Federal Prohibition Agent
Probably not a popular position to have had, but imagine how busy they were!
Where the Liquor was Purchased
By far the most whiskey brought into Evansville during Indiana’s prohibition (that is, up until the whiskey conspiracy trial), came from two places: The Mint Springs Distillery and Klyman Brothers–both wholesale liquor distributors that were originally located in Evansville but moved to Henderson, KY when the state went dry. Here are advertisements from the two […]
Evansville Police Chief Edgar Schmitt
Before it was confirmed that he was involved in the whiskey ring, Evansville police chief Edgar Schmitt was quoted as saying ,“I wish we could have capital punishment for anybody violating the liquor law.” It was a mere six months later that he was convicted of bootlegging.
The Grand Jury is Persuaded
On May 1st, 1920, indictments were returned against seventy-eight defendants, including Chief of Police Edgar Schmitt, in what has become known as the Evansville whiskey ring. The specific charge was conspiracy to violate the Reed Amendment.
Henderson Road
During Indiana’s prohibition in 1918, Henderson Road was the main thoroughfare from Henderson, Kentucky to Evansville, Indiana and was so heavily used by bootleggers that it was described as a roaring highway where the dust never settled unless it rained.
Prisoner #11271 Edgar Schmitt
Police Chief Edgar Schmitt, who was probably very familiar with fingerprinting, probably never imagined that he would one day be printed himself. These prints were acquired upon his arrival at the prison in Atlanta, GA.
Liquor Purchased During Prohibition
Even the Evansville Germania Maennerchor was mixed up in bootlegged booze. Indiana’s state-wide prohibition law went into effect on 4/2/1918, yet here are receipts from the Mint Springs Distillery (in Henderson, Kentucky at the time) dated as late as June 15th, 1918 for purchases of Old Lager and Falstaff beer. Carl L. Dreisch, Mayor Benjamin […]
Bootlegging Via The Ferry
The customs collector was responsible for the registration of inland watercraft. Here, during prohibition, a “light-keeper” complains about a ferry carrying liquor. Collector of customs:I wish to inform you that the ferryman at the mouth of Green-River is carrying passengers with-out a licence to do so with-out any life-preservers on board the boat and also […]
The Bridge From Henderson KY to Evansville IN
During Indiana’s prohibition, the only bridge that spanned the Ohio River between Evansville and Kentucky was used by the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Railroad for both passengers and freight and connected Henderson Road on Evansville’s West side to Fourth Street in Henderson.
Police Want Motor Boat
This newspaper article reported how the Evansville Police Department wanted a motor boat to hunt bootleggers on the Ohio River. When Indiana instituted prohibition in 1918, Kentucky had not. The last sentence states that Chief Schmitt was going to ask the city to purchase a boat for the police department–but they never did. He just […]