Prohibition Arrests - 1921 to 1931

The Oregonian, May 10, 1924.
“The hills back of Portland are a favorite haunt for the whiskey maker”

Virginia Danger in Roger Hancock Telephone Interview:
“Hess Road, now Hamilton Street, originally was a road to the Hess farm, which was about where Bridlemile School is. Shattuck Road was originally called Cooper Road.”

The Oregonian. August 11, 1921.

Still Operator Fined $250

Nick Thomas, owner of a 25-gallon still, seven gallons of moonshine and 300 gallons of mash, on Cooper road, near the Washington country line, paid a fine of $250, levied by District Judge Deich yesterday. He was arrested by Sheriff Hurlburt’s deputies.

The Oregonian. June 9, 1922.

UNSANITARY STILL SEIZED

Characterized by Deputy Sheriff Beeman as “the filthiest still” ever found in Multnomah county, an outfit with a 60-gallon capacity was unearthed yesterday afternoon at the home of Fred Propp on the Cooper road, south of Council Crest. Propp was arrested. Verdigris encased the copper body of the still proper. The condenser was of cast-iron pipe. The 17 gallons of moonshine confiscated are said to be of vile quality, very possibly poisonous. Wheat was the chief ingredient of the product, though some corn was used.

The Oregonian. May 2, 1924.

STILL GAS OVERCOMES 2

Deputy Sheriff and Alleged Operator Have Close Call

Accumulated gas in a subterranean distillery located near Beaverton late yesterday nearly proved fatal to Joe Beeman, deputy sheriff, and temporarily overcame James Wood, arrested as the moonshiner in the case. Both recovered after reaching fresh air. The still was in a cave under a greenhouse. It was sealed up, the entrance-exit being through a box 18 by 18 inches in size. This was filled with dirt. A tunnel led to the cave.

The cave contained a 50-gallon still and eight barrels of mash. Only a quart of moonshine liquor was seized. This was located near the county line on the Cooper road.

Wood was arrested and lodged in the county jail. The mash was destroyed and the still confiscated.

The Oregonian. June 11, 1924.

… Arrested for Possession of Still, Must Pay $100 and Serve 60 Days

James Wood, arrested for possession of a still more than a month ago, when deputy sheriffs located moonshining apparatus in a subterranean hole under a greenhouse where Wood was in charge, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and payment of a fine of $100 by District Judge Hawkins yesterday. Wood has been out on bail that he might attend to planting of crops on his farm, off the Cooper road south of Portland. He served notice of appeal yesterday, but this was said to be for the purpose of gaining more time to devote to his farming. He had pleaded not guilty but admitted the facts.

When the moonshine cave was opened accumulated gas in the cavern overcame Wood and Deputy Sheriff Beeman, who were in serious condition from the gassing for several hours.

The Oregonian. March 28, 1925.

Still Seized, Woman Arrested.

Deputy Sheriffs Beeman, Murray and Tally, working with federal agents yesterday seized a 200-gallon still, 30 gallons of moonshine whisky and six 50-gallon mash barrels when they raided a farm at Shoals ferry and Cooper road, near the southwestern boundary line of the county. Molly Propp, 40, wife of the alleged owner, Fred Propp, was arrested and held at the county jail in default of $1000 bail. Officers were searching for Propp.

The Oregonian, February 27, 1927

BIRTHDAY ENDS IN JAIL
ALLEGED RUN MAKER HALTS MOVING TO CELEBRATE
Officers Arrest Man and Find Liquor Still Crated Ready for Removal.

Failing to move from the premises he had occupied on Hess road, beyond Council Crest, about seven miles from the city proper, where he had operated a large liquor still, because yesterday was his birthday cost Harry M. Lee his liberty. Lee was arrested by Deputy Sheriffs Talley, Beeman and State Agent Amy and he went to jail in lieu of $2000 bail.

The officers said they found Lee had a 75-gallon still all boxed ready for the moving van, but yesterday was Lee’s birthday – he was 36 years old – and, deciding to observe the event as a holiday, he deferred the moving operation.

In addition to the still officers found 75 gallons of finished whisky ready for delivery and also an 800-gallon mash tank recently emptied. Lee also had a pint of whisky in his pocket. This, too, was taken by the officers, who also arrested Tony Giura, 21, who was found on the place with Lee.

The Oregonian, June 12, 1930

3 LIQUOR CHARGES FACED

Lawrence Corder Rearrested After Release; Partner Held.

Lawrence Corder, who was arrested Tuesday on a charge of possession of whisky, faced three liquor charges yesterday as a result of further investigation. Clyde Konche, his alleged partner, also was in custody on a charge of possession of a still.

Corder first was arrested after the officers found a quantity of whisky, alcohol and gin and supplies in a barn on Hess road near Dosch road. He was charged with possession of liquor and released on bail. Later the officers returned to the neighborhood and in a small shack found a 50-gallon still, 50 gallons of whisky and 550 gallons of mash. Corder and Knoche drove up to the place, the officers reported, and were arrested. Corder then was charged with possession of a still, with bail at $1000, and yesterday federal authorities served two warrants on him, charging sale of liquor.

The Oregonian, March 18, 1931

Three Arrested in Raid

Two men and a woman were arrested when state and county officers raided a home on Hess road last night, finding a 175-gallon still set up and in operation, the officers reported. The three were Lawrence Corder, Roy W. Reed and Grace Swarthout, all of whom were held under $1000 bail requirement

The Oregonian, November 13, 1931

Rum Seller Gets 3 Years

Stanley Gibson, charged with conspiracy, manufacture, transportation and possession of liquor and possession of a still on the Quade farm on Hess road between February 14 and March 7, was sentenced to three years at McNeil island penitentiary yesterday by Federal Judge Fee upon his previous entered plea of guilty.