The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-04-08
CLOSED OWL SALOON
DIsoRDERLY HOUSE
~ says tbs Marshal and the Board Of
Trustees Act In Accordance VITA mis-
hsPort-warm session u city Dads
over Matter.

The board OF town trustees met n
regular session Wednesday evening
and after reading the minutes OF
previous meetings the reports Of com
mlttees we're called for.
w. A. Andrew reported that as one
Of she gas franchise committee be had
examined into the question and
found that aeetyllne was considered
safe and good illuminant with the
later methods Of handling. He had
not had sufficient time 70 60 into
details, but bad made some investIRa-
tion and considered a municipal
lighting plant desirable At the proper
time. He thought electricity the
best, and asked that more time be
given 90 investigation.
The monthly report Of Marshal
McGovern was read, showing nine
persons arrested and flned for various
petty olfenses.
A number u petitions we're read
and referred 10 the proper com.
mittees. among them one asking for
the opening and grading Of Fifth
street. Property owners along Lake
view street asked for the grading Of
the unfinished portions Of that street.
William Routh asked permission to
move bis shoe shop. a small frame
building, from it, present location ON
Sherman street TO the vacant ground
east o. tbs Bodler block. HIS request
Was granted.
The sensational feature az the ses.
sion eaa sprung when Marshal Nc.
Govern submitted 3 report recon.
mendinR that the granting Of .
saloon license b. refused 70 James
Cocorau for the Owl saloon. There
has been much complaint that this
place is one Of the mort aIsorderiy 10
town. where women and dlnsolute
eharacteTa eongreRnte and Indulge in
drunken orgies, much to the annoy
ance Of others not connected with
the place. IL bad been rumorea
that the marshal would report his
inability 10 have the proprietor Of
the resort run an orderly place. The
report is a. follows:
To the honorable board NJ trustees
OF tho village Of Occur d'AleBe,
kootenai county, Idaho.
0entlemen-I desire 20 report 10
your honorable body that James
coeoran, proprietor Of the Owl
saloon, 10 continually permitting
minors 20 frequent bis place and d
ALLOWING them 20 gamble. He also
allows woman 20 resOrt In the saloon,
and especially 10 the vine rooms.
Ia The rear whore they become drunk
and boisterOus. and from which plnce
they stagger out into the street In a
drunken condition. The saloon IL
conducted In a disorderly manner
have repeatedly spoken
20 Mr. Cocoran and bis bar tender ip
an endeavor TO have them obey the
Law, but they have paid no attention
to my request. and Mr.. Cocoran has
stated that he was powerless % pre.
vent the indecent orgies. 1, there.
fore, recommend 10 your honorable
body that Mr.. Cocoran be refused !
license and that be be not allowed 20
continue the sale OF Intoxicating
liquora or conducting a saloon IA
The village Of Occur d'Alene.
Respectfully submitted,
P, +. McGovERN,
Village Marshal.
This report precipitated one OF the
most acrimonious aud bitter flebts
that has como before the present
beard, Mr.. Cocoran and his bar.
tender. William Farr, were praaent
10 defend the saloon against what
they called the preiudioed report Of
The marshal.
Cocoran took the floor in his own
defense and denied the charges. stat.
Ing that they were absolutely false