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"A Syndicated Syphax"

Unread postPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:31 pm
by bourbonv
For those of you who come to Louisville, I invite you all to come to the Filson Historical Society to read a piece published by E H Taylor, Jr. entitled "A Syndicated Syphax". It is a very amusing read that will point out quite clearly what it meant to be on Taylor's bad side.

This flier was printed in response to some material printed and used by Duffy's Malt Whiskey in which they used Taylor's name as being part of a new combination company called 'The New York and Kentucky Co." They do this because of Taylor's past association with the OFC distillery, even though taylor resigned from the company in 1887 and courts ruled in 1894 that they could no longer use Taylor's name. The open letter is dated 2 February 1900 and starts with the following paragraphs:

"The Syphax is said to be a creature too little for a man and too big for a monkey; and when we find a whiskey combine too contemptible to be taken seriously, and yet too mischievous to be ignored, we may correctly label it "Duffy's Malt Whiskey Syphax".

There are people who do not know the difference between a jumping-jack and a jackass, and a composite photograph of the two would look so much like him that his nearest friends would call it an excellent portrait of Mr. Walter B. Duffy, President of the "New York and Kentucky Company," owner and great promulgator of "Duffy's Malt Whiskey".

Of "Duffy's Malt Whiskey" we care not to say much. If either "Malt" or "Whiskey" were well muscled individuals they would unite in kicking the stuffing out Mr. Duffy for accusing them of kinship with so indescribable a concoction. It is is good enough for those who like it; and so is dope."

The four page letter gets personal after this opening. Taylor definitely had a way with words and you did not want to be on the other side of his pen. If you are in Louisville, a trip to the filson would be worth it just to read this in its entirity.

Mike Veach

Unread postPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:58 pm
by MikeK
Yikes! :shock:

Another good reason for a trip to KY, as if I need more reasons ...

MikeK

Unread postPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:01 pm
by bourbonv
Taylor certainly had a way with words! Of course he was a politician and businessman who made his fortune selling whisky in a very competitive market.

Mike Veach