Wiseola

Wiseola (or Wise Ola) was a soft drink bottled in Birmingham from 1905 to 1915 by the Wiseola Bottling Company, in which chemist Jefferson Peek was a partner until 1905.

The beverage, which contained an extract of coca leaves, was marketed with the slogan "Get Wise" and an illustration of an owl framed by a full moon.

In 1908 the company was mentioned in a report on the adulteration of beverages prepared by President Theodore Roosevelt's Homes Commission in 1908. A 6-ounce sample of Wiseola was tested by government chemists in New Orleans, Louisiana and found to contain 2 milligrams of cocaine, leading to criminal charges against the company under the 1906 Food and Drugs Act. The company pleaded guilty to adulterating and paid a fine. Another drink, called Imported French Cola, was reported to be a carbonated version of Wiseola. Later the company returned to court to fight a lawsuit alleging fraud in reporting its capital stock. The case was argued in the Alabama Supreme Court in 1914. The company ceased operations a year later.

A painted mural for Wiseola was found on the interior of the second floor of the Hunter Furniture building during its renovation as a loft for Dog Days of Birmingham owners Jimmy and Sue Johnson.

References

• Smith, Dennis I. Birmingham Bottlers: 1883-1983 (1983) Birmingham, D. I. Smith
• Tomberlin, Michael (June 9, 2010) "Renovation reveals old murals in downtown Birmingham building." Birmingham News