The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-11-09
SELLER OF MOON
GOES TO BASTILE
Five Months Served Up
To Hugo Houck
DOSE FOR WIGGES
Sealed Verdicts Were Brought
In Case of One Timm;
Court Recess

Hugo L. Houck, soft drink pro-
prietor OF Wateryille, found guilty
by jury of two counts, possession
and sale Of moonshine whiskey, was
sentenced by Judge w. F. Booth in
the United States Court to pay a
fine of $500 on the possession charge
and to serve a five months sentence
in the lie Sueur county Jail on the
charge Of illegal sale of whiskey.
Michael and Frank Wegge of st.
Thomas, LIE Sueur county, who
were found guilty of illegal posses
sion Of moonshine whiskey by a
federal jury Thursday, came up for
sentence yesterday afternoon. The
defendants were each sentenced to
pay fines of $500, but through the
intercession OF defendants attorney,
Joseph J. Morarity of Shakopee, the
fine Of Michael Wegge, an old man,
was reduced to $3.50. 1t is under
stood that Frank Wegge will not be
able to pay his fine. and will be
confined in the LeSueur county Jail.
Sheriff Takes Charge
Both Frank Wegge and Hugo l.
Houck were taken in charge by
Sheriff Hugo Bolke of LIE Sueur
SouhtS, anu IL ID uhueISIOQu were
taken direct to the county Jail at Le-
Sueur Center last night.
The complaint in the case of the
government against Herman J..
Timm Of Arlington alleges that fed
eral agents on two different &C.
casions purchased intoxicants from
the defendant at his place of bust
ness in the village of Arlington. This
liquor had been purchased from the
defendant by Federal Agents Tetzell
and Nelson.
The first witness called to the
stand by defendants attorney, SEN
ator c. H. Mackenzie, in the after
noon was Charles Reichert, an auc-
tioneer Of Arlington, who was asked
as to the general reputation Of the
defendant, which he stated was
good.
On cross examination by United
States Attorney William Anderson,
witness was asked if he ever drank
any intoxicating liquor in the bust
ness place of the defendant. The
witness answered in the negative.
had, would your" asked the govern
ments attorney.
Yes, Years Ago
Eyes, ten years ago many times
in the good old days before the
country went dry, but not in the
past six years" replied Mr.. Reich
Even the court smiled at this an
swer.
Carl ]. West, government chemist,
was called to the stand to testify
as to the purchase of liquor on the
Schoof farm short distance from
Client, but this was ruled out as
immaterial to the case on trial.
Clerk of the United States Court
Joel M. Dickey was sworn as a wit
ness for the purpose of testifying in
regard to the School case, but this
was also ruled out as immaterial in
the case at bar. -.
Agent N. H. Nelson was called in
rebuttal by the government and
stated that he and Agent Tetzell
had purchased liquor in defendants
soft drink parlors on January %,
February 20, and March 8, 1928.
The case went to the jury at P.
Judge Booth announced that a re-
cess would be taken until nine
o'clock Monday morning
The case against Herman Timm
Of Arlington was turned over to the
jury at four o'clock. That body re-
turned sealed verdict about ten
o'clock last night. The outcome of
this verdict will not be known until
Monday, owing to the fact that
Judge Booth had adjourned court
and had gone to his home in St.
Paul.
The jury in the case of Fred F.
Lerchen of Client after being out
for ten hours, returned a verdict
at shortly before six o'clock last
night finding the defendant guilty of
possession and sale of intoxicants,
but not guilty Of nuisance as charg-
ed in the complaint. 1t is understood
that it is the third court of nuisance,
which hung the jury I'D for such
great length Of time. Had the de-
PENDANT been found guilty of the
third count, it would carry SEN
tence OF fine, and Imprisonment in
the federal prison, and the abate-
ment Of defendants property. SEN
tence in this case has been deferred
until some time next week