Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1909 — County Is “Dry” For First Time In Seventy Years. [ARTICLE]

County Is “Dry” For First Time In Seventy Years.

The last licensed saloon in Benton county went out of business Ttiesday night when Antone Assendruk, of East Dunn, closed his doors. This is the first day since the county was organized in 1840 that intoxicating liquors have not been sold over a bar. In the early-days, when Oxford was the county seat, an official, known as the county agent, had supervision of the traffic, purchasing the liquor in quantities and dispensing it to the retailers, who were grocery store keepers or tavern keepers. A few years ago there were forty licensed saloons running in Benton county. The passing of the last one occasioned no excitement. Under the remonstrance law they were gradually exterminated until only five remained in Parish Grove town r ship. These were wiped out by the local option election which was held in March.