Wm. J. Cook and Jos, Laus, Farmers, Charged With Selling Moonshine to One S. P. Thompson.

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BOTH DENY

CHARGE IN JUSTICE COURT WED.

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Cook Bound Over to

District Court. Laux

Demands Preliminary Hearing. Cook Says

He Makes Stuff.

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Wm. J. Cook and Jos. Laux, Mulligan township farmers, were brought to New Ulm Wednesday by Deputy Sheriff W. H. Gieseke, Night policeman Anton Groebner, Jr., Art. Dahl, Isidor Gleisner and Gust. Meyer. They were arrested on a charge of selling “moon” to one S. P. Thompson. Laux is charged with the sale to Thompson on August 8, while Cook is charged with the transaction on August 20.

Hearing Before

Justice Praender

They were taken to Justice Fred Pfaender’s court, where County Attorney T. O. Streissguth asked what their desire was.

Cook denied the charge, and asked that he be bound over to the grand jury. His bond was fixed at $500 by Justice Pfaender. “I don’t sell the stuff, but I make it for my own use,”said Cook. “I do not deny this and tell you right in the face the truth. I will plead guilty to a charge of making it, but I do not sell the stuff. I desire to get my work in shape and will be ready when the grand jury meets.”

Also Denies the Charge

Laux also denied the charge of sale to Thompson. “If anybody says I sold anything to them this year they are not telling the truth. I want a hearing, for I am not guilty,” stated Laux. His bond was also placed at $500. The preliminary hearing will be held next Tuesday afternoon.

Both waived examination Wednesday afternoon.

The officers went to the Cook home first, where they were met by Mrs. Cook, who stated that her husband had gone to Comfrey. A search warrant was produced and Cook made his appearance. It is said that five and a half barrels of mash were found. About a half barrel was cooking in the still. Some home brew beer was also found. The raid at the Laux farm was unproductive.

Brown County Journal,

Oct. 23, 1925

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