The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-05-16
BnEAsE's ORDERS CARRIED OUT
Buyer Of Federal Contraband Liquors
Arrested.

Greenville, May 1.-THE first
clash between the United States
court and State officials, over the re-
cent decision of Federal Judge H. A.
NJ. Smith, that the government has
right to sell at public auction in a
"dry" county whiskey that has been
seized and condemned as contraband
occurred here to-day.
In compliance with the order of
Judge Smith, at the April term of the
federal court held in Greenville,
United States Marshal J. Duncan
Adams advertised for sale at public
auction, at Greenville county court
house, May II, at IL o'clock, two
packages containing intoxicating
liquors, the packages being marked
&C. V. Stoeber" and 81. B. Thacks-
ton," care of the Hundred Thous-
and Club" Several days ago Gov.
Blease addressed letters to the sher-
ifs of South Carolina and to one of
the magistrates in Greenville, advis-
ing them to arrest any party who
might purchase contraband whiskey
sold in the State by United States Of
ficials.
Sheriff Poole Prepared.
Sheriff j. Perry Poole, of Green
vile, and Magistrate Samuel Strad-
ley received copies of the letter and
forthwith primed themselves for the
clash. This morning a deputy of
Marshal J. Duncan Adams appeared
in Greenville and prepared for the
auction Shortly before noon the two
barrels of whiskey were transported
from the police station to the front
of the county court house, having
been confiscated last October by Po-
lice Chief Holcombe and United
States revenue officers, because the
barrels bore no markings to indicate
their contents, which is violation
of the federal laws.
DR.. J. L. Dean was employed as
auctioneer by the deputy and at the
stroke of IL he called for bids for
the first package of whiskey. He
was interrupted by the stentorian
voice of Magistrate Stradley, warn
ing the crowd that Gov. Blease had
ordered any purchaser Of the bever-
age to be arrested.
Only One Bidder.
The call for a bid was repeated and
there came an offer of SO from Attor-
ney Oscar K. Mauldin. The auc-
tioneer took up the cry, Three dol
lars, three dollars" etc. There were
| no more offers and the hammer fell.
Bids for the second barrel of whis-
key were called for and Attorney
Mauldin made an offer of 81. Again
rang out the voice of the auctioneer,
but no one made higher bid. The
hammer fell, and to the purchaser
went $50 worth of champagne, bene-
dictine and imported Scotch whis-
keys for the sum Of SIS. Sheriff
Poole approached the purchaser and
placed him under arrest, while his
deputies seized the two barrels Of
whiskey and bore them into the court
house. Later the attorney gave bond
of 5000 and stated that he would
bring action, through the "claim and
delivery process, for the recovery of
the whiskeys.
Large Crowd Present.
A large crowd gathered principally
out of curiosity to witness the sale
of the beverages. AS the hour for
the auction dawned big rain drops
fell here and there, but this did not
allay the interest of the onlookers
nor diminish the number. The ses-
sions court was in progress and ad-
mitted a few hundred spectators. The
sale went on and the rain increased,
and simultaneously with the climax
of the episode-the descending OF
the governors hand upon the pur-
chaser of the whiskeys-the heavens
wept torrentially, and many stood IN
wonderment at the power that dared
"buck" the United States court, while
the wiser ones scented campaign
thunder" in the proceedings.