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Rachel Turner-Bensen of Rainier, WA and formerly of Orofino, is the winner.
(Poem courtesy of Clearwater Historical Museum)
Prohibitions trials is the answer for Week 82 of Orofino History Trivia, a special feature to celebrate the history and heritage of Clearwater Country.
The Trials of May 12, 1930
"Twas in the spring of '30, in the State of Idaho,
U.S. Court in Session, the federals rarin' to go
Moonshiners and bootleggers from all the country 'round
Waiting for Judge Cavanah to tell them to sit down.
At the door stood O.R. Williams, a grin from ear to ear
Gazing on the victims who had sold him moon and beer;
At his side was T.R, Woods, on his head a cowboy hat.
He was once an honest bootlegger, now he is just a rat.
And in the furtherest corner sat Mr. Pickett's boy,
A smile was on his childish face, his heart was full of joy
And close beside was Owen Jinks, an undercover tool,
But according to Judge Cavanah, he can't be called a "Stool".
When court was called to order, to save them some expense,
Schaffer pleaded guilty, then turned state's evidence.
That's what hooked MacGreagor; they sure give him snuse,
But Mac's a better guy in jail than Schaffer running loose.
Then up to bat came Triplett, a man from Cottonwood,
Broad of shoulder, full of beer, and six feet tall he stood,
Swore to God he hadn't been to Cottonwood that day,
Fifteen months on the island did Cavanah then say.
Then they called the Mathewson, a man from Lewiston,
He sure led them a merry chase, but finally they won,
Van Cleve was his partner, an innocent looking lad,
But checking up his record, they found it to be bad.
Then Burr and Mullan came in court, charges there were plenty,
Mullan faced the same old Judge in the year of 1920.
But Burr was shown some leniency, as justice did prevail
They "only" gave him eight months in Latah county jail.
The next man up was Campbell, a happy little gent,
Who years ago was wealthy, but now his wad was spent.
Now he's waiting patiently for February first,
When that day comes, he's going home and satisfy his thirst,
Hollenbee and Carter were the next men up for trial.
According to the evidence, they'd got by quite a while;
Their home is on the Salmon, in wile and wooly west,
Now all they'll do for nine months is take a needed rest.
Then the case of Danny Poore, whose age is eight years
They handed him an awful jolt, he showed no signs of tears,
Daddy is a man of four square and mighty hard to fool,
But he slipped like the rest of us and peddled to a stool.
Then came Danny Lawrence, a former baseball star,
The stools got him in Lapwai selling "across the bar".
Deaf Jim followed closely, full of vigor and vim,
He eats the chuck they carry and thumbs his nose at them.
The next men up to face the court were old man Clark and Kelly,
It's hard to face the court any time, worse on an empty belly.
Kelly had waited four months for bonds that never came,
But when the judge passed sentence he rapped them just the same.
Then up came Mary Truitt, a woman awfully dear,
Who, according to the evidence, was selling too much beer,
Jack Kelsey stood beside her, a partner good and true,
He gazed into her eyes and said, "I'm coming back to you".
Next morning when court opened, a case was called at once,
Five men pleaded guilty, says Cavanah, "Eight months".
"Seven months, ten months, nine months, and a fine",
The Bonner gang was then locked up and now are doing time.
The next in line was George Helm, a service station owner,
He now admits a sale to Woods was certainly a boner.
And close behind him was Earl Steen, a man who beat them once,
He certainly held no grudge at him, he only got eight months.
Frank Ball now came to bat, his smile was all a bluff,
They quickly found him guilty of selling rotten stuff,
Pete Hansen stood beside him, he was a partner once,
But justice failed to function, Pete only got eight months.
Then into court Dunn staggered, his face flushed and red,
He'd been too full for several days he hadn't gone to bed,
And just like Henry Snyder, who was standing awfully near,
They "only" gave him nine months for selling moon and beer.
G.R. Sullivan came up next, his eyes showed loss of sleep,
Glen used to farm a little, and also herded sheep,
He took his sentence quietly without a word to say,
He'll do eight months quite easily, his fine he will not pay.
Next morning when court opened, Boobar took his place,
A chew of snuff was in his mouth, a grin was on his face,
But Boobar couldn't say a word, his head was in a whirl,
Nine months won't hurt that boy, but gosh, he lost his girl.
Then Ed, The Tailor, sauntered up prepared to take a rap,
The Judge at once took pity on this bright and handsome chap;
And after pleas from Robinson, who was the sheriff there once,
Cavanah shocked the court room by passing out four months.
Then up to bat came Mickey, "Idaho Scar Face Al".
He'd been in jail for forty days, got squealed on by a pal;
They brought up his record, he'd been caught three times before,
They "only" gave him eleven months behind the iron door.
Then Wm. Jackson changed his plea and made them fight his case,
But Jackson's hardly human, he's of the race,
His partner, Eddie Anderson, who hails from old Spokane,
Can do eight months in any jail and still be called a man.
Goldie Cochran beat her case, they raided her too soon,
She served them drinks with pepper sauce, they thought it was moon.
The Johnson boys appealed their case, their hard to satisfy,
Now they daily hope and pray the witnesses will die.
Now my tail is ended, roll on oh '31.
The iron gates will open, then we'll have our fun,
We'll leave this state of Idaho and seek a far off land,
Where a man can have his drink of corn or any other brand.
Monday: They were in court.
Tuesday: Judge Cavanah
Wednesday: 1930
Thursday: They were from all over the area
Friday: They had caught the attention of law enforcement.
Saturday: It involved stills and 'shine.
Monday: O.R. Williams
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