Still is Seized; Three Arrested
Greenup, Kentucky – Jun. 10 – On reports that Barney Emory of Schultz was manufacturing liquor. Sheriff Ed Tinsley and deputy George Crisp raided the district Wednesday and took into custody Emory and two other men, giving the names of Floyd Carmichael, Portsmouth, and Newton Harr, of Schultz.
A still of 150 gallons capacity was sized, together with 28 barrels of mash and 2 gallons of moonshine. Emory gave a bond of $1,000 and was released, but the other two are being held in jail here. Portsmouth Daily Times, 10 Jan. 1929, Thursday, page 2
Gets Jail Sentence
Greenup, Kentucky, Jan. 16 – Roy Porter, tried during his absence on a charge of possessing moonshine and fined $300 and given a 60-day jail sentence was arrested in Ashland Tuesday by Deputy Sheriff George Crisp and brought to the county jail. Portsmouth Daily Times, 16 Jan. 1929, Wednesday, page 7
Police Say They Found Liquor in Tank of Motorcycle, Hot Water Bottle; Arrest Made
A new style of transporting liquor was uncovered by the police Sunday afternoon with the arrest of Otis Perry and the confiscation of 11 quarts of moonshine from a hot water bottle under Perry’s coat.
Sunday afternoon a man called the police station and reported that he saw a man pouring three gallons of liquor into a gasoline tank on a motorcycle on the west side. Traffic officer John Goodman was then sent to the Scioto Bridge to wait on the motorcycle. About fifteen minutes later Perry drove across the bridge at a high rate of speed.
When he turned onto Second street, Goodman rode up alongside him and told him to drive to the police station. When they arrived at the station, Goodman searched Perry and the motorcycle and found the liquor. Charges for transporting and possessing liquor have been placed against him. Portsmouth Daily Times, 28 Jan. 1929, Monday, page 20
Fumes From Moonshine Causes Police Sergeant to Suffer From Nose Bleed
Police Desk Sergeant John Eidgenass? suffered a violent nosebleed Thursday morning as the result of 45 gallons of liquor that was poured down the drain in the city police station.
The fumes of the liquor were so strong that they started the Sergeant’s nose bleeding and great difficulty was experienced in stopping the flow. Chief of Police Harry Sheets reported that he poured out three five-gallon kegs; one five-gallon can; fifteen one-gallon jugs; fifty-eight pints and 43 half-pints of moonshine. The pouring out was witnessed by the City Safety Director Si Straus, and Patrolmen Ray Brown and John Barnes. Portsmouth Daily Times, 14 Feb. 1929, Thursday, page 4
Uncover Whiskey, Driver Held
Ten gallons of moonshine were confiscated and Jack Smith was arrested at Twelfth and Findley street Monday morning on charges of transporting and possessing intoxicating liquor. Detective Charles Clowe and patrolman Leslie Hunt made the arrest.
The officers reported that Smith was driving east on Twelfth and they noticed that his car was riding “heavy.” The officers drove up alongside him and ordered him to stop. A search of the car revealed a five-gallon keg and five one-gallon jars of moonshine, police say. The car and Smith were taken to the police station. Portsmouth Daily Times, 18 Feb. 1929, Monday, page 6
East End Man Arrested in Raid
Homer Lancaster, of 1015 Clay street, was taken into custody Thursday night on a charge of possessing liquor. Police made a raid on his home and reported that five pints of moonshine were uncovered. Patrolmen Harry Startzman, Edward Hamilton, and Joe Brown made the arrest. Lancaster will be arraigned in municipal court Saturday. Portsmouth Daily Times, 22 Feb. 1929, Friday, page 2
Five Caught in West Side Raid
Five persons were arrested for violation of the liquor laws in raids made by state agents and deputy sheriffs Thursday and Friday.
Thursday afternoon the raiders visited the Robert Abrams place on Pine Creek, Green township, and claim they found a 30-gallon still in the house along with two barrels of mash and 10 gallons of moonshine. The state agents claim they found the still in the same house last fall.
Abrams put up a bond for his appearance in municipal court next Tuesday when he will face a second offense charge of possessing property designed for the manufacture of liquor.
Friday afternoon the officers confined their efforts to Washington township. Near the airport, the raiders claim they found 10 pints and 10 half pints of shine hidden in a potato bin. E. T. Riley gave bond for his appearance in court Tuesday. He will face a possession charge.
The next place visited was the Effie Little home on Hill road and claim they found whiskey in fruit jars. This is the third time in a few weeks the house had been raided. She will be tried in municipal court Tuesday on the second offense of possession.
The home of William and Myra McKenzie was the third and last place visited Friday. The raiders claim they found whiskey in a jug hidden in a coal bin in the garage and a number of empty bottles. Both the man and wife were ordered into court next Tuesday on possession charges when each disclaimed ownership.
State Agents Farmer Hutchinson and Jenkins with Deputy Sheriffs Oakes and Porter raided Thursday with Deputy Sheriffs Bridwell and Allen accompanying the dry agents Friday. Portsmouth Daily Times, 23 Feb. 1929, Sat., page 9
Liquor Found; Arrest Made
Five gallons of moonshine were confiscated and Raymond Dummitt was arrested Sunday on charges of transporting and possessing liquor. The arrest was made by detectives Smith and Clowe.
Dummitt was driving east on Eighth near Washington street when the officers stopped him. A search of the car revealed the five gallons of liquor. Dummitt and the –? let coupe which he was driving were taken into the police station. Portsmouth Daily Times, 18 Feb. 1929, Monday, page 13
Liquor is Found, Father and Sons Arrested
A father, J. F. Sommers, and two sons, Martin and Edward Sommers, were arrested on charges of possessing liquor, Tuesday afternoon when State Agents E. C. Farmer, C. H. Hutchinson, and John Jenkins raided their place on Carey’s Run.
The officers say they found two gallons of moonshine on a hillside back of the house and barn. All three men denied knowledge of the liquor. They were ordered to appear in municipal court on March 5. Portsmouth Daily Times, 27 Feb. 1929, Wed., page 15
“Home Brew More Poisonous Than Moonshine” – Volstead
St. Paul, March 2 – Homebrew, in the opinion of Andrew J. Volstead, is more poisonous and dangerous than moonshine.
The father of the prohibition enforcement law, addressing a joint committee of the state legislature last night, urged favorable actions on a bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of malt extracts flavored with hops and malt liquors known as unfermented wort.
“It is said that home brew isn’t intoxicating,” reported Mr. Volstead, “we are seizing such beer every day. It is worse, infinitely worse, than moonshine.”
The statement brought a chorus of “noes” from the audience which included Bakers protesting against the bill on the grounds that malt is needed in their industry.
The committee took no action. Portsmouth Daily Times, 2 March 1929, Sat., page 1
Mill Street Home is Raided, Arrest Made
Dile Brumfield of 1135 Mill Street, was arrested Sunday night on a charge of possessing liquor. Patrolmen Ed Hamilton, J. Brown, and O. Miller made a raid on the Brumfield home and reported that a pint of liquor was confiscated. Portsmouth Daily Times, 4 March 1929, Sat., page 24
Officers Arrest Two for Liquor Possession
County officers and state agents visited City View Thursday night and made two arrests on liquor charges. The home of Mrs. Mary Lilley was raided and 75 bottles of homebrew and one gallon of moonshine were found, the officers say. The woman was arrested on a second offense liquor possession charge.
As the officers approached the place they noticed a car drive away. Overtaking it, they arrested the driver, Frank Wingfield, of 2105 Gallia street, on charges of transporting and possessing liquor, a second offense. One pint of moonshine was found in the car, they say. Both were lodged in the county jail.
State Agents Elmer C. Farmer, Deputy Sheriffs Al Bridwell, C. C. Porter, and E. W. Allen made the arrests. Portsmouth Daily Times, 15 March 1929, Fri., page 23
Big Still Found in Sciotoville, Ohio
Orville Bartee of Sciotoville was arrested Saturday on charges of possessing liquor and possessing property designed for the manufacture of liquor.
Chief of Police Harry Sheets and Patrolmen, Goodman, Carter, and Porter made a raid at the Bartee home and reported to have uncovered a 50-gallon still and one-half pint of moonshine. Portsmouth Daily Times, 18 March 1929, Mon., page 20
Municipal Court
Howard Robbins was found guilty of transporting liquor and was fined $100 and costs. The Ford sedan which he was driving was ordered confiscated by the court. Robbins was arrested Friday morning by Patrolman Hamilton and Brown, who reported that he was transporting one gallon of moonshine. Portsmouth Daily Times, 22 March 1929, Fri., page 26
Found Liquor in Pig Pen, New Boston, Ohio; Man is Arrested
Jesse Arwood of Gallia Avenue, New Boston, Ohio, was arrested Sunday on a charge of possessing liquor.
Arwood was at the Reed McGuire home on Gallia avenue, west of the water works when the New Boston police made a raid and uncovered a half gallon of moonshine under the floor in the hog pen. The officers tried to locate McGuire, but it was reported that he had left the city. Portsmouth Daily Times, 25 March 1929, Mon., page 5
Mother of Four is Sent to Reformatory
West Union, Ohio, Feb. 20 – Mrs. Leva Storer has been taken to Marysville by Deputy Sheriff Aaron Meeker and Mrs. Craycraft, a sister of Sheriff Chas. Mack. Mrs. Storer was sentenced to the reformatory by Judge Russell McCurdy on a charge of manufacturing liquor.
Mrs. Storer and Lou Wilson were arrested at the Storer’s home near Peebles by Sheriff Chas. Mack, Deputies J.R. Lantz and Aaron Meeker Monday night. The pair were engaged in the manufacture of moonshine with a three-gallon copper still on the kitchen stove. Wilson was brought in Monday night and Tuesday, Mrs. Storer and her four children, ranging in years from three to ten years were brought into court. The four children were placed in the Wilson Children’s Home.
Lou Wilson was assessed a fine of $500 and costs and sent to jail until payment of a fine. He paid the fine and was released.[1]
An Old Sale Bill
A friend sends up a sale bill printed March First, 1849, the scent of the sale being a farm near Versailles, Ky. The man who was selling out, J. L. Moss, by name, announces that having decided to go to Oregon Territory by ox team, he is offering all his property.
Among the many items listed is a 60-gallon soap kettle; 85 sugar troughs, made of white maple; two spinning wheels; 30 pounds of beef tallow; one 32-gallon barrel of John-Miller whiskey, seven years old; seven gallons of apple brandy; one 40-gallon copper still; 50 gallons of soft soap; 40 gallons of sorghum molasses; and six head of fox hounds, all soft-mouthed, except one. Mr. Moss also offers six negro slaves, two men, two boys, and two mulatto wenches but he will only sell them as a whole as he does not wish them to be separated.
He says he will take cash or notes in hand, said notes to be endorsed by Sam McConnell. We suppose McConnell must have been the local banker, but the bill does not say. Anyway, he must have been a man of consequence in the community.[2]
Find Big Still
Raiding in Elizabeth township, Lawrence County, Ohio, Friday, State Agents E. C. Farmer and C. H. Hutchinson found a “garden of moonshine.” Spread along a hillside near a 200-gallon still, the officers found 50 one-gallon jugs of liquor buried under the leaves. It was like kids searching for Easter nests, the officer said.
A 200-gallon still and 16 barrels of mash were destroyed beside the liquor. Portsmouth Daily Times, 13 April 1929, Sat., page 2
Sly is Fined $100
Pleading guilty to a charge of possessing liquor, William Sly of Mill street, near Waller street, was fined $100 and costs when arraigned in Municipal court Saturday morning. He was arrested Friday night.[3]
Two Men Arrested After Liquor Found in Automobile
Russell Sly and Willie Gray were arrested at Fifteenth and Kinney streets Friday on charges of transporting and possessing liquor. The arresting officers reported that six gallons and one-half pints of liquor were found in the Sly car. In Municipal Court Friday Sly entered a plea of guilty to both charges and the cases were continued until Wednesday. Gray plead not guilty to the charges and his case was also continued.[4]
Case is Continued
Harry George of the rear of 1115 Third street plead guilty to a charge of possessing property designed for the manufacture of liquor, but the case was continued until Tuesday for the passing of sentence when he was arraigned in Municipal court Saturday. George was arrested several days ago after police had confiscated a 75-gallon still which they say was hidden in a garage near the George home.[5]
Big Still Found In Jackson County
JACKSON, Ohio Aus. 6.–A thirty-gallon copper still with all copper equipment, was captured Monday afternoon while In operation by Sheriff Griffiths, Deputy Sheriff Warren, and State Officer John Jenkins. They also brought in three gallons of the finished product.
Two men were surprised by the officers while in the act of making the liquor. Warren Williams was arrested and brought to Jail by the officers, but the other men proved too fleet-footed and is still at liberty. Portsmouth Daily Times, 6 Aug. 1929, Tuesday, page 6.
Uncover Still
Greenup, Kentucky, August 13 – A fifty-gallon copper still used in the manufacturing of moonshine liquor was confiscated in a raid made by Deputy Sheriff Chris Kotcamp and Constable Albert Middleton near Little Lost Creek, twelve miles back of Greenup on a farm. No arrests have been made.[6]
Court Activities In Lewis County, Kentucky
Vanceburg, Kentucky – Oct. 1 – Sheriff Smith “McGill, Deputy Sheriffs Edgar Sullivan, and Leon Hendrickson, Saturday, captured and destroyed a 50-gallon copper still, 300 gallons mash, and 9 gallons of liquor, which they found at the head of Indian Creek, twenty miles south of here.
The still had a fire under it, running full blast, with the liquor running from the worm when officers arrived on the scene. Two parties operating it discovered the officers and fled, but their identity is known, and their arrest is expected shortly.
Deputy Sullivan and Jailer George Sparks, Saturday, arrested Clinton Lewis, indicted for the disturbing church at Black Oak. He was lodged in jail and will be tried Friday.
The same night these officers went to Vaughn Ghin’s? store at the head of Salt Lick, near Esculapin, where they arrested Robert Moore, charged with being drunk and disorderly, it is alleged that he assaulted and tore the shirt off J. D. Arthurs. He was lodged in jail here.
In circuit court, Robert Hodges, of Adams County, Ohio, pleading guilty to being drunk, was fined S10 and costs. Officers Sullivan and Sparks arrest officers.
Officers Sullivan and Henderson arrested James Harrison and Maurice Harrison, his son, near Ribolt, after they had been indicted for drunkenness and the latter also for driving an automobile while Intoxicated.
Officer Sullivan also arrested Tom Griffin, of McDowell, following his Indictment of manufacturing whiskey. He gave bond on his appearance in court on October 2.
“Pooch” Sartin, pleading guilty to possession of whiskey, was fined $100 and 30 days in jail.
Judgment for divorce was entered fur Grover Gilbert vs Barbara Gilbert. Portsmouth Daily Times, 1 Oct. 1929, Tuesday, page 10
Big Still Destroyed; Four Men are Held
Four alleged moonshiners were caught in the act of operating a huge still on the banks of the Ohio river near Haverhill Tuesday evening by county officers under the direction of Deputy Columbus Porter and efforts are being made to locate a fifth who escaped under a fusillade of shots.
A 100-gallon all-copper still, one of the finest ever taken by the officers was destroyed. Besides the still, 18 barrels of mash and 16? gallons of moonshine were destroyed.
The four prisoners registered as Norman Hacker, Joe Hall, Wade Brown, and Clifford Brown. A man who the quartet told the officers is Jake Rogers, escaped. A warrant will be issued for his arrest, Porter says. Charges of manufacturing liquor were placed against the —- by Deputy Porter and all four were lodged in the county jail.
When the prisoners were searched, $332 was taken from Joe Hall. The other men just had a little change. Hall is said to be the “cashier” for the outfit.
According to Porter a man visited the sheriff’s office Sunday and offered to tip off the still location for a consideration of $50. Porter explained that the officers were not permitted to pay for tips and the man left. Porter started an investigation and Monday the man called him again and said the still was located near Haverhill.
Scouting around Haverhill, Porter familiar with that section of the county invaded a grove of large trees near the riverbank. At the edge of the timber, he noticed smoke rolling from a dense thicket. Returning to the office he decided to wait for a dark night before making the raid.
Tuesday afternoon it became dark and rainy and Porter organized a squad consisting of Deputy J.C. Webb, Constables Charles Complement, and Lou Hylond? The four entered the woods at dusk and by crawling on their hands and knees closed in on the still from all sides.
As Porter gave the word the officers commanded the stillers to “reach for the sky” and emerged from their hiding places with drawn guns. Four raised their hands and the fifth broke and ran. Several shots were fired, but the man put on more speed and slipped away.
Porter says the men dug a well on the scene to furnish water for the outfit. Trees were cut for fuel.[7]
Fails to Stop; Liquor Found; Driver Halted
Failure to stop at a red traffic light at Winchester avenue and Fifteenth street, Ashland, Ky., yesterday morning cost Charles Finley of Lawrence County, Ohio, a fine of $200 and 30 days in jail, after his conviction in Ashland police court yesterday afternoon on a charge of possessing moonshine whiskey.
Finely, who said he lived north of Ironton, was stopped and questioned by Patrolman William Miller after he passed through the red light. The police officer observed a gallon jug of whiskey in the back of Finley’s car, he said. The machine carried 24 gallons of whiskey, it was found when it was searched at police headquarters, officers said. Portsmouth Daily Times, 31 Oct 1929, Thursday, page 2
[1] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 20 February 1929, page 5
[2] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 1 April 1929, page 24
[3] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 27 April 1929, page 2
[4] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 28 June 1929, page 26
[5] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 27 April 1929, page 3
[6] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 13 August 1929, page 2
[7] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 2 October 1929, page 13
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