PROHIBITION, RUM RUNNERS AND SHADY CHARACTERS Words by Ted Hunt
The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting the manu-
boats with cases of liquor and run nightly trips from Bimini, Nassau and Cuba
facture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors was ratified in 1919 and
to Florida’s coast. Bimini, only 50 miles from Florida, built nine liquor ware-
went into effect in January of 1920. The often-called Prohibition Amendment,
houses and had over 50 powerboats that could reach the Florida coastline
aimed at curbing alcohol consumption, forced the closing of hundreds of
in two hours. The boats had an extensive shoreline of secluded inlets, coves,
breweries and put an end to thousands of saloons across the nation. How-
mangrove swamps and remote lagoons to choose from.
ever, it had the unintended consequence of fueling a thriving, and illegal underground industry.
These coastline entry points all provided ideal hiding spots and escape routes, making it nearly impossible for law enforcement to intercept them.
Despite the law, millions of Americans chose to drink anyway, so the demand
Bootleggers would meet the boats, offload the cases onto trucks and cars
for booze had to be satisfied through illegal means. There was rum running,
that would quickly head north with their precious cargo.
bootlegging, speakeasies and moonshining. It was also the beginnings of organized crime — Al Capone, Frank Costello and of course “The Godfather.”
In the early 1920s the United States jurisdiction over its waters was limited to three miles out from the coastline. Outside this three-mile line were inter-
Rum-running was the smuggling of rum, whiskey, scotch, champagne and oth-
national waters. The Coast Guard was responsible for patrolling the Florida
er liquors by sea. The famous Florida drink called the rum runner was named
three-mile limit and the enforcement of Prohibition. The Coast Guard’s fleet
after those smugglers — but more on that later.
was very small and not prepared to cover such a large area. The rum runners took full advantage of this lack of coverage. Under the cover of darkness, the
Bootlegging was the illegal manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol. Distri-
runners in the Bahamas would load large boats with cases of booze, go to
bution included the transportation of liquor by trucks and souped-up cars car-
the three-mile line and form a long row and wait for smaller boats from Flor-
rying cases of booze, flying down dirt roads, being chased by the cops. Boot-
ida and transfer the cases. Many would post signs on their boats listing the
legging even gave rise to the birth of auto racing: Today known as NASCAR.
names and prices of their liquors. The smaller boats would then speed off toward Florida to meet the bootleggers. The larger boats would go back to Nas-
Speakeasies were the illegal bars that served the outlawed booze. Moonshin-
sau and repeat the cycle. This area was called Rum Row: It was just too easy.
ers were the hillbillies in the woods that distilled 100 + proof corn-liquor and served it in mason jars, often by the light of the moon … Get it?
SHADY CHARACTERS The rum runners were a motley crew of gangsters, thieves and crooks. There
THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
was Bill McCoy who ran a successful operation along the entire east coast
Florida was strategically positioned to capitalize on the ban on alcohol. The
of Florida. He worked both sides of Rum Row. On one of his boats, he had
state’s proximity to the Bahamas and Cuba, where liquor flowed freely, made
a large concealed machine gun used to keep other shady characters from
it a prime location for smuggling operations. Florida’s coastline became a
stealing his illegal booze. His reputation was for selling only high-quality, not
hotbed of illegal activity, earning the state a notorious reputation for its rum
watered-down liquor. He amassed a fortune, was eventually caught, served
runners and bootleggers. A case of Cuban rum that cost $4 in Cuba, would
time in prison, was released and then retired, with his fortune, near Stuart,
bring $100 when it reached Florida’s shores and $500 in cities like New York
Florida. His name gave birth to the phrase “the Real McCoy” – for “the real
and Chicago. Many rum runners watered down their alcohol or re-labeled
stuff.”
bottles of cheap booze as more expensive brands to make it more profitable. It was a dangerous business and there was big money to be made — If you
The notorious Ashley Gang was a band of Florida east coast locals who ran
didn’t lose your life first!
booze between the islands and the states. Known as Florida’s notorious Jessie James Gang, they robbed banks, stagecoaches and trains. They were also
Rum runners would load up their schooners, yachts, speedboats and fishing
10 Folio Weekly
rum runners, bootleggers and moonshiners.
