Law enforcement are the focus of this date’s front pages. Sheriff’s deputies arrest an overly-friendly moonshiner and an Indiana patrolman has a facial hair faux pas. In more serious news, the Poplar Bluff City Council declares an investigation of alleged police misconduct is almost over.
100 years ago
July 11, 1924
• A Neelyville moonshiner was arrested yesterday for being a little too hospitable.
Butler County deputies Jones and Langley arrested three young men for failing to stop after an accident, and discovered half a bottle of whiskey in their car. The three agreed to lead the deputies to their supplier, Ed Judy, who mistook the newcomers for customers and kindly invited them inside for a drink.
During small talk, Judy bragged about the quality of his moonshine and still, confirming he owned and operated his contraband side business. Langley used a mouthful of chewing gum as an excuse to pass on free samples, but Jones took a sip of whiskey and declared he’d like to buy a bottle. The sale was made, immediately followed by Judy’s arrest for possessing, manufacturing and selling liquor.
Judy is understandably upset and awaits trial in the Butler County jail.
75 years ago
July 11, 1949
• Local men growing mustaches and beards for the county centennial are getting a lot of attention — so much so, many of them now carry printed cards explaining their facial foliage.
One such card may have saved Fay P. Jacobs, a Daily American Republic advertising manager, from being arrested out of state. Jacobs sped past a state trooper on his way to Peru, Indiana, to visit his son at college. The Indiana patrolman glimpsed Jacob’s bushy beard and radioed the Peru Police Department to report he had sighted a wanted bank robber. Jacobs was pulled over 50 miles later and brought to the station, where he produced his “whiskers card” and cleared his name, giving officers a good laugh.
Another man, Louis Fuller, claims his whiskers caused a car wreck in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where a driver staring at his beard accidentally drove into a parked car. Fuller “took one startled look then strolled down the street with such nonchalance as he was able to muster,” the DAR said.
Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for a “Whiskers Special” trip to St. Louis for a Cardinals-Pittsburgh baseball match-up. One can only imagine the chaos in store.
50 years ago
July 11, 1974
• A city council inquiry of alleged misconduct in the Poplar Bluff Police Department concluded yesterday. Decisions were not yet announced, but the council issued a statement confirming it held five executive sessions on the matter and interviewed 16 current and former officers.
“Every person who appeared before the Council was very cooperative,” it said, and went on to say the investigation was “complex” and said decisions should be “well-considered and be made after much study.”
The council also called the resignation of two officers on July 9 “regrettable,” but defended itself: At the time, only five witnesses had been interviewed and it was too soon to make a decision.
The investigation began when four officers presented a signed petition to the council last month, alleging misconduct by officers and inaction by superiors. Two of them, patrolman Eddie Crook and officer Larry Bacon, resigned after the July 8 hearing, citing council’s decision to investigate only one incident of misconduct rather than systemic issues in the department.
“This investigation has been thorough, the questioning has been hard and responses, for the most part, have been candid. We feel we have now assembled the facts necessary for responsible action, if any is indicated,” the statement concluded. An announcement from the council is expected tomorrow, after a final executive session.