The contributions of many talented people brought Westerville History to life August 23 & 24,2008 during four performances of the original play, "The Whiskey Wars or Who Blew Up Corbin's Saloon?".

Director Petie Dodrill was honored with roses at the conclusion of Sunday's closing performance by The Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau staff. The WVCB commissioned Watchdog Productions to write a play about the 1879 incident that destroyed Henry Corbin's second attempt at a social establishment. That saloon was located where Pasquales Pizza and Pasta House is today. Corbin's first saloon was partially destroyed by an explosion in 1875, but was rebuilt and still stands as an embroidery shop on W. Main St.

No one was ever convicted of either crime, although popular belief is that Corbin did it himself. During "Whiskey Wars" audiences got to decide for themselves who went on trial for the 1879 explosion. The talented cast rehearsed two different endings: Corbin's trial and the trial of Otterbein College student Alex Cartwright.

Three of the audiences indicted Corbin, while Sunday afternoon's audience put Cartwright on trial. In the end all four juries, made up of audience members, found both men Not Guilty.

A special thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make this endeavor a success!