Ruffled feathers.
During prohibition, Bootsie’s bourbon “rocked the cradle” of most everyone along Bootleggers Trail.
By early 1929 it was widely known that Bootsie was a “wanted woman.” She was being hunted, not only by law enforcement, but also by intrepid bootlegger racketeers.
Problem was, only intimate few knew what she looked like and her true identity. Her pursuers were chasing the lore of Bootsie and coming up empty-handed over and over and over again.
Simply, every time the police showed up, they were greeted by an empty room void of anything, except for the bar top. Bootsie always left an empty glass and a single bottle of her Bourbon, ready-to pour when informed of an impending raid. Afterall, she was never one to be rude to her establishment guests, even the ones trying to find and punish her.
The officers appreciated her gesture, although it infuriated Capt. Babsky. They understood her struggle was against the political establishment, not the men and women that kept the streets of Bootleggers Trail safe.
By this time, law enforcement and the masters of Bootleggers Trail wanted to shut her down. Bootsie’s booze had taken over the underworld scene of high society libation. She was the hotbed of hooch but never left a trace of impropriety for others to latch unto.
In spite of, and perhaps, because of the mystery that surrounded her, the legend and stature of Bootsie's bourbon grew as the heat was turned up on her operation. It became a symbol of defiance against the oppressive restrictions of prohibition.
If you had a Bootsie in hand, you were one of the people. It was maddening to those trying to hunt her down, and the booze (and Bootsie) lovers among us took joy in knowing that. We felt lucky to have trusted friends in high places…and in "low" ones.