The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-11-06
LIQUOR CASES ATTRACT
ATTENTION
Albert J. Libby and Arthur VashOn
Brought Into Court and
the Results

After quickly investigating a report
that several drunken men were in the
woods near Smith Pond bridge, ON the
Athens road, on October 29th. Sheriff
Mooers and Deputies Tuscan and Thi-
bodeau visited the store of Albert J.
Libby, ii former deputy sheriff on
French street and searched the same
for intoxicating liquors but none were
found Libby was arrested. however,
at the same time on a warrant charg-
ing illegal transportation of liquor,
from Skownegan to a point beyond
Smith Pond bridge, where he owns
some property, and formerly owned a
small building, in which 1t was
claimed by the officers, that the liquor
first mentioned was distributed from
To d crew of state road workmen, EN-
ployed nearby. Libby did not deny
putting out the liquor, according to
the officer, but claimed he did not
transport it and was given a hearing
before Judge Merrill. He was rep
resented by Harold J. Phillips and the
State by County Attorney Thorne A
continuance was asked for until No
vember 9th. in order to secure the
deposition of Fred Libby of Cornyille,
who at that time, had not recovered
from the effects of his accident which
the officer says was believed to be
caused by liquor, which he had drunk.
Following the adjournment Albert
J. Libby stated to the sheriff and
County Attorney his version of the af-
fair and according to the above, first
mentioned, said that he had purchased
the liquor of Arthur NaShon. for
which he has not yet paid him, though
he had offered Vashon a check. which
the latter refused to accept. He also
stated, said the officer, that he had
purchased liquor from Vashon a few
days before and that Vashon had de-
livered that. also at the same place in
Cornville, "A part of which he himself
had dealt out to another man but had
not received his pay for the same.
Two warrants. charging single sale
were Immediately sworn out by the
sheriff against Nashon on one of
which. he was locked up pending the
securing of bondsmen for his ap-
pearanCe in court on Monday, and
Libby was summoned as "A State wit
ness. At the trial, Vashon WAS rep
resented by Judge II. II. Brazzell OF
Fairfield and Libby proved to be a
very unwilling witness. claiming that
he did not remember what he told the
officers the Saturday before and that
he did NOT recoilect having been in
court. claiming ne was nearly insane
on the day mentioned, caused by medi-
cine he had been taking, and the IL
Quor He was able to tell enough
however, so that the court found
Vasnon guilty and imposed a jail sen
tence and fine from which he appeal
ed and gave bonds in the sum Of $1,000
the officers Withholding service on the
second warrant hoping that Libby
may regain consciousness at future
date. According to the officer. Libby
claims that he has been out of his
mead large part of the time fol
weeks past Much interest centers
around the case as the officers declare
Vashon to be very bold and persis-
tent rum seller, employing several
agents. Satisfaction is expressed in
the town that the officers have been
able to capture this man.
On Monday Libby was rearrested
on singel sale Of liquor to Kenneth
Edwards of Cornville and was found
guilty. lie WAS given fine of $500
and four months in Jail, with -four
months additional in default of pay
ment