Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-02-05
DAWSON COUNTY
LEADER SENT TO
FEDERAL PRISON

Russ Hubbard. of Dawson county,
for many years political leader In
that section of the state. former
representative in the legislature, and
generally conceded to be the wealth.
lest man in the mountain section of
Georgia, was sentenced in United
States court Wednesday to serve
thirteen months in the federal peni-
tertiary for violating the same dry
laws he bitterly fought in the Geor-
gia legislature more than thirteen
years ago.
United States Attorney Hooper
Alexander, who conducted the prose-
cution for the government. served in
the legislature with Hubbard, and
had been his staunch personal friend
for many years.
When a state prohibition law first
claimed attention of the Georgia gen.
eral assembly. Mr.. Alexander was
one of it's strongest advocates, while
vigorous speeches against it's pas
sage were made in the house by Hub
bard
After his term in the legislature
expired, Hubbard returned to Daw~
son county, where he continued to
be a power in politics. Prohibition
officials say he gave the enforcement
the time the dry law first became
: Many disttlleries were unearthed
near his home, and we knew he was
connected with them, but were never
able to catch Hubbard with the
j.. r.
He was the cleverest moonshlner
our department came in contact
with"
Director CAN'T said a great many
attempts to obtain direct evidence
against Hubbard were futile, and
that two years ago he was acquitted
of liquor charges owing to the pro-
hibition departments inability to
force his mountain neighbors to tes-
tify against him.
"Three whisky runners, Jim
Thompson, E. J. McGill and Mangum
Wilson, were given instructions by
Hubbard as to where they could OBJ
tain an automobile load of liquor
said Director CAN'T, land one of our
agents overheard a portion OF this
conversation. Officers overlook the
whisky car, and a pitched battle be-
tween the runners and the officers
followed, which came near to ending
III d lIdSGuy. 1lOCCCulASS " YIN
denim the automobile were started,
and out of this case grew the recent
decision by the United Sttaes SUI
preme court with reference to con-
domination of vehicles engaged in the
liquor traffic"
On the day following this occur
renee, prohibition agents said United
States Attorney Hooper Alexander
arrived in Dawson county to make
speech in behalf of the Liberty
loan drive, and was met by Hubbard,
who drove him over the county in
his automobile and royalty entertain
ed him.
Hubbard received his sentence We'd
nesday with a smile. He made no
statement concerning his case. but
his attorneys indicated that mo-
ton for a new trial will be made.
PERSONALLY, Hubbard always was
one of the best sports in the whole
country" declared Director CAN'T.
although my entire staff aided the
district attorney in prosecuting him
Wednesday, I am sure that if we Wis
tied his home town today, he would
greet US cordially, invite us into his
home and show us every possible
courtesy"
Back in his younger days when he
was a prominent figure in the state
legisla ture, Hubbards position on the
prohibition law was that "it depr1ves
a man Of his personal liberty and wiz
never be enforced.