The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-07-29
BOAT LOAD OF
CHOICE BOOZE
IS CAPTURED
Federal Officers Seize Boat, Two
Automobiles, and $50 Quarts
of Liquor.
WE'RE WAITING AT DOCK
WHEN "AVIS' ARRIVED
Was Brought to Pensacola by
Steamship and Hidden Until
Ready for BOOtleggers.

Acting on a tip that large batch of
booze was to be landed somewhere along
Pensacola's waterfront during Thursday
night Federal Enforcement Officer Rich
ard Stearns and United States Marshal
Peter H. Miller were rewarded for an
all night watch yesterday morning at
four o'clock when the Avis, belonging to
Hyer Launch Company. was intercepted
when she attempted to land about $50
quarts of choicest imported liquors.
Two Autos Waiting.
Two automobiles were waiting near the
foot of jefferson street wharf to trans
port the cargo to it's destination in the
city. Just as the booze was being loaded
from the boat to the wharf and thence to
the waiting cars, the officers made their
move One car, partly loaded with the
contraband goods, sped away. Two shots,
one from high-powered rifle and anoth-
err from a revolver, followed 1t but with
no avail. Later developments of the day
proved it to belong to Willis Camp, Off
GERS say.
Captured on Spot.
The second car never moved. Its driv-
err. Steve Smith, a taXicab driver, was
promptly arrested and the car and liquor
seized. The car belongs Johnny English,
officials said.
While all this was going on the fellow
aboard the launch disregarded command
not to move and with splash went over
hoard. It was thought at first that ne
was drowned but advices from along the
waterfront about an hour later had IL
that a man emerged from the bay near
the Gulf Transit Company's office ana
hurried away. One of the officers stated
that he appeared to be a negro, put SO
far that has not been definitely DETER
mined. 1t Is understood that there are
some strong suspicious as to the man
idantitv and that his arrest will probably
follow.
clever Tactics Employed.
F;ftv-one quarts Of the booze was cap
+,,ra5 intact at the dock, while the guam
titv If broken glass indicated that some
+wentv-ffve bottles had been broken. rms
u,as carried to the federal building.
Rv employing some more clever tactlcs
ond uniting two and two together the
nor+ of the cargo carried off in the car
+ho+ escaped was found secreted IN a
roroee There ISL quarts of this, ana
Tvi,,iam Camp later appeared at the led
ar.1 building and admitted that he was
tho owner, it was stated. This, however
was seized by Collector of Customs curry
non warrant obtained from Commas
sioner Davis.
Lot Worth $1,000.
Altogether the lot of liquor at the pres
on+ retail nrice is worth about $1,000.
Pete Hyer, owner of the launch AVIS
nut nm a 81 500 bond for the use OF ms
boat until the case is settled and notn
smith and Camp made bonds for their
annearance for preliminary trial The car
apprehended on the wharf, said to belong
to English, is now in the hands OF the
United states marsal. 1t is said that
camps car will also be confiscated oS
the government.
The cargo of liquor, officials believe
was Struggled into Pensacola bay by
some ocean going vessel and hidden until
the local dealers were ready for IT,