Rotgut and the Godfather

The driving force behind the journal section of this website was to elaborate on information I learned researching Old West stories for the books I write. For example: Television and motion picture westerns would have viewers believe whisky was the drink of choice for cowhands and miners. The truth is whisky was in short supply beyond the Mississippi and bartenders made up drinks they liked to call whisky. A mixture of water, heated sugar, turpentine (sometimes), and a tobacco plug was served to saloon patrons who requested whisky. “Rotgut” as it was also known, could make a person very ill. Those aware of how sick it could make them ordered champagne drinks or coffee. After spending five days in Missouri meeting with attorneys and private investigators I feel like I’ve had massive quantities of rotgut. And here’s where the journal entries turn from being solely about Wild West facts to Midwest tragedy. I learned during this visit that a once beloved family member sought to cause irreparable harm to the case involving my brother. It was malicious and purposeful and inexcusable. When I was informed what had happened I felt like Al Pacino’s character in the film The Godfather must have felt when he learned his brother Fredo had betrayed him. Pacino’s character waited for just the right time to tell his brother that he knew what he’d done. “I know it was you, Fredo,” he said grabbing Fredo’s face hard and kissing him. “You broke my heart.” What happened stings but the lawyers assure me they can work around it. There’s hope for my brother. A trial is on the way along with a healthy dose of retribution. When this is all over I’m going to need plenty of homemade brew to get beyond the hurt and the insurmountable loss however. I’ll saunter into a saloon and demand that the bartender, or chemist as they were also known in the Old West, serve whisky to my friends and rotgut to my enemies.