Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-01
DRUG STORE DRINKING.
One Case Where the Defendant Was Foun
Guilty and Fined.

Guilty and Fined.
Since the Sunday liquor law has been strictly
enforced and the anti-prohibitionists have ex-
perienced some difficulty in obtaining liquid
refreshments in the regularly licensed saloons
many Of them have had to fall back on drug
stores, and in some Of them it is alleged tina,
beer as well as whisky was sold. One of these
stores was Fred Reh's, No. 1921 D street north.
west, and he was called upon in the Police Court
today to explain two charges Of alleged viola
tons of law. Lawyer O'Neal defended him.
John 7. Kelly, an ex-clerk in the store, gave
evidence OF having sold beer on the two Sundays
charged. He denied that he had been so much
under the influence Of liquor in the store thai
he took check for a 50-cent piece. He also
denied that he gave customer lemon water and
gum drop for vichy and ammonia.
William Somerville said he got whisky in the
store on one of the Sundays charged.
did you tell him that it was for medicinal
purposes2" asked the court.
"Yes, SIR"
WAS 1t for medicinal purposes?"
Yes, Sir 1 was pretty full the night before
and needed drink
IBID you drink it in the storeY'
"No, sir. I got it in bottle and drank it in
| an alley
Arthur A. Monroe was in the place with the
preceding witness. He got a bottle of beer.
The beer was taken from the ice box and
handed him by Ed. Taylor. Witness could not
say that any one paid for the beer he drank.
W. J. Brown was called, but he had not drunk
anything in the defendants place.
Geo. +. Vennum was called and he gave SIM
liar testimony. He had been in the defendant 4
place for medicine, but had never drunk any
liquor in there.
Frank Conger testified that he was in the
store on one of the days charged, and got a
dose of whisky and quinine. He saw several
men IN the back room drinking beer, but he
thought it was merely social gathering. He
saw no one pay for the beer.
II. E. Courtney testified that he visits Reh's
family frequently. He thought he was there on
one of the Sundays charged. when the doctor
invited him to have glass Of beer. Witness
never paid for anything to drink in the defend
ants place.
James Ennis, clerk in the store. testified thai
the defendant keeps beer in the ice box for
family use and he sometimes treats his friends.
Witness said he had seen Kelly so much under
the influence Of liquor that he could not attend
to business.
James Holmes was called. He had never
drunk in the place. He was present on one &C.
casion when Kelly gave customer gum drop
In glass of vichy for ammonia. He would not
believe Kelly under oath because Of bis condi-
ton.
Policemen Boyce and Fields gave evidence to
show the number of young men who 60 into
the place. as they supposed. to get something
to drink.
The defendant testified that he could prove
that Kelly was insane and that his memory was
defective. He said he picked Kelly up and as
sisted him, but on account of his continued in
toxication he had to discharge him. Defendant
said he had beer in his place for family use,
and he also treats his friends, but no beer is
sold there.
Judge Kimball told the defendant that he
was not permitted to sell liquor except for
medicinal purposes. If, as one of the witnesses
said, liquor is sold to man who says he wants
it for medicinal purposes and it turns out that
he wants it to drink, the dealer is responsible.
"Do you think you are doing these young
men any good?" the court asked the defend
ant
well" replied the defendant, 81 don't make
them drink"
He denied that he sold whisky and beer in his
place every Sunday, except in cases where his
friends say they want whisky for medicinal
purposes.
Judge Kimball held the defendant guilty I'M
der the charge and told him that he would
have to change his mode of Business. A fine of
$40 was imposed in each of the two cases.