Legislation. Mississippi. An act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors (1864)

Enacted on April 5, 1864, “An Act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes” declared that it was illegal for any person to distill alcohol from grains, fruits, or sugars, and prohibited the use of pots, kettles, machinery, or any other items for the distillation process. The act suspended all liquor licenses and declared all existing distilleries to be public nuisances and authorized every white person to destroy any distillery within Mississippi. Public officials were to report the destruction of distilleries to the governor. Officials who failed to destroy distilleries faced misdemeanor charges along with fines and possible imprisonment. Any person found guilty of selling alcoholic drinks could face six months in prison. The only exception to this law was a provision authorizing the governor to designate two distilleries, to be owned and operated by the state, for the purpose of producing medicinal alcohol. (Laws of the State of Mississippi, 1864, 63–68)