20 / 278
.
I
.
•
'
•''•••,••,•••
the rivers of the great wilds, alcohol played an important «r61e».
With the aid of this «strong water» 90 percent of the colonists
were able to undergo the enormous strain and carry on with the
hard labour of clearing and cultivating the soil, amidst continual
fighting for their existence against the Redskins. Their primitive
life with all its atrocious hardships and the continual danger of
life to their families called for the highest courage and perse
verance. Undeniably the greatest share and merit in the conquest
and cultivation of the new World must be ascribed to alcohol,
a fact that is confirmed by the numerous stories of old seamen.
In those days the Bar was the public room or house, the rendez
vous place of each settlement, where the members of the com
munity as well as the wandering groups of traders and seamen
came together. In this public room all business was transacted
and every traveller had to report himself and it was here that
he could get any information wanted or hear all the news of the
day. The house was called the «Common Store» and the man
who conducted it, generally a man of some education—sometimes
a clergyman or an officer—was called the «Commander». Only
these men were authorised to sell alcohol.
In large settlements these public houses would contain sleeping-
rooms for guests and stables, and even a constable room (police)
was added, and the house was now called an «Inn» and the Bar
tender an «Innholder». Now laws were made, which fixed certain
hours for the retailing of liquor to local settlers, while guests and
travellers passing through the place were free from these restric
tions. In such inns a lively trade was carried on with gunpowder
and arms, horses, furs and many other commodities. A news
service, reporting the happenings of the outer world, developed
and acquired great importance. All these settlements were in
continual contact with a Fort, the military protection and support
of the colonists. The largest settlement generally developed around
a Fort, and it was here that pioneers, who wished to advance
towards the Wild West, usually left their families for months
under the protection of the soldiers.
Later on, when towns came into existence. Bars were kept for
their own sake and began to be called «Saloons». The law forbade
guests or visitors to step behind the counter, the «barrier» or
20