Verne Bennett’s brothel at 333 1st Street was identified, multiple times, as the “Three Trays.” I’ve spent four years wondering why it was so named. Thanks to a sharp reader who suggested that it was actually named the Three “Tres” (Spanish for “three”). Three Tres would literally be 333–the brothel’s address!
Honorable Judge Albert Barnes Anderson of the federal District Court in Indianapolis presided over the Evansville whiskey ring conspiracy case as well as all of the trials arising out of Indiana’s prohibition. This case was by no means the most important case he heard. But, by time he heard the Evansville case, he was quoted […]
Federal prosecutors note: March 11, 1920Vendome Hotel –Willard Seitz – son of George Seitz Oak Hill Road – worked for Swift & Co and operated truck from Henderson with liquor for Vendome & Bosse. Earl Gentry obtained name. #indianahistory #evansvillehistory #evansvilleIN #evansvilleindiana #wideopenevansville #hendersonKY
Federal prosecutors compiled a list of the biggest liquor violators in order to decide who to present to the grand jury. Abe & Sol Cohn operated a grocery store where they sold whiskey under the table. Otto Durre was a “former” saloonkeeper and wholesale liquor dealer who relied on Charles Thompson for his supply of […]
On April 16, 1919 police raided the home of Cal D. Pickerill, 114 Grant Street, and found 49 gallons of whiskey valued at $1,000. The liquor was brought from a Henderson wholesale house in a hired hearse which was seen driving down the levee to the Henderson Wharf boat. One of the Henderson police officers […]
Howard Roosa, at the time an editor for The Courier Newspaper, alerted federal investigators to a rumor. “For several days there have been rumors of an attempt to ship whiskey from here to Cuba. The thing seemed preposterous, but the enclosed story in The Courier of Tuesday Nov 18, is interesting in connection with the […]
Confiscated liquor was occasionally destroyed, usually after the owners had been prosecuted. Whenever it was done (whether by the police or sheriff), a public display was made so that several witnesses were present. The events were often attended by Women’s Christian Temperance Union workers who would participate in the destruction.
At the beginning of Indiana’s prohibition, those who broke the law faced two prosecutions. They were first tried in the city or county court (depending on whether they were arrested by the police or the sheriff) for violating Indiana’s law. They then faced federal charges for violating the Reed Amendment. On top of that, sentences […]
The Indiana House passed the Wright-Dorrell prohibition bill (House Bill number 78) in January of 1917. At first, this wasn’t received as big news since it wasn’t the first time the Indiana house or senate approved a bill on prohibition. Previously, the bills would die before being approved by both legislatures. This time, however, the […]
When prohibition came to Indiana, Evansville’s 1,200 local brewery workers faced the prospect of having to move away to find employment. There were 210 local union bartenders and 287 saloon owners and liquor dealers, many of whom turned to dispensing soft drinks. Evansville was hit harder than other Indiana cities since it had some of […]
