Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-19
SLIGHTLY IN ERROR.
Police While Attempting Raids Mis-.
taken for Bartenders.
DAMAGING EVIDENCE SEcITPED
FROM WOULD-BE CUSTOMERS.

Ing uHusudi experience OF customers
trying to buy Intoxicating LIQUORS from
officers who were trying to make a
search and seizure was what CITY Mar.
shall Breen and Officer Frank Chase OF
this city, passed through recently while
trying to make raid at Togus, and al
though the prohibitory law was not brok.
en- they gained evidence that may as
sist them in making out case when GER
tain parties. whose names for obvious
reasons are not given. are brought before
the grand jury.
Recently City Marshal Breen and Off
Ger Frank Chase had suspicious that
there were some places near the Augusta
line in the vicinity of Togus, where the
law was not being lived up TO. When
they arrived at the place they found no
one at home. After entering the outbuild-
ing they gained entrance to the bar by
means of a skeleton key Apparently
there was nothing of a contraband nature
in sight and the officers began to look
for hiding places.
Both City Marshal Breen and officer
Chase had their coats buttoned up and
not brass button was in sight. While
they were searching behind the bar
City Marshal Breen has a way of keep
ing a Sphinxlike face at the same time he
is cracking jokes that would start a rib,
and when the man and woman FASTENED
up TO the bar he was all attention and
with the blandness OF an expert mixer of
drinks asked: What do you want?''
A drink of whskey," replied the vet
eran, mistaking the marshal for the pro-
prietor.
Sorry, but We haven't anything on
hand said the marshal.
''Oh, yes. you have. Come, let me have
la drink" said the veteran, throwing down
a half dollar.
But | tell you we haven't" replied the
city marshal, approaching the humor of
the situation. we have just bought ont
the place and haven't got stocked up.
What is your name? Have you ever
bought rum here before queried the
marshal. suddenly changing his tactics
as though about to learn his prospective
customers.
Yes hundreds of times replied the
veteran My name is and
bought rum here and --. Oh,
| am all right. You needn't be afraid OF
me. Come. let me have 4 drink
Sorry" replied the marshal, but as
| said. | am all ont. Come again, tomor-
row. Then we will be stocked up. Better
go up TO and if they let you have
ANYTHING come back here and tell me
about it
Convinced that the city marshal was
running the place, even though he did
not suspect that he was talking to an
ba and made
way for the woman who edged up TO the
har. By this time Officer Chase was con-
vulsed with laughter and was doubled
| up with his back to the bar that signs OF
| his mirth might not be seen.
We'll what do you want asked the
CITY marshal of the woman.
| Half q pint OF whiskey, was the
reply.
! Didn't you hear me tell that man we
have nothing on hand? We nave jus'
moved in here. What is your name ana
where do you belong? Have you ever
bought rum here" were the questions
fired with the rapidity of Calling gun
shots.
| Yes. lots of times. My name is ----
land | live in -. Come, let me have
| it, and on that she drew 81 bill from
her purse and offered that in exchange
for the half pint of liquor.
.'You heard what | told you. our stock
is not in vet. Come around later, then
maybe you can get the whiskey, replied
the marshal On that the woman ap
reared satisfied and turned away.
| The officers continued their search pu'
without success, although when they
went away they had from the lips or the
would-be customers evidence as damaS
ling against the real proprietor as though
they had carried off a barrel of rum. ano
the people with the unquenchabie thlrs'
do not know to this day but that they
were trying to buy liquor from the pro-
nrietor who later may be called on tt
answer to the testimony given by the
veteran and the woman.