The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-03-08
DOMINION DRUG co.
OUT OF BUSINESS
Walter Wilkins, Manager, in Parts I'm
known-Hearing to Be Held
on Revolving License.

Burlington, March S.The Dominion
Drug company, which was the only II
eensed wholesale liquor house In Yer
mont which might legally handle in
toxicating liquor, is temporarily out Of
business and hearing will be held
within few days to ascertain whether
or not its license win be permanently
revoked. Walter wilkins, the treasurer
and manager of the concern, who had
his headquarters in this city, IS IN
parts unknown to the federal author
tiles and the warehouse in this city is
closed.
The action grows out of the arrest
Of one of the drug eompany's employees
as he was driving an automobile load
ed with liquor into the United States
from Canada. 1t is believed by the fed
eral officers that most elaborate sys-
tenn TO violate the national prohibition
laws had been constructed by the Off
GERS of the concern. Sensational deyel-
opments are expected in short time
Officers Suspicious.
The federal officers became suspicious
OF The legalized liquor house about two
weeks ago when they arrested William
Reusohel of this city, Chauffeur Tor the
wilkins crowd, as he was crossing Mis-
sissquoi bay with an automobile filled
with so cases OF the choicest of Scotch
whiskies, such az Haig and Haig and
Haig and Dewar wilkins and another
man. Alfredo Fannassi, were in sleigh
ahead and acted as pilot for the boy,
according to the story told the officers.
Another automobile was following
Reuschel but this eluded the officers
and succeeded in getting back into
Canada.
Reuschel was placed in Jail and no
attempt was made by his former EN-
ployers to go bail for him. After he had
lain in the lookup for while the boy
told the officers his story. He said he
had been a Chauffeur for the Dominion
Drug company and on the morning of
his arrest he had been ordered to re-
port at 4 o'clock to meet wilkins at
hotel in Burlington. wilkins, Fannassi
and he took the early morning train
for Canada. He knew nothing Of what
was up. They went to the warehouse
of the Missisquoi Bay Tradin.. com
pany and Reuschel was told to az upon
a truck and follow the two men with
him, who took sleigh The officers
des eended on him and seized the truck,
liquor and himself. wilkins and Fam
nassi went along and the other truck
made its escape.
Investigation disclosed that the Ca
madam government had ordered the
Missisquoi company to dispose of its
business. II is suspected that it was
a source Of supply to liquor runners
and the suspicion is that. the Wilkins
crowd was taking advantage of the sit
uation to get some liquor cheap.
Because wilkins had the confidence
of the federal officers he was allowed
more latitude than most. He was pay
ing for a license and had an interest in
the enforcement of the law it was
thought. The work of the federal in
vestigators is disclosing many facts,
however. and it was minated yester-
day in United States court that VIII
kins and Fannassi would be given the
maximum fine when apprehended.
Fannassi Reputed Wealthy.
Fannassi is reputed to be wealthy
and it is only recently that he present
cd plans for the establishment of an
extract factory in Vermont. This would
give them access TO more liquor and
permit them to manufacture jamaica
ginger along with other extracts.
In court Monday. District Attorney
Bullard stated that he did not desire to |
keep Reuschel in jail but was loath to |
liberate him for the reason that he /
feared the wilkins crowd would get !
hold Of him and Reuschel is most i'm I
portant witness He has submitted a
signed statement testifying TO the
story of his relations with wilkins