South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-06
FLEES
AS EXPLOSION
BARES SECRET
Kerosene Burner Attached To
Still Explodes, Causing
Big Damage. "a
POLICE GRAB" LIQUOR
Owner of Haley St. Residence
Said to Be in Ohio-0ffi-
GERS Quiet. -

Although the existence OF a gigan-
tic scheme for the manufacture OF
"moonshine" whisky was revealed by
a fire. which late Tuesday evening
partially destroyed a residence at
209 s. Haley St. police officers last
night declared that no charges had
been brought against the operators
Of the place and minated that. in
all probability none would be filed.
The only reason for their failure TO
act was that they had been unable 10
ascertain the names Of the persons
who occupied the house. Four stills.
one in operation and eight gallons OF
raisin mash were cOnfscated by the
police and firemen who answered
the alarm. 1t was also said that IS
quarts OF moonshine whisky WIS
seized by the police. This report,
however could not be confirmed
late last night
The fire is said by firemen TO have
started in the kitchen of the house
where ar oil burner attached 20 a
still was believed TO have exploded.
The fire quickly spread TO all parts
OF the house and much damage was
done before it could be extinguished
by the firemen. The los 20 the prop
erty and the contents of the home
was estimated at 500. No estimate
Of the loss on the stills and liquor
was attempted by the fremen. be-
cause they said they did not know
how much was destroyed.
Tenants Flee.
Neighbors last night declared that
the owners Of the property were at
present employed in the beet fields
in Ohio and that since their Obsence
four men, said TO be from Mishs-
waka, had occupied the house Two
! of these We're said to have been seen
on the premises Tuesday shortly be-
/ fore the fire started. They made
/ their escape before the firemen and
police arrived.
It is believed. however, that their
names and descriptions have been
given the police since Il is UNDER
stood that persons residing nearby
are provided with this information.
| When questioned last night by news
paper men they refused to give the
names, claiming they did not know
them. They said that the renters OF
the property had been absent for
more than two months. The opera
tors Of the stills. they said. were
South Bend and Mishawaka men
and had been making liquor for sew
eral days.
John y. Nyioa. who resides at 21S
| s. Haley ST.. and whose home was
] r-Tf 40 Il. L.
night declared that he did not know
who occupied the house where the
stills were found but later intimated
/ that his loss would be made good.
/ He also said that he believed that
| the men would not return and that
| the renters would not come back 70
| this city.
The city directory gives the name
/ Of Modest Kounenberg as a resident
AZ 2O9 Kaley St A lodge room pas
/ key and receipt card found IN the
! house by neighbors, IL was said. also
I gave this name. It could not be
! learned last night whether Mr.. Kou-
/ nezberg was the owner OF the house
or whether he had been a tenant
/ Oficisls at the No. 9 fire station sal
| last night that the house was owned
/ by a Mr. Demilner. HIS given name
was not known.
Whether any attempt will be made
/ by the police department 20 locate
/ the occupants Of the house. could
not be sscertained last night.
Kerosene was poured onto the
mash found az the home. while the
stills were taken 70 the police head
/ quarters and 20 the central FIRE STA
ton. Il could not be learned what
disposal was made OF the whisky
taken from the house