The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-06-08
LIQUOR SITUATION
SERIOUS
Officers Have been
Fighting Conditions
Arrests and Convictions Have Been
In Order Locally During the
Last Several Days

Liquor conditions In Skowhegan
have been gaining serious aspects dur
ing the last few weeks. In fact since
the time that the roads became pass
able liquor has been brought into
Skowhegan to the extent that 1t has
made enforcement almost impossible.
As result, arrests have been made
by Sheriff Mooers and his deputies and
several men have been convicted OF
drunkenness and liquor selling, some
of whom are now serving terms in
Jail in lieu of getting bail. In answer
to questions put to Sheriff Mooers he
thinks the reason for this is because
liquor has been brought in so freely
by train and automobiles from Water
Vile by day and by night that for
month the officers have been driven
steadily to cope with it. They now
have the situation fully in hand ac-
cording to the sheriff, several having
been convicted of drunkenness and
others in Jail for liquor selling while
yet another party has eluded arrest by
leaving town for the same ofense.
Horace Day, an employee of the Cen
trail Maine Power Co., was arrested
on the charge of being a common
drunkard by Sheriff Mooers and Dep
uty Lowd to which charge he pleaded
guilty, and in answer to questions
asked by Judge Sawyer of the Muni-
cipal court, Day gave the names of
several parties from whom he had
purchased liquor and extracts, which
brought about several arrests. Ralph
Lewis. proprietor of small store on
North avenue, was convicted as a
comon seller OF intoxicating liquors
in the form of extracts. sDay testified
he still owed Lewis from $12 to $13
which was wholly for extracts. Lewis
admitted the amount owed was true
but claimed it was tobacco and SINH
lar goods and that he had only sold
Day imitation extracts. James Quinn
and John Smith were each held for
single sale to Day. Both took appeal
but at this writing have not obtained
bail. "The situation has been unbear
able with regard to liquor being
brought into Skowhegan," said the
sheriff, but we are determined that
the quick relief that we have given,
shall continue and become permanent
Waterville rum reflects far back into
Somerset County and is giving the
officers in many of our towns both
large and small, no end of trouble and
concern"
Robert Packard of Fairfield, who
served four months sentence in Jail,
for liquor making and selling and was
released about two months ago, was
arrested on Monday by Deputy Hill
of Fairfield after search of the place
conducted by the sheriff himself.
Shesiff Mooers and Deputy Crocker.
Maintaining liquor nuisance was the
charge preferred. The case was heard
by Judge Sawyer at Fairfield. Sew
cral witnesses were summoned to
prove the contention of the State, the
evidence showing conclusively, it is
claimed, that Packard for the last few
weeks at least, had been handling Ii
1uor very freely. He was found gull
ty and held for the grand jury in the
sum of $500. Bail has not yet been
procured.
William Hapgood of Madison, living
some two miles above Lakewood on
the Solon road was arrested on a
search and seizure charge Tuesday
afternoon by Sheriff Mooers and Dep
uty Crocker. A quantity of cider was
seized Hapgood was found guilty on
search and seizure charge yester
day forenoon by Judge Sawyer. He
was fined 800 and costs and given 60
days in Jail with so days additional in
default OF payment He took an ap
peal and was placed in the county
Jail until the necessary suretes could
be furnished.