DYNAMITE AND PROHIBITION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 716, 26 November 1903, Page 23

DYNAMITE AND PROHIBITION.

Out in Indiana the prohibitionists have a very soft and easy way of getting rid of saloons. Possibly this statement is not exactly or all correct, for these selfsame prohibitionists practice the same game elsewhere. It is nothing less than the use of that most harmless but persuasive article known as dynamite. A certain former Cincinnatian who journeyed to the land of the Hoosier to take up his residence and earn a living, opened a store. Having a little spare space, he erected a number of boxes and placed thereon an equal number of locksi. But before I go any further allow me to explain that the town, namely, Dillsborough, was of that class known as prohibitionist. These locksi, necessarily, had keys, which he sold or rented to citizens of the burg in which he lived. Nor did he ask what the owners of the keys placed in the boxes. Neither did he care. However, it is alleged that he not only knew but placed therein, for a consideration, certain commodifies which it was unlawful to sell. Be that as it may be. Many of the ‘‘natives” congregated in the spare space, which happened to be in a room in the rear of the store and had various and hilarious times. All this aroused the ire of the prohibitionists, who had him up before the august judge, and made several and serious charges, which, in the end, were not proven. Despairing of getting rid of the alleged sal'oonist. by fair means, they resorted to foul. The first attempt resulted, owing to a too small charge of dynamite, in only blowing away the front steps of the obnoxious business house. The next time they determined that nothing should prevent blowing the offender to the happy hunting grounds of his forefathers!. They hired a man to drop the explosive down the offender’s chimney. The charge, selected was of sufficient size to make a Tide in the ground large enough to afford accommodation for a fair-sized Carnegie library building. But the hired man

welched. In fact he put the alleged lawbreaker “next” to the scheme and then resigned. As yet a new hired man has not been found to fill the place of the one resigned—and the citizens of Dillsiborough are walking on the opposite side of the street and making faces at the offender. Interested ones are awaiting the next move. —(“ Bonfort’s.”)