Odd Old News: Crusade Against Blind Pigs in Humboldt County

Nuggets of old news served up once a week by David Heller, one of our local historians.

Temperance movements in America have a long history dating back to Benjamin Rush’s 1784 treatise, An Inquiry Into the Effects of Ardent Spirits Upon the Human Body and Mind. A number of anti-alcohol groups formed throughout the 19th century, one of the more strict being the “pure-water army” of the teetotalers. Alcohol’s attraction was in some part due to the lack of safe water to drink. Johnny Appleseed’s mythical endeavors to plant apple trees was based on America’s widespread interest in drinking hard apple cider as an alternative to water. After the War of the Rebellion, women’s groups promoted the construction and use of public drinking fountains in an attempt to provide a potable water alternative for prospective alcohol imbibers. Because of the clear association of domestic violence and alcohol use, the temperance movement had many women followers who also took up women’s rights and progressivism, Susan B. Anthony amongst them.

Before the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1920 that started the Prohibition era, counties and municipalities could ban alcohol through the use of something called “local option” ordinances. In 1912 there was a surge of anti-alcohol trafficking sentiment in Humboldt County which led to the rise of the Progressive Temperance League. With the backing of many a minister and church, there was an effort to make Humboldt County a “dry” county. Petitions were circulated in the major towns to hold “local option” elections.

One speaker “quoted numerous authorities to the effect that in “dry” towns “blind pigs” (illegal businesses that sell liquor) abound and cause a big increase in the number of boys and young men who use liquor, owing to the “bottle habit.” He likewise told of the sorts of liquor which dry towns were likely to find in their midst and of the tendency to use patent medicines and hard cider doctored with alcohol in such communities.” (Humboldt Times, 4/13/1912)

A local option ordinance took effect late in July, at which time fourteen men were paid by the Progressive Temperance League to conduct undercover operations and gather evidence of blind pigging in dry towns. The sheriff declined to take such action, claiming that his deputies were known and would be recognized. Based on the League’s undercover investigations, a series of indictments were issued, primarily for hotel owners. By December 21st, twenty-two names were on the list of blind-pig operations, including prominent Southern Humboldt saloon owners William McGhee of Briceland, and Mark Stone of Garberville. So much evidence had been gathered that Judge Gray’s court room looked like a “well stocked bonded warehouse.” There were thirty cases pending by the end of 1912, each of which had to go before the Grand Jury for investigation in 1913.

One of the warrants was issued for Antone F. Ochoa, who was the Garberville town barber, and associate of Mark Stone of the Our Corner Saloon and Pool Hall. Sitting on the NE corner of Main Street and Church street, the Our Corner Saloon lot was leased by Mark Stone in 1904, the previous owner Mit Myer having taken his Pioneer Saloon name across the street to a new building.
Garberville’s barber was swept up in the end of the year anti-alcohol crusade, but his case was unique, as his eagerness to share the evidence of his innocence demonstrated.

Humboldt Times
December 27, 1912
SAYS HE HAS SOLD ONLY CIDER
BONDSMAN GIVES HIS OPINION
Garberville Man Charged With Running a Blind Pig

Antone Francisco Ochoa, who is alleged to have sold liquor at Garberville in defiance of the Wiley local option law, reached Eureka yesterday where he secured two bondsmen to meet a demand of Judge Gray that he post $500 bonds in order to assure his appearance when he is desired to answer to a charge of running a blind pig. To make matters worse, Ochoa’s bondsmen declared he should go to jail for dispensing the vile stuff which the prisoner admits he sold to all comers at the little southern Humboldt town. Ochoa is a barber but has been working for Mark Stone, a merchant of Garberville. When the Progressive Temperance League of Humboldt county began its crusade against blind pigs, a warrant was issued for Stone and Ochoa who is said to have sold the liquor.

Six Barrels Found. When the premises were searched, six barrels of liquid were found in the cellar. Owing to the distance from Garberville to Eureka and the amount of evidence, it was not thought necessary to bring the six barrels to the justice’s court. Hence three bottles were filled from the barrels and properly sealed and are now reposing under the vigilant eye of a watchman in the court room. Aside from the three bottles brought in for the prosecution. Ochoa also took the trouble to bring in a bottle. When he secured bondsmen, he offered them a sample of the “stuff” to strengthen his stand with them. One of the bondsmen, who is a good judge himself, took a “pull” and then ventured to remark that Ochoa should be given a stiff jail sentence. It seems the six barrels contain what is supposed to be cider, yet the bondsmen who tasted it, said it was a vile quality of vinegar. His opinion was that the residents and transients who were served with such a thirst quencher, were justified in seeing Ochoa investigated. However, the defendant feels that when the jury also comes in contact with his beverage, they will be glad to acquit him.

What happened to Tony Ochoa in this case is unknown, but it is likely that he evaded prosecution. It appears that he continued to practice his cider making craft because he was again arrested for blind pigging during the Prohibition era. In this instance, it is known that his case was dismissed to a lack of evidence.

Earlier Odd and Old News:

There are many, but here are the most recent:

• It’s a Gas–A Look at ‘Oil Springs’ and Fuel ‘Escapes’ in Our Local Area
• Mrs Mills’ Bonnet
• Beware the Calathumpians
• Sea Lions Eating Cattle and Exploding Mules–The Stories Seem Mighty Tall Around These Parts
• From Cloverdale to Eureka by Stage
• School Ma’am Letters
• The Diary of a Young School Teacher— Part two
• In Which Plans for Ferndale’s Fourth of July Parade Created a Masterpiece of Rage Writing
• Odd Old News: The Tragic Wreck of the Columbia Near Shelter Cove in 1907