Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-11-15
A BIG BEER RAID.


seven Places Visited simultaneously
beer Found In All---4O 20 so Kegs I'm
one Place, said 60 Belong 90 a SPRING
held Concern---ChIefofP Police Mcclure
Resigns.
Six billiard and pool rooms of the viii
lage and the night lunch room were raided
simultaneously Saturday afternoon, about
$50. The raids were executed as a part
of movement by the bailiffs and select
men toward restoring Brattleboro to its
former status regarding The prohibitory
law.
Deputy Sheriff Shumway of Jamaica
visited William Drslane's billiard room in
Hooker block where he found about two
cases of bottles. Special Police Officer
Z. ;. Hall found about one case of bottles
at William Adams's billiard room in Crosby
block. and Deputy Eager Of Newfane had
his search in John Wrights billiard room
in the Judge building rewarded by find
ing about one case. Deputy Thompson
Of Bellows Falls brought to light two
cases in belongs night lunch room in the
Judge building. Deputy Houghton Of Gull
ford between three and four cases in Shea
& Manning's billiard rooms in the Sherman
building on Elliot street, and Deputy Mar
tin of Townshend ascertained that 2.
Manning's billiard room in the Milestone
building was supplied with one case.
The big seizure Of the day was at Ester
brook q Gales bottle cleaning establish
ment on Flat street Here Deputy wilkins
OF Putney found between 40 and so kegs of
beer. A bottle containing a small guam
tity of rum was discovered behind the bar
rels, hut it was at once claimed by one of
the young men in the establishment, who
said he bought it at the town agency.
The kegs of beer and the bottles from the
several billiard rooms were carried TO the
temporary lookup in the Valley Machine
shop.
The claim was made at Esterbrook q
Gales that the beer belonged to the Spring
field, Mass, Brewing company; that it
was consigned to the breweries over the
river and that it was simply placed where
found for cold storage, TO be carried across
the river when wanted, freight charges be-
ing avoided by doing business in this way,
that other persons have used the cold stor-
age rooms, and that the only business trans
acted in their quarters is TO wash bottles
and to rent cases of empty bottles. 1t is
expected that the Springfield Brewing COM
| pany's agent will come here TO claim the
beer at the proper time.
The propretOrs of all the establishments
were arrested and brought before Justice
| VIM. 5. Newton. The cases of each were
continued with the exception of John
Wright, who stood trial. He was found
| guilty upon the evidence furnished by his
possession of a government license and was
fined 500 and costs. he appealed to the
county court. The other cases will proba-
bly, be heard tomorrow.
The owners of the billiard rooms claim
without exception that the beer seized was
hop beer, such as they have been selling
for some time, that it IS not an intoxicat-
ing beverage and that they did not violate
the law in selling it, Samples from each
place were taken and have been analysed
by Chemist Chaplin.
An incident growing out of the raid
movement which has created a deal Of talk
was the resignation OF Chief OF Police
Frank ". Mcclure on Friday night. The
bailffs state that he was asked TO sign tue
officers complaint for the raids, so that
in case contraband goods were found in
any of the saloons the proprietors could be
arrested. There is general report 10 the
effect that Mcclure objected because all OF
the alleged sellers in town were not 10 be
visited. When Mr.. Mcclure was interro
|
Their than to say that he was thoroughly
wearied of the work of policeman and had
intended 10 resign for some time, and that
he was not satisfied with the method OF
procedure ini the raids. He said that II
was the business OF the states attorney
and sheriff 10 look out for the liquor bust
ness, and while he did not object TO max
ing a raid he did object to appearing a:
complainant, particularly under the present
, circumstances.
Mr. Mcclure has been chief Of polic'
seven and One-half years, and for two year
was first constable and five years deputy
sheriff IL will be difficult TO find anothe
official who will give as general satisfaction
in the position as he has, all things con
sidered.
People generally approve of the cOurs,
of the authorities as far as il goes, the onl,
criticism being that their crusade SHOULD
extend to all the offenders under the pres
ent law.