The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1919-07-11
LOCATE BOOZE ring
IN Medina COUNTY
AUTHORITIES FOLLOW TIP
FROM SUMMIT COUNTY

Arrest Six Men, Capture Two Stills
and Obtain IS Barrels of
Whiskey Mash.
Following tip which they received
earlier in the week, Sheriff Bigelow
and Deputy Hange went on still hunt
Sunday which netted them 18 bar
rels of whiskey, brandy or whatever
you wish to call it, six men who are
charged with it's manufacture and two
stills which were found in operation.
The men are all Serbians and gave
their address as Akron.
Sheriff Pat Hutchinson of Summit
county, had been advised that much
moonshine was being sold in the vicin-
ity of Akron, and upon investigation
learned that good part of it was COM
ing from Medina county. He notified
the local authorities and together they
located man in Akron, a relative of
some of the men involved, who agreed
to come to Wadsworth and divulge
the place where he claimed whiskey
was being made.
Arrangements were made for his
visit and the sheriff and his deputy
went to Wadsworth Sunday after
noon, where they picked up Tom Luz
cas-, another deputy, and together with
the informer went out to look for the
stuff.
Arriving at the Ostrander farm, on
N. Holmesbrook hill, near Wadsworth,
N. Nolmesbrook hill, near Wadsworth,
the party went in and Investigated as
there appeared to be no one at home.
In the house were found several bar
rels of the 52-gallon type full Of mash.
In the barn were found two stills, both
in operation.
Leaving there the party went back
to Wadsworth and waited a short
while then they again went to the Os-
trander farm. As they approached
this time truck could be seen stand
ing in front of the house and three
men were halfway between the house
and the barn. Wheeling the automo-
bile in which the sheriff's party were
riding, suddenly into the yard the sher.
if and his two deputies had the men
covered before they could offer any
resistance. The three men apprehend-
ed here gave their names as Pete Bo-
gain, Paya Armaski and Steef Gruich.
The latter carried gun when
searched by the officers.
After bringing the three to Medina,
the sheriff's party went in another di-
rection, this time to Windfall, where
they paid visit to the Bob MiklasH
farm, which lies across the road from
the old Martin farm. No one appeared
to be at home here, until start for
town was made, when two men ap-
peared coming up the road showing
evidence of having been drinking.
Waiting for the men to enter the
house the Sheriff and his deputies
closed in on them, but in the excite
ment of the capture, one of the boot
leggers escaped. The other one, who
gave his name as Foin Rakich, was
brought to Medina where he gave the
name and address of his friend, who no
doubt will be taken when wanted. In
this Windfall farm house were also
found numerous barrels of mash in
,, the state Of whiskey-making.
Monday Laza Gruich and Louie
Panich were arrested at Akron and
charged with being accomplices in the
illicit distillation Of the frewater. The
former is apparently well-to-do and
owns a large store in Akron. He was
a member of the gang who furnished
the raisins with which the brew is
made. AS near as can be judged from
looking at the stuff it is made with
water, yeast and a mash of raisins.
Regarding the strength of the finished
article, only few gallons of which
was obtained, there can be no doubt
as it has eaten the galvanized lining.
off of pail in which sample was
placed.
Bogadn is the only member of the
gang who admits knowing anything
about what was going on at the two
places, he stating that his people were
brewers in the old country andthat he
was simply following the trade he
learned when boy. Bogadn seems to
talk freely about the process fol-
lowed, but becomes mum when uues-
toned as to the status of other mem
bers of the gang.
The federal authorities were noti-
fled Tuesday and spent half day ar
guing as to whether the case was one
for the internal revenue department
or not, admitting however that it
came under the federal courts juris-
diction. Wednesday two members of
the department came to Medina and
took the six men to Cleveland with
them. The warrants upon which they
were held are under the act passed by
congress whereby it's prohibits the use
of food stuffs of any kind in making
beverages containing more than " per
cent alcohol for the duration of the
war. This charge is simply technical
and will probably be changed at the
convenience of the department. -.
Two other men are being sought in
connection with the gang and their ar
rest, which is expected to take place at
any time may throw more light on
the working Of the booze ring.