Iowa Old Press

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 4, 1922

"DRY" SQUAD MAKES HEAVIEST SEIZURES IN SIX BIG RAIDS
Police, Headed by Federal Agent Muhs, Confiscates Distilling and Brewery Paraphernalia and Destroys Hundreds of Gallons of Product-
Thousands of Bottles of Beer, Whisky and Wine Taken.

    Raiding stills, breweries, soft drink parlors and "speak easies," the Davenport dry squad, headed by Federal Agent R.E. Muhs, yesterday afternoon made the largest seizures of liquor, moonshine and otherwise, and beer that has ever been confiscated.
    Thousands of bottles of home brew were carted to the county jail, while stills, crocks and other paraphernalia for the manufacture and sale of illicit alcoholic drinks made a total of five patrol wagons loads.
    Virtually no section of the city with the exception of the extreme east, was missed by the arid raiders, who, in the emergency car of the police department sped from brewery to moonshiner and on to the retailers in the contraband between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday.
    Places raided were: 
    J.F. Devenyns, 305 South Thornwood avenue, residence.
    William Stark, 121 1/2 Ripley street.
    Amos Judisch, 329 1/2 West Second street.
    C. Knautz, 428 Harrison street.
    John Fey, 1314 LeClaire street.
    Ivan Mastup, Waverly road.

Two at Large.
    With the exception of Devenyns on Thornwood avenue and William Stark, Ripley street, all of the brewers, moonshiners and dealers were brought to the station, where they were released on appearance bonds set by County Attorney John Weir. The two at large are expected to surrender today.
    Besides the thousands of quarts of the finished product which was removed from the various residences, apartments, and business establishments raided, the squad destroyed several hundred gallons of beer in the process of fermentation.
    After three hours of labor the raiding party, which consisted of Detective John Kinney and Officers Dietz, Kuehl and Snider, their clothing bespattered with grain mash and soaked in home-made brew, wearily reached the police station.

Get Huge Plant.
    One of the largest and most complete breweries, not excepting that at 517 Harrison street, raided a week ago, was seized at 305 South Thornwood avenue, where between 1200 and 1500 bottles of beer were confiscated.
    This was the last place entered and the raid was directly the result of a tip slipped to police while they were raiding the brewery of William Stark, 121 Ripley street. Altho no one was home when police arrived with a search warrant, there was a bottle full of steaming beer which had been cooking a few minutes before.
    Police were at the Stark place, emptying the jars of beer which contained 96 gallons in the state of fermentation, when the telephone rang.

"Hot" Tip Comes.
    An officer answered the telephone and a feminine voice at the other end of the phone asked:
    "Has the law been up to see you yet, Bill?"
    "No, not yet," the policeman replied. And inquiringly, "Have they been down to your place?"
    "No," the lady answered. "I've got so much stuff here that I couldn't get rid of it short of two days. Come on down awhile," was her invitation.
    "All right, we'll be down right away," was the suave statement. "Wait for us."
    The telephone call was traced and the address obtained.
    Federal Agent Muhs immediately had a search warrant made out and the raiders resumed their march  thru the city, bound for Thornwood avenue.

Break Open Window.
    The residence, a stucco dwelling, was locked and bolted when police arrived. The lady had not waited.
    Officer Pat Dietz jimmied a side window with a pair of pliers and when the window was forced open the policemen were smothered in a wave of odor of working beer which emanated from the room.
    Officer Snider climbed thru and the raiding party were given entry thru the rear door. The house was empty of people, but all around one of the rooms huge stone crocks stood, some empty, but most of them filled with beer.
    For two hours the police worked and two patrol loads of beer and paraphernalia were taken away before all had been removed.

Other Raids Precede.
    Five other raids preceded that at the Devenyns home and officers seized wine, beer, whisky and one still.
    Starting at 11 o'clock  they confiscated a still and one pint of moonshine liquor at the place of Ivan Mastuh on Waverly road. Altho they searched the premises, they were able to unearth only one pint of the finished product.
    Leaving there, they sped to 1314 LeClaire street, where they surprised John Fey. Three cases of home brew, one gallon of "hooch," and six five-gallon jugs of wine were taken.
    Without hesitation they followed their list and stepped into the soft drink parlor of C. Knautz, 428 Harrison street, where they found two and a half quarts of whisky and half a case of beer.

Crowd Sees Next One.
    Half a minute after the police car had pulled up to the entrance of Lahrman's hall, a crowd of several hundred curiosity seekers watched while officers charged up the stairway and entered the improvised barroom in the rear of 329 1/2 West Second street.
    Here was a complete barroom, lined with bottle and well supplied with glasses. Two quarts of gin, a quart of whisky, and a dozen bottles of home brew were taken by the officers.
    The place, said to be operated by Amos Judisch, was closed by the officers, while they sought the proprietor. Police officers declared they saw Judisch as he stepped into an automobile immediately after the raid was started.

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 11, 1922

MT. PLEASANT WOMAN DIES IN NEBRASKA
Mrs. Rachel Newbold, Widow of Former Governor, Laid to Rest.

    Mount Pleasant, Ia., June 10 - Mrs. Rachel Newbold, aged 92 years, widow of former Governor J.G. Newbold, was buried here yesterday, burial being made in Forest Home cemetery. She died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Butler Buchanan, at North Platte, Nebraska. Mrs. Newbold was 92 years and 25 days old, had seen three wars and her husband, afterwards lieutenant governor of Iowa, served thruout the Civil war. She was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1830. She was the mother of five children, but only one, Mrs. Buchanan, survives her. She lived in Mt. Pleasant until 1914 when she went to live with her daughter. Rev. Alex McFerran delivered the funeral sermon. The pall bearers were Edwin Johnson, Fred Walf, G.W. Lindsay, J.M. Burd, C.S. Rogers, G.W. Lindsay and T.M. McAdam. The singers were Stanley Miller, Ross Walker, Will Evans and Sherman Outman.

Runs Car into Fence.
    Dave O. Davison, who lives in Washington county, must feel all cut up over his experience on Oakland Mills hill night before last. He was coming down the hill in a Ford roadster and lost control at the bad turn running into  wire fence, which was strong enough to stop the car. Otherwise, he might be going yet, as there is a tremendous hollow just below the fence. He was cut in a dozen places. Some Mt. Pleasant folks helped him out and insisted on him going to the hospital, but he insisted on getting back into his car and away he went. It is not known whether he got home or not.

    The coroner race in Henry county has not yet lost its interest. The two candidates, R.K. Crane and Dan Cookes, were the candidates. When the telephone reports all were in, the votes showed that Crane had a majority of 140. But in checking up since the ballots were brought in, it develops that Crane has only 18 majority and the board has not yet canvassed the vote.

    On county recorder there was also a hot race, the winner, Mrs. Bennet, the present incumbent winning by only 50 majority. It was not known that her rival was making a campaign, but a still hunt had been made which almost succeeded.

    Dean S. W. Weir who came here four years ago on what was apparently a five-year contract, has been dropped by Iowa Wesleyan. There seems to have been friction between Dean Weir and President Smith and the latter dropped him. His action was sustained by the board of trustees at the meeting Wednesday.

    The first band concert of the season was given by the Mt. Pleasant band last night. Frank McCoy has taken the place of his brother, John McCoy, in directing the band. Frank has the Mt. Pleasant band and the Old band and will attend summer school at Wesyelan, so he will try to keep busy.

Judge's Car Stolen.
    The Buick touring car of Judge W.S. Withrow was stolen Friday night. The lock was pried off the garage door some time during the night and the machine removed without attracting the attention of any members of the family or the neighbors. The car is a new one, having been purchased only a month ago.

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 12, 1922
    

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 26, 1922

MISS EMMA RISSER, AGED 70, DIES AT MT. PLEASANT
Special to the Democrat
Mt. Pleasant, Ia., June 26 - Emma Risser, aged 70 years, died at the county home Saturday morning. She was crippled terribly with rheumatism and death was a blessed relief. She is survived by a sister who is also at the home. There are also two brothers, but they moved away from here. The two sisters had some property, but they are both semi-invalids so arrangements were made for them at the county home. They were great experts with needlework and some beautiful lace has been turned out by them, much of the work done after they went to the county home.

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 11, 1922

HOLD LINWOOD OWNERS TO THE FEDERAL JURY
Mr. Kettnich Is Held Under $2,000 Bond and His Wife on $500 Bond.

     The "inside story" of Saturday night's raid on Lindwood Inn was not related in court today by the so-called prominent business men who were rounded up in the raid. While practically all of them gave fictitious names Saturday night, the identity of many of them was known to the raiding party and they were informed at the time that they would be subpoenaed to testify at the hearing.
     The preliminary hearing was held this afternoon before U.S. Commissioner A.G. Bush. The only witnesses in court were Prohibition Agent Muhs and Deputy Sheriffs Frank Martens and Andy Tumpane. These witnesses gave no testimony aside from the fact that liquor had been confiscated at the place.
     Mr. and Mrs. Kettelsen both waived examination and were bound over to the federal grand jury. Mr. Kettnich was released on $2,000 bonds and his wife on $500 bonds. Harold Metcalf was their attorney. No charges were preferred against Hans Jaeger.

Woman Sole Owner.
     Mrs. Kettnich today declared that she was the sole owner of Linwood and that her husband George Kettnich and Hans Jaeger, had no proprietary interest in the place. According to Mrs. Kettnich, she bought out all her husband's interest last fall. Jaeger, she says, at no  time had an interest. Mr. Kettnich and Mr. Jager are partners in the ownership of the Grotto cafe on Perry street. Saturday night both were at Linwood helping Mrs. Kettnich during the rush hours.
     "I am the sole owner of Linwood and am willing to take all responsibility for its management. I endeavor to conduct a first class place and have worked hard along these lines. I do not see how I can be held responsible for all the acts of my patrons," declared Mrs. Kettnich today.

POLICE RAID INGRAHAM FOR THIRD TIME
Find Three Bottle of "Hooch"- Disorderly Housekeeper Fined.

     For the third time in the last few months, police raided the soft drink parlor of A.J. Ingraham, 15?0 West Seventh street, but last night they confiscated several bottles of moonshine liquor. Ingraham was fined $100 and costs for maintaining a disorderly house.
     Officers Dietz, McDermott and Kuehl last night broke up the wild party which was being staged at Seventh and Division streets and Ingraham was brought to the station. The charge preferred against him was keeping a disorderly house. Two and a half quarts of liquor were confiscated by the officers.
     In accordance with a new policy adopted by the police department, if there are any federal charges filed against Ingraham, they will be preferred by the United States prohibition agents.

Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 13, 1922

LAU HELD AT LAST ON LIQUOR CHARGE WHEN AGENT "MISUNDERSTANDS"
Apologetic Reception by Federal Officials Greets Alleged Dealer at Preliminary Hearing Today-
"It's All a Mistake," Muhs Says- Other "Mistakes" Made When Raider Took Three Bottles of Whisky
from Lau's Auto at Linwood Saturday Night.

    The slumbers of Al Lau, whom police term the "king of Davenport bootleggers," were rudely interrupted this morning by a telephone call from Deputy U.S. Marshal Terrence Kenney, who summoned Lau to appear in U.S. commissioner's court on a charge of possession and transporting moonshine liquor.
     Lau, as he himself stated today, was surprised. He had expected nothing of the sort. Since he drove his automobile away from the Linwood roadhouse after the big raid Saturday night, he has been unmolested. Silently and unostentatiously he had departed, together with 150 odd merrymakers, whose conviviality had been disturbed by government agents.

Misunderstanding, Says Muhs.
     "Why did you not arrest Lau when you found, as you claim, three pints of moonshine whisky in his automobile Saturday night?" Federal Agent R.E. Muhs was asked this morning.
     "It was all a misunderstanding," Muhs replied. "I told Lau to wait for us while we raided other parts of the road house, but he misunderstood me and left in his car before we could take him into custody."
     "Is it not the custom among government agents to hold automobiles in which liquor is found?" was another question.
     "It is," was the answer.
    "Are you holding Lau's car?"
     "No. This is not that kind of a case. We merely found the booze in Lau's car and did not see it when it was in motion."

Hearing Like Tea Party.
     A spirit of apologetic camaradie [sic]  prevailed between Lau and the government agents when the man was arraigned before U.S. commissioner A.G. Bush this morning. Smiles were frequently exchanged and when the question of Lau's bond came up, suggestions were quickly offered. Lau stated that he thought he could obtain his $500 bond this afternoon.
     "In the meantime, I will turn you over to Marshal Kenney," Commissioner Bush  told Lau. "Whatever arrangements the marshal sees fit to make will be satisfactory to me."

Chamberlin Gets Continuance.
     At the request of Attorney William Chamberlin, who has been retained by Lau, the case has been continued until July 7. Federal Agent Muhs said that he thought he could be in Davenport on that date.
    "There is nothing to this case," Muhs told a Democrat reporter today. Marshal Kenney, too, was emphatic in his statements that the case was not of great importance. "I suppose the papers will print two or three columns of this," he said.

Bush Fears Criticism.
    When the question of Lau's bond came up, Attorney Chamberlin at once said that there was not much danger of Lau's getting out of town before he can be tried. Lau hesitated when he was asked whether or not he knew of any particular person willing to put up the $500. 
     "In order to avoid public criticism," Commissioner Bush interposed, "we can show this man no lenience. Defendants are always required to furnish bond for their release."

Lau's Car Seized Before.
     Lau has never been convicted on a booze charge, and has, up to this time, had but one clash with government prohibition agents. About a year and a half ago, his automobile was seized by the government and held at the county jail for one day, when it was released after liquid evidence against Lau had mysteriously disappeared.

Man is Unruffled.
     In court today, Lau presented an unruffled and confident demeanor.
     "I didn't know that I was coming here at all today until I was waked by the telephone," he stated.
     
Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 21, 1922

WOMAN'S TESTIMONY THAT SHE MADE BOOZE TO FREE ALLEGED BOOTLEGGER

     Altho Mrs. Minnie Pence, 121 1/2 Ripley street, testified in U.S. commissioner's court this morning that the large quantity of liquor found by police and government agents in her residence was her own property, brewed by her alone, she failed to free William Stark, alleged to be the real owner of the booze.
     Stark's bond was increased to $1,000 and a complaint summarily filed against Mrs. Pence. The woman is held to the federal grand jury under $500 bond.
     "Altho I lived at 121 1/2 Ripley street, I knew nothing about the liquor kept there," Stark testified this morning. "The booze belonged to my landlady, Mrs. Pence. I was merely a roomer and knew nothing about my landlady's operations. If you will call her, she will bear me out in this statement."
     Mrs. Pence was called. Her chic blue shirt appeared too narrow to hide behind, yet she made a valiant attempt to shield her roomer.
     "I performed all the brewing work myself," she stated. "Mr. Stark was in no way concerned."
     "Did you handle ten-gallon crocks all by yourself?" asked Commissioner A.G. Bush.
     "Yes, I didn't have to move them. They were washed on the bench where they stood."
     "Does the liquor belong to you?"
     "Well, you found it in my residence, didn't you?" was the nonchalant reply.
     Thereupon a complaint was filed against Mrs. Pence. Stark's bond was increased to $1,000 and he was bound over to the grand jury.
     Police who assisted in the raid on the Pence place assert that Stark and the woman were living together since a quantity of women's clothing was found in Stark's bedroom. Hundreds of bottles of beer and several crocks of fermenting beer were seized in the raid.