THE AXLES WERE HOLLOW. Indian Territory Farmers Have Unique Way of Peddling Whiskey.
The headline tells the story.
I saw this headline in The Oklahoman for March 26, 1904, and just had to read the story.
The story was datelined Ardmore, I.T. and told the story of a “novel scheme” two whiskey peddlers used to sell illegal whiskey in the Chickasaw Nation.
They would travel the country in an old wagon under the guise of purchasing eggs and poultry, while allegedly selling pint jars of whiskey.
When a federal officer “pulled them over,” it was discovered that both of the wagon’s axles were of iron and very large and hollow. A small bolt could be removed and a pump inserted to withdraw the whiskey.
While the capture was “belived to be an important one,” the story did not tell of the peddlers’ punishment.
Today, it is a misdemeanor to possess untaxed liquor, and, yes, you can still get in trouble for selling white lightning.
~Mary Phillips
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Comments
This story really made me chuckle. Keep up the good work. Would you like a copy of a picture taken looking up towards SW 29th and Agnew in 1925. My grandfather & parents were picture nuts. I don’t know how to attach this to an e-mail so I would have to mail it to you.
Enjoy you, keep it up!!!
This story made me chuckle. It’s interesting to read some of the “strange but true” stories from the early days of the newspaper.
Keep up the good work!