Evening star., 1909-04-18
ROCK SPRINGS HOTEL RA|DED
FIGHTS WHEN
SEARCH GETS WARM.
schmitz Under Arrest in Rockville.
Cellar Yields Evidence to
Support Charge.

Enlivened by hand-to-hand encounters
between the constables and the proprie-
tor, raid was made last night on the
Rock Springs Hotel on the Conduit road.
John L. Schmitz, who is In charge,
was arrested on charges of keeping liquor
for sale and Of violating the local option
law in selling liquor in a county where
no liquor selling is allowed. He was
later taken to Rockville and locked up to
await preliminary hearing before
magistrate tomorrow.
Constables Peyton Whalen and Leroy
Lochte formed the raiding party For
some time they have had the Rock
Springs Hotel under observation. They
have recently sent some of their friends
A search warrant was sworn out yes
terday. The raid was determined upon
last night.
The constables pounded on the front
door of the hotel shortly after 8 O'Clock
Mr.. Schmitx came to the door and asked
for their warrant for entering.
The search warrant was read by Con-
stable Whalen- Then the hunt through
the big structure was begun. The party
was soon trailing to the cellar.
When a locked door to one section fthe
cellar was reached and stopped the party
Constable Whalen procured an ak and be-
was in the midst Of the operation Schmitz
grabbed the ak and attempted to wrest
1t from the constables hands.
Then the trial Of strength began. 1t
clared, had not the other constable inter
fered and overpowered the proprietor.
The door, the constables allege, led to
the wine cellar of the hostelry. Behind
1t was found: it is alleged, a demiJohn
OF whisky and large number Of bottles
Of wine. champagne and other brands Of
the stun that intoxicates.
This seemed to be the main object of
the searching party. They filled several
bags and baskets with bottles and took
them away to Rockville.
This was taken to be used as evidence
In court. The Maryland law declares
that IL liquor is found in q house in suf-
ficient quantities 1t is strong evidence
the liquor laws.
From the wine cellar. the constables
say, the raiders went to other parts of
the hotel, but found no other evidence
which they took into their possession.
Schmitz was arrested by Constable
Whalsn. placed on a trolley car and
taken TO Rockville. He was assigned to
a room in the Jail.
1t is expected that the amount will be
set by a magistrate before whom the
prisoner will be taken tomorrow.
The penalty for the charges which have
been placed against Schmitz Is not more
than $500 fine or imprisonment for not
more than a year in the house of correc.
ton, or both.
Preliminary to the raid last night Con-
stable Whalen sent Edward w. Davis a
resident Of the section of the county in
which the Rock Springs Hotel is located,
to the inn last Sunday to buy liquor, and
1t 10 expected that he will be a witness
for the government when Schmits comes
to trial.
Schmitz has been In the Rockville court
before on similar charges. He lives at
the hotel of which he is the proprietor,
with his four children. whose ages range
stable Whalen left with his prisoner for
Rockville last evening Constable Lochte
was left to look after the hotel.
Schmitz said after the raid that the con-
stables had no right to enter and search
his hotel last night. because under the
Maryland law action under a search war
| rant must be taken during the daytime,
and he denies that he is guilty OF the
charges made against him.