hand For months people have
been disturbed at the thought that the
old days were returning, and that drum
ken brawls and murders were only a
question of short time. The little hole
in the wall became a Joint" the joint
became a CLUB" the club gives way
to the open saloon.
Four years ago joints were hard to
find. and few people patronized them
The keepers became bolder and bOlder
when they found that the civil officers
paid little attention to violations of the
law.
Two years ago under Gov. Morrilrs
anti-prohibition influence. the joints
were moved to more conspicuous places
and the people who attempted to in
Quire into violations of the law, were
laughed at Nay, they were even fred
unceremoniously from the police board
by the truly good" Gov. Morrill,
Then came the Leedy administration
The Morrill, police commissioners We're
removed and POpulists were appointed
I am in favor of the enforcement Of
the law" said the new commissioners
when they were interviewed by Jour
nal reporter and the people again
confidence in the new commissioners.
but it appears that the jointists had
much more, for the celebration of his
election was scarcely over before they
became bOlder than ever.
Henry Steele. who has made an eX-
cellent record as a police officer, was
appointed chief of police. Joinusts and
others presented him with an expensive
star and went on with their business.
The FOpulist police board met and
h ftfv4 e
ed around, arrested a few of the small
joint keepers and failed to see the big
ones.
The Joints became Joints no longer
but open salons, where Chief Steele
and his force would be admitted as
readily as the most depraved sOt in the
city.
The Republican county officers like
wise proved as lacking in energy as the
POpulist police force
The churches, influenced by the pO-
sitiOn of many Of their influential mem
bers. some of whom belong to liquor
drinking clubs, became silent. Slowly
but surely the way toward the open sa-
loon was paved. All the temperance
forces Wearied in well doing. Disap-
pointed and discouraged through the
betrayal Of trust by public officials.
they appear to have given up the fight.
The partitions with peep holes for
the inspection of people desiring ad
mission to the joints are being taken
down, new bars are being put in and
Topeka now witnesses the spectacle of
open saloons.
The finest open saloon in the city un-
locked its doors today. It is in the old
JOckheck building at 514 and sic Kan
sas avenue, up stairs. It is operated
by man named McMahan from Alma
and is run in a strictly up to date
style without any attempt at secrecy.
An elegant and substantial bar was
put in the place on last Sunday and
the patrons are surprised and startled
at the array of splendor. It is said that
the new fixtures cost over 81, 600, which
is pretty big sum to risk
A Journal reporter visited the saloon
today today. In ten minutes % men
entered or came out of the place. Near
" all were poorly dressed.
When the reporter mounted the stairs
ne followed the crowd and went down
the hall until he came to a landing
with three steps. After he had passed
down these steps he turned to the left
and was facing an open door. 1t was
not necessary to enter the room to tell
what was going on. Behind a hand
some bar of oak wood with a polished
top stood white aprOned man, rotund
and we'll fed in appearance. Behind
him and rejecting his form to advant-
age was handsome plate glass mir
TOR divided by heavy Oaken pillars into
three sections Under the mirror on
shelf. like a sideboard We're fancy
glasses in which mixed drinks and
wines were to be served Near the en-
trance stands an enormous ice box in
which beer is kept on tap
The man in the white apron was
busy. All the visitors seemed to be
drinking beer and the reporter saw
nothing else served. He stood at the
door moment and then sauntered in
There was no one to question his right
in the place. It was as public as any
grocery store on Kansas avenue Just
north of the bar was a table round
which was gathered a company of men
playing pitch. There were nine enrag-
ed in the game and they were appar-
emily playing for the drinks for there
was no money on the table. The men
were plainly dressed
Separated by a stained glass partf-
tion from the drinking saloon is a bill
lard room in which there are six ta-
bles. Only one of the tables was in use
Several men were lounging around the
place apparently hangers on who were
waiting for someone who had money to
invite them to drink
There is lunch counter near the bar
and between the bar and the entrance