Still Uncovered; Owner is Fined
A fine of $500 and costs was imposed against Robert Shaw, 41 years old, Odle Creek farmer, by Judge Sprague in Municipal court Friday after he had pleaded guilty under a charge of possession of liquor unlawfully.
Shaw was taken into custody late yesterday after he confessed ownership of a complete whisky-making outfit uncovered by a squad of officers led by Sheriff Harry M. Dunham, when they visited the Odle Creek vicinity.
In the raiding party besides Sheriff Dunham was Chief of Police Rome Arthur and State Prohibition Officers Hutchison and Baynham, and they seized a thirty-gallon capacity copper still and about eight gallons of the finished product and destroyed 400 gallons of mash in process of fermentation.
Odle led the officers to the still, a little more than a mile from his home after they had served a warrant on him, charging him with selling liquor.[1]
Blind Man Secured Liquor from Kentucky
William Sly, 45, a blind man, arrested for possession of liquor unlawfully when officers uncovered 23 half-pints and two jars of “moon” in a raid upon his shanty boat at the foot of Union street Saturday, pleaded guilty when brought into Municipal court yesterday.
Because of his affliction and his promise to refrain from further trafficking in liquor, Judge Sprague let Sly off with the minimum fine of $100 and costs.
Sly said that he secured his supply from a Kentuckian, whose name he was unable to give. [note from mjm-Roy Rogers actual name was Leonard Sly from Portsmouth, Ohio. My grandmother told me stories about them living next door to her in Portsmouth, Ohio][2]
Three Are Caught Operating Still
Acting on a tip, Deputy Sheriff Elza Canter and Robert Reno yesterday invaded the West Side and made a good catch when they apprehended John Shaffer, 35, Simon Shaw, 17, and Ernie Clifford, 19, who was caught by the officers operating a still in the old Marion Shaw home at the head of Odle Creek.
The copper still of the wash boiler type with a capacity of fifty gallons and ten gallons of the finished product was confiscated by the officer who also destroyed over 200 gallons of mash found in place.
The trio was brought to the county jail, and when brought before Squire Morgan Wednesday morning on charges of manufacturing distilled liquor, Shaffer and Clifford pleaded guilty and were held for Grand Jury action, the former under $2000 bond and Clifford under $500 bond.
Young Shaw who admits, according to the offices, of owning a half interest in the liquor-making outfit with Shaffer, is held for hearing in Juvenile court Friday on a delinquency complaint, because of his age. John Marion Shaw, the father of the youth, is now serving time in the penitentiary for arson in connection with the burning of a house on the Roosevelt game preserve more than a year ago.[3]
Stiller Is Fined; Youth Held
A thirty-gallon capacity copper still of the wash boiler type, a barrel of mash, and the arrest of McKinley Mills and Olen Daulton, the latter a youth of 16 years, was the net result of a raid by Sheriff Harry M. Durham, Deputy Bon Reno and Squire Oscar Foster on Mill’s home at Stony Run, West Side yesterday afternoon.
The still which was found in the attic of the Mill’s home was seized and the mash, which was located about a mile from the house, was destroyed.
Brought before Squire Morgan Tuesday morning, Mills admitted guilt under a charge of possession of the still and mash unlawfully, and he was fined $100 and costs. In default of payment, he was committed to the county jail.
The Daulton boy, who is an orphan and lives with his aunt, Mrs. Sarah Stnetz?, at Stony Run, is held at the county jail for alleged delinquency in connection with toting a gun and becoming intoxicated.[4]
Greenup County, Kentucky Man Shot; Arrest Made
Greenup, Ky., March 18 – (Special to the Times) – Trouble that has been brewing for some time at Buffalo Gallows, near Kent, four miles back of this place culminated last night in the shooting of R.C. Crawford, also known as “Uncle Dick” Crawford, farmer, and preacher who is about 75 years of age, Sheriff Callahan and Deputy Tinsley arrived at noon with a man giving the name of John Lyons in custody.
He is held in connection with the shooting and will be given an examination trial late today. Crawford was brought here at noon and then removed to the General Hospital at Ashland for treatment.
According to Crawford, residents in this community are engaged in violating provisions of the prohibition laws and do not have any use for him, as he is a preacher. He claims that men and boys have spent several nights setting off a number of blasts of powder on a nearby hill in an effort to scare him away.
Last night, at about 9:00 several men, gathered in his yard and rocked his house. Crawford says he went outside and asked the men to behave and then returned to the house. He claims they also fired guns in the air and that when he stepped outside a second time to plead with them to go away, someone fired a shotgun, most of the load striking him in the lower chest, arm, hand, and leg. Drs. H.T. Morris of this place and W.T. Flanagan of Ashland were called to attend to him and remained with him throughout the night. The wounds in the lower chest are considered dangerous.
Sheriff Callahan and Deputy went to the scene last night and spent the entire night investigating the shooting. Early this morning they arrested Lyons at his home.
Crawford’s wife, a daughter, Irene, and a grandchild were at the Crawford home at the time of the shooting. Two sons, William and James live in and near Fullerton. Another son, Ham Crawford, is a barber at Middleton.[5]
Beaver Is Bound Over
Pleading guilty to manufacturing distilled liquor unlawfully, Andrew Beaver, 63? years old., was bound over to the Grand Jury under a $500 bond by Judge Sprague in Municipal court Monday.
Beaver was taken into custody by Sheriff Harry M. Durham and Deputy Robert Reno when caught by the officers operating a still at Worley Run, West Side. As a result, a thirty-gallon capacity copper still and about ten gallons of the manufactured product destroyed a hundred gallons of mash.[6]
Hamden-Gets Cage but No Bird
Federal Officer “Petrea” Davis with Marshall Abe Young and two other dry detectives arrived in Hamden Saturday with a large copper still and with three barrels of mash ready for the distilling process. It was found near Prattsville but they failed to locate the owner. The city jail now contains five stills and no prisoners.[7]
Still Confiscated
By raiding the home of John W. Collier, on Slab Run, Washington township last night and confiscating a new copper still, Sheriff Harry M. Dunham, believes he broke up a plan to produce illicit whisky in wholesale lots before operations could be started.
The still, evidently prepared for its first use, was of about 25 gallons capacity. It was found in the barn on the Collier place, according to Sheriff Durham and Deputy Elza Canter who accompanied his chief on the raid. About 200 gallons of mash, ready to be run off, were also found in the barn, officers claim.
Collier was nowhere to be found, but as his family resides in the place, the Sheriff is confident of picking up his man if he fails to give himself up.[8]
Two Held After Blast.
Dynamiters Frustrated in Attack on Proctorville, Ohio Home.
Huntington, WV – August 4 – An attempt to blow up the home of George Shultz, of Proctorville, was frustrated when Mr. Shultz was aroused by the barking of his dogs.
Three men fled from the rear of the dwelling when Mr. Shultz, armed with a shotgun, stepped out. A moment later a charge of dynamite exploded near the building, tearing a large hole in the ground but doing no other damage.
Lewis and Alexander McGhee, of Proctorville, were held.
This was the fifth attempt to blow up buildings near Proctorville, Ohio, in the past two months and citizens declare they will appeal to Governor A.V. Donahey for protection.
The outrages are said to be the result of a crusade against Lawrence County, Ohio, moonshiners and bootleggers. Mrs. Shultz alleges she was threatened Saturday when she reported that liquor runners were speeding their automobiles past her home. She is a sister of C. Fred Edwards, Huntington, wealthy manufacturer. [9]
Stiller Freed On Promise to Leave County; Still Confiscated
Constable Dan Cullum of New Boston took into custody Thursday, Vernon Dan Coon near Scioto Furnace of manufacturing moonshine. A 50-gallon copper still and a large coil were confiscated and brought to the New Boston Mayor’s office.
According to the arresting officer, he watched the “plant” for some time and saw Coon come to the place with a load of wood and feed the fire under the still before arresting him. At the village mayor’s office last night.
Coon signed a paper that he would not engage in the manufacture of liquor again and agreed to leave the state within a few days. On signing the statement, he was released. This disposal of the case was agreed to by persons instrumental in the man’s arrest, the same men working for a general cleanup of that community.[10]
Still Found; Owner Missing
State Prohibition Officers Farmer and Hutchinson and Patrolmen Brown and Dixon were busy yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of South Webster, Vernon township. They located a still situated far back in the hills. It was a complete one. No arrests were made.[11]
Still, Peach Brandy, Eight Barrels of Beer Uncovered
Special to Times-Greenup, Ky., October 15 – Deputy Sheriff Ed Tinsley and several dry officers —d off to Pickett’s Branch on East Fork yesterday to run down a moonshiner, who for months had been evading arrest.
They about gave up the search when one of them peered into a window in the home of a woman who gave the name of Mrs. James Brickey. The developments came thick and fast.
The officers say they found a copper still, 14 gallons of peach brandy, and eight barrels of beer in the Brickey home. Mr. Brickey was away, and Mrs. Brickey was not arrested but was informed that she would be if her husband did not surrender.[12]
Still Found; Arrest Made
Thomas Dyer, 52 was arrested by Prohibition Officers Farmer and Hutchinson and Patrolmen Brown and Dixon yesterday evening, following a raid on his home at the head of Odle Creek, Nile township. A small copper still was found on his place, along with a number of barrels of mash and moonshine. Dyer is being charged with possession. The still was not in operation. This is Odle’s second offense, officers say.[13]
Lucasville Man Pleads Not Guilty
When Elza Jenkins of near Lucasville appeared in municipal court Friday, he pleads not guilty to possession of a copper still claimed to have been found on his premises by State Prohibition Agent Charles Hutchinson, and the accused was released on a $300 bond, pending trial on December 5.
Walker Montgomery will be required to appear at the same time to answer to a similar charge in connection with the same still.[14]
Big Still is Uncovered
State Prohibition Officers Farmer and Hutchison and Patrolmen Brown and Dixon made one of the largest hauls they have ever made in months on Pond Run, West Side, this afternoon when they uncovered a 100 copper still, one of the most complete outfits confiscated here for some time.
Working on a tip, the officers raided the place and the still and coils which were buried in a concrete cellar which the officers say was the last word in equipment used in the manufacture of the liquor. No liquor was found. Officers are on the hunt for the owners of the equipment.[15]
Phillips Fined William G. Phillips, 33, was arrested yesterday afternoon, late, by Court Bailiff Radity, after a raid was made on his property on the West Side, when State Prohibition Officers Farmer and Hutchinson and City Patrolmen Brown and Dixon located a copper still, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing property designed to manufacture moonshine, in Municipal court today.
[1] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 8 February 1924, page 2
[2] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 12 February 1924, page 9
[3] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Wednesday, 12 March 1924, pg 2
[4] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Tuesday 18 March 1924, page 2
[5] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Tuesday, March 1924, page 2
[6] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 23 March 1924, page 8
[7] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 17 June 1924, page 19
[8] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Wednesday 23 July 1924, page 8
[9] The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio 05 Aug 1924, page 8
[10] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 26 September 1924, page 24
[11] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 26 September 1924, page 24
[12] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Wednesday 15 October 1924, page 3
[13] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Thursday, 30 October 1924, page 15
[14] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 21 November 1924, page 22
[15] Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio Friday 10 December 1924, page 2
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