Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1898 — As Reported in Indianapolis. [ARTICLE]

As Reported in Indianapolis.

The following special dispatch regardiug the* celebrated champagne case tried here Monday, appeared in the Indianapolis Journal, Wednesday, under the heading, “Fined for Serving Wine.” Rensselaer, Ind., March.J^J. —A misdemeanor case of more than usual interest was tried in the Circuit Court before Judge Simon P. Thompson today, involving the principle of New Year’s calls. It has been the custom in this city, as well as other cities, for citizens to keep open house upon New Year's, at which time wine is generally served to the guests. A prominent citizen of this town was one of the many who kept open house the Ist of January, this year, and among the guests who called was the mayor, the sheriff, the postmaster and the principal professional and business men of the town. On that occasion tho host presented champagne to his guests. An overzealous grand jury brought in an indictment for giving away intoxicating liquors on the Ist of January, on a forced construction of the Indiana statute. The matter was tried before a petit jury, and under instructions from Judge Thompson they brought in a verdict of guilty and assessed a fine. All the parties involved are the most prominent in the community, and they have joined hands in giving the matter a thorough test in the upper courts.