Hodge Podge - Vicksburg written by Joe Ganger, Nov 2000 |
Only a few months later, a new one opened and spoiled the record.
But it was back in 1886. A man named L. Smith bought some billiard and pool tables and opened a "temperance" bar on Prairie Street in Vicksburg.
Later in appears that "temperance" was something of a misnomer because a fight broke out there one night and actions were anything but temperate. The furniture was smashed and the glass broken from the back doors.
Another incident occurred in August, 1898, at Nibbett's Saloon. It appears that action centered around three tramps who made themselves objectionable. When Constable Allen took a hand in the matter, they "shot it out with him."
Bullets flew in good old Western TV style. Popcorn Dick's sign was hit and his popcorn popper was nicked in the fray. The constable ended up with holes in his hat and vest, and one of the tramps was hit in the arm. A bullet shattered a window in the saloon.
Two of the tramps surrendered, but the third escaped. Nothing is said of the customers, but we can imagine where they were when all this was going on. It was one of the chances one took when he stopped for refreshments at the saloon.
If this happened today, it would be much different. The greatest fight would be in the courts later on when Popcorn Dick sued Constable Allen and maybe even Mr. Nibbett for tolerating such goings on in his place of business. Maybe the constable would sue Popcorn Dick for being in the way! More likely, the wounded tramp would be suing Mr. Nibbett, Popcorn Dick, Constable Allen, and the gun manufacturer!