The truth is stranger than fiction… Title: Refused beer, he

May 1

The truth is stranger than fiction…

Title: Refused beer, he breaks up tavern
Creation Date: 9/7/1949
Media Type: Photographic Prints
Source: Automobile Reference Collection
Notes:
Info Attached to Photo:

REFUSED BEER, HE BREAKS UP TAVERN

Cleveland, Ohio... Mike "Ickey" Mesko wasn't fooling when he told the bartender at Rolfe's Tavern that he would close him up after being refused a beer. According to proprietor Jack Rolfe, Mesko came in near closing time and asked for a beer -- even though he had no money. Mesko got the beer, but when he asked for a re-fill, was refused. Mesko said: "if the police don't close you up, I will.....I'm going right through your front window." He did. He went to his home, go the truck, and returned. Taking careful aim, he backed his one-ton vehicle through the front window of the tavern.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS PHOTO

1435 East 12th St.

Cleveland 14, OHIO

May 1, 2026

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Replies (10)

· May 1

Running a bar is not an easy business.

· May 1

@alsancle But they made it look so easy on Cheers. I’m guessing this wasn’t the first bar he visited that night.

· May 1

I like the neon sign above the bar.

The article sets the scene like a movie script......"walked into the bar at 1 am and asked for a beer on credit"............. Thank goodness I've never been involved in ownership of a bar. The restaurant/bar business adventures I had as part time jobs in college cured me of any aspirations along those lines. Cheering for Mike Mesko.....hopefully he got home, his wife gave him a good beating, he turned his life around, and passed away at age 99.

· May 2

@JohnBloom I love the sign too!

· May 1

Damage to the front bumper was from the night before.

· May 1

Was it a $200 truck before or after he backed it into the building?

· May 2

NewOldWood: Ran When Parked

(edited)

· May 5

@NewOldWood I was going to make a crack about 200 being a lot of money in 48 and then I remembered it was very hard to buy a car in the first couple of years after WWII. Although that truck would not make a great daily drivrer.

· May 2

It is a funny picture but would not be as funny if someone was sitting by the door when he did that.

· May 2

Considering the gearing that truck would’ve had, he must have had it wound right out in reverse to have enough momentum to get the entire bed inside.