Busch page 4

Busch page 4 by ric gustafson


In October 1913, Adolphus Busch died and an estimated 100,000 people lined the route to the cemetery. He left an estate estimated at 60 million dollars and it was divided evenly among his seven surviving children. At this time, Anheuser Busch stock was paying around eight thousand a share.
August Sr became president of the company and the headaches that came with it. The Anti Saloon League lobbied to ban alcohol on a state to state basis and tried to pass a constitutional amendment for a national prohibition. In June of 1914, the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand started World War I. Growing resentment toward the Busch family started because of their ties to Germany and Kaiser Wilhelm. Because of the resentment, Budweiser sales dropped to 12 million in 1917. On December 8 1917, the 18th Amendment was passed. This amendment banned the sale of alcoholic beverages nationwide. August Jr dismissed the amendment as an attempt to substitute the authority of law. He vowed to keep the company going no matter what he had to do.


research help: ' Bitter Brew' by William Knoedelseder


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric