DECEMBER 2017 • NEBRASKAland 13
Omaha bar, 1910. NSHS RG3542-95-17 O h b 1910 NSHS RG3542 95 17
A first-class bartender, according to the Bee, should have
a number of attributes. "He must not only be a machine,
[but] an accurate machine at that – able to compound a list
of drinks as long as your arm – putting together the proper
ingredients in the proper proportions. He must be a close
student of human nature, affable and agreeable under all
circumstances and at all times ... If a customer is sleepy and
stupid, the man behind the bar must possess the ability to
give him a decoction which shall open his eyes and make
him feel wide awake and ready for business; if he, on the
other hand, [is] unable to sleep and in need of rest, the
bartender must call to his aid the magic of his art and give
him something to soothe his nerves and insure him a night of
sweet sleep."
Bartenders were not paid high salaries, noted the Bee.
"Twenty dollars a week is the amount earned by the majority
of Omaha's best drink-mixers. A few are paid $100 a month
and one or two perhaps a trifle over that amount."
Although wages were not high, bartenders had the
reputation of spending freely. They were said to be "well-
dressed, gentlemanly fellows, who live well and know
how to spend their money. A bartender who
saves his money is a very rare exception. The
majority of this class of men prefer to spend it
on women, high living and diamonds." ■
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