Connecticut western news., 1911-10-26
WHOLESALE LIQUOR ARRESTS
State Police and Sheriffs Swoop
 Down on Little Italy


 Twenty writs issued against alleged, violators of the liquor law, alleging nearly 100 specific cases of illegal selling; ten cases already tried before Justice Ford, resulting in conviction in every case $1, ,406.66 in fines and costs al; ready turned over to the town treasury . ten cases to be tried tomorrow, and writs probably to be issued for the arrest of number of other alleged violators. Such is the week s record of court activity in Canaan.
 For a week or more the periodical pill grimages to Canaan, of Liquor Prosecutor Fred Williams, of New Milford, had mystified the natives, and speculation was rife and rampant as to when. where and how the impending thunderbolt would be launched. It was not to be presumed for an instant that this earnest, aggressive and strenuous champion of the cause of temperance was wasting his time riding up and down the valley between here and New Milford for the sole and simple purpose of drinking in the autumnal beauties of the Housatonic valley landscape. Oh, no. The sequel proved that his purpose was decidedly otherwise. And that sequel was enacted, (Act 1, Scene 1, of 8 more or less con- tinnous performance on the stage of the Town Hall. Friday night. amid the same stage settings that framed the Mock Trial on the previous Monday evening, and with the same austere judicial dignitary Justice George w.. Ford-on the same bench.
 The performance had not been as well advertised as the other production Williams is lamentably lacking in the qualities that go to make up the success ful advance agent-henoe when the our tain went up the audience was slim, though select, but it increased gradually in proportions during the night, as the news of the doings percolated through the village, and by midnight there was afalrly respectable house present, and an appreciatiye one.
 The cast Of characters had been selected with care and discrimination, but tho lack of rehearsals marred the smooth ness of the action somewhat. Judge Ford acted his part as cabably and true to lifs as befora. Prosecut0r Williams was the bright particular star of the evening. perfectly at home in the role, and smoked his fragrant Habanas with what Dan Sweeney would call utter sang froid. r as he solemnly issued mani festoes, ultimatums. mandamuses, body writs, search warrants and kindred in- hammatory pronouncementst that proper ly go with an orthodox reign of terror. Attorney l.. J. Nickerson. of West Corn wall, posed as armor- -bearerto the tyrant. and occasionally balance-w W heeled the judicial machinery when it got to whirl. ing dangerously near the speed limit of velocity. Niokerson played thinking part during the greater part of the per, formance, and while he maintained his usual and natural dignified bearing, it was plain that his native sense of humor was secretly chortling in appreciation of the ludicrous situations-of winch one did tread upon another's heels, 70 fast they followed-and that with the simple joy of being there he would feel well repaid if he didn't get cent.
 The balance of the cast was somewhat awe inspiring. and embraced a motley multitude of ladies and gentlemen, in cluding half.dozen lynx.eyed sleuths of the state police force; half dozen stalwart deputy sheriffs and constables, and dozen or 80 of the prominent citi- zens and citizenesses of "Llttle Italy, near the lime auarries, who came in their automobiles-fo6rt tourist carloads of them-and kept arriving all the even- ing to occupy reserved seats in the orchestra circle. 1t was matter of comment in the dress circle that the stellar roles were practically all assigned to foreign talent. There wasn't local attorney nor local officer, either sheriff | or constable, in the whole aggregation in fact, Canaan furnished nothing but the justice, the patients and the booze
 The plot developed as the proceedings proceeded. The entire cast of characters, with the exception of the court, lawyers, detectives, deputy sheriffs and con. stables, were arraigned on charges of selling liquor to state police officers-a somewhat more heinous. hideous and hazardous offense than selling it to the ordinary drunkard. The proceedings were interrupted, in an early stage. by what seemed to be the ominous rumble of an approaching thunderstorm, and some of the spectators, who frequently go to shows, jumped toNthe conclusion that in the absence of an orchestra, Stage Manager Blass had bseu inspired to rat tie his ssheet-iron strip of property tn under and work up the accessories of an imagi nary Faust Brocken scene, to give addi- tional weirdness to the uncanny situa- fiop 'rL.4 intarrnDkion hOyUnver nrovad