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Albuquerque Morning Journal
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
What is this article about?
Biographical profile of William E. Johnson, aka 'Dry' or 'Pussyfoot' Johnson, a prohibition enforcer born in 1862 in Coventry, N.Y. He served as special agent in Indian Territory and Oklahoma in 1906, chief officer in 1908 with 3,000 convictions, and recently lost an eye in a London mob attack while promoting prohibition internationally.
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WILLIAM E. JOHNSON.
From hunting bad men of the west to running down bad whiskey in the east and all over is a far cry. But that is the gap leapt by William E. Johnson, better known as "Dry" or "Pussyfoot" Johnson.
Since a London mob gouged out one of his eyes in resenting his dry activities a few months ago he has been an international figure in prohibition affairs.
He has gone to Australia to make that country dry.
Johnson was born in Coventry, N. Y., March 25, 1862. Acting on Horace Greeley's advice he went to Nebraska and, after completing his studies at the University of Nebraska, he sought a job as cub reporter with the Lincoln, Neb. Daily News.
In 1906 he was named special agent of the department of the interior to enforce the liquor laws in Indian Territory and Oklahoma. It wasn't an office job. Johnson wore and knew how to use a .44 Colt. At least five of his deputies were killed. Johnson had a few notches on his gun, but kept the mortality rate down somewhat by his quickness on the draw.
It is told of Johnson that when he heard that one man had sought to raise a fund of $1,000 to have Johnson murdered, the dry sleuth said, "Go ahead and collect the money."
In July, 1908, Johnson was named chief special officer of the United States Indian service and in three years obtained over 3,000 convictions for law violations.
Since that time he has played a prominent part in various prohibition activities. He has written many books dealing with the alcohol problem.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Indian Territory And Oklahoma
Event Date
Born March 25, 1862; Appointed 1906 And July 1908
Key Persons
Outcome
lost one eye in london mob attack a few months ago; at least five deputies killed; over 3,000 convictions for law violations
Event Details
William E. Johnson, born in Coventry, N.Y., March 25, 1862, moved to Nebraska, studied at University of Nebraska, worked as reporter. In 1906 appointed special agent enforcing liquor laws in Indian Territory and Oklahoma, involved in armed enforcement with deputies killed and personal confrontations. In July 1908 named chief special officer of US Indian service, obtained over 3,000 convictions in three years. Prominent in prohibition activities, wrote books on alcohol problem, recently active in London and Australia, lost eye in mob attack.