Chapter 43
All for Me Grog
THREE O’CLOCK—ONE HOUR before the assumed time of the raid. Often the authorities arrived later than the scheduled time, but an early surprise was always a possibility. Women with rocks sat in chairs on rooftops. Some passed the time singing songs, others knitted, and many compared notes about family and friends in the new and old country. Raid preparation brought everyone together in one unified voice for an important cause. The Irish voted together, lived together, but most importantly, drank together. The authorities often misunderstood the reasons for the organized Irishtown resistance to federal raids. John Devlin held no special place in their hearts, but his cheap, sweet poteen, did.
A tall woman stood on the ledge of her rooftop and all heads turned in
