James Samuels vrs. Temperance Crowd

Last Monday at [Gallatin] County Court, the question of granting license to sell liquor at Sparta was again presented to the Court.  James M. Samuels, who kept the Exchange Hotel, had posted notices agreeable to the law, stating to the public that he intended to make application for license. The temperance people of that neighborhood who had defeated his intentions in that regard last May, came here Monday to oppose his plans.  Mr. Samuels failed to make an appearance and it was concluded that the notices were merely posted to aggravate the temperance people.

from the Owen County Democrat, July 29, 1887