Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-02-17
Complete Plant Raided in
Massachusetts Hills.
Two Russians Made Prisoners
by Revenue Officers.
Story Of Tracing "koshsr" Brandy
Shipped to New York Hebrews.

Springfield, Mass. Feb. lG.-In the
remote fastnesses OF the Southern
Berkshire Hills, a complete moon
shining plant was raided by revenue
officers last night and today two men
were brought before United States
Commissioner John L. Rice in this CITY
to plead to a complaint charging them
with having in their possession and
operating still without being regis
tered in the district internal revenue
Office. The prisoners, Nathan s. Kal
man and Abraham kravitZ, each aged
about 40 years, and natives of Russia,
entered pleas of not guilty through
counsel. The commissioner continued
the hearing until next Thursday. one
of the defendants could not under
stand n word of English and the oth-
er spoke English brokcnly.
The raid was the first of the kind
made in western Massachusetts within
the memory of any of the local Off
cials. 1t was conducted by Revenue
officer Walter Carter of Boston. INT
ed States Marshal Edward J. Leyden
Of Springfield. with one of his dcpu
ties and Special Gauger Green Miller
Of Kentucky, who was brought from
lis own district to the Berkshires to
run down tile alleged 'moonshincrs
The still was located in the old
Berkshire Pleasure Inn. a former
summer hotel, in the town of West
Otis, 10 miles from the nearest house.
1t is understood that the investiga-
ton began in New York, where large
quantities Of "kosher' brandy was
found in sections of the city where
there are large colonies of Russian
Hebrews This was shipped into New
York in copper cases, marked maple
sugar" The investigation indicated
that it was coming from the Berkshire
region.
1t was learned that firm at Great
harrington had been shipping to the
Berkshire Pleasure Inn large quanti-
ties ef grape sugar in boxes marked
soda"
Yesterday morning the railroad party
went to Chester, where sleighs were pro-
cured and then followed an 1S-mile drive
over the snow-clad hills to the inn. It
was late in the day when the inn was
reached. Fearing that they might meet
with resistance. the officers left the
sleighs at the foot of hill and carefully
toned at the front of the building and
another at the rear. while the two re-
manning officers dashed at the front door
and forced an entrance
The still, which had a capacity of $50
gallons. was in full operation. the Off
GERS say, and large quantity of mash
was found as well as big amounts of 9TH
er ingredients. The mash had bran as
its basis. and grape sugar and yeast were
later mixed with it before the distilinS
process began.
Three men who were tending the still
were arrested There were also three
women and number of children In the
inn. One of the women was in a very
delicate condition and because of the iso-
lation of the inn one of the prisoners was
allowed to remain there. while the other
two were brought here.
Special Gauger Miller. who has had
plenty of experience with kentucky
"moonshiners," demolished the still with
an axe. taking with him such portions as
might be used for exhibits in court.
The still was located in the cellar.
Years ago the Berkshire Pleasure Inn
was a well-known summer hotel. but lat
er it deteriorated until at one time 1t
was popularity supposed to be an unsav-
ory resort. 1t is not known how long the
present occupants have been there but
the revenue officials believe that the al
legged Illicit distilling of kosher brandy
has been carried on for at least six
months. There is large colony of Rus
sian Hebrews in the neighboring town of
Sandistield and the officers are of the
opinion that the men arrested may have
come from there.