May 22, 2012

boom

Know what that is? A mountain of confiscated moonshine. Think of all the labor that went into making all that liquor. Think of the dry times without it. But most of all, think of the blaze when they lit it up.

(Actually, check the comments for updated info.) 

1924

8 comments:

That Hank said...

I'll never understand why some folks have to work so hard to spoil everyone's good time.

John M. said...

I agree.

Spoiling fun is an industry. I think some call it "enlightened self interest" but it merely spells "greed" to me.

still don't understand it, though

as the captcha says tingsril ledhang!

John M. said...

After further review, I am more inclined to believe that those are beer barrels and they are probably empty.

That Hank said...

Could be, but the info on this similar picture suggests that they were still full. Of course, tht could just be a misreading of any original info.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/tower-built-with-barrels-of-alcohol-which-should-be-news-photo/89777205

John M. said...

It would be nearly impossible to stack full barrels of liquid that big that high without a forklift or something like that. There are other factors that make it seem unlikely. (the weight crushing the barrels on the bottom and the difficulties in getting any liquid to ignite - fumes ignite, liquid, more difficult, etc..)

On top of that, in that time period it was not uncommon for towns, especially in Cananda and New England, to use the plentiful empty beer barrels for holiday bonfires.

see:

http://accidentalmysteries.blogspot.fr/2008/11/tower-of-barrels-in-1924.html

http://www.primaryresearch.org/PRTHB/Neighborhoods/NorthBeverly/index.php

http://www.primaryresearch.org/PRTHB/Neighborhoods/NorthBeverly/bonfire.jpg

Steph(anie) said...

John has clearly put a lot of thought into this :) But if he's wrong, I'll just say:

Nnnnoooooooooo!!!

That Hank said...

No, I believe that John is correct. Research skills, he's got 'em.

Nigel said...

Phew. No waste at all then. Just wonderful balance. So glad.