Whisky Drinking in Prohibition Kansas
By Editor
A WRITER from Kansas to a St. Louis paper, makes the following confession and statement. We copy it verbatim, grammar and all:— "A man has got to lie to get whisky in Kansas, but that makes no difference when a man is dry. . . . I was in Columbus, Kansas, and wanted some spirits frumenti. I called on Dr. B. He had a prescription in his book already filled out, with the exception of the name for whom it was for and the amount wanted. In reply to what was the matter with me, I said 'chills.' But at the same time I caught a glimpse of the prescription upon which he had written my name. The 'disease' written thereon was 'bowel complaint.' The learned disciple of Esculapius was about to fill out a new prescription, when I remarked: 'Hold on, doc.; come to think of it, I have the 'bowel complaint.' I got the prescription, paid him a quarter for it, and the law was complied with. . . . All things taken into consideration I have seen more whisky drinking in Prohibition Kansas than any State I have ever been in." We accept the man's confession that he is a liar; indeed, we should know it if he had not mentioned it. And it is our opinion that the last part of the above extract is the largest part of his lie. That there is more whisky drinking in a State where a man has to lie to get it, than in one where he can get it without such low expedients, is unreasonable, unless it be made to appear that all who drink whisky would rather lie than not! and so drink more for the added luxury of lying. But we are not prepared to accept that idea on his word.