The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-03-15
BOISE OFFICIALS CONVICTED

The federal court has just tried
and convicted six Boise men, two oil
whom were county officials, or
liquor laws, and for making, trans
porting and selling liquor.
The convicted men are James D.
Agnew, sheriff of Ada county; Syl-
vester Kinney, deputy sheriff; Dr.
Henry Goodfriend, Carl Sorenson,
roOming house manager; Ed Ward,
taxicab driver and Ed Kemp,
laborer.
Three others were indicted, but
one was released on the motion of
the federal prosecutor because the
evidence did not show he was con-
nected with the operations, one, a
woman, was left out because she was
ill and suffering disgrace, and was
already disposed to commit suicide,
and one was acquitted by the jury
One man, owner of a farm where
they were making liquor, was in
dicted, but was not included in the
trial, it appearing that he knew
something illegal was going on at the
farm, but merely kept still and let
it go on. The chief of police of Boise
was acquitted.
The evidence showed that DR..
Goodfriend had an office in the EN-
pire building and that he was the
king of the ring and his office was
used for meeting place. A Mr.. and
Mrs. Curtis had adjoining rooms and
there was crack in the door be-
tween the rooms, and Mrs. Curtis
overheard some conversations re-
garding their operations. She re-
ported it to the U. S. attorney and
he instructed her to take notes on
what was said at each sitting and |
report to him from day to day, which |
she did. Looking thru the crack in |
the door she could identify the per-
sons participating in the converse
ton. At the trial she sat for hours
reporting their talks at the different |
sittings, and there seemed to be no
defense, but plenty of confederation.
They were operating stills at three
places, were selling liquor at two
different rOOming houses, according
to the testimony, and had a man
hired to guard the entrance and to
tip them off when anyone entered
who was to be feared.
According to the woman's testi-
may, they planned to discharge one
of the sheriff's force be-
cause they were afraid to trust him
with their secrets, and he was dis
at the time they planned. He
was called to testify as to whether
he was discharged and when, and it
her testimony about the
event.
The lawyers for the defense tried
lard to break her down by cross
but could not shake
Ter. They tried many ways to en-
)arrass her, and in their pleas they
'idiculed and abused her, but it only
served to stir up the indignation of
he jurors and spectators against
he defense and in favor of the
prosecution and the prosecuting wit
less. The jury was not out long, and |
he sentences will be passed upon the !
convicted men on the ninth of April 7
Col. E. G. Davis, former candidate +
or nomination for governor, was the
Prosecuting attorney, and Judge F. :
!. Dietrich presided as judge. The
curt room was well filled when the
rial started, and as it progressed
nd people learned how brazen and !.
hooking had been the operations of 7.
ne gang, the crowds increased until
II available space was packed. 1t ,
as hard blow to people to learn d
nat officers entrusted with the en-
,rcement of the law had turned
'aitor to those they served, and
ere using their official positions to ID