There is no comparison between the beer-joints and saloons of today and the mid-19th century tavern. One hundred fifty years ago a tavern was a rest stop for weary travelers. The taverns served meals, provided overnight lodging, stabling for their animals, as well as the selling of "spirits", in the same manner, as does a modern super-market in a wet territory.
Since a tavern was such as asset to the reputation of a state, Kentucky law required that each applicant apply for a $10-a-year tavern-operation license, furnish proof of his good reputation, his ability and intention of performing full normal services, and furnish a $100 performance bond.
On September 9, 1844, John S. Gilliam was issued a license to keep a tavern in his home in Marion. It is quite likely that Gilliam did this only with the intention of providing what in those days was considered a necessity to a new town, for he could not have had more than two guest rooms in his one-story cabin.
On May 5, 1845, in an effort to control the prices to be charged in the rapidly multiplying number of taverns that were springing up at almost every crossroad in the infant County, the Crittenden County Court set this bill of tavern rates: Breakfast, dinner and supper - .25¢, Night's lodging – 12 ½ ¢. Horse feed – 12 ½ ¢, Whiskey per ½ pint – 5 ¢, Rum, brandy or wine per ½ pint – 10 ¢.
E. A. Calvert built on the northwest corner of Salem and Fords Ferry Streets (the site of the Marion Fire Department today). This building became Calvert's Tavern, the second tavern and first real hotel in Marion.
On Feb. 9, 1846, John W. Williams rented this building and was issued a license to operate Calvert's Tavern for one year. The next year Calvert's Tavern was purchased by John H. and James W. Bruff, and they leased it to John C. Henson who operated it until the 1860's.
In 1870 Calvert's Tavern was run by N. B. Douglas, and it was called White's Tavern. It was the first stagecoach tavern stop in Marion.
From an editorial in The Crittenden Press dated June 22, 1893, Deputy Sheriff John Pickens shared this information. "Yes sir, a reputable citizen of the Eastern portion of the county told me that he had every reason to believe that "Moon shine" liquor was being manufactured in his neighborhood, but as for as proving it, or locating the worm, that was something, that could not be done, even though you might be cocksure it is within three miles of you."
Two or three years ago, continued Sheriff Pickens, a still was operated in that section. Men have told me how they contrived to get 'a wee drap' of the mountain dew occasionally. To a certain cave they went; an oyster can and a string would successfully bring from the bowels of the earth a pint or quart, you put some silver in the can, lowered it with the string, you pulled on the string and behold the can had been transformed into a bottle.
An officer went on the search for that distillery, but he never captured it; he found "bar signs" but no "bar."
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