The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1919-12-05
PROHIBITION OFFICERS
ACCUSED OF MURDER
Three Officers in Wyoming Held
by Coroner's Jury for Murder;
Said to Be Liquor Plot
CRABBE WILL DEFEND
Anti-Saloon League of Colorado
Is Raising a Defense Fund;
Asks Help

The liquor gang in Wyoming is
trying to railroad three fearless, con-
scientious and honest law enforce
ment officers to the gallows-to be
hanged by the neck until dead.
1t is a conspiracy of the rankest
sort.
And the Colorado Anti Saloon
League is going to see to it that
these men are given fair and inn
partial trial, because the League is
convinced that they are unjustly
charged with the crime of murder.
| Here are the facts:
John and Pete Cordillo and Walter
Newell several weeks ago were ar
rested in Laramie, Wyo., and charged
with the murder of one Jennings.
These men were Prohibition en-
forcement officers. They were en-
ployed by Mr.. Fred L. Crabbe, the
Prohibition Commissioner of Wy
oming, upon the recommendation of
Rev. A. J. Finch, State Superintend-
ent of the Anti-Saloon League Of
Colorado
For several years they were en-
ployed by the state OF Colorado to
do like work. Later John Cordllo
was employed by the Denver police
department. They are true blue.
They enforced the law without fear
or favor. OF course, they incurred
the hatred of the liquor gang. Time
after time they were offered fabulous.
sums of money to LAY off," Money
couldn't reach them.
When they went to Wyoming they
continued their efficient work. con-
fscating thousands of dollars worth
of bootleg booze an bringing to
justice the illegal traffickers.
They were sent to Laramie and
made grand cleanup. Their work
was of such splendid nature that
the District Attorney in Laramie
wrote Mr.. Crabbe, the Commissioner
OF Prohibition, commencing them.
On the night of the Jennings MUIR
der these officers were in the sheriff's
office, awaiting phone message
from deputy regarding some work.
They were in the sheriff's office until
10 o'clock p. m. The crime was COM
mitted several miles from Laramie
on public highway some time be-
tween 9 and 10 p. m.
A corners jury was called, and a
:. verdict, was reached, which laid the
blame on the Cordlllo brothers and
Newell-but take slant at the cor
oner's jury.
The foreman of the coroner's jury
is said to be a bootlegger, from
whom the Cordllos had seized al
most $4,000 worth OF bootleg booze
just few days previous, and it is
said that at least two of his hench-
men were members OF the jury
Every fair man and woman is con-
WINGED of the innocence of these men.
Crabbe to Assist in Defense
Mr. Crabbe. the Prohibition Com.
missioner of Wyoming, was formerly
Superintendent of the Anti-Saloon
League of that state. He is noted
lawyer and a man of such sterling
qualities and principles that he has
resigned his post and will assist in
the defense of these men.
The dry people are rallying to the
support of these unjustly accused
officers. A fund is being raised to
provide the best defense possible.
Every Issue reader is urged to
come to their assistance. 1t will cost
about $4,000 to conduct the kind of
defense needed.
| Amounts of from 81 up will help.
Send check or money order to Rev.
A. J. Finch, 403 Interstate Trust
Bldg, Denver, Colo. Specify that il
is to be used for the defense of the
| Cordi11o b-others and Walter Newell