Part 2: 2: Alcohol

2. Alcohol

What we can learn of life on this street can be guessed through local news accounts of the time, however colored they may be by their contemporary bias. While newspapers of the first decades would regularly feature stories of pleasant visits among the prominent families, local picnics and sports competitions, they revelled, too, in sensational crime stories and scandals. Market street supplied the location of many of the stories, though not exclusively.  It is a varied picture. Most residents of Market street were quiet and hardworking people struggling to provide for their families in the new world, and never mentioned in the papers. Like today, mention in the news was seldom good.

An overarching theme for the street was its relationship to alcohol, allowing for the expansion of its consumption or attempting, with apparently limited success, its curtailment. This is reflective of the town in general, but specific to Market street as well.

Within the first years of the new century, Waukegan allowed for the expansion of the saloon district on Market street, in part as a way to curtail the “Blind Pigs,” unlicensed vendors of alcohol.

“Nine saloons are to be started very soon in the Market street district which has been opened up to the saloon business. In view of the fact that several beer gardens patterned after those of Germany and Austria are to be among the number it is proposed to name the district “Little Austria.” With the new saloon district in operation, extra police will patrol the neighborhood, which has always caused trouble enough.” (1) The Mayor was of the opinion that there should be an Austrian patrolman “whose duty will be to watch over his fellow countrymen who form quite a colony and often cause trouble.” (2)

One boarding house seemed to have taken the notion of a beer garden to new heights. They had placed a small table and chair in the branches of a tree, in order to drink beer and play cards in the shade on summer days. (3)

By as early as 1906, Market Street had developed an unseemly reputation. Reporters touring the street in March of that year were as struck by the immigrant residents as by the saloons themselves: “black and swarthy foreigners live in their own peculiar fashions after the manners and costumes of their various fatherlands…. hardened, careless of life and destitute of conscious the habits of these people are most un-American.” How those harsh conclusions were arrived at, other than the unfamiliarity of their dress and customs, is not explained. The description continued: “begrimed workmen were drinking whiskey at five cents per glass and beer from schooners the size of a wash tub. Free lunch was upon every counter and in many of the saloons bar maids, to the present time unknown to Waukegan, waited upon the customers and joined the men in their rough foreign jokes.” The scene almost brings to mind a pub in a German  or Austrian village of the same period, possibly where many of the current resident of Market street may have recently emigrated from.” Another result of the coming of the saloon is the dying out of the blind pig. Formerly, every boarding house kept beer for the convenience of its guests, selling by the bottle yet paying no license. Every cellar was a storehouse for cases of bottled beer. Now when the housewife wishes beer for herself and children she sends one of the smaller members of the household to the nearest bar with a tin pail and gets the amber fresh from the spigot”  (4)

The practice of children “rushing the can”  to buy beer for the family was corroborated by observers of the Business Men’s Christian Union, who in 1906 were advocating  enforcement of recent laws closing saloons on Sundays. “ten to fourteen kids are trooping into the saloons on Market street all day long. There is no pretense of observing the law that forbids the sale of liquor to minors….” The observer noted while in a saloon: ““while I was there a kid came in with a pail and a nickel. The saloon keeper turned him down because I was there, but it was a hard struggle.” Chief of police Swanbrough denied that there were any violations of the saloon law on his watch, though complained that “there are only two day officers for the whole town practically, and that these officers are on duty from five in the morning until seven at night.” (5)

Later that same year, the newspaper bemoaned the “vice” that characterized the street. “Cheap whiskey, worse beer, loose women and the slot machine are said to serve their nefarious purposes un-dismayed and even the keepers of dives admit that the lid is off to stay….People who have made the round of the tough joints say that Market is the only “open” street in the city and over that condition of affairs is extremely bad.  “Late at night, dancers accompanied by music from accordions and raucous (?) violins and ending with beer fights are said to be characteristic of the revels… a whole outfit of painted women were brought to the dives from Chicago, and the police, getting the tip, were driven back after a stay of two hours. Importation in the secrecy of the night are said in the frequent and well-paying.” The story noted the “decent” people of the street demanding reform. (6)

Jot Rot ran a saloon and dance hall on Market street and was fined $25 in 1906 for disturbing the peace, on the complaint of Conrad Lange, a neighbor, tired of “revelry…. far into the night every night with music and drinking and beer fights on the side.” (7)

Families used various strategies to deal with members who could not control their liquor consumption, including suing saloon-keepers and black lists. Two teen-aged daughters of circulated a petition to the saloons of Market street stating “We want to blacklist our mother. We cannot persuade her to give up whiskey and the stuff is killing her and wrecking our home.” The petition was “serving notice on saloon men that they would be prosecuted if they served their mother another drink of intoxicating liquors.” It is unclear if these attempts at moderating their mother’s behavior were successful. (8)

The Lake County “Law and Order League” claimed that the permissive attitude on Market street toward liquor cost the city the expansion of the American Steel and Wire mills in 1907 to Gary, Indiana, “because there the company could adjust the liquor traffic, while in Waukegan the line of saloons has already run down Market street.” It was further speculated that a rule prohibiting saloons within a mile and ⅛ radius of Fort Sheridan in North Chicago, slated to take effect Jan 1, 1908,  would force even more saloons north to Market street. How much the saloon issue played in the calculation of the American Steel company’s planning is yet to be determined. (9)

The battles to restrict or loosen the sale of liquor continued for several years in the first 2 decades of the 20th century. It became heated. An anonymous, threatening letter to Katie and Conrad Lange of 607 Market who had opposed loosening liquor laws on weekends demanded they “shut your mouth about Saturday and Sunday or you will get hurted.” (10)

A referendum in April, 1910 voted to keep Waukegan “wet” for at least 2 years. The vote was decisive, “901 votes for the drys, and 1994 for the wets, which makes a total of 2895 votes, or the largest vote that Waukegan township ever polled,” according to the tally the following day. “The noteworthy fact is that not a precinct of the ten in the town went dry, or even came near it. ...The large wet majority of yesterday did not even serve to teach a lesson to the saloons, but only to indicate what appears to be a preference for the wide open saloons….” (11)

Toward the end of 1911, the city moved toward insisting saloons stay closed on Sundays, with losing their license as punishment for violation.  The “dry” advocates saw this as a turning point. “It marks the absolute surrender of the saloon men to the will of the people, the end of the saloon control over the city officials and a new regime of regulation, law and order in this city, as the city officials, beginning yesterday tell the saloon men what to do instead of the saloon men telling the city what they want done, how they want it and how much.” (12)

Another referendum in the spring of 1912, kept Waukegan “wet” for another two years, contrary to the expectations of the “dry” supporters, who had waged a vigorous campaign to restrict alcohol in the town and surrounding area. The margin of victory for the wets was decisive, though somewhat narrower than two years before. (13)

While a few saloons seem to have soon gone out of business, the general character of the street remained unchanged until at least 1913 when changes to salon licensing regulations went into effect. There had been a burgeoning temperance movement in Waukegan and elsewhere, some led by local preachers. There were what seemed endless battles against access to alcohol.  The first victory for the “drys” was in 1911, with the forced closing of saloons on Sundays. Next  they went after the German “singing clubs” and other private clubs whose main focus seemed to involve drinking.

The provisions of a Dec, 1913 ordnance raised the licensing fee, reduced the overall number of saloons in the city and eliminated the saloon district on Market street. (14)

Word was passed to Mayor Bidinger, who championed the measure, the “he better look out” from an unnamed individual with a gun. What, if anything came of this threat is unclear, though Bidinger remained in office for a number of years. (15)

In 1913 there were at least ten licensed saloons stretching the length of Market street, from Joe Kautenberg’s place at 236 up near Water street down to Frank Petkoveck’s at 718, approx. 5 blocks south. By May of 1914, Petkovech--“the king of the Austrians”—Kautenberg and two other had moved up the hill into downtown, while 6 others shut down entirely. The city boasted that while the total number of saloons decreased from fifty to forty, revenues increased due to the increase in licence fees. (16)

In a referendum in April 1916, Waukegan turned “dry” in a surprise even to the temperance movement, by just short of 800 votes. The vote cast was “the largest in the history of the city, “and banned the sale of liquor for all Waukegan and North Chicago as far south as eighteenth street. (17) The ban went into effect on May 1, and the day before, a Saturday, saw the downtown streets filled with an estimated 5000 people, with saloons doing a brisk business selling down to the last drop of their stock. (18)

The new law kept law enforcement busy, as officers chased the illegal sale of liquor, with apparently mixed success. Arrested the first year in 1916 and fined $200 was Frank Petkovsek. He was spied through a transom window at his place at 716 Market selling drinks to four others, Joe Ogre,  John Peckala of 811 Market street, D Valentine of 811 Market street, Mat Postine of 804 Market street. Joe was released when he told the police magistrate his wife was in labor; he was expecting a boy. Frank promptly paid his fine and was released. (19)

It is unclear if they succeeded in clearing Market street of all saloons. The next major push for “reform” came in Feb, 1917 when the Illinois state senate voted a 5 mile “Dry” zone around the Great Lakes Naval academy and Fort Sheridan in North Chicago, as a “preparedness” measure for the European war, and in anticipation of national prohibition (20) From 1913 on, and especially after 1917, Waukegan police tried with great effort to stop the unlicensed sale of liquor; despite their efforts, liquor seemed plentiful. Nor was there approachable progress in “Drying out” Market Street after the start of national prohibition in 1920.

Former saloons converted to other uses. The newspaper reported with amusement the former saloon at 614 Market being “used on Sundays and Wednesdays by the colored folks in that vicinity, members of the Baptist faith, as a place to assemble and worship the almighty.” Described as “a fine place of worship, Seats have been built into the big room, they have been painted red and an elevated platform and alter have been erected at the front of the room. There a preacher each Sunday delivers his sermon and appeals to the people to live within faith.” (21)

Joe Kautenberg’s saloon at 236 became Scott Rick’s restaurant by 191 and later Harry Boyd’s barber shop (136, 1922) and possibly a billiard hall (138? 1927)

Math Budrunas’ saloon at 402 became J Buttita Grocery (1919) Saml Durham soft drinks and billiards (302, 1922-27) Richard Alonzo soft drinks (1929) Third ward political & Social club (1935).

John Salduski’s saloon at 404 (1908-1913) became Emanuel Vasta, Grocery (304, 1922) Marselmo Varrentos pool (1925-27) Jack Signor soft drinks (1929) Jack Signor soft drinks and the Nick Grana Tavern (1935-60).

John Root’s saloon at 611 (1908) eventually became Accadio Tirse billiards (513, 1925-27)  Refugio Sandoval billiards (1929) and ML Biles Billiards (1939).

Gregor Selisker’s saloon at 614 (1908) eventually became Frank Grobelch soft drinks (516, 1927-29) and brewers (1935), then LaBarbara, Grocery (1939-43), then the Home cooking restaurant (1946), Ethel's Sandwich Shop (1948) and Roy Martin Resteraunt (1951).

The Anton Unavitz saloon (1908), formerly the Chas Steinkamp Grocery (1901) became  Jack Menina Grocery (1913) A Buttitti Grocery (1916)and briefly Norman Moran Soft drinks (518, 1927).

Dennis O'Brian’s saloon at 622 (1908) became Frank Merlo grocery (1920-(524) 1922), Walter A Burton barber (1927-29),  Cleveland Harris Grocery (1939-43), Walter's restaurant (1946).

John Hoenik’s saloon at 707 in 1908 became John Kussman’s saloon by 1913; the location remained vacant through the late 1920’s (539, 1927-29) and became the Paul Caprice Grocery from 1939-1951, after which it was vacant again.

Joe Rossman’s saloon at 712 (1908) (previously listed as S Meyer’s grocery in 1903) was Anton Unovich’s by 1913, then Grobelch Meat Market and grocery (1919-1920) and the Hodnik & Cepon grocery (542, 1922-29) and Frank Hodnik Grocery from 1939-54. Jas Viera conducted a grocery at this site in 1960.

The B Maschnich saloon at 714 (previously listed as Frank Petkovsek’s grocery in 1903) became John Dickshas’ saloon by 1913, and the Tony Grobelch, grocery (1919-(546) 1922), Tnueo Lozano soft drinks (1925), Marselino Barrientos restaurant, (1929).

Frank Petkovsek converted his saloon at 720 into a soft drink parlor (550, 1922) for a time in the early 1920’s.

Smaller raids and arrests from 1913 to 1019 netted a few bottles and cases at a time; by 1920, raids were seizing 2500 gallons (22) and 1000 gallons of wine. (23) poured, in the latter case, through the sewers out to Lake Michigan, under the watchful eyes of Market street residents.

Much of the “moonshine” seemed of highly questionable quality. “The moonshine being made and sold around here is said to be so deadly it actually paralyzes the drinker and will remove varnish from wood as readily as regular varnish remover.  A piece of raw beefsteak left in a quantity of moonshine, it is said, will completely consume it in 24 hours. Doctors report a rapid increase of stomach trouble since the advent of moonshine. In a large number of cases, patients are compelled to live on clam juice, which is said to create a new lining in stomachs ruined by moonshine.” (24). “Near-beer” and home-made wine seemed common; there was certainly small amounts made for home consumption, and larger operation designed for distribution. “Such a large quantity of wine was mixed at Frank Perkovesk’s place and home on Market street the raiders were unable to haul it away and left an officer there to guard it until it could be removed today. There were 10 barrels of wine, two half-barrels of hogshead, this being the largest quantity seized in one place.” (22)

Captain M E Saville of Fort Sheridan appealed to Waukegan city officials in 1906, claiming that Market street saloon-keepers were “doping” their beer, “within a few days a dozen enlisted men have gone to the fort hospital was a result of drinking at Waukegan bars. Five soldiers were beaten and robbed, it is said,” not to mention the gambling also widespread. (25)

The arrested in this era varied.

They included a drunk mother of six, May Kutz of 630 Market street (26);  Frank Grenette, 611 Market, arrested for operating a blind pig in 1916 (27) John and Francis Koprivec of 701 Market street (28) and any number of husbands and wives.

John Koseck of 912 (?) Market came home drunk one evening in February of 1917 and beat his wife “most unmercifully with a broom handle.” When the police were called, the children led them to the home of Franciska Kopsicz, also of Market street, where they found empty containers that reeked of whiskey. Mrs. Kopsicz was arrested for selling liquor without a license, the first woman arrested since the anti-saloon law was enacted. (29)

John Lamovec, 38 and wife Jennie, 36 of 815 Market, accused James Reeves and Harry Boyer of having stolen $300 from a trunk in their home in the spring of 1919. They in turn, admitted to the police that they frequently purchased liquor at the Lamovec place. The Lamovecs were promptly arrested, John was sentenced to twenty days in the county jail and a $100 fine; Jennie received the same sentence but served only two day in jail as a physician advised she was ill. (30)

Reeves and Boyer also testified of having purchased liquor from Mrs. Frances Koprivic of 717 Market street. She plead guilty, and was sentenced also to 20 days and just under $300 in fines. (31)

Despite Judge Person’s belief that “jail sentences are much more effective in checking the illegal liquor traffic than mere administering of fines,” (31) Lamovec seemed to continue in the trade.

In 1919 he hired a private detective to hunt down some south Chicago swindlers who sold him two barrels of water rather than the whiskey he had intended. When the detectives brought the men back to Waukegan, Lamovec was forced to drop the swindling charges, apparently realizing that the their prosecution left him vulnerable for prosecution also for the intention of  illegal possession of liquor.  It is unknown if he was able to get the $1500 back he had paid for the water. (32)

Lamovec was accused of selling some “home-made” whiskey to a friend of Mike Preblic, but the charge could not be proved, and Preblic was fined $25 for “disorderly conduct”. (33)

Lamovec was charged with manufacture in June of 1921 (34) He plead guilty and paid a fine of $200 in August of 1921 (35), Police again found “two stills and 22 barrels of whiskies” on a raid at his place in November, 1922.(36)

One arrest and conviction included Frank Tenuta,of 703 Market, father of Agnes Teunta, who married Frank Bufano. Posing as telephone wire installers, police had started up conversation with Tenuta, who came out to talk with them. Police said they had purchased “several rounds of drinks” from whiskey, wine and beer stored in Tenuta’s basement. They claimed also to have purchased other drinks from Tenuta’s wife previously. Tenuta pleaded innocent since he did not receive money for the drink, but the jury was not sympathetic to that defense, and Tenuta was convicted for 9 liquor sales.(37)   

The same ruse was employed in the arrest of Dominick Buttitta: police posing as telephone linemen were offered drinks, leading to Buttitta’s arrest and conviction. The description in the newspaper is almost identical to the Tenuta case, leading one to wonder if either this was a common technique of the police or the veracity of the stories should be called into question. (38)

Mary Pink of 920 Market street was arrested in 1918 for selling liquor when a drunk dipped off the police where he had purchased the whiskey found on him. During wartime, Mrs. Pink faced federal charges, since she violated the 5-mile dry limt around the Great Lakes Naval station. Even more serious that the liquor violation, she and her husband were also found to be hoarding sugar when a 100-pound bag of sugar containing 33 pounds was found in her home.The sugar violation was also being referred to the federal authority, the food administrator. The local fine for the liquor: $200; the local fine for the sugar: $2,000.(39)

Mary Pink was charged again for sale of liquor in 1921. (34)

The advent of national prohibition increased the workload of the local police significantly. The new State’s Attorney A V Smith elected in 1920 also started his term with an aggressive clampdown of on “moonshiners” and Blind piggers.” The grand jury of 1920 was “the longest season in history of Lake county—and returning the largest number of indictments in the history of the circuit court.” (18 ¼.2-appendix 2) The indictments for illegal sale of liquor included familiar Market street names: Frances Livarsek, Frank Pethkosek, Phillip Pink, Louis Della Valle, John Zorc. (Larceny and Burglary: Vincent Rascigno, Frank Grobelch). These indictments followed a series of large raids that netted an estimated 2,500 gallons of booze. ”Such a large quantity of wine was mixed at Frank Petkovsek’s place and home on Market street the raiders were unable to haul it away and left an officer there to guard it until it could be removed today. There were 10 barrels of wine, two half-barrels of hogshead, this being the largest quantity seized in one place. Practically all of it was hidden in the basement….Louise Della Valle, Market street pool room proprietor...had four barrels of “hair tonic” that looked exactly like Petkovsek’s wine, according to the raiders, in addition to several bottles 18 per cent dope….” (22)

Many of the same people have repeated encounters with the police during the early years of prohibition.

Frank Petkovsek of 716 and 720 Market street, was charged with liquor violations multiple times. Barrels of wine were found in his place in December of 1920. (40) He was charged again for alleged sale in June of 1921  (41) and plead “not guilty.” (42), charged again in August of 1921, (43). In November of 1921 he was charged with selling whiskey at 25 cents a glass, plead guilty and swiftly paid the $100 rather than fact stiffer penalty. (44) He was charged again later that same month. (45),

Andrew Lenarsick, 503 Market st was arrested in December 1920 with “two full barrels of wine and two more of mash”  in his place (18 ¼.12-appendix 2), a month later, his wife was arrested. “At the Linarsic home officers confiscated four 1 gallon jugs of white mule (“which chemical analysis showed contained as high as 64 percent alcohol.“) (46), two 1 gallon bottles of white mule, a half gallon jug of red wine and a partly filled five gallon jug of wine.” (47) She was convicted in February of 1921.  (48)

Other arrests for liquor violations included Joe Cecesro, 816 Market street, Chas Muzmanian, 816 Market street (47), Frances Kopric, 707 Market street “five quarts of rum punch, five gallon jug of snow-hued donkey, and three barrels of wine,” (49) Tony Petkus (50) Peter Perec of 914 ½ Market street  (51) Michael Ruta (52) ”Boxcar” Nesbitt (booked as Robert) of 711 Market street,  (53), Charles Marsulius, of  807 Market street, on the word of Mrs. Mary Bardausky of 910 Market street.(54),

Despite all of these efforts, Asst. Chief of police Thomas Tyrrell of Waukegan admitted in the spring of 1922 that there has been a marked increase in drunkenness and crime since the advent of national prohibition, and that the local jail is ”filled to capacity constantly.” “They used to tell us that under prohibition a police force would be practically unnecessary,” he was quoted as saying. “Developments do not bear out that prediction.” (55)

Corruption may have played a factor in the inability to stem the flow of liquor. Tyrrell himself became embroiled in a scandal at the end of 1920 when he, along with Chief of Waukegan police E. Hemmick, the mayor of North Chicago Edwin C Mean and the Justice of the peace of North Chicago John Nelson were indicted by A.V. Smith for misconduct in office, allegedly offering “protection” to gamblers and bootleggers. (56) Tyrrell was 63 in 1920 and had been with the Waukegan police force for 38 years. It was alleged in part that Tyrrell had provided protection for his nephew “Chappie” separately accused and later convicted of running a gambling house. (57) The case against Tyrrrell dragged on into early 1921 and seems to have eventually been dismissed. (Thomas Tyrrell died October 11, 1933. His son Bart served on the Waukegan police force for over 20 years, as detective sergeant in 1927 and later as Chief of police from 1941-47.) (58)

“Protection” became one of the “services” offered by “the Syndicate” of Chicago, as crime became “organized” during the prohibition era. Harry Boyd of 136 Market Street,.”known to the police as a wealthy bootlegger and keeper of disorderly houses” was approached in 1929 by two men “from the syndicate” offering protection for the small fee of $250 a month. When he refused, the porch of his home was blown off in an explosion. Joseph Gilmco, a rising gangster from Chicago, was indicted after his car was spotted at the scene of the bombing, but Boyd did not identify him in jail and charges against Gilmco were dropped.(59)

In a shocking escalation of violence, a bomb exploded outside the home of State’s Attorney AV Smith in August, 1921. While no one was injured, the blast of dynamite shattered windows and damaged the porch. No arrests were immediate, though Smith suspected the bomb to be the world of bootleggers from Fox Lake, who had also been aggressively by police and the local “sponge squad.” By the date of the bombing, Smith could point to 47 convictions on 50 cases since taking office the year before. (60)

Arrests for drunkenness continued throughout the prohibition period.

In May, 1925, jails were “overflowing” due largely to drunk and disorderly arrests, one of which was James Smith of 305 Market, incurring a $10 fine. (61)

A week later, three people were arrested at their rooming house at 513 Market for disorderly conduct, Aruba Martinez, Alveda Martinez, and Arcadio Tires. (62)

In an incident reminiscent of a Hollywood gangster movie, an officer fired at a fleeing man suspected of being a “bootlegger.” “Policeman George Gould was patrolling his beat on Market Street at 1 o’clock Saturday morning when he perceived the dim form of a man skulking around a house. Under his arm he carried a suspicious looking package. There had been so much bootlegging on Market Street that the officer became suspicious at once.

“Halt,” he cried as he drew his revolver and started in the direction of the suspicious character.

Instead of halting the other man broke into a run.

“Halt or I’ll shoot,” the officer cried.

This added speed to the other’s movements. Three times the officer’s gun spat fire. At this the fugitive dropped the package he has been carrying and disappeared into the darkness of the railroad yards.” (63)

More shots were fired at 3 am on a November in 1921 as police chased a speeding car that made the mistake of turning south on Market Street from Belvidere, not realizing there was no egress to the south. Police shot at least three times at the car, hitting one of the tires before it finally came to a stop. Two men from Milwaukee were arrested and fined $25. (64)

Illegal liquor and “moonshine” sales continued long after prohibition was repealed. As late as 1940, Francisco Cusimano and two others were arrested for operating a 1000 gallon liquor still at 537 Market. Police confiscated 12,000 gallon of mash and 385 gallons of alcohol. (65)

Disorderly

Market street even had its own opium den, before being raided in 1909.A police raid on the “Colored people’s” Autumn Leaf club at 211 Market street uncovered not only illegal liquor and gambling, but “An opium joint, with a pipe, dope card, needles, a couch and one woman victim dead to the world, the door having to be smashed to wake her…. She had been smoking an ivory-stemmed opium pipe. The odor of the drug was in the air.” Six women of the “disorderly resort” were brought to the police station, “put through the third degree” and called  to appear in court the next day. The police seemed satisfied with the assumption that the women had fled when they failed to appear the next day. None of the men were arrested, for unknown reasons.  (66)

[Walter Chipley sued the Waukegan Evening News for a story it published in 1911 claiming that Chipley ran the disorderly Oak Leaf Club on Market Street. “The well known Belvedere man” sued the defunct newspaper and its editor A H Keeler for $25,000 for slander, but Chipley later relented and dropped the suit. (67)]

Another “house of ill-fame” was raided by police in May of 1917. Located at the northeast corner of Lake and Market, the raid led to the arrest of “four negresses, one negro and two white men.” Also seized were 2 cases and forty bottles of beer. The accompanying reported noted with amusement the women getting dressed--”she put on a gown that would be the envy of a society leader. It was an expensive thing and she claims it cost $90”--and applying face powder and rouge for the “march to jail.” Other women attempted to hide their  “roll them yourself kind” cigarettes in their hair or stockings. “The white men drew fines of $5 and costs of $9.40. The women were fined $25 and were ordered out of Waukegan.” (68)

Nine women were arrested from a “disorderly house” conducted by Scott Ricks at 236 Market in June 1918. The women of “doubtful morals” included Market street residents Helen Jackson, 28, 230 (?) Market street; .Lizzie Parish, 49,  236 (?) Market street, Mrs. Nettie Ricks, aged 38, Mrs. Lula Bess, 29, Miss Melba Crasishaw,  23, Miss Georgia Adams,  24, all of 236 Market. Mr. Ricks plead guilty of conducting the house and paid a fine of $200. “Two of the women have left town promising never to return.” (69)

 The Ricks family had had a controversy the previous year when Ricks and Nettie Nickolas of Zion City applied for a marriage license, though it was thought that Ricks was already married at the time to the woman with whom he lived, Willobee. Ricks “laughed heartily” at the assertion, stating that Willobee was simply a business partner with him in his barber shop he conducted on South Genesee street. This was not quite the end of the story. “A woman who has passed under the name of Mrs. Willobee Ricks, and who was supposed to be his wife, was arrested a few weeks ago on a charge of having stabbed Ethel Green, a colored girl, out of jealousy. A pair of shears was used as the weapon. Miss Green had been living at the Ricks’ home. Mrs. Ricks is alleged to have grown jealous and thought Ricks and the girl were becoming entirely too friendly. The alleged stabbing followed.” (70)

Another “disorderly house” was raided in August of 1920, after complaints that men were being solicited as they passed 905 Market on the street. Edward Dorsey was fined $14.40 as the operator of the house. Others included in the arrest were George Williams, Ford Perry, and Anna Robinson also of  905 Market street. When the police entered “there was a wild scramble on the part of the occupants who tried to escape through windows or hide themselves in clothes closets or under beds. Several were in “extreme negligees.” one woman had to be dragged from under a bed. (71)

In a news report that fairly drips with sarcasm, Florence Witmore was arrested, indignant,  in August of 1922 for being “disorderly.” Described as “pretty as beauty goes with the colored element,” “the good queen” was found in the Red Flats on Market Street just south of Water, “with a prominent young man.” She was held, with moist eyes, on $500 bond. The identity of the prominent young man was not revealed. (72)

Another disorderly house at 502 Market was raided in May of 1924. Five negroes, two of them women, and two white men were arrested, “Marie Brown, 35 years old, colored, 502 Market street, Albert Brown, 37 years old, colored, 502 Market street, Robert Jusko, 28 years old, white, 904 Prescott street, Frank Lites, 27 years old, 926 Prescott street, Jesse Anderson, 39 years old, colored, 502 Market street, Bertha Roper, 26 years old, 502 Market street, James Walker, 32 years old, colored, 614 Market street, Albert and Marie Brown were charged with keeping a disorderly house and were fined $100 and costs each. Bertha Roper, charged with being an inmate of a disorderly house was fined $50 . She paid $15 and upon her promise to leave town was discharged. Walker was fined $15 as an inmate of the house. The two white men and Anderson were discharged.” (73)

 [Frank Lites had been arrested ten years before, when he was a child of 12, living at 428 Market street with his mother. He and his friend John Schwartz for stealing coal from the EE&J yards.(Part 2.3.2)

A Market street “hangout” at 135 was broken up by police in 1925 after neighbors complained that men were “singing and yelling and generally making themselves obnoxious” at a disorderly house. Among those arrested were Elsie Henderson, 21, of  135 (?) Market street, fined $15 a piece on the charge of being an inmate of a disorderly house. (74)

The battle against vice on Market street continued for decades. In May, 1933, a large police sweep from one end of the street to the other along Waukegan’s “street of sin” resulted in the arrest of “35 people, men and women, either as keepers or inmates of the disorderly houses.” This raid came after complaints by “a colored resident of Market street ...that her children in high school are constantly under the influence of “bad people.”” “Among the names familiar on the police records for vice charges were Jess Cunningham, Albert Harper, Katherine Wilson, Grace Sayles, Albert Williams, Elliot “Slicker” Peterson, Isaac Pullet, Eve Taylor, Peggy Reed, Pearl Price, Frances.” (75)

In 1954, Gladys Stanley, alias Gladys Green, was charged  with “running a disorderly house at 131 Market Street, and  Gilda Cook of being an inmate of the house; John May of running a gamboling house at 502 Market Street Waukegan and Simon Hopkins of maintaining a gamboling house at 585 Market Street.” (76)

 

Notes

(1) Libertyville Independent, Nov 24, 1905, p 8

(2) Libertyville Independent, Dec 22, 1905, p1

(3)  Lake County Independent, July 14, 1905, P4

(4) Life on Waukegan’s levee , Libertyville Independent, March 16, 1906, p1

5) Say that children rush can, Libertyville Independent Mar 23, 1906, p1

(6) More trouble on Market street, Libertyville independent, Sept 28, 1906, p8

(7) Fined for breach of peace, Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, May 25, 1906, p.8

(8) Ask that their mother be placed on black list Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Jan 14, 1916, p11

(9) Effect of Saloons upon city, Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, May 17, 1907, p.8

(10) Postal officials will get after letter Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun January 25, 1907, p8

(11) Waukegan to be ‘Wet’ for Two years longer Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, April 8, 1910, p9

(12) Saloons must stay closed Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, November 10, 1911, p8

(13) City to remain wet 2 more years Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, April 5, 1912, p9

(14) Radical move against saloon in Waukegan Libertyville independent, Dec 5, 1913 p1

(15) Word taken to Mayor Bidinger that his life was in danger, Libertyville independent, Dec 5, 1913, p1

(16) Ten less saloons but more money Libertyville independent May 8, 1914

(17) Waukegan is dry by 793 Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , April 7, 1916, p15

(18) 5,000 watch city go dry;  Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , May 5, 1916, p1

(19) Spy on Blind pig keeper through transom window Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , September 14, 1916, p12

(20) Senate passes swift’s 5 mile dry zone measure. Libertyville independent, Feb 15, 1917, p1

(21) Convert’ Saloon into a church on Market st. now Libertyville independent Feb 7, 1918, P8 

(22) 10 “moonshiner” raided; 2500 gals. Booze seized Libertyville Independent, Dec 9, 1920: p6

(23) 1,000 Gallons of wine goes down sewers Thursday Libertyville Independent, Thursday Nov 23, 1922:

(24) Two barrels of mash and two barrels wine taken Libertyville Independent, Dec 9, 1920: p9

(25) Accuse Waukegan Saloons Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, March 23, 1906, p.4

(26) (Dec 23, 1920: Libertyville Independent, p6 “Hooch” lands a woman in toils of the police

(27) Is charged with operating Blind Pig on Market street Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Jan 14, 1916, p7

(28) Koprivecs arrested again, on city warrant this time Libertyville Independent, April 17, 1919, P6

(29) Children lead police in Raid on alleged blind pig Libertyville Independent, Feb 1, 1917, p6

(30) Fine and jail for Lamovec; a fine alone for wife, Libertyville Independent, May 1, 1919: p6

(31) Woman Blind-pigger sentenced to 20 days in co jail Libertyville Independent, May 1, 1919, P1 

(32) Lamovec refuses to prosecute alleged Sharpers Libertyville independent, Dec 25, 1919, p12

(33) Makes false accusation; it costs local man $34.40 Libertyville independent, Jan 22, 1920, p6

(34) Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court Libertyville independent, June 16, 1921, p12

(35) Five Blid-piggers are fined; all pleaded guilty Libertyville independent, Aug 11, 1921, p1

(36) 1,000 gallons of wine taken by dry agents Libertyville independent, Nov 23, 1922, p4

(37) Tenuta is found guilty Libertyville Independent, July 12, 1917, p9 

(38)  Buttitta fined $150; must serve 20 day jail term, Libertyville independent, July 26, 1917 p12

(39) Arrest Woman as blind-pigger and hoarder of sugar Libertyville independent Aug 15, 1918, P6

(40) Automatic Feed-up. For bottled booze is found in raids Libertyville independent, Dec 9, 1920, p6

(41) 23 are alleged bootleggers in new booze war Libertyville independent, June 2, 1921, p9

(42) Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court Libertyville independent, June 16, 1921, p12

(43), Blind-pigger save big fines by “guilty” plea Libertyville independent, Aug 4, 1921, p1

(44), Admits selling booze, Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p10

(45), 8 charged with booze violations, Libertyville independent, Nov 24, 1921, p1

(46) Another blind-pigger is found guilty by a jury Libertyville independent, Feb 10, 1921, p4

(47) Officers battle moonshiners in big booze raids Libertyville independent, Jan 6, 1921, p3

(48) Another blind-pigger is found guilty by a jury Libertyville independent, Feb 10, 1921, p4

(49) Rum punch found hobnobbing with white mule, wine Libertyville independent, Jan 6, 1921, p6

(50) $800 fine and 50 days in jail for bootlegger  Libertyville independent, May 19, 1921, p1

(51) Caught with gallon jug of whiskey; is fined $50 Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p9

(53) Convicted booze law violators begin sentences Libertyville independent, Feb 2, 1922, p4

(54), Woman causes the arrest of a moonshiner  Libertyville independent, Feb 16, 1922, p15

(55) See increase in crime and drunkenness. Libertyville Independent, Mar 2, 1922, p3.

(56) Charge officials shield bootleggers, gamblers Argus-Leader, Sioux-Falls, South Dakota, Tues Dec 21, 1920, p13

(57) Resort keeper hit hard in sentence Libertyville Independent, Jan 20, 1920, p7

(58) Chicago Tribune, Sun Nov 5, 1950, p 186

(59) Mob Menace in Chicago Chicago Daily Tribune, Tuesday Aug 31, 1954, part 1 page 3

(60) Bomb Col. Smith’s home Libertyville independent, Aug 11, 1921, p9

(61) Bootlegger escapes in shower of bullets Libertyville independent, May 18, 1922, p1

(62) Jail filled to overflowing over week end, Waukegan Daily Sun and Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 11, 1925, p1

(63) Three Mexicans taken in raid, Waukegan Daily Sun and Waukegan Daily Gazette, Friday May 22, 1925, p1

(64) Officer shoots holes in tire to stop speeder Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p10

(65) Three held to grand jury in Waukegan still seizure Chicago Tribune, Sept 11, 1940, p21

(66) (Waukegan police raid opium joint, Libertyville independent Friday Aug 13, 1909, p1)

 (67) Dismisses suit against Keeler Belvidere Daily Republican, Belvidere, Illinois, Fri Oct 27, 1911, p12

 (68) Take six in raid on house of ill-fame; Libertyville Independent, May 31, 1917, p6

(69) Seven Negresses occupy cells in Lake county jail Libertyville independent June 6, 1918, P6

(70) Weds Zion girl; Libertyville independent Jan 25, 1917, P8

(71) 2 whites taken in raid on Negro disorderly house Libertyville independent, Aug 5, 1920, p6

(72) Claim colored woman disorderly Libertyville independent, Aug 17, 1922, p18

(73)  Two white men taken in raid of negro house, Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 5, 1924, p1

(74) Market street “hangout “ is broken up by cops., Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 4, 1925, p1

(75) Police stage raid on Market street, Waukegan news-sun, Monday may 29,1933, p 1

(76) Chicago Tribune, Thurs June 17, 1954, p45

 

Appendix

(1) Libertyville Independent, Nov 24, 1905, p 8

Nine saloons are to be started very soon in the Market street district which has been opened up to the saloon business. In view of the fact that several beer gardens patterned after those of Germany and Austria are to be among the number it is proposed to name the district “Little Austria.” With the new saloon district in operation, extra police will patrol the neighborhood, which has always caused trouble enough.

 

(2) Libertyville Independent, Dec 22, 1905, p1

More police--With the opening of the Market street saloon district it will be necessary to have more police both day and night. Already a new night man has been placed on duty in this important district and the mayor is of the opinion that it will be advisable to appoint an Austrian patrolman whose duty will be to watch over his fellow countrymen who form quite a colony and often cause trouble. It is also planned to have a track patrolman to guard over the safety of people upon the right-of-way and aid the present depot officer who is in the employ of the Northwestern company. The addition of several patrol boxes is hoped for as well and if they are erected a system of reporting at headquarters will be inaugurated, the policemen ringing au at various times from the boxes.

 

(3)  Lake County Independent, July 14, 1905, P4

Boarders at a Market street house have placed in a tree top a small kitchen table and around this they have placed chairs in the branches of the tree, so that they have perhaps the most novel beer garden in the city. They sit among the branches where the sun cannot get them, drink beer and play cards. The only dangerous time is when one of them slips under the able. It is a slip of some fifteen feet.

 

(4) Life on Waukegan’s levee , Libertyville Independent, March 16, 1906, p1

Life on Waukegan’s levee

Market street district in that city visited last Saturday night by reporters

Bar maids, cheap whiskey and lunch

The opening of Market street in Waukegan to licensed saloons had brought about a change in the life of that city’s levee district” which places in our county seat a miniature Austria. Here, down below the hill along the sand stretches of the shore of lake Michigan, black and swarthy foreigners live in their own peculiar fashions after the manners and costumes of their various fatherlands.

 …part of the population, but among them is a scattering of individuals from almost every principality of southern Europe from the Pyrenees east to the Balkans and north to the land of the Czar. Swart (?) and hardened, careless of life and destitute of conscious the habits of these people are most un-American.

It was with view to ascertaining the status of affairs in this levee district that the Waukegan office of the independent sent two reporters through market street late last Saturday night. It found that begrimed workmen were drinking whiskey at five cents per glass and beer from schooners the size of a wash tub. Free lunch was upon every counter and in many of the saloons bar maids, to the present time unknown to Waukegan, waited upon the customers and joined the men in their rough foreign jokes. Slot machines where an alleged cigar could be procured by dropping in a nickel were everywhere, thus was the American idea of mechanical vending making its way among them.

Another result of the coming of the saloon is the dying out of the blind pig. Formerly, every boarding house kept beer for the convenience of its guests, selling by the bottle yet paying no license. Every cellar was a storehouse for cases of bottled beer. Now when the housewife wishes beer for herself and children she sends one of the smaller members of the household to the nearest bar with a tin pail and gets the amber fresh from the spigot.

 

(5) Say that children rush can, Libertyville Independent Mar 23, 1906, p1

Say that children rush can

Business men’s Christian union of Waukegan state liquor is sold to minors

Puts matter up to administration.

Do children of market street, Waukegan “rush the can?”

Are the saloons of Waukegan open Sunday with the knowledge of the police?

Is there gambling in progress in some of the saloons or upstairs over them?

…says that all of these things are true, and wishes to know why the laws and the city ordinances are not enforced to the letter, as they claim they are not….

“I dropped into a market street saloon one day lately on business, while I was there I asked the saloon man if he sold beer to children, as I have often seen the children troop into his and other places with pails for beer. He said that of course he would not sell liquor to minors for anything.

“While I was there a kid came in with a pail and a nickel. The saloon keeper turned him down because I was there, but it was a hard struggle.

“Why say ten to fourteen kids are trooping into the saloons on market street all day long. There is no pretense of observing the law that forbids the sale of liquor to minors….

Chief Swanbrough showed slight concern. He said:…”There are no violations of the saloon laws as far as I know, and if any come to my attention I should certainly act at once, as I have in the past…people should remember that there are only two day officers for the whole town practically, and that these officers are on duty from five in the morning until seven at night.”

 

(6) More trouble on Market street, Libertyville independent, Sept 28, 1906, p8

More trouble on Market street

Law abiding citizens of that section of the city object to vice and revelry

Vice flaunts its banners undisturbed on portions of Market street it is said.

Cheap whiskey, worse beer, loose women and the slot machine are said to serve their nefarious purposes un-dismayed and even the keepers of dives admit that the lid is off to stay until someone howls

People who have made the round of the tough joints say that Market is the only “open” street in the city and over that condition of affairs is extremely bad.

Late at night, dancers accompanied by music from accordions and raucous (?) violins and ending with beer fights are said to be characteristic of the revels which the decent people along the street …..(?) and vow vengeance against.

Recently it is averred a whole outfit of painted women were brought to the dives from Chicago, and the police, getting the tip, were driven back after a stay of two hours. Importation (?) in the secrecy of the night are said in the frequent and well-paying.

Decent people of the street are still to be thoroughly aroused and by the claim that they will demand reform if they are not soon forthcoming

 

(7) Fined for breach of peace, Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, May 25, 1906, p.8

Fined for breach of peace

John Rott was Saturday afternoon fined $25 and costs for alleged breach of the peace and quiet of Market street.

Rott was arrested at the insistence of Conrad Lange, one of the law-abiding citizens of the district, who objected to Rott’s bad habits in the operation of a saloon and dance hall.

Revelry is alleged to have continued far into the night every night with music and drinking and beer fights on the side.

Lange tired of this and as Rott claimed a pull from powers above, took the matter in his own hands, got a city warrant and prosecuted.

 

(8) Ask that their mother be placed on black list Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Jan 14, 1916, p11

Ask that their mother be placed on black list

Waukegan Jan 12

Two girls, both in their ‘teens placed their mother on the “black list” Tuesday night and as a result of their anxious efforts any saloon keeper who sells the Market street woman liquor will be prosecuted.

“We want to blacklist our mother. We cannot persuade her to give up whiskey and the stuff is killing her and wrecking our home so we intend to take matters into our own hands,” said one of the girls.

The girls signed the blacklist papers and on Tuesday night went from one saloon to another serving notice on saloon men that they would be prosecuted if they served their mother another drink of intoxicating liquors.

The girls admit that their mother is the kind of drinker that rushes a can and does not drink at the bar in saloons.

This is the first time in years a woman has been placed on the saloon “black list” and it is the first time in history that two girls both minors and daughters of the black listed person made the application.

The woman speaks English and has lived on Market street for many years.

 

(9) Effect of Saloons upon city, Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, May 17, 1907, p.8

 Effect of Saloons upon city

Waukegan with her row of saloons may have driven away Great Mills

Mill heads may even now be awaiting fatal signature

Theorists say that Market street saloons lost city its chance to locate Gary Steel Plant in Waukegan

In one way at least the fact that the passage of the mile and an eight limit measure for saloons about the naval station may have vitally injured Waukegan in losing to it proposed additions to the local plant of the American Steel and Wire Company.

It is only fair to state that speculation in this regard is unfounded and may be without any basis whatever.

Here is the situation however.

Saloons lost us Gary

Some time ago the steel company looked about for a site for a town of its own that was to be supported by great mills. It looked about and found many sites to its satisfaction.

Among these are Hammond and Gary.

Gary was chosen, advocates of saloon restrictions and reform say, because there the company could adjust the liquor traffic, while in Waukegan the line of saloons has already run down Market street, in the face of a protest from American Steel and Wire against the extension.

Not positive; might have been

It is only right to state here too that it is not known that the Market street extension caused the change of mind, but it is a fact that the steel heads changed their favor from Waukegan to Gary and the present building of Gary is the result.

Do they await signature?

When the law goes into effect Jan 1st, 1908, the saloons of North Chicago will have to go out of business as far north as a point between Eighteenth and Seventeenth streets. North of this they may run and it is reasonable to suppose that they will make for the northern boundaries. In fact there is now an increasing line along Tenth street.

This territory is just opposite the land on which the American Steel and Wire Company planned to build its extensions.

May force bad step

Is that all possible that as in the Gary case the saloons have forced out will force the company to abandon its extension plans here?

Many think the theory the reasonable, and it is stated that an emissary of the Lake county Law and Order league will await on the officers of the local plant and find out whether or not the theorizing is correct,

What situation is now

If this speculation amounts to anything the state of affairs now is that the heads of the American Steel and Wire Company are watching Governor Deneen to see whether or not he signs the mile and an eight measure.

If he does and it becomes a law Jan 1st, the possibilities are that the saloons will move in the only direction possible for them to move--north. If this is possible and comes to pass, it is also possible that the wire mills will cancel their improvements as they are reported to have already done.

 

(10) Postal officials will get after letter Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun January 25, 1907, p8

Postal officials will get after letter

(From Wednesday’s Sun)

Conrad Lange, of market Street, the aged citizen of Waukegan who has distinguished himself by his love of law and order on Market street will hand the threatening letter mailed him to Postmaster Watrous for investigation and the united States Postal officials will find the writer. If he is convicted, he will be sent to the penitentiary.

As will be recalled from the Sun story, Mr. Lange two or three days ago received a letter that read as follows:

“You and the old man shut your mouth about Saturday and Sunday or you will get hurted.”

The letter is palpably written by a child at an older person’s dictation, on cheap, common paper, and is addressed to Katie Lange, 607 Market street, the old man’s daughter.

 

(11) Waukegan to be ‘Wet’ for Two years longer Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, April 8, 1910, p9

Waukegan to be ‘Wet’ for Two years longer;

‘Wet’ majority of 1093 votes snows under the local option issue

(from Wednesday’s Sun)

Waukegan is to remain “wet” for another two years.

1093 majority for the saloon side of the local option question tells the story succinctly.

There were 901 votes for the drys, and 1994 for the wets, which makes a total of 2895 votes, or the largest vote that Waukegan township ever polled in spite of the deceptive appearance of inactivity yesterday.

The largest votes were in the third, fifth and sixth and tenth precincts, which are known in the city as the third, second and part of the first wards.

Not a precinct went dry

The noteworthy fact is that not a precinct of the ten in the town went dry, or even came near it. The first went wet by 19 votes, the second by 64, the third by 14, the fourth by 95, the fifth by 208, the sixth by 185, the seventh by 234, the eighth by 21, the ninth by 82 and the tenth by 171. The fifth and the sixth, which comprise the second ward in city parlance carried off the “honors” of the day with wet majority combined of 393….

It was generally anticipated that Waukegan would “go wet” all day yesterday.

The large wet majority of yesterday did not even serve to teach a lesson to the saloons, but only to indicate what appears to be a preference for the wide open saloons….

(12) Saloons must stay closed Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, November 10, 1911, p8

Saloons must stay closed

If the Saloons of Waukegan do not close Sunday and stay closed their license will be revoked.

This, it is stated by two principle actors in the affair, is the ultimatum of the city officials to the saloon men of the city.

It marks the absolute surrender of the saloon men to the will of the people, the end of the saloon control over the city officials and a new regime of regulation, law and order in this city, as the city officials, beginning yesterday tell the saloon men what to do instead of the saloon men telling the city what they want done, how they want it and how much….

…the list follows: Walter Krause, Al Smith, Andrew Krezlo, William Oakes, William Felvey, Joseph Rossman, Anton Dudek (?) A Stolarski, Geo Effingger, Otto Wallin, Steve O’Neil,(?) John Wallenter, Christ Jensen, Lenia (?) Van Haecke, Joe Polencheck, Chas Crawford, F. Pfager, John Starzlser (?) F. Petkovsek, F. McDonald, A.Sauta (?), William McCanney, David Meyers, John Saduski, Mat Siana, l. Stehilar (?), D. O’Brien, Stanly Wotton….

 

(13) City to remain wet 2 more years Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, April 5, 1912, p9

City to remain wet 2 more years

Contrary to the average prediction that the result of the Dry and Wet vote would be exceedingly close Tuesday, the wets succeeded in piling up the safe majority of 675 and as a result the saloons will remain another two years at least. He wet majority was practically the same as it was four years ago when the fight put up by both sides was practically the same as this time. The wets declare that they have not lost in strength despite the fact that their majority two  years ago was nearly 1,100 as they say that several hundred wet votes last time came from men employed at the naval station who have since moved away.

The drys put up such a strenuous fight this time and it looked so much like a even fight all the way through that there were few who expected the large majority rolled by the wets. The wets were not as confident this year as they were two years ago and many of them, while predicting a victory, declared that it would be close and that they would not be sure of victory until after the votes had been counted.

There is no question but that the wets put up their hardest possible fight and the same may be said of the drys. All day long busses and carriages were busy making their way to and from the polling places carrying voters. It is to this fact that the large vote polled yesterday is due for despite the fact that 200 or 300 men who voted last time were not here the total vote polled was considerably larger than last time. The vote this time shows that the total vote polled by the drys this time exceeded that of last time by 236 votes. Two years ago the wets carried every precinct in this township but this time the drys succeeded in winning in two of the precincts—the first and third.

Fourth wet by one

One of the surprises came when the fourth ward, which includes the first and second precincts went wet by a majority of one vote. The  ward was always been considered a stronghold of the drys and was conceded to them by the wets. The third ward went dry by a vote of 213 to 166; the second ward went wet by a vote of 390 to 217; the fifth ward went wet by a vote of 171 to 54; the first ward wet by 453 to 278, the fifth 278 to 102.

 

(14) Radical move against saloon in Waukegan Libertyville independent, Dec 5, 1913 p1

Radical move against saloon in Waukegan

Ordinance all prepared making most drastic change in saloon regulations ever contemplated in Waukegan—may be passed Monday night next.

                Quietly, very quietly without hardly anybody excepting city officials knowing of their plans, mayor Bidinger and the other commissioners of Waukegan have lately been trying to work out a satisfactory solution of the saloon question in Waukegan with the result that they have compiled an ordinance which will be passed in the immediate future, possibly Monday next and which will embody these radical provisions:

                First—raising the saloon license to $750 for the first year

                Second—license on from the first year, one thousand dollars

                Third—number of saloons at once to thirty in the city

                Fourth—elimination of the saloon district all down Market street

 

(15) Word taken to Mayor Bidinger that his life was in danger, Libertyville independent, Dec 5, 1913, p1

Word taken to Mayor Bidinger that his life was in danger

Ordinance is passed

By a vote of 3 to 2 Mayor Bidinger casting the deciding vote, the city council on Monday night at the regular session, adopted an amendment to the existing saloon ordinance which provides for some rather drastic changes. These changes, which already have been enumerated in the sun are as follows:

1.       Elimination of Saloons from Market street

2.       Ultimate reduction of number of saloons to thirty

3.       Raising saloon licenses to $1,000 on May 1, 1915

Fully a score of saloonkeepers and men favorable to the liquor cause were present at the meeting to prevent, if possible, the passage of the ordinance. Among those who were most conspicuous were Samual Schwartz, agent for the Pabst brewing company, and Charles Baddaker who headed the petition asking that no action be taken to eliminate the saloons on Market street.

The vote of the commissioners was as follows:

Ayes--Bidinger, Dietmeyer, Diver

Nayes—Atterbery and Orvis

Life is threatened

When the mayor of Waukegan Monday evening voted in favor of the drastic saloon ordinance, he did so in the face of a veiled threat against his life which had been brought to him a few days ago.

Despite the threat that he might pay dearly for favoring such an ordinance, the mayor never wavered a stroke, but all during the session of the council argued for the passage of the measure and brought out his personal reasons for favoring it.

And when it came to a vote and it was seen that his vote was necessary to carry the tie make by the other four officials splitting on the proposition, he voted aye and “never moved a hair.”

Threat was made

It was learned that a few days ago a person brought the mayor the information that he was likely to be shot in case he advocated the passage of the saloon measure. It came in this way.

The man in question told him that he had heard someone make the remark like this:

If Biginger puts through the saloon ordinance as has been predicted he would, he better look out!”

Someone asked him what he meant and he added: “Well, if he makes it so that we can live in this town, why he can’t live here either.” (sic)

“What does the man mean?” asked the mayor, and the reply came:

 “He meant that they would use a gun on you.”

“Well, “ said the mayor, “you go right back and tell that man whoever he is, that I intend to stand for the ordinance and will urge its passage. Tell him to go ahead, if he thinks it will avail him anything.”

Another officer who heard the remark passed to the mayor made a answer something like this: “the threatened man oftentimes lives longer than the one who threatens.”

Police guard for mayor

And following Monday’s meeting other officials who had heard of the threat asked assistant chief Tyrrell to remain in the council rooms until after the improvement board had finished its work, explaining that it would be wise, in the face of the threat, to be near the mayor in case any effort was made to carry out the nefarious threat made against him in the indirect manner referred to.

The chief acquiesced and it was noticed that he remained close to the executive until after the meeting was closed and also accompanied him down the street.

 

 (16) Ten less saloons but more money Libertyville independent May 8, 1914

Ten less saloons but more money

Ten less saloons than last year--$7,000 more license money is received

Two out of town men turned down-one local applicant was not a citizen

Facts about Saloons

Total number under old plan—fifty eight

Total number under new plan—forty eight

License under old plan was $500 making total income from license last year under said plan $29.000

License under new ordinance is $750 and although there are now ten less saloons than when the license fee was $500 a year the income from the 48 is $36,000 or seven thousand dollars more than under the lesser license. In short, although Waukegan has ten less saloons than a year ago it has already secured $7,000 additional fees in licenses as a result of the increased fee.

Only ten of the fifty-eight saloons in business in Waukegan last year failed to take out a license this year in spite of the fact that the license was raised to $750. City officials themselves are greatly surprised at the showing for they had thought the number were fall far short of this. Mayor Bidinger’s guess had been that but forty licenses would be taken out this year and commissioner Carl Atterberry had thought it would fall short of this.

When the new salon regulation ordinance was passed it was figured that the license increase fee would make up for the number of undesirable saloons which would be forced out of business. The 58 saloons last year paid $29,000 into the city treasury. The forty-eight saloons this year have paid $36,000 into the coffers. Thus with ten less saloons which is considered the most desirable condition the city receives $7,000 more in license money than last year.

Of the saloons which were forced off Market street only four have remained in business. They are:

John Strazzler, who conducted a saloon at 611 Market street, but who is now at 222 south Genesee street

Matt Bedrumas who conducted a saloon at 402 Market street but who is now on spring street

Frank Petkoveck who was at 718 Market street, but who is now at 202 south Genesee street

Joe Kautenberg who was at 236 Market street but who now is in business at 208 south Genesee street

Following is the name of the Market street saloonkeepers who did not take out a saloon license this year:

John Saduski, 404 Market street

Winko Zagar, 709 Market street

John Kussman, 707 Market street

Blaz Machnich 714 Market street

Dominick Keijko, 712 Market street

Three men applied for licenses but were refused. One of these men was named Bowman, formerly part owner of a saloon at 222 west Washington street under the name of Bowman & Scrrieber. The license was refused on the grounds that bowman is not a citizen of the united states.

Paul Winkler of Libertyville and …

…a big advance in the right direction as it tended to keep the saloons in a central district. Before the presence of the nine saloons on Market street required extra police protection in that part of the city. Frank Petkovesek, one of the best know saloon keepers on Market street is to occupy the building at the southwest corner of Genesee and water streets…

 

(17) Waukegan is dry by 793 Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , April 7, 1916, p15

Waukegan is dry by 793

Drys poll 3722 votes Wets 2929

Drys carry all precincts north of Ravine, while wets lose one precinct south—Waukegan residents outs saloons on Tenth street, north Chicago—3,003 Women vote, 3678 men—first precinct gives drys biggest majority, 389, while tenth gives wets majority of 419.

Waukegan April 5.

At 3:30 town clerk Hutchinson’s official figures showed the dry majority to be 793 instead of 737

By an overwhelming majority of 737 Waukegan voters on Tuesday placed the township of Waukegan which includes all of Waukegan and North Chicago as far south as Eighteenth street in anti-saloon territory. The vote cast was the largest in the history of the city, overshadowing that of the local option election of 1914 when the vote broke all previous records and the wets won by 348. A total of 6,681 votes were cast at last Tuesday’s election.

From these figures it will be seen that the men voters of the town voted wet by a majority of 298 while the women voted dry by a majority of 1,035.

Waukegan has had several local option campaigns but none which approached the in interest the one which closed on Tuesday. The drys had planned their campaign carefully. They had appointed committees, had left no detail which they thought might be vital to the success of the effort. On the other hand, the wets were not organized as they had been in other years.

Both sides have brought many speakers here—both sides have conducted an expensive advertising campaign; in other words neither side hesitated about spending money lavishly.

Many saloons go out

The saloons go out on the night of April 20 as the present licenses expire on April 30, which happens to fall on Sunday. At present there are 32 saloons in Waukegan. Two of these automatically would have gone out of business on May 1 as the result of the existing saloon regulation ordinance. That would have left 30. All of these saloons, in addition to the 16 saloons in North Chicago must go out of business as a result of Tuesday’s vote.

Some of the more experienced saloonkeepers are said to have seen the writing on the wall a few months ago and it is said they have been arranging their affairs with the ultimate result in view. Many of the others appeared to have lost heart and did not put up a shadow of the fights they have waged in other years.

Even before the polls closed eager partisans of one side or the other began to call the Sun office and ask for the returns. Additional telephone service had been installed in the Sun office to accommodate the public. These phones were in service constantly for several hours after the polls closed. A clerk was in charge of each phone and dispensed the desired information.

There were hundreds, however, who were not content with calling up on the telephone. They wished to learn the information more rapidly and they watched the figures as they were placed on the large bulletin board in the Sun office window.

People began to gather in front of the Sun office as early as 5 o’clock. Before 5:30 there was a mob that covered the sidewalk and extended into the street several feet. By 6 o’clock and for two or three hours afterward the crowd extended all the way across the street, blocking traffic. Much enthusiasm shown

It was an extremely enthusiastic crowd and judging by the cheers that greeted the constantly growing majority for the drys, the wets were in the minority.

The first returns seemed to indicate what the ultimate result was to be and the enthusiasm of the crowd grew accordingly. As late as 9 o’clock the crowd still remained and discussed the situation. They seemed so jubilant that they were loath to return to their homes. The Sun has bulletined many elections but never has there been a larger or more enthusiastic crowd watching the bulletins.

Even drys surprised

The unusually large majority by which the drys won appeared to be a surprise to even the drys themselves, for even the most sanguine had not predicted anywhere near such a large majority. The average dry voter expressed the opinion before the result was made known that the drys would probably win by 100 or 200….

 

(18) 5,000 watch city go dry;  Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , May 5, 1916, p1

5,000 watch city go dry; policemen close one saloon

Biggest crowd ever seen in business district assembled here Saturday night

200 men in one saloon

Police forced to draw clubs to drive men out of place—but few arrests made

Despite the fact that 5,000 people congregated in the business district to see Waukegan go dry” Saturday night, few arrests were made and no accidents occurred in spite of the fact that traffic was blocked by the surging masses at all important corners.

From points as far distant as Milwaukee the young men came to watch Waukegan go dry. The limited and local trains were overcrowded and one train reached Waukegan about 7 in the evening with men and even small boys hanging onto the rear and sides of the car.

Waukegan went dry at exactly 15minutes past 11 Saturday night, for it was at that hour that the police captain massed his force and drove the crowd—estimated at 200—out of the only saloon which was open at that hour. The saloon proprietor was unable to close the saloon at 11 o’clock. With 200 men demanding drinks, he was unable to drive them from the place of business. In fact he was unable to lock the door. Two hundred men were in the saloon and fully 100 more were trying to force an entrance. One policeman entered the place and ordered the proprietor to shut up the place. “Shut it up? I’d like to see you do it,” said the proprietor. The policeman tried but was unsuccessful. He went directly to headquarters and the captain with every available man at his right arm entered the place. In less than 5 minutes he was at the rear door of the place and was driving the mob out the front door. It was said that the police were forced to draw their clubs to clear the saloon and drive the crowd out into the street. While the police were driving out the mob, a crowd estimated at fully 500 people congregated in the street.

One saloonkeeper estimated that $20,000 was spent in the saloons on Saturday. One saloonkeeper took in $1,200 and he claims that he could have taken in another $200 if the police had not interfered. There was not as much intoxication as one would expect. It is true that a number of young men who had never tasted liquor before in their lives took advantage of the saloon proprietor Saturday and purchased drinks from relief bartenders who were hired late in the afternoon to look after the trade.

Several saloonkeepers took in $500 between 6 o’clock and closing time. Three saloons were able to close at 5 minutes of 11 inasmuch as they had sold every drop of beer in their places. The beer wagons hauled barrels of the amber colored fluid from the cars up and until 10 o’clock. He saloonkeeper tapped a barrel at 10 o’clock and he claims to have turned the lock in the door at 10 minutes past 11 without a cent’s worth of beer in the place,

Several Kenosha saloonkeepers contracted to take all the bonded whiskies on hand at several saloons. Peter Schmitt one of the famed Schmitt brothers of Kenosha came to Waukegan and spent $500 for whiskies and for a number of pieces of saloon fixtures. He purchased a setae and a mirror at one saloon and all the bonded whiskey another saloonkeeper had in his place.

This morning was the first time that a great many people realized that Waukegan had gone dry. The saloons were closed this morning for the first time in over forty years. In fact there were no saloons to open. It is true that throughout the day men were engaged in packing up such goods as were not sold before Saturday night. There was no “free beer” or “free whisky” in Waukegan Saturday night. The saloonkeepers did not pour what liquor remained into the gutters as many had expected. Not one free drink was served in the city, it is said. The saloon men were too busy waiting on “cash trade” to take time to “treat” their friends.

The men in the saloons Saturday had money, lots of it. “What are you going to have? Have something on me>” These were among the few speeches heard in the saloons on Saturday.  Another noticeable thing was that the men who were spending their money for liquor did not spent it all in one place. In crowds of from 10 to 25 the revelers walked from one place to another purchasing their liquors. It is said that one crowd of men visited every saloon in the business district.

The druggists had their own time of it Sunday. Of course there were hundreds of men with a “big head” and an “eye opener” would have brought as high as $5, but it is said that not 10 cents worth of liquor was sold by all the drug stores in Waukegan on Sunday. Hereafter to purchase liquor at a drug store one must first obtain a doctor’s prescription. The druggists keep these prescriptions and under the law they are not allowed to refill prescriptions. It is unlawful for a doctor to write a prescription for liquor unless the same is ordered for a sick person.

Sold out all jugs

During Saturday afternoon the grocery department of the Rubin store sold just 500 half-gallon jugs. It, of course eclipsed all previous demands and the shortage was such that until the stock is replenished the Rubin store couldn’t fill an order for a half-gallon of vinegar—if it had to be furnished in a real jug.

What are the saloonkeepers going to do in the future? That’s a question which has been asked by thousands. At this hour it would be impossible to give these facts for a big majority of the saloon men have not completed their plans and they claim that it will take them at least two weeks to pack up and ship such bottled goods as can be sold to saloonkeepers and others in nearby cities.

This marks the second time in Waukegan’s history that the city is to be saloon-less. Some forty years ago Waukegan went dry, not by a vote of the people, but because a majority of the aldermen objected to the issuance of saloon licenses during their term in office. At that time Waukegan was dry but a few months.

Several saloonkeepers still hold the leases on their places, and they do not propose to surrender their leases until the Supreme court has passed on the question of whether or not the women of Illinois had a legal right to vote on the wet and dry question.

Jay Nichols, the only saloonkeeper who ever lived in Waukegan who was never arrested or fined for not living up to the ordinance is undecided as to what he will do in the future. His friends believe that he will make trips south and spend several weeks and will open a cigar store in his present location upon return.  He owns his own building.

Al Seifert is planning to ship his goods to his resort in the woodland and lake districts of northern Wisconsin. His building is owned by the Sargents, who are planning to open a hardware store in the place.

Barney Boehrn’s store has been leased to the Nolan brothers who are planning to operate a delicatessen store in the place. Mike McQuire will open a cigar and refreshment parlor in his place.

With the passing of saloons in Waukegan and Avon townships, it leaves but three wet townships in Lake county, all located in a large region. Wauconda, Grant, Antioch. The latter kept the biggest wet majority. Grant had most saloons in the county of the country towns, there having been 40 licenses there. Antioch has 22 saloons. Thus, if Lake county people want liquor hereafter by purchasing in Lake county they’ll have to go to Fox Lake or Antioch.

 

(19) Spy on Blind pig keeper through transom window Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , September 14, 1916, p12

Spy on Blind pig keeper through transom window

Police conduct raid on Frank Petkovsek place on Market street

Man admits his guilt

When given a hearing before Police magistrate he pleads guilty—fined $200

Waukegan Sept 13

Peering through a transom window two police officers saw Frank Petkovsek of 716 Market street in the act of dispensing whiskey in direct violation of the anti-saloon laws, watched the ex-saloon-keeper for many minutes, then they forced and entrance into the building and arrested Petkovsek and his four customers. They were taken to the city jail and immediately Petkovsek begged an opportunity to appear before the police magistrate and plead guilty to the charge. Petkovsek pleaded guilty on the charge and Police Magistrate Walter A Taylor fined him $200 and costs or $204.40.

The raid at the store at 716 Market street was conducted by Bart Tyrrell, son of the assistant chief and by Max Lerche. The policemen were in plain clothes when they conducted the raid. This is the fourth raid that Bart Tyrrell has conducted in as many weeks and in each and every case he has delivered the goods. Petkovsek was selling whiskey when the raid was conducted.

The four customers were taken to the police station but one of their number was not locked in a cell.

“Can I speak with you a minute,” asked Joe Ogre of Walt Taylor.

“Sure,” replied the judge.

“The stork you say, well it may be OK with me of the police chief is willing, but you will have to be on hand at 9 o’clock in the morning.”

Joe is hoping for a boy.

The other three men arrested are John Peckala of 811 Market street, D Valentine of 811 Market street, Mat Postine of 804 Market street.

The four inmates of the alleged blind pig were not fined, but they admitted having purchased liquor in the place. Hey escaped a fine by turning state’s evidence.

 

(20) Senate passes swift’s 5 mile dry zone measure. Libertyville independent, Feb 15, 1917, p1

Senate passes swift’s 5 mile dry zone measure

In case measure passes the house Waukegan will be forever “Dry”

Springfield, Feb 8 The Illinois senate today passed the bill introduced recently by Senator Rodney B Swift of Libertyville which establishes a five-mile “dry” zone about the great lakes naval station and fort Sheridan.

Senator swift declared the bill a preparedness measure. The bill received 34 votes.

This is the bill which will make Waukegan forever “dry” if it becomes a law. Once it is effective voters will have no opportunity of voting to have the privilege of selling liquor restored in Waukegan.

The bill now goes to the house for concurrence with the senate and the “drys” declare they feel confident the house will also approve the measure.

 

 (21) Convert’ Saloon into a church on Market st. now Libertyville independent Feb 7, 1918, P8

Convert’ Saloon into a church on Market st. now

Building at 614 Market st. formerly a saloon now a place of worship

Used by colored people

Seats have been built into the room, alter erected and meetings held.

Buildings in various parts of Waukegan formerly used as saloons when the town was wet have been converted into grocery stores and clothing stores but here is the first instance where a former saloon has been converted into a church.

Yep, that’s what’s been done.

At 614 Market street is a colored people’s church and there once was a saloon in the identical building now used on Sundays and Wednesdays by the colored folks in that vicinity, members of the Baptist faith, as a place to assemble and worship the almighty.

If you have ever heard anybody say before the town became dry that there would be a church on Market street you likely would have thought them visionary, that it wasn’t possible because the buildings there were in demand for saloons more than anything else excepting residence purposes.

Yet the colored Baptists have converted the building at 614 Market street into a fine place of worship.

Seats have been built into the big room, they have been painted red and an elevated platform and alter have been erected at the front of the room. There a preacher each Sunday delivers his sermon and appeals to the people to live within faith.

This is the first instance where a local ex-saloon has been used as a church. In a Michigan city where the Besley brewery of Waukegan got its start the final development of the property was from a brewery to a church, but this is the first instance of such a “conversion” in Waukegan.

 

(22) 10 “moonshiner” raided; 2500 gals. Booze seized Libertyville Independent, Dec 9, 1920: p6

10 “moonshiner” raided; 2500 gals. Booze seized

Eight officers swoop down on Market street, North Chicago and Highwood

Wholesale raids on ten moonshiners and blind-piggers on Market street and tenth street, Waukegan and North Chicago and Highwood by sheriff Elmer J Green and seven constables, police officers and deputies on Saturday night and Sunday resulted in the seizure of 2,500 gallons of wine, whiskey, white mule, beer essence and bitters with a strong kick.

The big raids were staged upon the entrance into the office of state’s attorney A V Smith who today started grand jury activities against these and other moonshiners taken within the last week.

Raid Madruh’s Saturday night

The raids were instigated by the new state’s attorney who on the very day he entered office desired to see just what a little move of this kind would reveal—and he gor more than he expected. And he was quite satisfied a mouthful, he got more than he fled(?) with his first day’s harvest.

Constables Delbert A Weale and Charles E Hicks members of the raiding force on Saturday night raided the place of John Mafruh, 1032 Sheridan road, where they seized six barrels of beer and four four-gallon jugs of wine.

Sunday the raiding crew, headed by sherrif green, consisting of constables Hicks and Weale, assistant chief of police Thos. Tyrrell and deputies A U Berry, Guerdon Green, William Taylor and Harrold Nottinham swooped down on Math Ogrin’s place at tenth street, and as a crowd of 500 spectators gathered around, took out 500 gallons of wine in barrels and bottles. Wild excitement prevailed while the raid was in progress at this place but none attempted to interfere as several of the officers rolled the wet goods to windows and doors and the others loaded it on a truck and two machines and hauled it to a secret place.

Peter Wember’s place at tenth and Lincoln street yielded three-forth of a barrel of beer in bottles, two bottles of wine and a bottle of whiskey.

Biggest haul at Petkovesk’s

Such a large quantity of wine was mixed at Frank Perkovesk’s place and home on Market street the raiders were unable to haul it away and left an officer there to guard it until it could be removed today. There were 10 barrels of wine, two half-barrels of hogshead, this being the larges quantity seized in one place.

 

(23) 1,000 Gallons of wine goes down sewers Thursday Libertyville Independent, Thursday Nov 23, 1922:

1,000 Gallons of wine goes down sewers Thursday

Market streeters entertained at pouring party by dry agents here

Market street lovers of blood red wine watched Thursday with broken hearts as bottle after bottle, barrel after barrel, 1000 gallons of anti Volstead wine trickled from neck and bung into the sewers and out into the lake.

For it was a play day for the dry agents and constable Conrad A Brune and his coterie splashed and played in the efforts of three days of raiding while they gleefully tossed the beverage into the sewers.

This is the largest pouring spree that the dry agents have entertained at since two government men poured scores of barrels of booze taken in all sections of the county down the sewer at Washington and Genesee streets. The number of big hauls in the last two weeks has made confiscation one of the big programs of the squad. The Lamovec booze was destroyed via the kerosene route.

Most of the wine that was confiscated Thursday came from the raid on the Casperitis place that fell before the dry agents day before yesterday.

At the time that the booze was poured out at the main corner of the business district people gathered from all over to watch the performance.

 

(24) Two barrels of mash and two barrels wine taken Libertyville Independent, Dec 9, 1920: p9

Two barrels of mash and two barrels wine taken

Andrew Lenarsick, 503 Market st. arrested and held under $2,000 bond

Case before grand jury?

The new broom of the state’s attorney A V Smith swept another alleged blind-pigger out of business Tuesday afternoon when the arm of the law wielded it on Market street.

It descended upon the premises of Andrew Lenarsick 503 Market street where two full barrels of wine and two more of mash were seized and removed to a safe place of storage to be used as evidence.

The two officers who made the arrest were assistant chief of police Thom Tyrrell and constable Clarence E Hicks, detailed by sheriff Elmer J Green who had his hands full of grand jury matters, but arrived upon the scene during the progress of the raid.

Lenarsick was taken before justice Harry Hoyt and held under $2000 bonds, his bondsman being Abe Diamond. Lenarsick’s case was continued for a week presumably to give the grand jury which is in session an opportunity to investigate the defendant’s activities.

This makes a score of alleged blind-piggers and moonshiners  who have been arrested within a week.

The moonshine being made and sold around here is said to be so deadly it actually paralyzes the drinker and will remove varnish from wood as readily as regular varnish remover.  A piece of raw beefsteak left in a quantity of moonshine, it is said, will completely consume it in 24 hours. Doctors report a rapid increase of stomach trouble since the advent of moonshine. In a large number of cases, patients are compelled to live on clam juice, which is said to create a new lining in stomachs ruined by moonshine.

 

(25) Accuse Waukegan Saloons Lake County Independent and Waukegan weekly Sun, March 23, 1906, p.4

Accuse Waukegan Saloons

Fort Sheridan army officers say Waukegan Saloonkeepers are Doping Liquor

Many Soldiers are in the guard house.

Army officers in fort Sheridan who have been fighting vice in the adjoining towns have found they must turn their attention to Waukegan.

Saloonkeepers in that city are alleged to be using the methods familiar at Highwood of adulterating liquor sold to soldiers. Within a few days a dozen enlisted men have gone to the fort hospital was a result of drinking at Waukegan bars. Five soldiers were beaten and robbed, it is said.

Gambling is being conducted at the soldier saloons, it is charged. Captain M E Saville has appealed to the Waukegan city officials, it is said, to enforce the laws so that the army men are protected. Nothing has been done in reply, and it is expected that the officers will endeavor to compel the Waukegan men to obey the laws through the federal courts.

Conditions at the fort are indicated by the fact that there are more than 200 prisoners in the guardhouse. [Some of them], it is believed will be dishonorably discharged. Forty prisoners will be taken to Fort Levenworth Kansas today to the federal prison there….

 

(26) (Dec 23, 1920: Libertyville Independent, p6 “Hooch” lands a woman in toils of the police

“Hooch” lands a woman in toils of the police

Mother of six children and three other drunks before Justice Walter Taylor

There was a little variety in the usual Monday morning line up of “drunks” at the police station today when a woman, Mrs. Mary Kutz of 630 Market street who said she is the mother of six children was arraigned with three men all being charged with having looked upon the mule when it was white.

Justice Walter Taylor tried out a little detective work and attempted to find out where the quartette got their “hooch” but all four blamed it on Kenosha or Chicago. None would admit they got it in Waukegan.  in the market street, but she can emphatic in her denial (sic) stating that it came from Chicago.

Police magistrate Taylor asked the woman if she wanted to go to jail and she begged to be released on account of her six children. The magistrate did not fine her but as a parting shot warned her if she showed up again in the police station she would go to jail for six months.

Hugh Leonard, 227 Williams street, was fined $7.40 on a drunk and disorderly change, and Joe Maginonis, 302 Clinton street and Joe Andrew of 905 market street were fined a like amount.

 

 (27) Is charged with operating Blind Pig on Market street Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Jan 14, 1916, p7

Is charged with operating Blind Pig on Market street

Frank Grenette of Market street was taken into custody by local police Sunday

Frank Grenette an Austrian resident of Market Street was arrested on a charge of selling liquor without a license on Sunday by police officers.

“He has been operating a ‘blind pig’ on Market street for months and we have got  evidence now to warrant a conviction,” said police chief George N Powell.

The police claim that they have secured the services of ten witnesses all of whom swear that they purchased liquor in the Austrian’s place of business at 611 Market Street.

The case was continued until Thursday evening and the defendant has retained James G Welch as his attorney.

His Austrian friends claim that he was not operating a blind pig and that he did not sell the liquor which was found in his place.

The police intend to ask a fine of $200 and costs and they claim they evidence they have collected will warrant a conviction.

The police have watched the Austrian’s place of business for many months but have been unable to get sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction until Sunday when they corralled a bunch of witnesses, all of whom will take the witness stand. The case will be heard before Police Magistrate Walter Taylor.

,

 

(28) Koprivecs arrested again, on city warrant this time Libertyville Independent, April 17, 1919, P6

Koprivecs arrested again, on city warrant this time

Market street men face prosecution by city and state, same alleged violations

Re-arrested Fri night

Waukegan April 1

The alleged illegal sale of liquor has got john and Francis Koprivec of 701 Market street into all kinds of trouble. They were arrested Thursday night as a result of a raid conducted by the police and were arrested  on a state warrant charging them with having sold liquor illegally. They were released on bonds of $1,000each. Friday night the same men were re-arrested by the police on a similar charge with the exception that city warrants were sworn out against them.

They were arraigned before police magistrate Taylor Friday night and were held in bonds of $300. The case was continued until the morning of April 16, when the state charge against them is to be tried. The police admit that both arrests took place as a result of the same alleged violations of the liquor law.

It is reported that the matter may be held before the grand jury next Monday and indictments be asked for.

This will not prevent the city from prosecuting the city charge. In case of conviction on one charge it is possible to use the same evidence to convict a man on another charge.

 

 (29) Children lead police in Raid on alleged blind pig Libertyville Independent, Feb 1, 1917, p6

Children lead police in Raid on alleged blind pig

Waukegan Jan 25

With two infants to guide them, Thomas Tyrrell, police chief, and his  officers, raided an alleged “blind pig” on Market street at 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

The home raided was that of Franciska Kopsicz on Market street and following this woman’s arrest she was held in bonds of $3,000 by police magistrate Taylor pending her hearing which will be held on Saturday morning at 9 o’clock. Mrs. Kopsicz has employed Attorney William A Deane to represent her.

Several days ago John Koseck of 912 (?) Market street returned to his home in an alleged drunken condition. His wife claims that he beat her most unmercifully with a broom handle and black and blue spots were found on her body by a local doctor substantiate her claim.

Koseck told the police that he bought the liquor in Kenosha.

The case was continued pending an investigation.

Yesterday Thomas Tyrrell got Mrs. Koseck and her two children—both of whom are under 8 years of age, and took them to the office of State’s attorney James G Welch.

For two hours the police chief and the state’s attorney cross questioned the woman and her two children.

“Sure, me man get the booze at Franciska’s house. He send the children for it,” said Mrs. Koseck.

The police chief took the two children by the hand and asked them to escort him to Franciska’s home. They did as requested and when they were asked to take the police chief to the place where the booze was kept the children led Thomas Tyrrell into the cellar where he found two four-gallon and one one-gallon container. The containers were all empty, but smelled of whiskey.

Franciska Kopsicz is the first woman to be arrested on a blind pig charge since the saloons were voted out nearly a year ago.

 

(30) Fine and jail for Lamovec; a fine alone for wife, Libertyville Independent, May 1, 1919: p6

Fine and jail for Lamovec; a fine alone for wife

Market Street residents are sentenced on charges of having sold intoxicating liquor

A new trial is denied

Waukegan April 23

John Lamovec and wife, Market street, convicted of selling liquor illegally were sentenced by judge Persons today after he had overruled the motion for a new trial. The Lamovecs had been found guilty on one of nine counts on which they had been indicted. Lamovec was sentenced to pay a fine of $100 and costs and serve twenty days in county jail while his wife received the same fine but no jail sentence.

The Lamovecs were convicted on testimony provided by Harry Boyer and James Reeves, two men who were arrested on charges of having stolen $300 from a trunk in the Lamovec home.

Boyer and reeves told the police of having purchased whiskey frequently at the Lamovec house and on the strength of their testimony before the grand jury indictments were returned.

The testimony of the same two men resulted in the conviction of Mrs. Koprivic, another market street resident on a similar charge. Mrs. Koprivic paid her fine and served two days in jail. One the advice of a physician she was permitted to return home as she was found to be ill.

 

 (31) Woman Blindpigger sentenced to 20 days in co jail Libertyville Independent, May 1, 1919, P1

Woman Blindpigger sentenced to 20 days in co jail

Mrs. Frances Koprivic, 717 Market street was sentenced by county judge Persons to serve twenty days in the county jail in addition to paying a fine of $225 and costs when she pleaded guilty late Thursday afternoon to having sold liquor in anti-saloon territory. Mrs Koprivic is now serving her sentence in the county jail and is probably the first woman blind pig keeper to be sent to jail.

Mrs. Koprivic was indicted by the grand jury on the evidence of James Reeves and Harry Boyer recently dismissed on a charge of having been the men who stole $300 from a trunk at the John Lamovec home.

Reeves and Boyer testified to having purchased drinks of Mrs. Koprivic and the states attorney who had certified the indictment to the county court asked that the woman be indicted on nine counts.

After hearing the state’s case Mrs. Koprivic through her attorney J A Miller asked permission to change her plea of “not guilty” to “guilty” and through [sic] herself upon the mercy of the court. The state dismissed six of the nine counts. Judge Persons assessed the woman a fine of $75 and costs on each of the remaining three counts, adding a twenty day jail sentence on the third count. The total fine costs amounted to $287. Mrs. Koprivic paid the fine and costs immediately and went to jail at once to start serving her time.

A number of male blindpiggers have been sentenced to jail by Judge Persons, but this is the first time a woman has placed herself in the position of going to jail. Judge Persons has found by experience that jail sentences are much more effective in checking the illegal liquor traffic than mere administering of fines.

  

(32) Lamovec refuses to prosecute alleged Sharpers Libertyville independent, Dec 25, 1919, p12

Lamovec refuses to prosecute alleged Sharpers

Men charged with selling two barrels of water for $1500 dismissed

No explanation given

When Mike and John Uzelac of south Chicago and “Big Steve” Miletich of Gary, charged with having swindled John Lamovec, 815 Market street Waukegan out of $1500 by means of the “funnel game”, were arraigned in Police Magistrate Walter Taylor’s court today, it was necessary to dismiss them for want of prosecution. Although Lamovec had employed a private detective to run the fellows down he declined to prosecute them after they had been placed under arrest.

That such a course might and probably would be taken was predicted in the Sun several days ago. It was pointed out at that time if the three men were guilty that Lamovec was equally guilty as he had conspired with them and that if the prosecution went on it would be necessary for Lamorvec to turn state’s evidence. It was stated that Lamovec was more anxious to get his money back than he was to prosecute and it was suggested that if the alleged swindlers reimbursed him he probably would decline to prosecute them.

Lamovec did not see fit to give his reasons for failing to prosecute the men but simply stayed away from the hearing and allowed the case to be dismissed.

Lamovec went to south Chicago some time ago for the ostensible purpose of purchasing two barrels of whiskey for which he was to pay $1500. He paid over the money but when he got home found the barrels contained nothing but rain water.

He then employed James McQueeny, a private detective, and the latter, by clever work, located the men in South Chicago where he placed them under arrest and brought them to Waukegan.

 

(33) Makes false accusation; it costs local man $34.40 Libertyville independent, Jan 22, 1920, p6

Makes false accusation; it costs local man $34.40

Mike Preblic admits he cannot substantiate charge or blind-pigging

It cost Mike Preblic, 205 Browning avenue exactly $34.40 to make an un-substantiated charge of “Blind-pigging” against John Lamovec of Market street.

Preblic appeared at Waukegan police station Sunday night and swore out a warrant for the arrest of Lamovac. He said he had tried to buy a bottle of booze there and had been refused so he got an acquaintance to buy it for him. He said he waited outside while the purchase was made. The booze, clear as water and apparently  of the “home-made” variety, cost him $4 for a pint, he said.

Lamovac was taken to the police station and placed under bonds of $1000, his case being continued to Jan 25.

Preblic appeared in court this morning and asked permission to dismiss the charge against Lamovac. He said that the man who had purchased the booze now asserts that it was not bought of Lamovac. It looked like a case of “frame-up” to asst states attorney Deane and he signed a complaint against Preblic, charging him with disorderly conduct. The court pressed a fine of $25 and costs, which Preblic paid.

Just what will happen when the case comes up for trial remains to be seen. The police intend to have the booze analyzed.

 

(34) Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court Libertyville independent, June 16, 1921, p12

Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court

State’s atroney Nolle proses cases against many liquor violators

Scores to put up fight

The docket of the county judge is beginning to assume the proportions of a quarto edition of Webster’s dictionary, and scores of cases were disposed of this week or set for trial. Numerous cases were nolle prossed, some of which are to be taken up anew….

Those whose cases were nolle prossed and charges dropped are:

…Mary Delkus, manufacture

John Lamovec, Manufacture

Mary Pink, sale…

Those who pleaded “not guilty” to the following charges:

…Frank Pethkosek, sale…

Those whose cases are set for trial continued or disposed are:

…Ruth Toney, house of ill-fame, continued

Frances Kopric, manufacture, continued…

Michael Ruta, sale, continued

 

(35) Five Blidpiggers are fined; all pleaded guilty Libertyville independent, Aug 11, 1921, p1

Five Blidpiggers are fined; all pleaded guilty

Fred Born of Foxz Lake gets heaviest fine; pays $400 as penalty

Five persons today pleaded guilty of violating the prohibitory law and received fines ranging from $100 to $400 in the county court before Judge P L Persons:

…The other four who pleaded guilty and were fined as follows:

…John Lamovec, 815 Market street, Waukegan, $200 and costs…

(36) 1,000 gallons of wine taken by dry agents Libertyville independent, Nov 23, 1922, p4

1,000 gallons of wine taken by dry agents

Continuing the drive they started more than a week ago when they found two stills and 22 barrels of whiskies in what was said to be the John Lamovec place, the sponge squad Nov 15^th made another great haul, gleaning 1,000 gallons of wine from the basement of the Andrew Kosparitis home at 532 Market street, it was reported. He said he kept it in case of illness, it is claimed.

The wine was what is known as sacramental wines and was found in the basement of the home put up in barrels. He was taken to county jail, but was released later on bonds of $2,000 secured before Justice Charles E Mason. His case was set for a hearing in ten days.

This is the fourth place on Market street to fall in two days. Raids there yesterday brought in two stills, three alleged bootleggers and more than 700 gallons of wine. Previous to that Frances Kopric fell before the squad with two stills and several barrels of booze. She was given a 60 day jail sentence and a fine. The street is fairly well cleaned the sponge squad members believe.

In the past two weeks there have been six stills confiscated and more than 5,000 gallons taken by the squad.

 

(37) Tenuta is found guilty Libertyville Independent, July 12, 1917, p9

Tenuta is found guilty;

9 liquor sales are proved

detectives for state testify to having bought beer, wine and whiskey

have weak defense

Tenuta did not deny serving drinks, but said he received no pay for them

A sealed verdict returned in the county court Tuesday night at 6:00 o’clock and opened this morning found Frank Tenuta of Market Street guilty on nine counts of having sold intoxicating liquor in anti-saloon territory. Detectives for the state testified that they purchased whiskey, wine and beer of both Tenuta and his wife.

Michael O Halloran, chief detective for the state told of a ruse that was used to ingratiate himself with Tenuta. He said that he and his partner pretended to be taking measurements near the Tenuta home for the installation of telephone poles. Tenuta, he said, came out and engaged them in conversation. After that they had several rounds of drinks, including both beer and whiskey. He said that Tenuta then invited them to the basement of an adjoining house, where he had stored several barrels of wine and whiskey.

According to Halloran, he and his partner returned on another occasion and purchased drinks of Mrs Tenuta.

Tenuta had little defense to make other than that he claimed that he received no money for the drinks he served to the detectives. The jury evidently did not take much stock in this explanation.

 

(38)  Buttitta fined $150; must serve 20 day jail term, Libertyville independent, July 26, 1917 p12

Buttitta fined $150; must serve 20 day jail term

Judge persons this morning overruled motion for new trial in liquor case

Case will be appealed

Failure to have words “lake county” in information is brought out today.

Waukegan July 25

Buttitta later today decided he would not appeal case but that he would pay the $150 fine and go to jail for 20 days

County judge Persons this morning over-ruled the motion for a new trial in the case of Dominick Buttitta, charged with having sold intoxicating liquor in ant-saloon territory and not…

Buttitta was found guilty on the evidence of Michael O’ Halloran and his associate detective, secret service men employed by the state’s attorney office to secure evidence against alleged law violators in Lake county,

The witnesses told of having visited Buttitta’s place on Market Street where he said they were served with different kinds of liquor. They said they allayed any suspicions which Buttitta might have had by pretending to be linemen for the telephone company. They pretended to be taking measurement for poles near Buttitt’a place when he engaged them in conversation they broached the subject of getting a drink and they say they were accommodated.

 

(39) Arrest Woman as blindpigger and hoarder of sugar Libertyville independent Aug 15, 1918, P6

Arrest Woman as blindpigger and hoarder of sugar

Fined $200 and costs on city charge following her plea of guilty

Faces two more charges

Will be prosecuted by federal authorities as hoarder and liquor violator

Mrs. Mary Pink, aged 28, residing at 920 Market street was placed under arrest this morning at 9 o’clock on a city warrant charging her with the illegal sale of liquor. Her arrest followed the admission of a Waukegan man arrested Thursday for drunkenness that he purchased the liquor at her place. Phillip Pink, husband of the woman, also is named as a defendant in the case and is being held by the police.

Mrs. Pink was given a hearing in police court before police magistrate Walter Taylor this morning and upon her admission that she sold the liquor in question was fined $200 and costs. She was unable to pay and was committed to the county jail.

The case was being referred to the federal authorities and the Pinks will have to face the charge of selling intoxicating liquor within the five mile dry zone. They will be arraigned before the federal judge in Chicago.

The local man who was arrested on a charge of drunkenness had in his possession when taken a partly emptied quart bottle of whiskey which he had divided with a friend. He admitted to the police that he paid Mrs. Pink $3 for it. When confronted with the evidence Mrs. Pink made a confession that she sold the whiskey.

Is sugar hoarder

That Mrs. Pink also was a sugar hoarder is indicated by the fact that a partly emptied 100 pound bag of sugar was found in her home. This bag was confiscated by the police and was found to contain but little less than 33 pounds.

This apparently violation [sic] of the food administration ruling has been reported to food administrator John S Clark.

“The case will be reported to the federal authorities,” Mr. Clark said today, “and I do not hesitate to say that Mrs. Pink will be taken before the food administration board in Chicago. Under the regulations she has laid herself liable to a fine of $2,000.”

 

 (40) Automatic Feed-up. For bottled booze is found in raids Libertyville independent, Dec 9, 1920, p6

Automatic Feed-up. For bottled booze is found in raids

John Madruh place equipped with secret opening in floor under radiator

…in some places the barrels were so large they would go through the doors [sic]. One of these was at the Petkovsek [sic]. Two other men claimed to be the owners of some of the wine at the Petkovsek paces at 716 and 720 Market street, so they were also arrested. Their names were given as George Zorenzniki and Charles Fill….

With such wholesale onslaught against moonshining and Blind pigging, scores of prohibitory law violators are reported to be dumping their products into sewers and disposing of their equipment. But spotters are out and if attempts to move the stuff is made arrests will follow, officials declare.

Meanwhile the slogan of the probity leaders is “A dry nation in 1922.”

 

(41) 23 are alleged bootleggers in new booze war Libertyville independent, June 2, 1921, p9

23 are alleged bootleggers in new booze war

State’s attorney A V Smith files information's against many in county

Several from Fox Lake

State’s attorney A V Smith who has been going along rather quietly for a few weeks in his war on bootleggers and moonshiners apparently has recovered his second wind and Wednesday filed 23 new information's in the county court against as many lake county person in which he charges sales and manufacture of intoxicating liquor.

As a result the next term of court promises to be as busy as the one just adjourned.

Those named in the information and the charges against same are:

…Frank Petkiovsek, alleged sale…

 

(42) Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court Libertyville independent, June 16, 1921, p12

Many are given fines in booze cases, co. court

State’s attorney Nolle proses cases against many liquor violators

Scores to put up fight

The docket of the county judge is beginning to assume the proportions of a quarto edition of Webster’s dictionary, and scores of cases were disposed of this week or set for trial. Numerous cases were nolle prossed, some of which are to be taken up anew….

Those whose cases were nolle prossed and charges dropped are:

…Mary Delkus, manufacture

John Lamovec, Manufacture

Mary Pink, sale…

Those who pleaded “not guilty” to the following charges:

…Frank Pethkosek, sale…

Those whose cases are set for trial continued or disposed are:

…Ruth Toney, house of ill-fame, continued

Frances Kopric, manufacture, continued…

Michael Ruta, sale, continued

 

(43), Blindpigger save big fines by “guilty” plea Libertyville independent, Aug 4, 1921, p1

Blindpigger save big fines by “guilty” plea

Fines range from $100 to $200; several new information's filed in court today

Three blindpiggers saved themselves from receiving big fines when they appeared in county court this morning and pleaded guilty to the charge of selling intoxicating liquor. Because of their actions they received much smaller fines than would have been assessed otherwise. Of late there have been a number of cases of this kind, booze law violators evidently having learned that it pays to plead guilty then take their chances at the hands of a jury….

The list of the new information is as follows:

John Lamovec—sale of booze

Frank Petkovsek—sale of booze

 

(44), Admits selling booze, Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p10

Admits selling booze; is fined $100 and costs

Frank Petkovsek fined when patron starts to wreck Chicago restaurant.

Small panic is caused

Frank Petkovsek of Market street was fined $100 and costs when he was arraigned in police court before police magistrate Walter Taylor this morning on a charge of selling intoxicating liquor in violation of the prohibition.

Petkovsek was arrested on information supplied by Tony Achlen of the Tannery Hotel.

Achlen was arrested in the Chicago Restaurant Saturday night when he became disorderly and started to throw the dishes around. His actions caused a mild panic among other patrons of the café.

At the police station he was booked on the charge of being drunk and disorderly.

This morning he admitted to the police that he had purchased several glasses of whiskey at the Petkovsek place, paying twenty-five cents a glass.

Petkovsek was called to the police station where he admitted that the charges were true. He paid the fine and left. Achlen was fined $7.40.

 

(45), 8 charged with booze violations, Libertyville independent, Nov 24, 1921, p1

8 charged with booze violations

State’s attorney A V Smith has filed in the county court a number of informations against alleged violators of the prohibitory law. The defendants in these actions are:  Alfred Benson, Frank Pekovsek, Andrew and Michael Banko, Frances Michliski, Anton Cerk, William Leonard and James Renkin.

 

(46) Another blind pigger is found guilty by a jury Libertyville independent, Feb 10, 1921, p4

Another blind pigger is found guilty by a jury

Mrs. Frances Linarsec of Market street found guilty of selling moonshine

Chalk down another victory for State’s attorney A V Smith.

A jury in county court late Friday afternoon returned a verdict of “guilty” on one count against Frances Linarsec of 503 Market street. The fact that the jury found the woman guilty was no surprise, for no self-respecting jury could have done otherwise under the evidence—the big surprise lay in the fact that she was found guilty on but one count.

The evidence introduced by the state’s attorney had shown two big raids made on the Linarsec home. On the first occasion the officers obtained three barrels of wine and three barrels of grape and raison mash. On the second occasion they obtained several jugs of white mule which chemical analysis showed contained as high as 64 percent alcohol.

Apparently all of this evidence must have been set aside by the jury and the verdict apparently was based on the testimony of one witness who said he purchased whiskey of Mrs. Linarsec at twenty-five cents a drink.

 

(47) Officers battle moonshiners in big booze raids Libertyville independent, Jan 6, 1921, p3

Officers battle moonshiners in big booze raids

Joe Belski and son finally taken after fighting officers Hicks and Weale

Wholesale raids on Market street and North Chicago moonshiners late Thursday proved exciting for Constables Clarence Hicks and Delbert A Weale who were compelled to battle Joe Beklaski and his wife and son Ed at their place, 1725 Commonwealth avenue and constable Weale was compelled to choke the son before he would submit to arrest…

Bury “hooch” in sand

When the officers raided the place of Charles Maznaniau and Joe Becesron, 816 Market street they found three-forths of a barrel of wine buried in the sand under a trap door in the basement. The trap door was covered with a carpet. They also found some white mule and other forms of “kick.”

Raids conducted by Sheriff Green together with constables Hicks and Weale on alleged Bling pigs Thursday afternoon resulted in several arrests. Those arrested were:

Mrs. Frances Linarsic, 503 Market street

Joe Cecesro, 816 Market street

Chas Muzmanian, 816 Market street

At the Linarsic home officers confiscated four 1 gallon jugs of white mule, two 1 gallon bottles of white mule, a half gallon jug of red wine and a partly filled five gallon jug of wine.

Mrs. Linarsec was one of those charged by the December grand jury on the charge of conducting a blind pig. At the time of that raid the officers confiscated all the liquor she had on hand. They charge that she obtained the additional supply of booze since the last raid was made. Mrs Minarsec admits having purchased the booze, but she said it was before the last raid. She said the liquor was overlooked in the first raid. She denies the charge that she has been selling again.

Her case has been continued and has been placed under bonds of $2,000. When first arrested she was placed in jail because she could not get bonds, but she later got bail and was released.

Becearo [sic]and Mazmanian were arrested at the same house. The officers confiscated nearly a full barrel of wine, a quart of white mule and a jug.

 

 (48) Another blind pigger is found guilty by a jury Libertyville independent, Feb 10, 1921, p4

Another blind pigger is found guilty by a jury

Mrs. Frances Linarsec of Market street found guilty of selling moonshine

Chalk down another victory for State’s attorney A V Smith.

A jury in county court late Friday afternoon returned a verdict of “guilty” on one count against Frances Linarsec of 503 Market street. The fact that the jury found the woman guilty was no surprise, for no self-respecting jury could have done otherwise under the evidence—the big surprise lay in the fact that she was found guilty on but one count.

The evidence introduced by the state’s attorney had shown two big raids made on the Linarsec home. On the first occasion the officers obtained three barrels of wine and three barrels of grape and raison mash. On the second occasion they obtained several jugs of white mule which chemical analysis showed contained as high as 64 percent alcohol.

Apparently all of this evidence must have been set aside by the jury and the verdict apparently was based on the testimony of one witness who said he purchased whiskey of Mrs. Linarsec at twenty-five cents a drink.

 

(49) Rum punch found hobnobbing with white mule, wine Libertyville independent, Jan 6, 1921, p6

Rum punch found hobnobbing with white mule, wine

And so Frances Kopric of Market street faces justice Leo F Farmer

Punch and kick worked together at the home of Frances Kopric, 707 Market street in the palmy days and so when trouble came they naturally stuck together,. The grief came in the form of a warrant served by Constable C E Hicks and his aid Constable Albert A Weale, late Monday afternoon.

The officers found five quarts of rum punch, five gallon jug of snow-hued donkey, and three barrels of wine, which they put away for safe-keeping as evidence.

Kopric, when arraigned before Justice Leo F Farmer gave bond for $2,000 and his case was sent for hearing Thursday.

 

(50) $800 fine and 50 days in jail for bootlegger  Libertyville independent, May 19, 1921, p1

$800 fine and 50 days in jail for bootlegger

Tony Petkus sentenced when motion for new trial is overruled

Anton Petkus, Market street found Friday (?) of the way the transgressor and fraud (?). a jury in court…

(51) Caught with gallon jug of whiskey; is fined $50 Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p9

Caught with gallon jug of whiskey; is fined $50

Peter Perec of Market street pays dearly for inquisitiveness of officer

The gallon jug of whiskey which Peter Perec purchased in Chicago cost him but $12 but the cost increased materially when he was arrested by the Waukegan police Saturday night and this morning in the police court was fined$50 and costs. And the worst of it was that he does not even get the whiskey as this was confiscated by the police.

Perec was arrested Saturday night as he was entering his rooming house at 914 ½ Market street.

“What have you in the grip?” Police Gould demanded.

“Nothing,” replied Perec.

“Let’s have a look anyway,” the officer said.

The officer shook the suitcase and heard a suspicious gurgling sound.

He took Perec to the police station where the grip was opened. It proved to contain a gallon jug of whiskey.

According to Perec’s story to the police his home is in Chicago but he had been staying here where he is employed in a local factory. A friend in Chicago told him, he said, that he could procure a gallon jug of good whiskey for $12, so Perec told him to take it to his home. Saturday night he went to Chicago and brought the whiskey back with him.

 

(53) Convicted booze law violators begin sentences Libertyville independent, Feb 2, 1922, p4

Convicted booze law violators begin sentences

Frank Leonard begins 120 day servitude and Mike Schmotz 10 days

…”Boxcar” Nesbitt, a colored man was arrested by state’s attorney A V Smith’s dry squad Saturday night when his place at 711 Market street was raided. Two bottles of booze were seized, it is charged.

Nesbitt was arraigned before Justice Harvey C Coulson but was unable to furnish $2,000 bonds and was sent to jail.

“Boxcar” Nesbitt who was booked as Robert managed to give bond late Sunday night….

 

(54), Woman causes the arrest of a moonshiner  Libertyville independent, Feb 16, 1922, p15

Woman causes the arrest of a moonshiner

Complains to police when he failed to deliver booze and return cash

Fined $100 and costs

Charles Marsulius, aged 45, residing at 807 Market street as a boarder was placed under arrest by the Waukegan police late Tuesday afternoon on a charge of being a bootlegger. The charge was preferred by Mrs Mary Bardausky of 910 Market street.

According to Mrs Bardausky, she purchased a pint bottle of hooch from Marsulius, paying him a dollar. Tuesday afternoon she decided she wanted another bottle and summoned Marsilius. She gave him a five dollar bill and told him to bring back the charge when he brought the liquor.

She waited quite a while and then not hearing anything from the money of the liquor she called the police and complained.

Officers went to the boarding house where Marsulius stays and placed him under arrest. He had in his possession three dollars in change and a pint of hooch. He turned the money back to Mrs Bardausky and the police confiscated the booze.

Marsulius told the police that he had obtained the moonshine liquor in Chicago. He said he had made only one or two trips there in the police court this morning and was fined $100 and costs. In default of payment he was remanded to jail.

 

(55) See increase in crime and drunkenness. Libertyville Independent, Mar 2, 1922, p3.

See increase in crime and drunkenness.

Asst Chief Tyrrell says condition has developed through pro9hibition

That there has been a marked increase in drunkenness and crime since the advent of national prohibition is the charge of Asst. Chief of police Thomas Tyrrell of Waukegan.

“Look at our record of arrests,” the assistant said. “Then compare it with the record three years ago. Look at the record of prisoners kept the in county jail three years ago as compared to now when the jail is filled to capacity constantly. Why, we have come to the point where we must confront the problem of erecting an addition to our county jail.

“Only a few years ago we were able to get along with four policemen and were able to handle the situation in good shape. Right now we have a score of officers and we need every on of them to keep conditions straight. The records show that in the big majority of cases hootch is responsible for the present conditions. They used to tell us that under prohibition a police force would be practically unnecessary. Developments do not bear out that prediction.”

Mr Tyrrell said that the increase in crime and drunkenness is not only confined to Waukegan but is found in other cities all over the country. He points to the conditions in Chicago and asserts that the police force there should be augmented by at least five thousand additional patrolmen to handle the situation adequately.

 

(56) Charge officials shield bootleggers, gamblers Argus-Leader, Sioux-Falls, South Dakota, Tues Dec 21, 1920, p13

Charge officials shield bootleggers, gamblers

Waukegan ill, Dec 21—four officials of Waukegan and North Chicago ill were indicted yesterday by the Lake county grand jury on charges of misconduct in office, the indictments specifying alleged protection to gamblers and bootleggers. Those indicted were:

Edwin C Mean, mayor of North Chicago

Thomas Tyrrell, assistant chief of police, Waukegan

John Nelson, justice of the peace, North Chicago

E Hemmick, Chief of police of Waukegan

The indictments resulted from a campaign by Lieutenant Colonel A V Smith who was elected recently under promise to “clean up Lake County.”

 

(57) Resort keeper hit hard in sentence Libertyville Independent, Jan 20, 1920, p7

Resort keeper hit hard in sentence

Chappie Tyrrell, Frank McDermott and others are sentenced in court today

Dismiss all but 1 count

Gambling house owners and blind-piggers fared badly at the hands of Judge Edwards in circuit court this morning. Some of them wee fined and others were ordered to serve sentences in county jail in addition to being fined.

Max Maxim, proprietor of a resort on Green Bay road south of Highland Park had been found guilty by the jury. The verdict contained twelve counts, each charging a separate sale in addition to the nuisance count.

Judge Edwards fined Maxum $100 and costs on each of the first six counts and also sentenced him to thrity days in jail on each of the counts. On the nuisance count he not only ordered the resort closed but fined Maxim $200 and costs and sentenced him to sixty days in the county jail.

The total sentence amounted to eighth month and the total fine was $800 and costs.

The court did not impose sentence on the remaining six counts. Maxim, through his attorneys, George Field and S H Block, served notice of an appeal to the appellate court.

Chappie Tyrrell and Fred Mcdermett, charged with conducting gambling houses, pleaded guilty on one count after the state’s attorney had dismissed the other counts. Each was fined $250 and costs….

 

(58) Chicago Tribune, Sun Nov 5, 1950, p 186

…and Bart Tyrell, former police chief are opposing candidates. Atkinson, never a loser in eight previous campaigns for major office is now chief deputy sheriff. He twice has been sheriff and has served in several capacities in the office in 16 years.

He entered the office in 1934 and was financial deputy for four years,. The next four years he was chief deputy and in 1942 was elected sheriff. Upon completing his term, his term he again became chief deputy. The elected sheriff, Thomas E Kennedy, died some four months after taking office and the county board in…

…The democratic candidate, Bart Tyrrell, lives in Waukegan at 23 Philippa av. Thomas was born in waukgean April 12, 1892. He is the son of the late Thomas Tyrrell, who had long served as Waukegan police chief and also served as a deputy in the county sheriff’s office. The son started police work as a patrolman on the Waukegan force in 1915. He gave up his job two years later to take charge of the police department at the American Steel and Wire company.

He returned to the Waukegan department in 1927 as detective sergeant and served 20 years on the force. He was Waukegan police chief from 1941 to 1947 when he retired on pension. Tyrrell twice before has sought public office. As democratic nominee for sheriff he was defeated in 1934 and in 1949 lost out in the primary as a democratic candidate for mayor of Waukegan. He is a democratic precinct committeeman and is employed as a salesman by a Waukegan company.

 

(59) Mob Menace in Chicago Chicago Daily Tribune, Tuesday Aug 31, 1954, part 1 page 3

Mob Menace in Chicago

Union rule by terror

(Joseph Gilmco, friend of syndicate gangsters, has muscled his way into a commanding position in organized labor. The third article in a series exploring his activities relates how he beat the raps when he tangled with the law.)

A Tribune reporter asked Joey Gilmco, rising power in the AFL teamsters and other unions, about his notorious troubles with the police….

Charged with planting a bomb on front porch

The third serious charge against Gilmco was that he delivered a bomb that blew the porch off the home of Harry Boyd, 136 Market st, Waukegan Oct 1, 1929. He was known to the police as a wealthy bootlegger and keeper of disorderly houses.

Accounts of this brush with the law were printed in the Waukegan Sun. They [say] that Gilmco was arrested in Chicago at the request of the Waukegan police because witnesses who saw the car in which the bombers fled took a license number that was traced to Gilmco’s wife.

Boyd, according to news accounts, told the police that before the bombing he had been approached by two men who came to his home and offered to sell him “:protection” on bootleg liquor for $250 a month. Boyd said they represented themselves as being “from the syndicate.”

Boyd looked at Gilmco in the city jail and said “I cannot identify him.” The charges were dismissed.

When the immigration examiners asked Gilmco about his arrest he said “I was arrested at Waukegan for the bombing. I was sent to Waukegan and was questioned and there never was as much as an indictment.”

 

(60) Bomb Col. Smiths’s home Libertyville independent, Aug 11, 1921, p9

Bomb Col. Smith’s home

Prosecutor’s war on vice answered by dynamite

Has col A V Smiths was against vice, especially bootlegging and blind pigging been answered by those who would be willing to destroy him and his family by use of dynamite? It appears so. And as a result of the attack made on the home of the Lake county prosecutor early this morning wherein a dynamite bomb was thrown against the front of his home on Victory street, Waukegan, the house was partially wrecked by the terrific explosion which shook the neighborhood.

However, the attack on his home will not swerve the state’s attorney from his course, for he has issued a (?) to those who would have assassinated him in the statement printed in the adjoin column.

The explosion of a dynamite fuse- bomb at 12:20 (?) this morning wrecked the residence of state’s attorney Ashbod (?) V Smith, former lieutenant colonel of “Rury Burke’s” in Waukegan…(?) and his wife were thrown from their beds and (?) from the home in a rain of crackling (?) and shingles.

It is charged that the bombing is the climax of a (?) warfare waged by prosecutor smith against liquor sellers, chiefly of the Fox lake district.

House surrounded by brush

Col Smith’s residence, 164 (?) south Jackson street some distance from any other, is surrounded by clumps of brush. It is easy of approach from the south by one wishing to escape notice.

So the bomber found it. It is presumed by the Waukegan police that he came on foot, no one living near by heard or saw any automobiles in the vicinity.

The bomb was laid beside the front porch at the south end. At 12:30 came the explosion. The porch was reduced to splinters. Every window in the house was shattered. A large hole was torn in the wall. Mr and Mrs Smith stumbled out in their nightclothes. Neither was injured, outside of shock.

Police and neighbors aroused by the blast rushed to the house. A cordon was drawn around, but no suspicious persons were found.

Two windows upstairs and six downstairs in the south and east portions of the house were demolished in the explosion. Every particle of glass was broken.

Two canaries in a cage near the dining room window escaped unhurt.

A hole was blown in the porch floor and the window sashes in most cases were broken badly. Fortunately the floors of the house proper, the walls etc. escaped much damage. The explosion apparently was not as severe as perpetrators expected it would be.

The bombers apparently believed the colonel and his wife were sleeping in the bedroom in the east front but they were far away from there. Even had they been they would have been unharmed but would have felt the explosion more.

Bootleggers are suspected

“I do not doubt that it was reprisal by the bootleggers and the blind-piggers, probably those in the Fox Lake district,” state’s attorney smith said. While I have received no threatening letters or other warnings, they have been endeavoring to induce me to drop the cases against them for more than two months.”

He accuses bootleggers

He believes the “rum ring” in its efforts to halt prosecution hired someone to drive past his home in an automobile and hurl the dynamite into the house. In his opinion a stick weighing at least five pounds was used in the attack. Smith pointed out that his greatest enemies naturally lay within the ranks of the bootleggers.

50 cases, 47 convicted…

 

(61) Bootlegger escapes in shower of bullets Libertyville independent, May 18, 1922, p1

Bootlegger escapes in shower of bullets

Policeman Gould pursues fugitive who drops gallon of booze in his flight

A full side of bullets from a policeman’s revolver failed to halt an escaping bootlegger on Market street, Waukegan last Saturday morning, but resulted in the capture by the police of a gallon of hooch which was dropped by the fugitive in his wild flight.

Policeman George Gould was patrolling his beat on Market street at 1 o’clock Saturday morning when he perceived the dim form of a man skulking around a house. Under his arm he carried a suspicious looking package. There had been so much bootlegging on Market street that the officer became suspicious at once.

“Halt,” he cried as he drew his revolver and started in the direction of the suspicious character.

Instead of halting the other man broke into a run.

“Halt or I’ll shoot,” the officer cried.

This added speed to the other’s movements. Three times the officer’s gun spat fire. At this the fugitive dropped the package he has been carrying and disappeared into the darkness of the railroad yards. The officer searched some time, but was finally obliged to give up. He returned and found that the package contained a gallon bottle of moonshine whiskey. This was turned in at the police station.

 

(62) Jail filled to overflowing over week end, Waukegan Daily Sun and Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 11, 1925, p1

Jail filled to overflowing over week end

Number of arrests for drunkenness is the largest in a number of months

Majority are fined

The city jail was filled to overflowing over the weekend with the heterogeneous collection of drunks picked up by the officers. It has been a long time since so many drunks have been arrested over Saturday and Sunday….

James Smith, 35, of 302 Market street was fined $10 on a charge of being drunk and fighting….

 

(63) Three Mexicans taken in raid, Waukegan Daily Sun and Waukegan Daily Gazette, Friday May 22, 1925, p1

Three Mexicans taken in raid

Three Mexicans, two of them women, were taken by the sponge squad last night in a raid on the rooming house at 513 Market street. They were Aruba Martinez, Alveda Martinez, and Arcadio Tires. Charges of disorderly conduct were placed against the trio and they were held in the county jail.

 

(64) Officer shoots holes in tire to stop speeder Libertyville independent, Nov 17, 1921, p10

Officer shoots holes in tire to stop speeder

Wild chase ends when speeder penned in the dead end of Market street

Is fined heavily today.

The police had an exciting chase after a speeder Sunday night and did not stop him until an officer had sent a bullet through one of his rear tires on the speeding machine. Even then the speeder was not taken until he had made the mistake of turning south in Market street and was forced to a stop when he came to the blind end.

Those arrested were:

William Gibbs, aged 24, Milwaukee

Edmond Gibbs, aged 26, Milwaukee

The young men, who are brothers were charged with driving fifty miles an hour on McAllister avenue at 3:05 o’clock this morning. They were on their way to Milwaukee. They were pursued by policeman Thomas Mihon (?) and Edward Mihic and were overtaken at Genesee and Belvedere streets where they were informed they were under arrest.

Instead of submitting to arrest the Milwaukee men turned down Belvedere street in an effort to escape. The police care was close behind them. At Market street, the Milwaukee car turned south. Police Mihic fired three shots at the fleeing machine, one of the bullets taking effect in a tire which exploded, but this did not stop the driver until, he came to the blind end of the street.

In police court this morning, each of the brothers was fined $25 and costs. They paid their fines and were discharged.

 

(65) Three held to grand jury in Waukegan still seizure Chicago Tribune, Sept 11, 1940, p21

Three held to grand jury in Waukegan still seizure

Three men arrested by the alcohol tax unit last Thursday in a raid on a 1,000 gallon still in a house at 537 Market street, Waukegan were held to the federal grand jury in bod of $2500 each yesterday by Commissioner  Edwin K Walker on charges of possession and operation of an illicit alcohol plant. They are Anthony Gruttadauro, 24 years of 1232 Frontier Avenue; Daniel Beneduce, 47 of 1314 Jackson boulevard, and  Francisco Cusimano, 51 who lives at the Waukegan address. The agents confiscated

12,000 gallon of mash and 385 gallons of alcohol

 

(66) (Waukegan police raid opium joint, Libertyville independent Friday Aug 13, 1909, p1)

Waukegan police raid opium joint

Midnight raid reads like Nick Carter novel and not like a piece of darkest Waukegan exposed to the limelight—first time on record where opium den has been raided in the city—six women give up autumn leaf secrets

Saturday night at 10:30 Chiefs Conolly and Tyrrell of the police department knocked at the door of the colored people’s Autumn Leaf club at 211 Market street, walked in and claim to have discovered as a result in lieu of the club:

1.       An alleged disorderly resort with six alleged women inmates

2.       An opium joint, with a pipe, dope card, needles, a couch and one woman victim dead to the world, the door having to be smashed to wake her

3.       One alleged crap game in full operation

4.       Alleged illegal liquor selling

The police were attracted to the place by complaints of neighbors in the district.

Entering they found negro men and women about a crap able playing to beat the band. The women were not in the game.

Instead, the police claim, they were scantily attired in negligee dress, some even wearing alleged robes de nuit.

In one small room chief Tyrrell found the woman opium pipe victim. The door was locked and had to be kicked in. The woman, aroused, said she had not heard the noise. She had been smoking an ivory-stemmed opium pipe. The odor of the drug was in the air.

The woman had taken a pill of opium, the can of which was hidden away, put it on the pipe bowl after it had been heated over a candle, inhaled the fumes and gone to sleep. The pipe is wound in bicycle tape and evidently had been leaking.

The six women were all taken to the police station and put through the third degree. They are said to have given damaging evidence to show the alleged true character of the Autumn Leaf club. The case was called for 10 o’clock this morning and the women, none of whom were really arrested, were instructed to appear, but as they did not do so, the suspicion is that they fled. The police regard this as a good thing.

The police say that G W “Son” Robinson is the proprietor of the club and lodging house upstairs and that both places are under one management.

None of the men were arrested.

The woman who was found dead drunk from poppy fumes was a chocolate hued blue grass belle who came from Chicago.

The police claim to have evidence of the six women and say they are well able to take care of the Autumn leaf at once…

 

(67) Dismisses suit against Keeler Belvidere Daily Republican, Belvidere, Illinois, Fri Oct 27, 1911, p12

Dismisses suit against Keeler

Waukegan man asks Judge Whitney to dismiss libel suit for $25,000 which he had against former well known Belvedere man

Waukegan Oct 23—Walter Chipley, colored, employed by the Corn Products Refining company, has dropped his $25,000 libel suit against the defunct newspaper The Waukegan Evening News.

His attorney, Elmer V Orvis, yesterday petitioned Judge Charles Whitney of the circuit court to strike the case from the trial docket.

Chipley brought suit against the newspaper claiming they had slandered him by printing a story in which he was credited with operating a disorderly house known as the Oak Leaf Club on Market Street. The Waukegan Evening News and the late A H Keeler its editor were named as defendants in the suit.

 

(68) Take six in raid on house of ill-fame; Libertyville Independent, May 31, 1917, p6

Take six in raid on house of ill-fame; 4 colored

Police raid colored den at the corner of Lake and Market streets Saturday eve.

Find beer in the house

Two white men are arrested by police in raid—colored women are married.

Degrading vice was bared in Waukegan at 10:30 Saturday night when policemen under the direction of Thomas Tyrrell raided a disorderly house at the northeast corner of Lake and Market streets and arrested four negresses, one negro and two white men.

The inmates arrested were—

Mayme Porter, alleged keeper of the resort, claims to be married and gives her age as 31 years.

Hattie Wallace, age 23, claims to be married

Nettie Saines, age 27, admits she is a married woman

Eva Polk, age 27, says her husband lives in Chicago

The habitués—

John Jeps, age 25 (?) worked as a bartender until recently.

Angelo Kusselman, Italian, says he is married and that his wife is in the “old country.”

At 8 o’clock Saturday night Thomas Tyrrell sent one of his plainclothesmen to the resort. “Go into the house and make an investigation,” was Tyrrell’s order.

The sleuth went to the front door and when he knocked a negro answered the summons.

“Is this Ike Franklin’s place?” asked the plainclothesman.

“No, but do you know Ike?” asked the negro.

“yes.”

“Well come in,” replied the keeper.

The sleuth entered the place. Seated at a table in the parlor were three or four foreigners. There were two or three Americans in the place.

The girls sought to engage the sleuth in conversation. He talked with one, then another. The evidence he collected was sufficient to warrant a conviction even though the jury was composed of naught but negroes.

The plainclothesmen reported to the chief. The patrol wagon was loaded with coppers and the raid was begun.

At the Northwestern tracks the coppers left the wagon. The police chief ordered his men to surround the house. When all doors and windows had been guarded Tyrrell knocked on the door. The negro stuck his head out of the door and when he saw Tom Tyrrell he attempted to slam the door in his face, but he was not quick enough. The chief’s foot had made such an act an impossibility. A Sun reporter passed into the place with the police chief.

In a room at the right of the entrance the keeper’s wife was located.

“You can’t take me out of here. I’ve been in bed for weeks and if you take me out I’ll die.”

“Come on, if you don’t climb out and get into the wagon we will have to carry you,” shouted the police chief.

In a second’s time the other inmates were rounded up and with the white men they were loaded into the patrol wagon.

Before the keeper’s wife left the house she put on a gown that would be the envy of a society leader. It was an expensive thing and she claims it cost $90.

Then too she took out her powder puff and applied layer after layer of face powder to her skin. She even used a large quantity of rouge in making herself “pretty” for the “march to jail.”

When the police entered the place every negress held between her lips a cigarette. They were not the perfumed kind that the women can purchase in cigar stores. Not much. They were the “roll them yourself kind.” In fact the negresses “rolled several pills,” while clothing themselves for the ride in the patrol wagon.

After the inmates and habitués had been loaded into the wagon the police searched the place and found two cases of beer and about 30 or 40 bottles of iced beer in a chest in the kitchen.

The negresses claim to have taken up residence in Waukegan on Friday. They were pinched on Saturday.

They were all thrown into cells at the Lake County jail and there they spent Sunday.

To see the negresses hiding cigarette papers in their hair and in their stockings while the police were not “looking” was amusing, and it tended to prove that this was not the first raid which had been made on a place of which they were inmates. One of the negresses actually ripped the lining of the cuff from the sleeve of her coat and hid a bag of “Bull Durham” and a package of cigarette papers.

The white men drew fines of $5 and costs of $9.40. The women were fined $25 and were ordered out of Waukegan.

The raid on the disorderly house was but one of many made by the police Saturday night.

 

(69) Seven Negresses occupy cells in Lake county jail Libertyville independent June 6, 1918, P6

Seven Negresses occupy cells in Lake county jail

Three of the women were arrested by the police Saturday night and Sunday

Take nine women in week

Police determined to clean up immorality; seven negresses under bond

Waukegan June 4

As a result of police activities nine women of doubtful morals have been taken in during the past week. Two of the women have left town promising never to return. The remaining seven, all colored, now occupy cells in the Lake County jail each being held in bonds of $1,000. Three of these women were arrested Saturday night or Sunday morning.

They gave their names as:

Mabel (?) Green, aged 23, residing at 610 (?) South Genesee street; arrested Sunday.

Helen Jackson, aged 28, residing at 230 (?) Market street; arrested Saturday night.

Lizzie Parish, aged 49, residing at 236 (?) Market street; arrested Saturday night

The four women previous arrested, all of whom were taken from the Scott Ricks place at 236 Market street were:

Mrs. Nettie Ricks, aged 38

Mrs. Lula Bess, aged 29

Miss Melba Crasishaw, aged 23

Miss Georgia Adams, aged 24.

With the exception of the Green woman, charges of being inmates of a disorderly house have been placed against the women. Miss Green is charged with soliciting on the street. She is the young woman who got into a fracas with the former Mrs. Scott Ricks two or three years ago and was stabbed with a pair of scissors(?).

Scott Ricks, at whose house the six women were living, pleaded guilty to conducting a disorderly house and was fined $200 and costs. He paid his fine. All of the women will be compelled to submit to a medical examination in compliance with the new law on venereal disease.

 

(70) Weds Zion girl; Libertyville independent Jan 25, 1917, P8

Weds Zion girl;

Supposed to have wife in this city

Scott Ricks, a negro barber, takes unto himself a wife—police are puzzled

Recall stabbing affair

Mrs. Willobea Ricks, supposed to be wife, charged with stabbing Ethel Green

Back of the issuance of a marriage license in Chicago Thursday to a Lake county couple there appears to be considerable mystery—in fact it would appear that there is considerable “explaining” to do. The couple, both colored, gave their names to the marriage license clerk in Chicago as follows:

Scott Ricks, Waukegan

Nettie Nickolas, Zion City

So far, so good—but here’s the strange part—Ricks, to all intents and purposes, already was married. At least he never denied to the police or anyone else so far as known, that the woman with whom he has had several fights in the last few years was his wife. A woman who has passed under the name of Mrs. Willobee Ricks, and who was supposed to be his wife, was arrested a few weeks ago on a charge of having stabbed Ethel Green, a colored girl, out of jealousy. A pair of shears was used as the weapon.

Miss Green had been living at the Ricks’ home. Mrs. Ricks is alleged to have grown jealous and thought Ricks and the girl were becoming entirely too friendly. The alleged stabbing followed.

Willobee Ricks was placed under arrest and after a hearing was bound over to the grand jury in bonds of $3,000. A colored man by the name of Hunt and others went on her bond and she enjoyed her freedom for a time. Then Hunt apparently became fearful and withdrew his own name from the bond, the result being that Mrs. Ricks was thrown into jail. Since then she has secured another bondsman and once more is at liberty, awaiting the decision of the grand jury.

Ethel green, the victim of the stabbing, appeared against Mrs. Ricks at the time she first was given a hearing but shortly after that she disappeared. No one seems to know where she has gone. Unless she puts in an appearance shortly it will be impossible to prosecute the charge against her. One report has it that the young woman was threatened in case she remained here and appeared as a prosecuting witness.

Ricks conducts a barber shop on south Genesee street. He and the woman who was supposed to be his wife had numerous fights which dragged both of them into the police court. Ricks charged that his wife attempted to ruin his business by seeking to drive his customers away. He says she also attempted to wreck the shop on different occasions. Time after time the police attempted to ameliorate the marital troubles of the couple but their efforts availed nothing.

Ricks explains

Ricks laughed heartily today when asked by a reporter if he had two wives. It’s really very simple the way he explains it.

Willobee Ricks, he says, never was his wife—she was just his partner in business. He said it wasn’t his fault if Willobee chose to adapt his name and he says he supposed he can’t force her to give it up now. At least he does not intend to try. He says he is happily married and his only hope is that his former “partner” will go her own way and leave him alone. He says she was the means of his loosing his home and of breaking up his business two or three different times.

 

(71) 2 whites taken in raid on Negro disorderly house Libertyville independent, Aug 5, 1920, p6

2 whites taken in raid on Negro disorderly house

Midnight raid by police Saturday results in several arrests

A midnight raid by the police Saturday night resulted in the arrest of several men and women in an alleged disorderly house at 905 Market street, Waukegan. Edward Dorsey, who was booked as the keep, was fines $14.40.

Those arrested gave their names as follows:

Christ Hilkis, Genesee street—fined $7.40

Edward Dorsey, 905 Market street—fined $14.40

Doney Hill, 313 Lake street—case continued

Frank Mason, Stevens point, Wis—fined $7.40

George Williams, 905 Market street-- case continued

Ford Perry, 905 Market street-- case continued

Grace Bristle, 4710 Federal street, Chicago—fined $7.40

Cora Murray, 4537 Federal street, Chicago—Fined $7.40

Billie Anderson, 4923 Federal street, Chicago—fined $7.40

Blanch King, 313 Lake street—fine $7.40

Anna Robinson, 905 Market street—fined $7.40

With the exception of Hilkis and Mason all those who were arrested were negroes.

Complaint was lodged with the police that men passing the Market street address were being solicited. The police sent three or four plain clothes men to the address to investigate. These men pretended to make appointments with the women and were inside when the raid was staged.

Asst. Chief Tyrrell led the raid, being assisted by policeman Earl Hicks, Lawrence McDermott and August Detlaff.

When they entered the place there was a wild scramble on the part of the occupants who tried to escape through windows or hide themselves in clothes closets or under beds. Several were in extreme negligees. All were marched to the police station where they were booked.

One of the colored girls crawled under the bed when the officers entered the house but forgot to pull her feet under also. Two bare feet drew the attention of the officer and grabbing hold of them he dragged the girl kicking and squalling out into the light.

 

(72) Claim colored woman disorderly Libertyville independent, Aug 17, 1922, p18

Claim colored woman disorderly

Waukegan, Aug 16

Market Street, frayed with derelicts while the artery is bathed in sunlight but wildly throbbing with a night life when the sun passes down behind the Northwestern tracks, in in gloom. Florence Witmore, pretty as beauty goes with the colored element on the “Gold Coast”, lies in the county jail.

Constable Brame (?) according to his report, found the good queen in the Red Flats with a prominent young man. Indignantly she was hauled in the sponge squad car to Justice Harvey Coulson, who soother her moist eyes with a $500 (?) bond, which her henchmen couldn’t procure. She was delegated to the House of Green until her hearing next week.

 

(73)  Two white men taken in raid of negro house, Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 5, 1924, p1

Two white men taken in raid of negro house

Five colored people, two of them women, arrested in early morning raid

Keepers fined $100 each

Five negroes, two of them women, and two white men were arrested at 1:45 o’clock Sunday morning in a police raid conducted on an alleged disorderly house at 502 Market street.

The raid was conducted by captain Thomas Booth and policeman George Heckinger.

The arrested were:

Marie Brown, 35 years old, colored, 502 Market street

Albert Brown, 37 years old, colored, 502 Market street

Robert Jusko, 28 years old, white, 904 Prescott street

Frank Lites, 27 years old, 926 Prescott street

Jesse Anderson, 39 years old, colored, 502 Market street

Bertha Roper, 26 years old, 502 Market street

James Walker, 32 years old, colored, 614 Market street

Albert and Marie Brown were charged with keeping a disorderly house and were fined $100 and costs each. Bertha Roper, charged with being an inmate of a disorderly house was fined $50 . She paid $15 and upon her promise to leave town was discharged. Walker was fined $15 as an inmate of the house. The two white men and Anderson were discharged.

The officers had had the house under surveillance and made the raid when they saw men enter the place.

 

(74) Market street “hangout “ is broken up by cops., Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Monday May 4, 1925, p1

Market street “hangout “ is broken up by cops.

Two negresses and four white men taken in police raid.

The neighbors complain

Complaining hat men were drinking and causing a disturbance in the house at 135 Market street, neighbors living in the vicinity brought on a police aid late Saturday night that resulted in the arrest and fining of two negro women and three white men, who were charged, the women with being inmates of a disorderly house and the men with being drunk and disorderly. A fourth men as discharged.

The police received the call stating that men were singing and yelling and generally making themselves obnoxious. Captain Thomas Booth and officers Quant and Gould of the city police department answered the call and made a quiet trip to the place. Two officers watched the doors and windows as the third asked into the place to find the six men seated around the table drinking bottled beer, believed to be the product of one ‘s personal home brewery. The two negresses wee in another part of the house but wee believed be the hostesses of the “party”. All six men were loaded into the police patrol and taken before police magistrate Walter A Taylor.

Marie Valada, 29, of 1309 Jackson street and Elsie Henderson, 21, of  135 (?) Market street, the negresses, wee fined $15 a piece on the charge of being inmates of a disorderly house, while thee of the men, Joe Laskes, 35, of 825 Prescott street, Frank Peraskis, 33 of 817 Lincoln avenue were fined $5 each on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, while a forth man, J A Pelion of the Great Lakes navel hospital who seemed not to be e member of the party and who as sober as released, his case being dismissed.

 

(75) Police stage raid on Market street, Waukegan news-sun, Monday May 29,1933, p 1

Police stage raid on Market street

Twenty-five members of the Market street colored section faced police magistrate Clarence Brown yesterday following sweeping raids by the police department on the vice dens along Waukegan ‘s “street of sin.”

The raids were ordered by chief of police Edwin Ahlstrom after a colored resident of Market street complained that her children in high school are constantly under the influence of “bad people.”

Sweeping from one end of the street to the other, the raiding squad visited all the known brothels and booked the 35 people, men and women, either as keepers or inmates of the disorderly houses.

Fines ranged from $10 for the inmates of the places to $25 for the flagrant violators and $200 for keepers of the places. In only a few cases were the fines paid, and the others were sent to the county jail to serve out their time.

Among the names familiar on the police records for vice charges were Jess Cunningham, Albert Harper, Katherine Wilson, Grace Sayles, Albert Williams, Elliot “Slicker” Peterson, Isaac Pullet, Eve Taylor, Peggy Reed, Pearl Price, Frances

 (76) Chicago Tribune, Thurs June 17, 1954, p45

…other indictments accused Gladys Stanley, alias Gladys Green, of running a disorderly house at 131 Market st Waukegan; Gilda Cook of being an inmate of the house; John May of running a gamboling house at 502 Market st Waukegan and Simon Hopkins of maintaining a gamboling house at 585 Market st, Waukegan.