The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-08
DRUG STORE RAIDED.
Albert Schultz Charged with Selling
Intoxicants at His Pharmacy.
His Manager Arrested.

| The first raid ever conducted upon a
city drug store occurred yesterday,
when Captain of Police Williams ar
rested Charles II. Johnston, of 1906
Mulberry street, manager of Albert
Schultz's drug store, at Webster ave-
nue. and Mulberry street, on the charge
of selling liquor without license.
The only circumstance which saved
the proprietor of the place from arrest
was the simple fact that he was at At
lantic City The police have received
numerous complaints of late that both
whskey and beer were being sold at
the drug store, and that many young
men of the neighborhood had left their
homes evenings with the avowed inten-
ton of "going out for a soda," only to
return home in maudlin condition. The
intoxicants were drawn from the soda
faucets.
Superintendent Day sent out two Of
his trusty sleuths, and they returned
smacking their lips, and corroborating
all reports. Johnston was given
hearing yesterday afternoon and fined
s25 and the costs, which amounted to
an additional $40. Part of the evidence
produced against him was a darkish
Huiu Ill d Silldll llleulClHc Sdp-
tain Williams had drawn it from the
soda faucet marked Chocolate" but
despite this fact, competent judges at
police headquarters yesterday declared
that it bore far, far more of a resem-
blance to old Kentucky rye, than to
the harmless beverage whose place 1t
was usurping.
When Johnston was arrigned before
Magistrate Howe, he Immediately
pleaded guilty, but demanded the right
to cross-eXamine all witnesses. PRO
duce your evidence" he demanded with
rather authoritative air, and after
rather startled look by Superintendent
Day, the latter called his two detec-
tives to the stand. The latter testified
that on June 81 they had entered
SchultZ's drug store and had asked for
lemon sours. They received whiskey.
After making this statement, they
moved for their Seats when Johnston
called to them: Hold on a minute
there. How do you know 1t was whis-
key?"
The astonished sleuths paused, and
looked surprised at any implied doubt
as to their ability to tell the liquor
when they drank it, but Magistrate
Howe Indignantly broke in with:
"Oh, that will do. You've plead
guilty, young man, and there's no use
wasting any time, like this
He showed Johnston the little bottle
secured by Captain Williams, and
added:
IF this isn't whiskey, I'd like to
know what it is.''
Itch weis nicht I certainly don't
know" Johnston answered, trile
and then proceeded to cross
examine Captain Williams regarding
the bottle.
II haven't any recollection of any
such bottle as this in the store" he re-
land, Furthermore. are you
certain this is whiskey in the bottle?"
"We are sure enough. I've tested it |
myself" Superintendent Day inter-
rupted, angrily, and Magistrate Howe |
then pronounced sentence.
Johnston emphatically denied ever |
having sold anything to the two de- |
tectives, or to any strangers, but de- |
clared he had only occasionally served |
regular customers. "Thank you, thank |
YOU" he remarked when he heard his |
fine, and this witticism led Superin-
tendent Day to warningly remark:
you might have got off a little |
easier, young man, if you hadn't acted |
so impertinent."
Johnston paid the fine.