On Thu, 7 Aug 1997, J Boxall wrote:
 
> I've had an enquiry concerning "blind tigers". I've found a little
> information in 2 vols. on American prohibition - "The liquor problem in its
> legislative aspect" by F.H. Wines and "Prohibition in the US" by D.L.
> Colvin.
>
> My understanding from these is that the tigers were illicit drinkshops which
> originated in South Carolina in the 1890s. Is this correct?
 
The term "blind Tiger" and "blind pig" (and several other blind mammels
came from US laws that were generally local issues in each city, county or
state.  When the laws were made to prohibit selling alcohol, the lawmakers
were trying to stop commercial selling, so the first laws did not outlaw
"giving" the stuff away.  Naturally, the sellers found out how to make a
buck without selling any alcohol;  they simply gave it away - after
charging a fee for anyone who wanted to see the blind tiger they had
downstairs (generally a cat with a blindfold) or a similar pig, etc.
 
It kind of works like laws in the US to try to stop people from buying
world series tickets and selling them at grossly inflated prices.  You
still see people outside the world series stadiums giving away free
tickets - one free ticket for every $300 ball point pen they sell.
 
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Now I have a question for you:
 
Preston had a famous cock-fighting pit.  The meeting place there was
rented out to some temperance groups.  It also was the site for LDS
"Mormon" missionaries who came proscelyting in the 1850's.
 
If you know of any histories that relate to these three related subjects:
 
Cock-fighting, temperance meetings, LDS missionaries in Preston
 
I'd like to get copies of anything about them that I can.
 
Thayne
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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...