Bootlegger Briefs

Temperance Tales

Last month, I introduced the basics of the Prohibition Era. I still find it amazing that it last 13 years, since drinking was very much embedded in American culture. The temperance movement became almost as entrenched in the century leading up to the Volstead Act (which made the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcohol illegal).

The American Temperance Society, founded in 1826, was the first major organization in the fight against drinking. Other groups followed later in the century. Initial efforts were aimed at curtailing, not eliminating, consumption. Later, as the belief that liquor was a main factor in both poverty and domestic violence, efforts moved to a complete elimination of alcohol.

Long before the federal government outlawed booze, individual states took action. In 1851, Maine was the first state to ban liquor, except for medicinal or mechanical uses. The law was unpopular with many and led to a riot in the state capital in 1855.

Other states followed suit, with 33 having full or partial bans on alcohol prior to federal implementation of the Eighteenth Amendment. When that amendment was repealed in 1933, most states followed suit. However, a few did not. Mississippi was one of the last to completely end prohibition in 1966.

Today, hundreds of “dry” counties and towns remain in the United States. Some other areas are deemed “moist” because they have limited liquor sales. For example, sales might be allowed only in restaurants or just been and wine can be sold.

A number of towns were founded by those in the temperance movement. Three stand out due to their names. Temperance, Michigan—which remains a census-designated community—was founded with an alcohol restriction. Prohibition Park, now Westerleigh, on Staten Island was created as a summer resort for those in the movement. Another town that is census-designated is Temperanceville, Virginia. A local history pages indicates that early residents neither sold nor drank liquor. In 1824, some townsfolk formed “Sons of Temperance.” They vowed never to sell property to a bar, and they voted for the current name of the town.

The United States is not the only country where prohibition has been tried. Canada had a short stint (1918-1920), as did Hungary (1919). Other places had long (full and partial) bans on liquor: Finland (1919-1932), Norway (1915-1935), and the Faroe Islands (1907-1992). Most places found the same issues that arose in the US: an increase in crime and a decrease in tax revenues.

No matter how one feels about alcohol consumption, the Prohibition Era in the US provides fertile ground for historical fiction. If you have mixed emotions on the topics, you are in line with some of my characters—including Ev Mallow, the Prohibition agent. Ev takes the view that he is primarily fighting violent bootleggers, not drinkers.

Next month on the third Monday, I’ll look at the rise of cocktails during the Roaring Twenties and beyond. As you might guess, fruit juice and other additives helped cover the taste of bad booze. No cocktail recipes, but look for several mocktails!

For Mashie Monday, check back on May 4 and for new feature, Motorcar Monday, take a look on May 18.