Liquor Riot (1850)
In 1849 State Senator J. B. Smith secured the passage of a law whose chief provision was that "the vendor of intoxicating drinks shall be held primarily responsible for all damage to the community justly chargeable to such sale or traffic." It aroused strong feeling and on March 4, 1850, when the law was a political issue, Senator Smith's house in Milwaukee was partially destroyed in his absence by a mob.
Learn More
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.
[Source: Wisconsin: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form, ed. by Ex-Gov. Geo. W. Peck (Madison, Wis., Western Historical Association, 1906).]
Have Questions?
Contact our Library staff by email below: