This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
The New Orleans Whisky Ring Expose and Quest
In April 1874 Francis R. Kelly and James J. Brooks led a daring moonshine raid across the Mississippi to crush a broad illicit distillery ring. They seized the Big Ben plant, arrested guards, and guarded evidence with soldiers, capturing vast contraband and prompting high-level government action in New Orleans. The mission boosted Kelly and Brooks, led to promotions, and linked to Grant’s push to purge corrupt officers and punish whisky ring conspirators.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis R. Kelly
Philadelphia
James J. Brooks
United States Secret Service
Brooks
Pennsylvania
Kelly
New Orleans
Joe
Keldy
Frank Kelly
Washington
Broad Street
Mr. Brooks
Alfred Brooks
John Mitchell
Secret Service
Grant
Simon Cameron
Alexander‘p. Tutton
Internal Revenue
White House
Tutton
Mr. Tutton
Detective Kelly
Detective Brooks
Mr. Kelly
Belknap
Crescant
Big Ben
United States
America
Algiers
Crescent City
Trair
Hammond
Henderson
Brooks and Kelly
Gen. Grant
Francis Kelly
Supervisor Tutton
Beckwith
District of
Packard
Liverpool
Woods
Supreme Court
Gopyal Vby
W. G. Chapman
Percyo