Editor's note: Take a look back into the archives of The Dallas Morning News.

In early 1906, The Dallas Morning News alerted readers to a salacious trial. It had everything that piqued public interest — murder, mayhem and an inhuman defendant. Despite these features, this trial wasn't front-page news; it wasn't really news at all. The "Trial of Alcohol" was a lecture given by E. Tennyson Smith, and you could only see it in person for one night only.

E. Tennyson Smith, referred to by a contemporary liquor trade journal as "an imported English prohibitionist," was a prolific speaker on the "demon of drink." In 1906, he brought his lecture series to Dallas. His "Trial of Alcohol" was one of the most unique events in his speaking tour and featured a judge, a full jury, and lawyers for both parties.

Although Prohibition wouldn't become the law of the land until 1920, prohibition advocates were out in full force by 1906. In churches and music halls across the country, people like the hatchet-wielding Carrie Nation expounded on the evils of alcohol to a largely female audience.

The Bush Temple of Music, where the "trial" took place. (Flickr.com)

As The News reported on Feb. 6, 1906, "Alcohol" stood accused of "the definite charge of robbery and murder." Smith, taking on the role of the prosecutor, called forth several witnesses to prove his case, while the defense offered none of their own. At the end of the trial, both men offered their closing statements, with each side including relevant Bible quotes to bolster their case. Though "both speakers wandered off considerably to discussion of the local option," the crowd remained in "good humor throughout" as "many witticisms were indulged in by both attorneys and the house."

At the end of the evening, however, the jurors reached a verdict. They found the defendant guilty on all charges by a 9-3 vote. The sentence for alcohol was death.