Imperial Valley press., 1912-10-04
H0LTv|LLE'S LIQUOR WAR
GROWS HOTTER DAILY

There is blood on the moon in Holt,
Vile. The town which during its
whole history has been noted for the
unanimity with which the people have
worked together has for the time be
ing become the scene of a feud which
threatens the welfare of the communi
ty, and cool heads are beginning to
urge that steps be taken to put an
end to the feud and get the town back
where it was.
The present condition has grown up
by degrees, with the result that tenn
per is aroused on both sides.
Several weeks ago a number of the
men of the town were given a keg of
beer, and they got together to drink it.
The next week they bought a keg
and had another merry time over it.
1t was then suggested that they per-
feet an organization and devote theil
energies to road building, the improve
ment of the city park and to other
public works, holding weekly meetings,
and they took the name of the Holt
vile Boosters club.
Holtville has an antiliquor ordi-
nance, and the serving of beer in this
way is in conflict with the ordinance.
But for several years the town hau
had experience with similar organiza-
tions, and in these there were many
young men of excellent character, who
do not see the harm that lies in liquor.
Holtville is especially favored with
group Of young men of enterprise,
intelligence and character, and these
became identified with the club.
There was an effort made by the city
trustees to clear the town of blind
pigs, of whom it is said there are
seventeen operating in town. The eff
forts failed and it was the belief of
the temperance people of the town that
the members of the Boosters club had
combined to prevent conviction.
raid was thereupon made by the
city officials on the club when it was
in session, and considerable quantity
of beer was captured. 1t is alleged by
members of the club that this beer did
not belong to the club, but to the
Eagles lodge
The members of the club dispatched
a delegation to FL Centre and secured
a warrant for the arrest Of the city
officials on the charge of DESTROYING
property, they having broken through
a door, and the officials were subjected
to the indignity of being thrown into
jail for a short time until bail was
provided.
Believing that members Of the club
had combined to pack the jury against
the conviction of blind piggers, the
temperance people secured the ap-
pointment of a deputy sheriff who was
in sympathy with them, and a jury
.. A.
anti-liquor proclivity
Yesterday morning the liquor case
came up before the Holtville city re
corder, and an effort was made to Sc
cure change of venue. afiidavits Of
prejudice being made. This was de-
MED and steps were being taken to
proceed with the trial when Dan
Southwell, city marshal of Imperial .
came in and arrested the Judge on the
bench, taking him away.
The case against the Judge was
based, it is claimed. on a post dated
check he is alleged to have issued on
the First National Bank of Holtville,
for which, it is stated, there were nu
funds
1t is held by banks that a post-dated
check is simply a promise to pay on
given date, but the judge was ar
rested on a felony charge, and the cir
cumstances of the arrest led to the
belief that the case against him was
worked up to break up the trial.
Now it is reported to be the intention
TO take the entire matter before the
grand jury to find indictments, so that
the case can be brought directly to the
superior court.
Such are the moves up to date which
are destroying the peace and harmony
of what has been about the most har-
monious town in the valley until re
Gently, and at the same time there are
those who are urging that the slate be
wiped clean, and that the welfare OF
the town be taken up by all classes on
the basis of the law against the blind
piggers being enforced and each side
of the feud recognizing the respecta-
bility and good citizenship of the
other, all the litigation on both sides
being dropped.