The Topeka state journal., 1899-05-01
1T HAD "a BEAD"
Abe Benson Says Stuff Made by the
Silver Lake Farmer Was
Michtv Good

1t seems to be the impression Of peo-
pie in the vicinity of Silver Lake that
the prosecution of Joseph Purney, the
Silver Lake farmer, who has been bound
over to the United States district court
for "moonshining," is the result of Pur-
ney's troubles with some of his neigh
bors. There is little doubt that Purney
made liquor of some kind for his own
use, and he got into trouble through in
Viting some of his neighborS to sample
it. Under the federal laws it is just
as much of a crime to make whisky
for ones own use as to make it for sale,
so that df it be proven that what Mr..
Purney made was intoxicating he will
be punished for it just the same.
Charles Copeland and wife, who are
neighbors of the Purneys, testified that
they had been at the Purney house
when the still was in operation. Mr..
Copeland says he demonstrated with
Mr.. Purney against operating it, but
Mr. Purney said there was no law
against making some 'Stuff" for his
own use. The apparatus consisted of
a gasoline stove on which was a large
copper kettle and leading from it was a
pipe running through a barrel of water.
The material used was said to be skim
fnings from sorghum molasses, or sour
sorghum. Mr.. Copeland said he touched
a match to some of the product, under
instructions from Mr.. Purney, and part
of it burned.
On cross examination by w. F.
Schoch, Mr.. Purney's attorney, it was
developed that there had been some
trouble between the Copelands and Mr..
Purney over a tax title, but both Mr..
and Mrs. Copeland claimed that it was
not of sufficient consequence to preju-
dice them against Mr.. Purney.
An old farmer known as Abe Benson
also testified that he had been invited
by the Purneys to stop at their house
as he was driving by and have
suthin'''
What did Mr. Purney say to you
about it?' was asked the witness.
HE said, I'm maxim suthin' good in
thar, pintin to an arrangement he had
in the Kitchen
Did he offer you any of what he had
made?"
Yes"
did the apparatus look like a sti11?''
81 don't know nuthin' about no still.
but 1 know that what come out of it
was mighty good"
The court laughed.
Did it have any bead on it?'
you're mighty right it had beads
on it, answered the farmer, as he
shook his head and smacked his lips at
the recollection.
What did it look like?"
''It was sort of a milky white, kind of
clear sort O. stuff
Did it taste like alcohol"
"Yes, it tasted like alcohol or whisky
or some such stuff
How much would it have taken to
have intoxicated a perSon?"
''Wen, mighty few men could have
stood up under half a glass full
What did Mr.. Purney tell you he
made this stuff out off" asked Mr..
Schoch on cross examination.
He said he used old cider, or sor-
ghum skimmings, or poured water
sorghum pulp and then boiled that
down"
Mr.. Purney himself did not go on the
stand, nor did either of the wit
nesses who had been summoned to tes-
tify in his behalf, and United States
Commissioner George w. Clark, before
whom the hearing was held, thought
there was sufficient testimony to war
rant binding Mr.. Purney over to the
federal court, although his bond was
made small, only $3.50.