He liked the idea of the publicity his paper would get through the stunt of the "boys." He did not guess the kind of publicity he would really come into.
During the three weeks that we had before we were to bring out the paper we grew quite proficient in the tawdry life lived in the "Bottoms."
We found out that most of the ramshackle "nigger" dives were owned by a former judge ... from which he derived exorbitant rents.
We located all the places where booze was sold, and ascertained exactly how much whiskey was disposed of in the town's drug stores for "snake bite" and "stomach trouble." We discovered many interesting things—that, for instance, "Old Aunt Jennie," who would allow her patrons any vice, but demurred when they took the name of "De Lawd" in vain—"Old Aunt Jennie" ran a "house" where the wilder and more debauched among the students came (in justice to Laurel University, let me add, very few) girls and boys together,—and stayed for the night—when they were supposed to be on trips to Kansas City....
Travers and "The Colonel" and I were half-lit for two weeks....
That was the only way to collect the evidence.
I drank but sparingly, as I loafed about the joints and "houses."
Jerome Miller did not drink at all ... and was the spirit and soul of our activities.
"Senator" Blair came out with a humorous editorial the night before we were to take the day's charge of his paper.