The Washington times., 1916-11-01
Thousands Mourn as John Bar
Ieycorn Breathes His Last
In the Old Dominion.
PREPAREDNESS IS KEYNOTE
Stores Of Wet Goods Purchased
by Many In Anticipation Of
Long Dry Spell.

Alexandria. along with the rest OF the
OLD Dominion. Is "as dry as bone"
today.
He who would wash the dust" from
MS throat must content himself with
pop or hard cider. for at the stroke
OF IL last night the Maps law. prohib-
Ting the sale OF intoxicating beverages.
became effective. and every saloon in
the State closed Its doors.
No more will the merry tinkle OF ice
In frosted glasses and the odor OF
crushed mint gladden. the hearts of
gray.bearded patrons Of those old Alex
century have prided themselves on their
mint tuleps. With the exception of
Few which may be brewed from the pri-
vate bottles. the famous Virginia mint
yuleps VIII be memory only within its
Not only is 1t unlawful to sell intox-
icants in the State. but all liquor found
on railroad trains, street cars. taxi
cabs, boats or other public conveyances
In Virginia will be confiscated.
Under the law every adult male can
Get a quart OF liquor month after a
state stamp revenue tax has been af-
fixed to the package. and a gallon OF
wine. And every woman who il the
head of household Is entitled to the
esame privilege Three gallons of beer
may be had instead of the gallon of
Thousands Join Celebration.
The passing of the saloons. combined
with the Halloween festivities. brought
thousands to the streets Of Alexandria
last night. where. with the blowing OF
many horns and the ringing of bells.
the death of John Barleycorn was cele-
brated. A large number of the saloons
had closed their doors early In the day.
but others stuck II out to the last, and
availed themselves Of every minute al
lowed by the law.
them four wholesale and bottling houses
and one brewery, were put out of bust
ness I'm Alexandria as a result of the
State going dry. and the city's revenues
will be reduced by approximately $4,000
annually.
The saloon men. who are thus forced
out of business. are bestirring themselves,
and many already have entered into
ether lines of business. A number Of
them have turned their shops into SOFT
drink establishments. while others have
opened grocery stores and engaged In
other enterprises.
Immense stores of wines and liquors
were purchased throughout the State,
before the ban fell to tide over the long
drought to come. Special trains. heavily
laden, were run into all sections OF the
State, while country folk hustled along
with suitcases to fortify the private
stock
Mournful Watches Held.
Clubs and hotels throughout the Com
monwealth held mournful watches over
the body of the deceased" in strik-
ing contrast to jubilant celebrations by
the dry" forces In all sections.
Il Is estimated that several million
dollars were invested during the last
hours In wholesale purchases.
More than 500 saloons in widely
scattered parts OF the State were put
out of business. Local option has
prevailed in most of the counties for
number of years, but Richmond,
:. Norfolk. Portsmouth, Newport News.
LynchburR. Petersburg. Roanoke. and
Bristol first met prohibition last night.
The action Of Virginia completes n
dry belt from Washington south TO
Florida on the east, and from Wash =
ington to New Orleans to the west
ward