The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-23
ANDERSON rum
RING SENTENCES
ARE HANDED Il
Logger Who Paid Witness
Gets Heaviest Jolt in
u. S. Court.

Penalties ranging from a two
year prison term to one day in Jail
were imposed today by Federal
Judge Robert c. Baltzell on twenty
one Madison county residents who
either we're convicted or pleaded
guilty in the Anderson liquor con-
spiracy case
The court held two witnesses. ia
ken into custody since the trial end
cd, and one of them testified that
one Of the convicted defendants paid
him $500 to take a little vacation"
The other witness. Scott Palmer.
said he had moved, and explained
that as a possible reason for not
having been subpenaed.
Also Fined $1,000
Earl Hoel. proprietor of the Black
Bear poolroom at Markleville, who
was accused Of paying the witness.
Virgil Keesling, was given two years
in prison and a fine Of $1,000. This
was about six months more than
the court had planned. Baltzell said,
after the KeeSling episode was aired.
Alvin Riggs. former police chief,
and Ralph Rich, former captain.
received terms OF fifteen months
each. Pleas for leniency for each
was made by their counsel. John A
Royse. He pointed to Rich's rec
ord as a police officer. stating II
was above reproach, except for the
handling of liquor.
The court remarked that Riggs.
who admitted he used liquor, was
unfortunate in being placed in a
position where access to intoxi-
cants was easy.
Others Are Sentenced
Others sentenced;
Albert Abel. bootlegeer. alleged 70
have collected protection money,
fifteen months.
Mrs. Edna Boyer, filling station
operator. year and a day in the
federal prison for women at Alder
son. w. Va.
John Bronnenberg, on whose farm
a large still was found, fine OF $500
and six months term, the latter sus-
pended.
Robert Clark, alleged gangster,
twenty-one months.
Joe Galassi, still tender, six
months in Jail. At first the court
fixed penalty Of a year and a day,
but changed it when Galassi plead
ed that he already had been in
jail seven months while awaiting
trial.
Goes to Reformatory
Blake Gwinn, liquor order taker,
fifteen months in reformatory at
Chillicothe, o.
Roscoe Hartman, rum runner, ff-
teen months. suspended. on liquor
transportation charge and one day
on conspiracy charge.
Lewis Lewellen, bootlegger. thirty
days in jail.
Joe Melcher Jr.. liquor dealing
big shot eighteen months.
Ora Raines, bootlegger, four
Closer Riggsby, rum runner, one
day.
Russell Riggsby, rum runner,
brother Of Closer, eighteen months,
Two Years for Logger
Raymond Ross, bootlegger, two
years and fine of 81 900.
Bert Stinson, gang leader, two
years and a fine Of 81 500.
John Stinson. brother Of Bert, fur
dealer and barbecue stand owner,
fifteen months and fine OF $500.
Robert Thrawley, still worker, one
day.
Rex Whitehead. who operated
liquor Joint with his brother Otto.
four months. Otto was given one
day.
Baltzell said he would recon-
mend no parole be granted Hoel.
as added penalty for the alleged
deal with Keesling.
Made Ohio Trip
Keesling said in court today that
before the trial opened. he was ap-
preached by John Stinson and Hoel
regarding the vacation
Hoel gave him $50 at that time
and later. at Connersville. paid him
5000. Keesling said he spent most
Of the time while the trial was be-
ing held in touring Indiana and
also made trip to Toledo. o.
Mayor Jesse Mellett OF Anderson,
also under indictment. is in
critical physical condition and may
never face trial, federal authorities
said today.