332. Providing Liquor to the Military 1918

Updated: Mar 24, 2022

Of all the Federal crimes on the books in 1918, one would not think that giving liquor to American soldiers, sailors, and airmen would land you in a world of trouble! Alcohol and the military have been partners for thousands of years and they're still quite close today.

For example, on June 26, 1918, the Pensacola public held a social event at Bayview Park located on Bayou Texar. The park was a very popular site for all sorts of social activities especially during the summer months. And as usual as such events, there was always someone who furnished alcoholic beverages to enhance the "sociability" of the occasion. And that someone was none other than "Barrel House Shorty" also known as Zeb Jordan. With the observance of liquor and beer out in the open, the Bayview manager called the Pensacola Police Department to handle the situation, regardless of the US Marshal's already on the scene. Captain Ernest Ellis Harper (1890-1951) found two sailors on the ground who appeared to have been drinking. On scene information led to the identity of "Shorty" as the delivering culprit of the intoxicating liquid. As it turns out he was bringing beer in by the gallon via a local taxi. The outcome was that he was arrested by Harper and scheduled to appear before the US Federal Court.

Zeb was born in Pensacola in 1890 and was working a regular job as a "porter" for John M. Burrow at the "Burrow Press," a local printing company. But, as everyone knew, the military boys could always be counted on for a little extra cash for some beer or whiskey so what was the harm! His stated address was 124 East Government Street although over the years he had moved around to several domiciles. However, no further record appeared as to a disposition for this dastardly deed that was considered so serious. He did appear on the radar in 1939 for a 90-day contributing charge in Atmore but after that he disappeared.

So how did we get to the point of arresting hard working citizens for providing liquor to military personnel? It began in 1890 when Congress passed a law prohibiting intoxicating liquid to be supplied to enlisted personnel. Base commanders still had discretion on minor beverages on their bases. However, Congress then passed in Canteen Act of 1901 that forbade "the sale of, or dealing in, beer, wine or any intoxicating liquors by any person in any post exchange or canteen or army transport or upon any premises used for military purposes by the United States." But then again, this only applied to military property which in turn had little effect on civilian populations.

But then America entered WWI and everything changed! Congress reacted by extending the prohibition beyond our military bases by the passing of "Section 12 of the Selective Service Act of 18 May 1917." This addition now prohibited ALL intoxicating beverages anywhere near military property. The military reacted by establishing a five mile zone of prohibition around every post. This also made it illegal to sell ANY alcoholic contraband to ANY military personnel and even went so far as to define it as "any beverage with 1.4% or more alcohol content. It was not until WWII that the content was changed to 3.2% and remained in force until 1953. (Source: Schaffer Library of Drug Police)

But in the meantime, Pensacola's civilians were being arrested and jailed by the score and not just sent to the city jail either but to Federal prison! And many a citizen was charged just for "giving" alcohol to the soldiers not just for selling. Below you will find a plethora of examples of cases levied against the populace on the issue and this is just the tip of the iceberg.