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Encyclopedia of Rumrunners and Speakeasies: Freeport During Prohibition: 1926

1926 - January

$50,000 worth of Scotch malt was and two 50 gallon stills valued at $25,000 was found in a house on Pettit Avenue. The stills were able to produce 50 gallons a day of liquor.   It was believed that the 200 proof liquor was being manufactured to be later "cut" with with other liquids to maximize profits.

Source:

"Federal Men Seize Big Freeport Booze Plant." The Daily Review. January 12, 1926, 1. Accessed July 15, 2019. http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn95071431/1926-01-12/ed-1/seq-1/.

Researched by Regina G. Feeney, July 15, 2019.

1926 - March

Six people were arrested by federal agents in five raids in Freeport and Roosevelt.  Agents raided four locations in Freeport making five arrests and one location in Roosevelt.  

Source:

"6 Arrested in 5 Raids at Freeport, Roosevelt." The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.  March 20, 1926, 2. Accessed July 11, 2019. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59848080/?terms=Freeport%2Braid.

Researched by Regina G. Feeney, July 11, 2019.

1926 - June

Ernest Ault, the owner of Chubbuck's Drugstore, was arrested by Federal agent George Lederer for violation of the Volstead Act on June 1, 1926, The arrest was most likely related to the sale of alcohol for medicinal purposes.

Source:

"Held on Liquor Charge." The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 1, 1926, 11. Accessed January 9, 2020. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/57480099/?terms=%22Ernest%2BAult%22.

Researched by Regina G. Feeney, January 9, 2020.

1926 - July

Federal Prohibition agents raided the Freeport Bathing Pavilion and arrested the owner, Ernest Petrette, and a waitress, Mary Mello for violation of the Volstead Act.  

1926 - September

Federal agents raided 19 Railroad Avenue, which was described as "a stone's throw away from the Freeport office of District Attorney of Elvin Edwards."  William Wheelehan was arrested for violating the Volstead Act and was released on $1,000 bail.  Additionally, Ernest Rebhn was also arrested.

Source:

"Two Held After Raid."  The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. September 10, 1926, 10.  Accessed December 18, 2017.  https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/58266174/?terms=two%2Bheld%2Bafter%2Braid.

Researched by Regina G. Feeney, December 18, 2017.

1926 - November

Three arrests were made over a weekend for drunkenness. John Zoblisky, Jr., was arrested by Freeport Police Officer Edward Sammis on North Main Street.  Sammis also arrested Rudolph Gachweng on Independence Avenue for drunkenness and using "vile language."  William DuBois was arrested by officer Sylvester Wright on Main Street and Brooklyn Avenue for drunkenness.

Source:

"Booze Lands Offenders in Freep't Jail." The Nassau Daily Review. November 29, 1926, 1. Accessed July 13, 2019. http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn95071428/1926-11-29/ed-1/seq-1/.

Researched by Regina G. Feeney, July 13, 2019.