Ch6 Tx Politics Ep11 1916 Prohibition - PaPa Opposed with an Open Pocketknife

          Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells the story of his second experience with Texas politics - South Austin Democratic Precinct Meeting. Emmett was 13.
          It was 1916 and women had gotten the vote 2 years earlier. The meeting was in a grocery on So. Congress in Austin. The question was Prohibition of Sale of Alcohol. 
           Emmett's father, John E, Shelton, was a local leader and he loved to debate. He was a conservative democrat and a defense attorney. He abstained from alcohol and would not allow it in his house, BUT he opposed Prohibition and felt everyone should be able to make up their mind for themselves.
          He had the opportunity to speak his mind and made his point with his open pocketknife and a few cuss words for the Precinct Chair. 
          
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#prohibition

 Music: "Democracy is Coming" by Leonard Cohen 

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.