“Was there no law in San Francisco back then to stop them?” Anne asked.

“Oh sure, but McManus paid them off to turn a blind eye to the goings-on.” He waived Tim over. “I think I need a cup of coffee, Tim. Would you make a fresh pot?”

“Sure thing, Liam.” Tim picked up the empty beer glass and walked into the storeroom at the end of the bar.

Liam turned back to Anne and continued. “But then the Welsh brothers challenged his power and built a couple of hotels with saloons in ’em, and one directly across the street from McManus’ biggest hotel. They raised a Democratic committee banner across the front of it. McManus was a staunch Republican, so that made him livid. It started a bitter rivalry.”

Tim walked out, sat a mug of coffee in front of Liam, and then turned to Anne. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, Tim, I’m good, thanks.” She turned back to Liam.

“The hostilities went on for several years: murders, shootings, arson. Then in 1894, McManus’ brother was stabbed and killed in a bar fight in his own hotel. Frank McManus was so distraught that he became an alcoholic and died two years later.” He picked up the mug and took a sip. “My family, being Democrats, didn’t lose any sleep over his demise.”

“That’s quite a story,” Anne said.

“Yes, it ’tis,” Liam agreed. 

Anne stood up. “I should be going. You need your rest.” She pulled a ten-dollar bill out of her purse and placed it on the bar.

“Wait a minute, girl, I’m not done. And you know your money’s no good here,” he huffed. 

Tim winked at Anne and smiled.

“Sit back down, Anne.” He patted the stool next to him. Anne picked up the money and returned it to her purse, then sat back down. 

 “See that wooden sign behind the bar?” He gestured to an old decaying piece of wood with the word Molly’s burned into it. Anne nodded. “That sign hung over the original Molly’s door on Irish Hill. My great-grandmother, Kate, saved it before the fire tore through after the earthquake.” His lips twitched in a grin. “She was a spit-fire that one.”

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