Member-only story

John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring: A Tale of Corruption and Bootlegging in the Gilded Age

Corbin Powell

·14.3k Followers· Follow

Published in John McDonald And The Whiskey Ring: From Thug To Grant S Inner Circle

4 min read

168 View Claps

14 Respond

Save

Listen

John McDonald, The Notorious Leader Of The Whiskey Ring John McDonald And The Whiskey Ring: From Thug To Grant S Inner Circle

John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring: From Thug to Grant's Inner Circle

by Edward S. Cooper

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1758 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Rise of John McDonald

John McDonald was born in Ireland in 1837 and immigrated to the United States as a young man. He initially worked as a laborer in New York City before joining the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1864. McDonald quickly rose through the ranks of the IRS, becoming a special agent in charge of revenue collection in the Midwest by 1871.

The Whiskey Ring Scheme

In the 1870s, the United States was gripped by a wave of bootlegging, as unscrupulous distillers sought to evade the high taxes imposed on whiskey production. McDonald saw an opportunity to profit from this illicit trade and formed alliances with distillers and corrupt IRS officials.

The Whiskey Ring operated by under-reporting whiskey production, allowing distillers to sell vast quantities of untaxed whiskey. McDonald and his co-conspirators skimmed a substantial portion of the profits, lining their pockets with millions of dollars.

The Downfall of the Whiskey Ring

The Whiskey Ring's activities eventually drew the attention of the Treasury Department. In 1875, a special investigator was appointed to look into the allegations of corruption within the IRS. The investigation quickly uncovered evidence of McDonald's involvement and led to his arrest in 1876.

McDonald's trial was a major scandal that captivated the nation. He was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the government and sentenced to six years in prison. McDonald's conviction sent shockwaves through the political and business establishment, tarnishing the reputation of the IRS and the Grant administration.

The Aftermath

The Whiskey Ring scandal had a profound impact on American society and politics. It exposed the rampant corruption that plagued government institutions during the Gilded Age and led to calls for reform. The scandal also contributed to the downfall of President Ulysses S. Grant, whose administration was mired in allegations of corruption and incompetence.

The Whiskey Ring also had a lasting impact on the IRS. The scandal prompted a major reorganization of the agency and the establishment of stricter controls over tax collection. The IRS remains one of the most important and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the United States today, a testament to the legacy of the Whiskey Ring scandal.

John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring stand as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked corruption and the importance of accountability in government. The scandal left an enduring mark on American history, shaping the development of tax enforcement and contributing to the ongoing struggle against corruption in public life. McDonald's story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of greed and the need for vigilance in protecting the integrity of our institutions.

John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring: From Thug to Grant's Inner Circle

by Edward S. Cooper

4.5 out of 5