KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Daily Minnesotan, June 4, 1855, p. 2

The Sioux Treaties and Liquor Prohibition.

The Democrat thinks the provisions of the Treaties are not sufficiently strong to keep liquor out of the country embraced within the late Sioux Purchase. Well then, perhaps the people will adoopt the Winona doctrine, as exemplified by the following proceedings which we find in a late number of the Argus of that village. We know of no place in the Sioux country where the inhabitants allow liquor to be sold, unless it be at Shakopee; and we were not aware of its being tolerated there until the Democrat so informed us. The Argus says:

A few days ago there was erected a shanty a few rods from the levee, and many inquiries were made for what purpose it was to be used, and who was the owner. No one could give any information further than they heard it was a drug store. It was opened for the reception of the public yesterday, we believe, and one or two persons were seen walking cross-legged, and it was with difficulty they could keep their legs united. But today they increased in numbers, who were so tired - and three or four were found flat on their backs in a hot burning sun, star-gazing. These were the first cases we had seen in Winona, of this kind of beastly intoxication, and thought it was appropriately named drug store.

The citizens not caring about a couple of strangers coming into town and putting their visitors and residents to sleep in broad daylight, making their door yards and houses a hospital for the men who got slewed, privately assembled about the shanty at "evening's dawn," requesting the proprietors to step out and see a few citizens of Winona, and at so polite a request could not refuse to see them, when they called in propria persona. Their exit being made from under the roof, a tremendous crash was heard, accompanied by the shout of an hundred exulting voices, and on not a very close inspection, found their noble board shanty level with the ground, falling gently on their decanters and glasses, with an unmistakable sign that they could not be longer used for the purpose they had been so basely perverted. The crowd dispersed after giving three hearty cheers for the downfall of all such medicine shops; no accident occurring to mar the enterprise, which very often occurs on such occasions. In half an hour after this was witnessed, peace and quietness again reigned over Winona's plain as though naught had ever disturbed her placid bosom, or [ruffled] its lake of peaceful quietude.

We congratulate the citizens of our town on this important step, and think the "ends justify the means;" having a law that is not enforced, and were it, the cases would be appealed from year to year and the manufacturing of [drunkards] by the hundreds, with their drugs and medicines, in the meantime. This will establish Winona's fame as a Maine-law and temperance community, with an example that will show sinners "the way of the transgressor is hard."

Copyright 2006 KinSource All Rights Reserved