Iowa Old Press
Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 8, 1923
STATE MOVES TO CLOSE 3 ROADHOUSES
Injunction Proceedings to Follow Raids Conducted by State and County.
11 ARE UNDER ARREST
Crow Creek Inn, Hollywood Inn and Helen Van Dale's Resort Searched.
Closing at least three roadhouses in Scott county thru
injunction proceedings was forecast Saturday by county officials following a
series of raids conducted the night before by state, federal and county
authorities on Hollywood Inn, Palmer's Inn and Crow Creek Inn in which eight men
and three women were arrested, including Helen Van Dale, former queen of the old
Rock Island underworld and reputed head of an interstate vice ring. Considerable
whisky, wine and hooch was confiscated.
The following were arrested and later released from the
county jail on $500 appearance bonds pending their preliminary hearings in
Justice Merle F. Wells court:
James (Brick) Munro, proprietor of Hollywood Inn, John Allen
and Fred McCarty, booked as bartenders and helpers at the Inn.
LeRoy and Ed Gadient proprietors of the Inn at Crow Creek,
located two miles east of Bettendorf.
Helen Van Dale is held as the proprietoress of Palmer's Inn,
located across the road from the Hollywood Inn, near Nahant. Edna Smith and W.W.
Bennell, found at Helen's place, were booked as inmates. Helen's case is set for
hearing on July 18th.
In addition to raiding the three roadhouses, the authorities
also visited the river shacks of Harry Hoffman and Sabin Bray in Rockingham
township. Dora Reide, who was found at Hoffman's place, was booked as an inmate.
Both Hoffman and Bray were arrested. Hooch was found at both places, the
authorities say.
Hoffman's and Bray's places are not considered roadhouses by
the authorities for the reason that both buildings are mere shacks and do not
enjoy the class patronage associated with Hollywood, Palmer's or Crow Creek Inn.
Hoffman and Bray were arrested several weeks ago when federal
and state authorities "mopped up" the river banks on both sides of the
stream. Both pleaded guilty and also consented to the issuance of permanent
injunctions against their places. Both stand a chance of being cited into court
on contempt proceedings as a result of the raids.
County authorities have no accurate check on the amount of
the liquors seized and will not have until early this week. At the Hollywood Inn
the raider secured a three gallon jug of hooch, two and one-half quarts of hooch
a gallon and a pint of wine.
A ten gallon jug of whisky was discovered at Crow Creek Inn
together with eight bottles of hooch. A small amount of honor? was found at the
Helen Van Dale place and also at Hoffman's and Bray's.
Follows Complaints.
The raids were the results of repeated complaints made to
city and county authorities. State Agent James Roden, who assisted Sheriff
William Brehmer in Friday night's raids, declared Saturday that the state would
invoke the injunction law and close the properties for a year. County Attorney
John Weir announced that injunction proceedings would be filed as soon as the
preliminary hearings have been held and his office notified of the evidence
secured against the resorts.
An attempt was made earlier in the year to secure injunction
proceedings against the Hollywood Inn and also against Crow Creek Inn. The
proceedings against Hollywood were started at a time when "Diamond
Joe" Maloff was operating the resort. He disposed of the place to Munro and
the injunction proceedings were dropped.
In the Crow Creek Inn case a hearing was held before Judge W.
W. Scott and a temporary restraining order was denied the state on the ground
that the evidence of illegal sales was inadequate.
Running Young Girls.
That the resorts are responsible for much of the
delinquency to be found among the younger girls of the city and county is
claimed by State Agent Risden. He claims young girls are invited to parties in
the resorts and encouraged to drink.
Davenport Democrat and Leader
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 15, 1923
PROHIBIT TWO RESORTS FROM SELLING BOOZE
Temporary Injunctions Issued Against Hollywood and Crow Creek Inn.
Proprietors of two of the three roadhouses raided by state,
federal and county authorities on July 5 were enjoined by Judge F.D. Letts in
district court Saturday from selling or keeping for sale any intoxicating
liquors under penalty of contempt proceedings. The two resorts hit by the
injunction law are the Hollywood Inn, located near Nahant, west of the city and
the Crow Creek Inn, located two and one-half miles east of Bettendorf.
The keepers of the third resort- Palmer's or Auto Inn,
located across the road from the Hollywood Inn-have announced their intentions
of resisting the state's attempt to obtain an injunction against the place. The
resort is being conducted by Helen Van Dale, erstwhile queen of the old Rock
Island underworld, and W.W. Bennell, and Edna Smith. The hearing has been
continued until Aug. 6.
Temporary injunctions were obtained by the state against
James (Brick) Munro, F.M. McCarthy and John Allen as proprietors of Hollywood
Inn, and Ed and LeRoy Gadient and Walter Sievert, proprietors of the Crow Creek
Inn.
Permanent injunctions against the above proprietors together
with the owners of the premises will be sought by the state at the next term of
court.
The independent Real Estate company, named in the state's
application as the owner of Hollywood Inn, ?led an answer yesterday, disclaiming
ownership in the property. The company, thru its attorneys, Thuenen &
Thuenen, claims the property was sold some time ago. James Hendrych, of
Bettendorf, is the owner of Crow Creek Inn.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 3, 1923
OTTO GASSMAN AGAIN CAUGHT IN BOOZE NET
Arrested by Officer Roy Muhs for Second Time in Past Month
Otto Gassman can now look forward to the autumnal visit
of Federal Judge Martin J. Wade with pleasure for he will face that stern old
gentleman on two counts of liquor possession instead of one as a result of a
raid at 522 West Eleventh street made by Federal Prohibition Officer Muhs last
night.
He served 60 days in jail over a year ago for violation
of the liquor laws. Several weeks ago Gassman was arrested and bound to the
federal court after a raid on a shanty in a hollow near Eleventh and Ripley
street. Last night several quarts of liquor were found at his residence.
No charges will be filed with the commissioner on this
count but the additional evidence will be presented to the judge.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 8, 1923
STATE MOVES TO CLOSE 3 ROADHOUSES
Injunction Proceedings to Follow Raids Conducted by State and County
11 Are Under Arrest
Crow Creek Inn, Hollywood Inn and Helen Van Dale's Resort Searched.
Closing of at least 3 roadhouses in
Scott county thru injunction proceedings was forecast Saturday by county
officials following a series of raids conducted the night before by state,
federal and county authorities on Hollywood Inn, Palmer's Inn and Crow Creek Inn
in which eight men and three women were arrested, including Helen Van Dale,
former queen of the old Rock Island underworld and reputed head of an
inter-state vice ring. Considerable whiskey, wine and hooch was confiscated.
The following were arrested and later released from the
county jail on $500 appearance bonds pending their preliminary hearings in
Justice Merle F. Wells' court:
James (Brick) Munro, proprietor of Hollywood Inn, John
Allen and Fred McCarty, booked as bartenders and helpers at the inn.
LeRoy and Ed Gadient, proprietors of the Inn at Crow
Creek, located two miles east of Bettendorf.
Helen Van Dale is held as the proprietoress of Palmer's
Inn, located across the road from the Hollywood Inn near Nahant. Edna Smith and
W.W. Bennell, found at Helen's place, were booked as inmates. Helen's case is
set for hearing on July 18th.
In addition to raiding the three road houses, the
authorities also visited the river shacks of Harry Hoffman and Sabin Bray in
Rockingham township. Dora Reide, who was found at Hoffman's place, was booked as
an inmate. Both Hoffman and Bray were arrested. Hooch was found at both places,
the authorities say.
Hoffman and Bray's places are not considered roadhouses
by the authorities for the reason that both buildings are mere shacks and do not
enjoy the class of patronage associated with Hollywood, Palmer's or Crow Creek
Inn.
Hoffman and Bray were arrested several weeks ago when
federal and state authorities "mopped up" the river banks on both
sides of the stream. Both pleaded guilty and also consented to the issuance of
permanent injunctions against their places. Both stand a chance of being cited
into court on contempt proceedings as a result of the raids.
County authorities have no accurate check on the amount
of the liquors seized and will not have until early this week. At the Hollywood
Inn the raider secured a three gallon jug of hooch, two and one-half quarts of
hooch a gallon and a pint of wine.
A ten gallon keg of whiskey was discovered at Crow
Creek Inn together with eight bottles of hooch. A small amount of liquor was
found at the Helen Van Dale place and also at Hoffman's and Bray's.
Following Complaints.
The raids were the results of repeated complaints made
to the city and county authorities. State Agent James Risden, who assisted
Sheriff William Brehmer in Friday night's raids, declared Saturday that the
state would invoke the injunction law and close the properties for a year.
County Attorney John Weir announced that injunction proceedings would be filed
as soon as the preliminary hearings have been held and his office notified of
the evidence secured against the resorts.
An attempt was made earlier in the year to secure
injunction proceedings against Crow Creek Inn. The proceedings against Hollywood
were started at a time when "Diamond Joe" Maloff was operating the
resort. He disposed of the place to Munro and the injunction proceedings were
dropped.
In the Crow Creek Inn case a hearing was held before
Judge W. W. Scott and a temporary restraining order was denied the state on the
ground that the evidence of illegal sales was insufficient.
Running Young Girls.
That the resorts are responsible for much of the
delinquency to be found among the younger girls of the city and county is
claimed by State Agent Risden. He claims young girls are invited to parties in
the resorts and encouraged to drink.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 9, 1923
6 LIQUOR CASES UP FOR HEARING FRIDAY THE 13TH
Friday, the 13th, is the date set for the hearing of
six of those caught in the liquor raid last Friday night. The hearing will be in
the office of justice Merle F. Wells at 9 o'clock. Those who will appear are
Sabin Bray, John Allen, Doris Reed, Harry Hoffman, Joe McCarthy and
"Brick" Monroe.
The cases of Ed and Roy Gadient of Crow creek inn will
be heard at 10 o'clock. Attorney Wm. Chamberlain to represent them; and on the
16th will be heard the cases of Helen Van Dale, Wm. Benell and Edna
"Dimples" Smith.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 11, 1923
ARREST TWO AS AFTERMATH OF RESORT RAIDS
Walter Sievert Held as One of Proprietors of Crow Creek Inn.
Walter Sievert, who is accused by county and state
authorities of being associated with Ed and LeRoy Gadient in the operation of
Crow Creek Inn, scene of a raid by officers last Friday night, was taken into
custody Tuesday night by Sheriff William Brehmer and State Agent James Risden on
a warrant charging illegal possession of intoxicating liquor. Sievert was
released on bond pending a hearing before Justice of the Peace Merle F. Wells.
Coincident with the arrest of Sievert, the sheriff and
state agent also re-arrested Ed Gadient on a state charge of carrying concealed
weapons. Information against the man was sworn out in Wells' court by the state
agent who claims Gadient was carrying a "sap" in his pocked the night
of the raid.
Gadient was also released on bond and his hearing in
Wells' court was postponed until July 18.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 15, 1923
HOME BREW IS SEIZED IN RAID ON BRIGA HOME
Federal Officer and Police Visit East Locust Street Residence.
Samples of home brew beer seized at the
home of Emil Briga, 115 East Locust street, in a raid Friday afternoon, will be
analyzed by federal chemists to determine their alcoholic content. The liquor
was destroyed after samples had been preserved for examination and for record.
About 175 gallons of home brewing beer and some 10
gallons of beer in a process of fermentation were seized at the Briga home by
Federal Prohibition Officer Roy E. Muhs and Detective Pete Kuehl and Officer Pat
Dietz of the police department.
That the raid was made as a result of complaints of
alleged sales of liquor about the premises was the statement of the officres.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 18, 1923
MAY GIVE HOFFMAN THREE YEAR SENTENCE FOR THIRD LIQUOR NUISANCE
OFFENSE
Bound Over to Grand Jury Under $1,000 Bond; Helen Van Dale, Edna Dimples Smith,
and W.W. Benell of Palmer's Inn Plead Not Guilty
HARRY HOFFMAN, arrested at his shanty
boat during the night raid of July 7th, arraigned before Justice Merle F. Wells
this morning, on a charge of maintaining a liquor nuisance was bound over to
the grand jury under $1,000 bond. This was Hoffman's third offense and the
state counsel, Walter Newport, declared that an attempt would be made to have
him sentenced for three years in the penitentiary in accordance with a recent
statute making that the extreme penalty for a third liquor offense. Hoffman was
represented by Attorney William Chamberlain.
Helen Van Dale, said to have been the
"sweetie" of former chief of police Tom Cox of Rock Island in the
halcyon days of revelry and extortion pleaded not guilty when arraigned before
Justice Wells this morning. Edna "Dimples" Smith and W.W. Benell, who
were taken with her in the July 7th raid on Palmer's inn, likewise pleaded not
guilty. Their case is up for hearing again this afternoon. J.P. Pedersen is
their attorney.
Sabin Bray, another shanty boater, captured the same
memorable night, obtained a continuance till Friday morning when his case came
up this morning. Ed Gadient, LeRoy Gadient, and Walter Sievert, who were taken
at Crow Creek Inn on July 7, waived preliminary hearing this morning and were
bound over to await the action of the grand jury. Their bond was fixed at $500.
They were represented by attorney Chamberlain.
The cases of J.A. Monroe, Fred McCarthy and John Allen,
of Hollywood Inn, were up for hearing before Justice Wells late Tuesday
afternoon. They were bound over to the grand jury also and their bond was fixed
at $500. County attorney John Weir represented the state and Harold Thuenen the
defendants.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 19, 1923
HELEN VAN DALE BOUND OVER ON LIQUOR CHARGE
BOND FIXED AT $1,000
HELEN Van Dale, who with Edna
"Dimples" Smith and W.W. Benell was caught in the raid of July 7,
after a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning and afternoon and this morning, at
the office of Justice of the Peace, Merle F. Wells, was bound over to the grand
jury. Her bond was fixed at $1,000. This was furnished by Nick Coin.
Edna "Dimples" Smith and Benell, who, as in
the case of Helen Van Dale, pleaded not guilty, were likewise bound over and
their bond was set at $500 each. W.J. Bryson and Nick Coin furnished bond in
their cases and al three were released.
Sweetie Couldn't Deliver.
It looked for a time as if "Dimples" might
have to go to jail, and she said she was willing to do this. She called up her
"Sweetie," who appeared to have a flat pocketbook, but Bryson and Coin
finally consented to furnish the necessary coin.
State investigators testified that at Helen Van Dale's
Gardens, otherwise known as Palmer's Inn and the Auto Inn, they had called for
straight whisky with sideboards on." This drink turned out to be a
tumblerful of hootch.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 20, 1923
SABIN BRAY CASE DISMISSED TODAY BY MERLE WELLS
Justice Merle F. Wells this morning dismissed the case of Sabin Bray, shanty
owner, who was taken in the raid of July 7. No liquor was found on his premises,
and there was no evidence of his having sold liquor.
Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; July 29, 1923
'RECORD' RAID CONDUCTED BY PRO OFFICER
Soft Drink Bar Proprietor Will Face United States Commissioner.
At 5:30 o'clock Saturday evening,
Prohibition Agent Roy E. Muhs and Officer Patrick Dietz secured a search warrant
for the bar of Arnold Wessel, 408 Cedar street, at the office of Justice Merle
F. Wells.
At 6 o'clock, Wessel was on his way to the police
station with a gallon of hooch, found behind his bar and in his barn by the
raiders.
Charges of liquor possession have been filed against Wessel,
and he will be given a hearing before U.S. Commissioner A.G. Bush early this
week.
According to Mr. Muhs, Wessel's place has been the
objective for four or five raids, all of which proved fruitless because of
Wessel's uncanny ability to scent the approach of the law, dumping his
contraband.
"The Wessel raid is a record one, considering the time
when we got the search warrant," Mr. Muhs said last night.
Submitted by C.J.L., July 2005