Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 300, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1919 — WANTED TO SEE THAT PIG [ARTICLE]

WANTED TO SEE THAT PIG

"Animal" Had a Strange Fascination for the Thirsty Easterners of a Century Ago.

Tb'» present prohibition law is mud» more* stringent than was the dry law of Massachusetts of 100 years ago* when the “Striped Pig” gained it® fame. At that time the law read that liquor could not be secured, save l» 15-gallon lots. That gave the “pig”! its chance. An enterprising resident, attended the militate muster on the Rendville fair grounds, and established a side show. A banner before the tent flaunted the likeness of a red and black pig, which, a sign said, could be seen for four pence. Many men went in to see the strange animal, and returned, many times. As the law did not prohibit the exhibitor from giving away liquor he gave each patron a generou® glass of the forbidden drink from a large stock he had laid in. The "Striped Pig” became famous over night. Song® were written about the animal, a bev-> erage was named after it, and a burx lesque play in New York adopted th® absurd title. , ■