16. A Business Entrepreneur Killed by His Own Safe
Jack Daniel’s whiskey became popular, and in 1897 the brand gained its distinctive appearance when Jack began to use square-shaped bottles. The reputation of Jack Daniel was greatly enhanced after it won the gold medal for finest whiskey at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. That led to a surge of popularity nationwide, even as Daniel’s reputation suffered locally as a result of the growth of the temperance movement that eventually brought about Prohibition. Jack did not live to see that dark day for his business: he was killed years before its arrival by his office safe.
Jack often forgot the combination to his safe, and usually relied on a trusted office assistant to open it for him. One day in October 1911, he went to work early and arrived at the office before his assistant. He tried to open the safe but was unable to do so on his own. Frustrated, he kicked the safe – and injured his toe in the process. The toe became infected, the infection spread, and on October 10th, 1911, Jack Daniel died of blood poisoning. The safe went on to gain legendary status, is featured prominently in tours of the facilities, and even got sent out on public tours of its own.
