Evening journal., 1912-09-06
UNIQUE SCHEME TO
EVADE LIQUOR LAW

CHEROKEE. Okla, Sept. 6-Inti-
mate knowledge of local geography
md topography has enabled a Chero-
kee bootlegger to thrive under the
very eyes Of the officers Of the law.
NBill' Proll. known throughout North
western Oklahoma as king of boot
leggers." is the man. He plies his
trade defiantly and successfully. max
ing no concealment of his business
and taunting officers with their fall
ure to "catch him with the goods"
Proll has carefully mapped the town
site of Cherokee. marking all places
where contraband whiskey may be
concealed. Each place Of conceal
ment is called location and set
down in a record kept by Proll for
that purpose. In some places he
plants quart of whiskey, in others
a pint or a half pint, that he may be
able to deal with customers accord
ing 10 their needs.
Proll never sells liquor-he merely
sells locations" Approached by a
thirsty individual, Proll will consult
his record in which Is shown the
standing Of the suppliant among the
bootlegging fraternity. If the custo-
who has proved himself not to be an
informer. proll produces one of his
numerous locations" duly set out by
metes and bounds. For this guide 10
hilarity Proll exacts 81, If the cache
contains a quart Of whiskey.
How Cache Is Found.
The purchaser then reads.
Proceed due north on the east side
OF Cuckoo street and then turn east
into Highjinks avenue. Continue TO
the west line Of the first vacant lot
and then face south. Move to the
third fence post on the west side Of
the lot. and from that point count II
full steps to a board lying In a clump
of weeds Lift this board and dig
until you strike the bottle"
Or the directions may read
Look under the sidewalk, If feet
west Of Jim" Smiths front gate
Proll plays fair with his customers,
never deceiving them. His stuff is
cleverly concealed and rarely found
by providers.
Recently Proll was arrested for
violation Of the liquor law, upon
information and belief" But his in
generation I'm Jail did not put him
out Of business. II was noticed that
Proll was growing TO be a most pop
ular citizen. Men called to see him
every day ostensibly to offer air or
advice in the case pending against
him They did not linger, however,
and departed at a lively pace. Dis
covery was made that Proll was sell
ing locations" and getting the money
IN Jail.
~The Red Onion.r
South Of the Alfalfa County Court
House stands a dilapidated shack,
once occupied by King" Proll for
the playing OF various games of
chance and the sale of liquor. II
bore the name Of "The Red Onion"
and as such was widely known in AL
falfa county Omcers were on Prolrs
trail more or less all the time and
in the most unexpected etaoin etaoe
acquired the habit Of raiding "The
Red Onion" at the most unexpected
times and in the most unceremon-
ious manner. They could approach
stealthily in the darkness and rush
''The Red Onion" before the inmates
were aware of their danger.
PEGt1~ determined that "The Red
Onion" should have a barricade. so
he gathered all the tin cans he could
fnd IN the alleys of Cherokee and
piled them for 10 or 12 feet outside
THE Red Onion" His scheme work
ed, as nobody could approach without
stepping upon a tin can, and the rat
tling and changing could be easily.
heard through the thin walls OF the
joint, giving plenty of time for the
c0ncealment OF any damaging evil
dence.
The Street Commissioner. how
ever. declared the cans a public nuis-
ance and they we're hauled away