Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1907 — KNIMAN SALOONIST IN TROUBLE. [ARTICLE]

KNIMAN SALOONIST IN TROUBLE.

Sold Booze July Fourth And Must Now Pay the Penalty. A court of inquiry was held here Tuesday before Squire Irwin to investigate the alleged sales of liSuor at Wm. Ballinger’s saloon at 'niman on the glorious Fourth of July- As a result four cases of violation of the liquor laws were found against Ballinger and he must now face the music with a strong probability of losing bis license, but which would have expired on Sept. 12 anyhow. But in case of conviction he is liable to a fine of from $lO to SSO in each case to which may be added 10 to 60 days in jail, and on the second conviction the court must declare .the license forfeited. According to the testimony that out at the inquiry and theTeports of the matter, Ballinger’s back room to bis saloon was the scene of most disgusting and drunken orgies July 4th. Mrs. Thomas Davis, wife of a farmer of near Kniman, seems to have caused the attention of the authorities being called to the matter by going into the place and dragging out her hueband who, it is reported, was lying on the floor in a drunken stupor. In getting her husband out of the place she is said to have got her clothing thoroughly soaked with* beer and was herself a sorry looking sight. A constable later went to the door and demanded admittance, threatening to break down the door unless admitted.' He is said to have found the place full of men and doing a big business. He closed it but later on it is said to have been reopened and continued dispensing booze up to a late hour of the night. Ballinger was arrested and brought here Thursday and arraigned before Squire Irwin. A change of venue was taken and the casessent to Squire Thornton’s court where one of them was tried and defendant found guilty by the court and fined $lO and costs. He has filed bond and will appeal to the circuit court. The other cases come up to-day. Davis, whose wife seems to be pushing the prosecution, went on Ballinger’s bond.