John Barleycorn Must Die

the long version

"Ben Johnson's "spirited" overview of Arkansas's efforts to regulate and halt the consumption of alcohol reveals much about the texture of life and politics in the state - and country - as it grappled with strong opinions on both sides." "After early attempts to keep drink from the American Indians during the colonial period, temperance groups' efforts switched to antebellum towns and middle-class citizens. After the Civil War, federal taxes on whiskey led to violence between revenue agents and moonshiners, and the state joined the growing national movement against saloons that culminated in 1915 when the legislature approved a measure to halt the sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol - including that of Arkansas's substantial wine industry. The state supported national Prohibition but people became disillusioned with the widespread violations of the law. However, the state didn't repeal its own Prohibition law until a fiscal crisis in 1935 required it in order to raise revenue. The new law only authorized retail liquor stores, not the return of taverns or bars. A final effort to restore laws against John Barleycorn in 1950 was rebuffed by voters. Still, there are a number of counties in Arkansas that remain dry and disputes over the granting of private club licenses continue to make the news."--BOOK JACKET.