The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-11-12
THE OBSERVATIONS AND
STATEMENTS OF A
BOOTLEGGER

For the satisfaction of myself and
friends, but more especially for the
sake of my family, | desire TO make
a full and truthful statement of the
facts in my case. Every word of which
can be verified, if anyone cares enough
to investigate.
l want to say at the outset, that
do not lose sight of the fact that
was found guilty of having intoXicat-
ing liquor in my possession, that | do
not consider myself blameless, and
quences. Under the circumstances,
the officials were justihable in doing
what they did. am sure that | bear
them no i'll will whatever. But | do
object to having the affair misunder-
set the matter right. As it stands,
thinks that | plead guilty to bootleg
and that | was drinking heavily, or
was drunk the night before was
hurt. AS a matter of fact. both are
ed to myself and three of my
money to bring them certain amount
of liquor from Boise, $l.25, $l.OO and
$500, respectively in the order
ly an act of courtesy. None of this
was delivered. The newspapers stat
ed that there were eleven bottles of
liquor found in my possession, which
is true, but did not state the quantity.
Ia a. Go
There was one quart of Red Top Rye,
the balance was all alike, and was pur-
chased at one dollar per quart. One
quart belonged to one fellow and two
quarts to another. That left me one
quart for bootlegging purposes. AS
to being intoxicated on this occasion,
nothing is further from the truth. |
unwisely took drink with stranger
just before arriving home, and within
| fifteen minutes after drinking with
him, | lost consciousness. | remem-
Der nothing more until next morning
In the meantime | was pretty badly
injured and robbed of ffty-one dol
lars and fifty cents, all l had except
one dollar and ten cents. Don't un-
derstand how they came to overlook
that.
Another friend was present when
one of the others gave me the money
to get his, and requested me to bring
some for him, which | refused to do.
/ saw he was under the influence of
liquor then; later as / was ready to
board the car, he begged me again to
fetch some for him. Knowing it to
be the quickest way to get rid of him,
i accepted his money, fully intend
ing to return it to him the next time
we met. l had barely regained con-
seriousness the next morning when
the last friend called at my house. |
was yet in somewhat of dazed con-
dition from being both drugged and
slugged, and readily gave him what
he wanted, when he demanded it.
remember very we'll he was drinking
then. He went straight up town and
was Immediately arrested. He stated
that he purchased the liquor from me
and that caused my arrest. He has
since come forward like a man and
told the straight forward truth about
the matter, however. which felt con-
WINGED he would do when he straight
ened up, and Fwant to say right here
that if this occurance proves to be
the cause of him cutting out the
booze" for good, | will be content
1t must not be supposed that | went
to Boise purposely to buy this liquor
my business there was pertaining to
and connected with the Reclamation
Service, and l was detained there b.
them, from two o'clock until eight
o'clock in the evening. All of m,
acquaintance know that while | us
ed to drink considerable never haC
/ the habit of making a complete foo
of myself, and that ! have not drank
any for several months. | am oppos
ed to the liquor traffic myself, but lik,
great many others, can't say tina
8 | approve of our present laws on tina
question. | am of the opinion, anC
. am sure that any fair-minded person
will agree, that if all offenders il
, Canyon county equally as guilty as |
: were in Jail there would be few wive
left to boast of their husbands beint
free.
| do not feel that my incarceration
has benefited any one, it has simpl
worked hardship on my wife an,
children. as is always the case, ar
the chief sufferers
4. was in daZed condition and un
. able to make a coherent statemen
when plead guilty | am convince
that had the court understood the tru
y facts in the case, the result may hav
!. been different.
= II De MOSS