“It is the prohibition that makes anything precious.” – Mark Twain

“I would like to get out there and stir these hell holes up.” – Carrie Nation

So went the debate over alcohol, its prohibition and then its reinstatement in the bars and stores across the country.

A “must-see” exhibit is on display at the New Castle-Henry County Library through Feb. 5. On loan from the Indiana Historical Society and sponsored by Kroger, “Hoosiers and their Hooch” is not only a great visual lesson in national and state history, but a reminder of how prohibition – a constitutional amendment which passed in 1919 and was repealed in 1933 – played out in New Castle and Henry County as well.

Combining striking images of the past with pertinent information of today, the display includes Indiana’s attempts to cope with a beverage many right here in early Henry County considered “evil.”

The exhibit literally stirs local history ties and tidbits that connect with the prohibition era. One of the photos shows a gathering of Ku Klux Klan women – in New Castle. Groups like that one were known at that time for, among other things, pouring beer into rivers.

Then there’s the story of Carrie Nation, the fiery lady who made her point about alcohol usage rather aggressively. Nation’s opposition was personal. She blamed an incident that left her only daughter disabled on her husband’s excessive drinking. In protest, she tore into places that sold alcohol with her hatchet.

Incidentally Nation’s second husband, David, was an editor of the New Castle Courier.

Another local highlight in the display features Ed Jackson, a New Castle attorney and Ku Klux Klan advocate who actually became Indiana’s 32nd governor.

In 1927 Indiana Attorney General Arthur Gilliam publicly announced he had acquired medical whiskey for his three sons, who were seriously ill.

Gilliam’s sons recovered, but he was under great scrutiny for his actions. Gilliam lobbied for the right to use medicinal alcohol.

Well, Gov. Jackson added to the controversy when it was revealed he, himself, had approached Gilliam hoping to get prescription whiskey for his wife, who was suffering from pneumonia.

The display reveals some of the many ironies revealed during Prohibition times. A minister named Ed Shewmaker condemned both Gilliam and Jackson, saying both should have permitted members of their family to die and have died themselves rather than break their oaths of office.

According to the display, the minister was later exposed for his own use of alcohol to help sick family members.

Early Henry County settlers might be surprised, shocked, or, in some cases, delighted, with the availability of alcohol here now.

Late historian Herbert Heller wrote that Henry County in the 1840s was among those taking advantage of a local option in state law prohibiting the sale of liquor. In fact, by 1847, Heller wrote only Rush and Harrison counties had alcohol openly for sale.

In 1855, Indiana went one step further, as legislators passed a law declaring alcohol use illegal even for medicinal purposes. That law was ultimately declared unconstitutional and repealed three years later.

Heller’s book also recalled how Henry County’s delegation at an 1850s state convention unanimously favored committing the state party to prohibition, but no other county would follow.

Women in Henry County were not so silent on the issue. Women’s Christian Temperance Unions rose along with the alcohol sales. Meetings were held in such places as Dunreith and Knightstown.

Interestingly, more than 100 years after the first WCTU organizations were formed here, a determined Knightstown woman became a leader for their case.

Sarah F. Ward has served as state, national and world president of WCTUs over the years. Her efforts drew the attention of the Indiana governor’s office, which proclaimed Ward “a distinguished citizen” a few years ago.

Perhaps the steadfast opposition to alcohol championed by the WCTU continues to make a difference. Today, Indiana is the only state in the nation that bans Sunday sales of not only liquor but wine and beer as well. The exhibit also states it is illegal in Indiana to purchase more than three cases of beer at a time, but that doesn’t keep consumers from making multiple transactions.

So, although the time of prohibition is long past and Carrie Nation’s hatchet has been retired, debate about regulation of alcohol continues. Permitting Sunday alcohol sales received its first-ever legislative hearing.

And once again, Henry County has a connection in the alcohol-regulation debate. Sen. Jean Leising, who represents New Castle and the southern part of Henry County, is sponsor of a bill that would allow alcohol sales at the Indiana State Fair. The Hoosier state is one of just two that do not allow alcoholic beverage sales at their state fairs.

Darrel Radford is a Courier-Times contributor and board member for the Henry County Historical Society. The museum is open by appointment in January and February. Call 765-529-4028 to schedule a day and time. Visit www.henrycountyhs.org for more local history.