South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-13
HUNDREDSL ON
AS REAL BEER Is
POURED IN SEWER
800 Gallons of "Brew,"
Taken From Freight Car,
Flows into River.

Rivers Of real four percent beer
flowed into The sewer behind the
Court House wednesday morning.
The ceremony OF emptytng the
1os barrels was marked by thirsty
EsAps from the hundreds OF specta-
tors ar the foaming liquid shot from
the containers 20 make It's way to
the river
Harvey Rhed. federal prohibition
agent from Hammond. OBLIGATED az
chief bung buster. George + Weeks
supervised the removal OF the bar
rels from the jail
Recalls Other Day.
While the emptyinE process was
IN progress. a mathematical genius
murmured between parched lips
that he estimated that 200 gallons
we're poured ont. equivalent 10
$4,000 thirst quenchers or at the
market retail price exactly SO. 500
worth 81 brew was flowing steady
10 Ssh in 81. Joseph river
Those who observed the Glow
away" declared there was no ques-
ton as 20 the genuiuess OF the beer.
4 distinct odOr. reminding one OF
pre-Volstead days. was evident and
the savory or unsavOry smell, de-
pending from the point OF view. per
n1eated the court hous- and sur
rounding buildings
Barrel after barrel was hauled
ont OF the Jail bun pen by trustees
IN the county Dastile Then Rhed
went after the containers with a
vengeance. a small sledge hammer
and hung starter were the imrle-
ments used and streams OF amber
fiuid soon was coursing down the
alley into the sewer drains.
Mathers Looks ON.
Rhed's emptying process was
thorough He tipped tho barrels 10
see that the last drop had been re-
moved and after he had finished
there were not even a few grams in
the huge contaiBer left 10 Stake the
thirst OF the hopeful who looked on.
Harry mathers. federal prohibition
agent FOR the greater part OF the
I Sth district. observed the pro-
ceedings with an ever critical and
watchful eve. Bystanders who sug-
gested straw hats. tin cups ana
other receptacles 10 catch a little o.
the contrabrand were frowned upon
by the agent whose last Monday
morning tip enabled him 10 locate
the freight car at Iakeville loaded
with the brew.
All doubt as 10 the course that
would be pursued by the govern
ment was removed when il was def
nitely established that the beer ex-
ceeded the legitimate one-haf OF
one per cent DIT. William L. Gull
pepper. city chemist. after two tests.
pronounced the brew 10 be 3.s alco-
hol. while tests at the Muessei
brewery and South Bend brewery
revealed S.56 and 3.4 alcoholic
content indianapolis directed the
destruction OF the beer Wednesday
morning.
Trace Shipment.
While prohibition officials were
making certain that this shipment
OF beer would not be resold over
auiot counters. the agents at Ind
Annapolis and Chicago were atempt-
ing 10 trace the shipment Invest
gators must work in the dark for
The present as he bill OF lading at
ssched 70 the shipment revealed
utat John Black team track, Joliet.
Ill.,. sent the brew 60 John Brown,
New Jersey Ind. near Lakeville. y
scruce az information not very
Hehnite.
However. an effort is to he made
10y the indianapolis Office 10 ascer-
tain the names OF the railroad Of
fcials who signed the bill or lading
and also what officials reconSgned
the beer from a station called New
Jersey. Ind" 90 Lakeville where
the leaking grain" car was found.