Gunsmoke

[Joyce & Jon Schneider]

Thank you so much to all who contributed with answers to my question regarding the contraption on the bar wall in the old West saloons like the Long Branch.  This has been both fun and informative!  Are there any more ideas???

[anthony martin]

  Joyce and Jon,

        When the mad scientist who cross bred an elephant with a rhinoceros  was queried about what he got,he answered"Elephino!"

[Sue Cauhape]

Oh, now we're really getting silly!

[Marshall Trimble]

Hi Joyce, I heard from my friend Frank Cutler out in western New York and this is what he has to say: "My Dad opened his 1st restaurant in 1918 and his 2nd one which opened in 1927. He kept that one until 1954.  Above the very large Bar which was all carved wood there was a contraption very similar to that one on GUNSMOKE  and if I remember right it brought the pressure up through those pipes for the beer taps to put a big head on the beer. While you did get a head on the beer out of the barrel people back then wanted a real head because they thought it was better beer. I am sure that is what it was for. If you notice the pipes run into the counter and then below. I am pretty sure that is what it was for."

[Bob Boze Bell]

This has been a fabulous string of comments. Marsh, hope you are going to run this question and the right answer in your column.

[Joyce & Jon Schneider]

Thanks, Marsh. 

Now THAT actually makes sense!!!  As Artie Johnson would say, "Veeery interesting!"

Problem solved!!!

Joyce