Small towns often seem to be home to the largest personalities, and folks tend to embrace their own including those who may have a different way of living their lives. Our own Rabbit Hash has claimed many fascinating locals throughout its long history. Among these, of course, several dogs as mayor.
For this story, our hero is a man named William, who gained some notoriety for his exploits along the river in the 1890s. He was proud of his hometown and often introduced himself as “Rabbit Hash, b’gosh, Bill.” Bill’s escapades were documented in local papers, where his was simplified to “Rabbit Hash Bill.”
Rabbit Hash Bill walked for miles along the Ohio River with his walking stick and his dog, who was not in politics. In 1899, a writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer described Bill as an “old Gent” though his true age is unknown. Records reveal several men named William, Bill and Billy lived in Rabbit Hash around the same time, yet none were as well-known as Rabbit Hash Bill.
His appearance and notable activities were covered in the papers with great amusement, told in a friendly tone. The local press looked upon his antics with affection, though he was known to bend the rules and test the limits of socially acceptable behavior.
One example occurred in Dick Edwards’ Covington saloon on a rainy day 1897. Bill arrived carrying a sizable sack and wearing a large willow branch on his head in lieu of an umbrella, so he said. About twenty of the bar’s patrons began teasing Rabbit Hash Bill into performing a song, which he happily did, but their intent was unkind.
After his performance, Bill told the bartender he had something for sale in his sack and emptied the contents abruptly. The bag was filled with snakes of all sizes and varieties that Bill had collected along the river. This sent the bar into chaos and the bullies running for the doors; one even went through a closed window!
Officer ”Pluck” Hughes responded to the ruckus, unamused and swearing to seek appropriate punishment once he had gathered up all of the snakes. However, while Officer Hughes performed animal control work, Rabbit Hash Bill did his own slithering out the door, escaping all responsibility.
Other noteworthy moments in Bill’s public life included several interruptions of city council meetings. In one instance, he offered to build a dam he determined necessary on the Licking River, at Covington’s expense, of course. He was a public nuisance to some and an amusing entertainer to others, but following his death in 1900, he was remembered as one of the “most picturesque characters” ever to roam the banks of the Ohio River; a beloved legend from the small town of Rabbit Hash.
