Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1906 — BREAKS UP A BOOZE JOINT. [ARTICLE]

BREAKS UP A BOOZE JOINT.

<3ood Citizens' League of Brook Puts a Law-Breaker Out of Business. The town of Brook, over west of ns, in Newton county, went “dry” last fall and a Good Citizens League was organized and money subscribed to keep it "dry.” The other saloonists, it is said, accepted the inevitable, but one Ed Wilson erected a high board fence about the back yard of his place, fixed up a rear entrance to same and proceeded to do business whether or no. Considerable growling was done about the matter but no ( action taken, and some people were inclined to cuss the League for indifference, while the offender became bolder as he saw nothing was done. * All this time, however, the League was quietly collecting evidence and last week the melon was decided to be ripe enough to cut. Accordingly Grant Hall, the Benton county prosecutor who has driven most all the liquor law breakers from his county, was called in and with Prosecutor Graves conducted a court of .injury before a local justice of the peace. Plenty of convicting evidence was unearthed, and Ed and his brother Sam were arrested and placed under *2OO bonds. After two dayg of the court of inquiry Ed asked for a conference With the League and with Shis brother, plead guilty to fifteen charges and was assessed S2O and costs in each case, a total of about $450. He also agreed to tear down his high fence, ship out of town his remaining booze, turn over his gambling paraphernalia to iHe town marshal and hereafter be a good citizen. He also, in consideration of the leniency shown him by the League, signed a contract to forever quit the illegal traffic of intoxicants in Brook and place his business rooms so they can not be used for such purposes, and he is going about the matter in a way that shows he means it. The severe lesson taught Wilson is likely to have a very salutary effect in Newton county, and when a majority of the voters of a town over there say their town must be “dry” it is hardly likely anyone will have the temerity to say otherwise.