An Equal Opportunity Liquor Supplier

Credit: Library of Congress

Over the next couple of years, Thomas and various friends were indicted for various offenses. In addition for indictments for selling liquor without a license, Probert faced charges for running a "gaming house," running a "tippling house," and selling liquor to just about anyone who could pay for it. He sold liquor to minors, soldiers, and slaves.

The problem was not so much selling liquor to a slave, but rather not getting the permission of the slave's owner first. Who deserves a drink more than a soldier fighting the Civil War? Thomas frequently was able to get the charges dismissed or pay a fine. In the example listed below, even a jury found him "not guilty." This was in a case where the Commonwealth of Kentucky was the plaintiff!

I wonder how many of the jurors were also customers? Hmmm . . .