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Show The Park Record Wed/Thurs/Fri, May 17-19, 2017 W AY WE WERE Poisonous liquid By COURTNEY TITUS Park City Museum Curator of Collections and Exhibits We might imagine the “Roaring ‘20s” and Prohibition as a time of excess and excitement. However, the 18th Amendment also ushered in a dangerous time, and it wasn’t just the gangsters people had to worry about. A bad batch of booze could blind or kill in the blink of an eye. When the government banned the manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor, production of potable alcohol went underground and became unregulated. Industrial alcohol was still legal, however, and some exploited this loophole. Industrial alcohol was undrinkable due to additions of “denaturants,” or toxic chemicals like methyl (wood) alcohol, iodine or formaldehyde. Bootleggers would redistill the alcohol, producing cheap, allegedly consumable moonshine for thirsty masses. However, their process rarely removed all denaturants, and even a small amount of chemicals could be deadly. Park City was not immune to the effects of poisoned liquor. In the early days of 1925, Samuel Owen Apanalp and John Pezely, both miners, died after celebrating Christmas with tainted whiskey. In April 1925, a man consumed “fighting whiskey” at a soft drink parlor. He was arrested and attempted suicide while in the city jail. He survived and soon after, his brother, suffering from “delirium tremens” induced by tainted alcohol, joined him in jail. Together they wrenched loose wainscoting, molding and water pipes before being moved to separate cells. A terrifying report from 1927 proclaimed that Miss Lillian Courtney, aged 23, took one sip from her boyfriend’s flask and ran into the street screaming that she was blind. The booze had been tainted with wood alcohol. A 1923 report in the Park Record had claimed that wood alcohol blinded 500 people the previous year, but the warning had failed to resonate and did not protect Miss Courtney from the same fate. Attitudes were mixed when it came to these incidents. Some believed that drinking bootleggers’ booze amounted to attempted suicide.The Park Record quipped in 1920, “If a toper wants to die, [wood alcohol] is a quick and effective method and he’s sure to receive a ‘mention’ in the press.” Some had no sympathy, calling those who died from toxic drinks “fools” who got what they deserved. Others blamed deaths on the bootleggers themselves. A-15 GREEN TIPS Park City Brewery has eco goal By MARY CLOSSER Recycle Utah PARK CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM, SMITH AND BRIM COLLECTION The label on a bottle in the Museum’s collection warns of the dangers of wood alcohol. Wayne B. Wheeler, chief lobbyist for the Anti-Saloon League, proclaimed, “All denatured alcohol containing poison is labeled poison. The bootlegger who takes that label off and substitutes his fake label is as guilty of murder as the man who would sell arsenic as sugar.” Despite the dangers, people still drank. Prohibition was ultimately repealed, but not before at least 10,000 people had died from tainted liquor. The Park City Museum’s current traveling exhibit, “Spirited: Prohibition in America,” further explores this and related topics and is in town for one more week. Located at 528 Main Street, the museum is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Park City Brewery evolved in 2014, when the Ray brothers from Kentucky discovered the need for a local manufacturing brewery in Park City. They corralled another brewloving bro, along with a few friends, to join them in setting up shop. The three brothers, all environmental studies majors, not only wanted to brand their beers with the great outdoors, but also to weave sustainability into their day-to-day business practices. Their first priority was to manage their “Mash and Trub” (spent grain, hops and yeast). While most of their compostable waste is donated to local farms, their ultimate goal is to have zero solid waste from brewing go into the drain. The brewers know our landfill is almost full, so waste diversion is a priority. They work closely with suppliers to ensure all packaging is recyclable and they are starting to educate neighboring businesses about recycling logistics. The Brewery is conscientious about its transportation footprint. All Park City Brewery beer is served in aluminum cans, since it’s lighter to transport, more commonly recyclable and less resource-intensive to recycle, compared with glass. Additionally, cans have a tighter seal, cut down on UV rays and are more portable in the great outdoors. The Brewery only takes full loads of brew to Salt Lake City, and is working with county planners to improve transit to its business. The Park City Brewers like their “Boogie Water” time on the river and “Breaking Trail” in the mountains, but they are also committed to being green. Thank you, Park City Brewery, for your love of our land, water and air. If your business, any type, is interested in learning about Recycle Utah’s Green Business program, contact 435-649-9698, ext.13. Park City non-profits get by with a little help from YOU Volunteer opportunities are in every issue of The Park Record and a complete list can be found online at Parkrecord.com/volunteers Expand “ the talk.” No underage drinking. Christopher Reeves, Ariat Sales Representative, will be available to answer questions and show the newest styles including Western, English and Fashion. Online selection, in store service and no shipping charges Free gift with purchase Sponsored by Utah Department of Alcohol Beverage Control Utah Prevention $20 gift card toward your next purchase The New West Country Store 95 South Main Street Kamas, UT 84036 Great Selection, Great Service, Close to Home. |