Next time you run into someone who lives in or near Lucas you might ask him or her, "So how's the bootlegging business these days?" Chances are, the response would be a blank stare --- unless you've engaged an actual residual bootlegger.
But back in April of 1896, a wide swath of the North American continent would have known what you were talking about. The following story, published originally in Council Bluffs, spread like wildfire through weeklies and dailies from coast to coast. It was brief (so it made good filler), mildly sensational --- and funny. This clip is from The Estherville Daily News of April 8:
A TOWN OF BOOTLEGGERS
The Inhabitants of Lucas, Ia., May Be Indicted for Bootlegging
Council Bluffs, Ia., April 6 --- The federal authorities at this place are taking steps which may place the entire town of Lucas, Ia., under indictment for bootlegging. Lucas is on the Burlington road, near the state line. Action is about to be taken on the statements of one Frank Goggins, who was arrested a week ago on the charge of bootlegging. He was brought to Council Bluffs by Special Detective Ravencamp of the Burlington.
He has confessed and furthermore has related a tale of the doings in the little village. According to his story bootlegging is looked upon as a legally constituted profession by the residents. He says that everybody in the town is disposing of packages He alleges that when a train stops at the station every citizen, from the station master down, is on hand with the packages.
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Sadly, we have no way of telling how Mr. Goggins, and his story, fared in the Iowa court system. There were no followups --- nor any indication that anyone else in Lucas was indicted, then. Bootlegging was a regular source of revenue for quite a few Lucas Countyans at the time, but rarely on this scale.
Nor can I locate a Frank Goggins who was a resident of Iowa at the time --- although a 1924 city directory of Des Moines does list a Frank Goggins, occupation given as miner, with no further information.
Still, it's a great little story and I feel obligated to pass it on.
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