The Heavy Hand Of Prohibition

April 1912--Here's the story of George Heiser; some poor schlub trying to make a living. George paid the county treasurer $200 on the Aiken liquor tax assesment and opened a saloon in an alley between Main and Chestnut Streets. During the previous election, members of the Citizens' League (a prohibitionist group) had drafted and managed to get passed an ordinance forbidding liquor establishments in alleys.

George threw open his doors and, within fifteen minutes, Mayor Cassingham shut him down setting up a major legal battle. Seemingly, everyone wanted to test the law's validity.