The Mankato free press., 1923-07-06
farm OWNER WAS 4
GIVEN SOME SHOCK
Couldn't Explain Finding of
Moon On His Place
WHY ALL SUGAR?
Sheriff Edward Ario and Depu-
ties Pay Visit To Minkel
Premises

Colored moonshine hidden in
what might be termed in the deep
shade of a willow wind break just
west Of the residence Of Emil Min
kel, a mile southwest Of Mapleton,
was found yesterday afternoon by
Sheriff Edward Ario, who was &C
companied on road to that farm
by Deputy Sheriffs Bennett VIII
liams and Edward P. Kelley Of this
city. This was seized and taken as
evidence, and a warrant charging
Mr.. Minkel with the possession OF
intoxicating liquor will be sworn to
today by Sheriff Ario.
When the officers reached the
Minkel farm about two o'clock yes
terday afternoon, armed with the
proper search warrant, the residence
was found an abundance of wild
grape wine in the cellar, on the first
food, and even in the attic. several
jugs and bottles being located in
each place. This purple liquid was
not seized. Then the officers pro-
ceeded to search the grounds and
out buildings. Bottles of every de-
scription were to be found in the
grove which surrounds the farm res
idence. Some of these smelled like
moonshine, but no liquid was in
them In a shed with dirt floor
two full sacks of sugar were found
together with a case of drug store"
bottles spick and span new. Jugs
smelling of intoxicants were found
close by, and a whiskey tester tube
was found hidden in some shelled
corn. Mr.. Minkel was asked why
hn Gont cYInh racf1v in tho
she'd 81 keep it here, because the
ants get into 1t in the house." said
Mr.. Minkel, "and anyway I have to
have sugar for the children"-there
were hundreds of ants running about
the shed.
Search For Still.
In the cellar of the residence was
found the top of wash boiler,
with a round hole cut in it, which
plainly showed that something had
been soldered to the top. A long
time was spent in searching for a
still, and the raiding party was
about to give UP and return to Man
kato, when Sheriff Ario walking
the west of the residence tripped on
a fat piece of zinc lying on the
ground near a marked tree Kicking
the metal aside, the sheriff was sur
prised to see beneath a rectangular
box sunk in the ground, which con-
tanned a number of quart bottles,
which perhaps had spoonful Of
liquor remaipipg ip them. Seeing
round disc shaped piece of iron set
ting in the weeds, the sheriff raised
this and found one bottle with some
moonshine In IL. In still another ca
baret or cache was found a large
bottle containing colored moonshine.
a funnel for filling smaller bottles
and clean piece of cloth, no doubt
used for wiping glasses and bottles.
These caches was conveniently close
to the main highway leading west
from the village of Mapleton so that
thirsty ones could drop off under the
cool shade of the willows and wet
up"
Mr.. Minkel, who was standing in
his dooryard when this discovery
was made. was called over and
shown the hiding places.
"T don't know how they came
there" said Mr.. Minkel.
"You must have some very mean
neighbors or they would not dig
holes in your place and hide moon
shine in it." remarked the. sheriff.
Emil smiled. but did not answer
ne OHlCeTS uSAC pfOCceueQ TO the
grove west Of the house, where emp
ty bottles galore were found, and
another cache, where a quart bottle
was found half filed with colored
moonshine. D.
After giving Mr.. Minkel an invoice
of the liquor seized, the sheriff and
his deputies proceeded to Mankato,
but left Minkel in possession; Of his
grape wine. which is no dofbt for
his own private use.