Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.80Scope and Content
A double sided hand written letter in blue ink and lined notebook paper from Wilbur P. McDonald to Mr. Millard Cohen, not dated.Context
Dear Millard,
The excellent article concerning your tussle with the B. A. T. F. in the Spring of 1995 Missouri Wine Country Journal, was awaiting my return rom the I. W. & F. S. Festival at the Broadmoor. Reading it was enjoyable, and I now have a better opinion of Rep. James Symington's ability.
My B. A. T. F. encounter in 1960 was rather mild, as only my attention was called to the fact that State Law was being violated. The local State Liquor official had previously advised me of that fact., in spite of my argument that Emil Wepprich, at St. Charles, Missouri, had a State license to produce wine. My lawyers also seemed to be of that opinion, but I urged them to "get me legal".
Things looked dark indeed when I received a letter dated Oct. 24, 1961, from Hollis M. Ketchum, Supervisor, Department of Liquor Control, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, advising that he could not find any provision in the Intoxicating Liquor Law permitting me to make wine for my family use at home.
My lawyers must then have done something right, as I received the #2 license to make domestic wine, issued November 20, 1961. This was the first license issued since the repeal of prohibition in 1933.
Millard, I'm jealous! My encounter with the B. A. T. F., and ultimate success was never mentioned in the local press and you received space in the Wall Street Journal.
As you seemed interested in my early endeavors, enclosed are copies of some of my correspondence which fairly well outlines my trials and errors. As I told you at the Broadmoor, if I knew in 1955 what I know today I would only plant native grapes (aestivalis) and a few of the hardy hybrids for blending purposes. Virginia seedlings, norton, or cynthiana need blending to produce a more pleasant and complex wine.
My Virginia Seedlings, the roots of which were obtained in 1962 from the north sloping hillside vineyard east of Aguste Bottermuller's house in Herman, Missouri, grow well in northwest Missouri. They produce a unique, heavy, fruity, aromatic, dark purple wine, that matures slowly in the bottle, developing a bouquet all its own after 5 years or so, and ages well. The vines are disease resistant (hence the high resveratrol) and require minimal care.
Eleanor extends her greetings, and if you are ever in Kansas City with the time to spare, we would like you to be our guest at the River Club, and we have an empty guest room where you could sleep it off.
Sincerely,
(in pencil)
May I have 1 copy.
No envelope is needed - as I am going to send him some other copies, etc. in a large brown envelope.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
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LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
8.5" x 11"
