The Mankato free press., 1921-09-30
LATER TAMES DOWN
Federal Agent Called For
4 Drinks; Got His Men
TURN TRICK AT NIGHT
Proprietor of Place Obtained
Bail; He per Kept In Cell
Over Sunday

While a throng of men and boys
gathered in front of No. 105 North
Front street about eleven o'clock Sat
urday night and muttered in
Threatening manner, both federal and
Mankato police officers co-operated
in a raid on "Ben's Place" at that
number, where Ben Meuerer conducts
soft drink saloon, Police have had
"Ben's Place" under suspicion for
several months past, but were never
able to get the goods on him, even
in the face of the statements of men
that the had openly purchased intoxi-
eating drinks there on frequent occa-
sions. For the past week federal
enforcement officer had been in Man
kato working quietly in cooperation
with the police department and the
sheriff's office. Having obtained suf-
ficient evidence to get a search war
rant, plan was laid in Chief of
Police Phil landmarks office Satur-
day night to raid the place. The
federal officer went to "Ben's Place"
and ordered highball. When the
drink was handed over to him, he
gave Officer Henry Kachelmeyer, who
was standing just outside the front
door, the signal and that officer came
in. with search, warrant.
Employee On Duty.
Clark Boucher, an employee, was
on duty at the time. According to
the statement of the federal officer
to The Free Press, Boucher made
no resistance when the search war
rant was shown him. The enforce
ment officer stated that Boucher
said that he had been instructed by
Ben Meuerer, the proprietor of the
place to charge so cents drink foi
stated, Mr.. Meurer admitted that a
quantity of liquor. found concealed be-
hind some cooking utensils was his
property but said that he had not
sold any of it personally.
A search of the place disclosed
the fact that number of empty
bottles smelling of liquor were found
The highball, instead of being al
lowed to tickle the federal officers pa
sealed and is kept as evidence to-
gether with a full bottle and a partly
filled bottle of alleged alcohol found,
as stated, behind some cooking uten
sils.
Taken To Police Headquarters.
After the search had been made.
both Meuerer and Boucher were taken
to police headquarters. Ben Meuerer
put up a cash bond of $3.50 for his
appearance this afternoon at two
o'clock and Clark Boucher, the bar
tender, not being able to furnish a
bond, was confined in the city Jail
until the time of his hearing this
afternoon
While the raid was being carried
out, it is said that some of the by
1t is alleged that some one cried
out: Lets go in and drive the
officers out" Still another one.
according to report, was highly
incensed when OFFICER Kachelmeyer
found the alcohol bottle back of the
cooking utensils, and said: Look
there, he found it; I'll get that fell
About this time Officers Korts
and Bienapfe,, who had been stationed
at the back door, went to the assis-
tance of Officer Volk at the front of
the building and disbursed the crowd,
which Quilted down Immediately upon
the appearance of the officers.
When the police officers entered
Meurer's place the card players and
others lettering about were ordered
out. Then the door was locked and
the search proceeded. Officer Kachle-
meyer made trip to the basement.
but found nothing of drinkable
character there. When he returned
to the first floor he found the bottle
of alleged alcohol behind the cooking
utensils.
Complaints were sworn to this
morning by the federal officer charg-
ing Ben Meuerer with unlawfully
having in his possession intoxicating
liquor for sale. The complaint against
Clark Boucher charges the unlawful
sale of intoxicating liquor.
The federal officer who has been
working on the case for some time
past stated to The Free Press that
within the past week he purchased
had the real kick in It.
Arraiened In Court
Ben Meurer and Clark Boucher
were arraigned this afternoon before
examination on the charge Of having
in his possession intoxicating IL
quor for the purpose of selling It, and
was bound over to await the action
of the grand jury at the November
term of the district court under
bonds of $1,000, which he furnished.
Mr.. Boucher waived examination on
the charge of selling intoxicating IL
quor illegally, and was hound over to
await the action of the grand Jury
under bonds of $1,000 In default of
the bond Mr.. Boucher was commit