Drunken debauchery rampant in Lucas County

It seems unlikely that our forebears actually were more wicked than we are, but newspaper editors of the day kept a sharp eye out for transgressions and rarely hesitated to report them. Here are three examples, all involving demon rum, published on the local news page of The Chariton Herald of Feb. 10, 1898:

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The boisterousness and drunkeness that was evident on the streets last Sunday afternoon kept growing until about the second watch of the night, when it came to a crisis in a drunken brawl on the north side of the square. The police took a hand in the affair and escorted Frank Tate around to the county jail, where he is being detained on an old mittimus. Information was field against William Campbell for disorderly conduct and others may be summoned to answer for like behavior. There seems to be an epidemic of disorder about town of late, and the only way to stamp it out is to give those infected a course of treatment in the Manning hospital (the county jail). Last Sunday evening it was almost dangerous for a lady to go in the vicinity of the post office because of insults likely to be thrust upon her from the assembled drunks.

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In front of the post office last Thursday night occurred a little sparring match in which Fred Mauk, Earn Pulliam and a young man named Smith tried to settle a difference. In the fray that followed, Fred was knocked down and the two triumphant lads, flushed with victory, went to the restaurant of Avitt & Berghman, put the proprietors out and took charge of the establishment themselves. It is said the boys had been drinking, but this did not lessen the mortification of the restaurant men who had to watch the intruders from a window. No arrests were made.

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At the instance of Chas. Tansey, a United States Deputy Marshal went down to Derby last week and took into custody Drs. R. Fred Throckmorton and W.E. Moore on the charge of selling intoxicating liquor without a license. They were taken before the commission in Ottumwa for preliminary hearing. A plea of not guilty was entered and they will be tried in the federal court in Des Moines. If they succeed in vindicating themselves, Tansey will take a slump in favor of the public, but if they are convicted, to worm themselves back into the confidence of the good people of Derby will be something for them to live for in the future.

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At the time, physicians were licensed to dispense strong drink for medicinal purposes --- but nothing else. And apparently the Derby doctors had stepped over the line. Other newspaper reports state that they eventually rescinded the "not guilty" plea, paid a $50 fine and had few difficulties "worming" themselves back into the confidence of the good people of Derby.