U.S. District Court Case #1147 (Sherwood et al)

This file consists of a criminal case filed in 1919 against Charles Sherwood, Van Pickerill, William Lukeman, Frank Endress, and John H. Heerdink.

The defendants were accused of violating statute 39 at L. 1069 of the Reed Amendment (interstate shipment of liquor). 

This criminal case consist of indictments, warrants, recognizances, subpoenas, motions, answers and petitions.

Link: NAID 1112367 

U.S. District Court Case #1231 (Shroeder et al)

This file consists of a criminal case filed in 1919 against Fred Schroeder, James Boner, Gene McKinney, Eli Harp, and Roy Harp.

The defendants were accused of violating statute 39 at L. 1069 of the Reed Amendment (interstate shipment of liquor). 

This criminal case consist of indictments, warrants, recognizances, subpoenas, motions, answers and petitions.

Link: NAID 1112367

U.S. Dist Court Case #1240 (Pickerill et al)

This file consists of a criminal case filed in 1919 against Van Pickerill, Clem Goedde, Norman Clark, and Fred Killinger.

The defendants were accused of violating statute 39 at L. 1069 of the Reed Amendment (interstate shipment of liquor). 

This criminal case consist of indictments, warrants, recognizances, subpoenas, motions, answers and petitions.

Link: NAID 1112367

US Dist Court Case #1492 (Schmitt et al)

This file consists of a criminal case filed in 1920 against seventy-eight defendants:

1. Abe Klyman, Klyman Brothers liquor distributors of Henderson, Kentucky 
2. Abram “Abe” Cohn, Cohn Brothers dealers in meats, groceries, and fish 
3. Adam Hausman, milk salesman 
4. Amos D. Riggs, saloonkeeper 
5. Andrew B. “Andy” Friedle, police captain 
6. Arthur R. Booth, city council president 
7. Ave Lamb, police boat mechanic 
8. Benjamin F. “Tex” Roberts, proprietor of the Mint Springs Hotel 
9. Cal Pickerill, saloon owner and brother of Van Pickerill 
10. Cap Jones, hotel & restaurant owner 
11. Carl Dreisch, secretary to Mayor Bosse, city food inspector 
12. Carl G. Schulz, saloonkeeper, proprietor of Schulz Drug Co 
13. Caulder McCoy, post office truck driver 
14. Charles “Broadax” Smith, police detective 
15. Charles J. “Irish” Ruhl, saloon owner and republican deputy sheriff 
16. Charles J. Klein, saloonkeeper and proprietor of drink stand 
17. Charles Rothschild, meat salesman 
18. Charles Sihler, proprietor of Lottie Hotel and Chairman of Republican County Central committee 
19. Charles Thompson, saloonkeeper 
20. Clarence Bullock, tool salesman 
21. Clarence Wilhelm, fisherman 
22. Clem Goedde, grocer and saloonkeeper 
23. Dave Wolf, saloonkeeper 
24. Edgar Schmitt, chief of police 
25. Eli Harp, fisherman 
26. Elmer E. “Babe” Kappler, garage owner 
27. Emil E. “Booty” Geiss, saloonkeeper 
28. Enoch “Enie” J. Weir, bailiff of Vanderburg County Court, police detective 
29. Ernst Rieger, saloonkeeper 
30. Eugene “Gene” McKinney, jailer of sheriff’s office, police boat operator/mechanic, 
31. Frank J. Diehl, saloonkeeper 
32. Fred Haffendorfer, saloonkeeper, manager of Long Branch, political worker 
33. Fred Ossenberg, grocer at Baptisttown and republican leader 
34. George “Doc” Peters, driver for Louis Heberer 
35. George C. Schnarr, saloonkeeper 
36. Gilbert Roy Fray aka Jack Fray, saloonkeeper 
37. Gustav “Gus” Neubling, saloonkeeper 
38. Harry Helmrich, saloonkeeper 
39. Harvey Boyd, partner with Kappler in the Boyd & Kappler garage 
40. Henry Deig, Saloon and general store operator and Postmaster of Armstrong, Indiana 
41. Herbert Evans, motorcycle policeman, meat shop proprietor 
42. Herbert Males, sheriff 
43. Herman “Henry” Brinkman, driver for Pelz Transfer Company 
44. Herman Steinhilber, New Vendome Hotel manager 
45. Hershell Burris, restaurant/gambling den proprietor 
46. Jake Skipper, worked for Mead Johnson 
47. James Boner, gambler 
48. James Trautwein, plain clothes moral/vice squad detective 
49. John Arnold, fisherman 
50. John James, coal hauler 
51. John W. “Cotton” Miller, U.S. Deputy Marshal 
52. John W. Heyns, Heyns Furniture dealer, secretary of the New Vendome Hotel Company 
53. Joseph Barnes, police boat operator, engineer 
54. Joseph Killian, saloonkeeper 
55. Lloyd Buttermore, saloonkeeper/soft drink dispenser 
56. Louis Heberer, Water Street produce commission dealer and saloon owner 
57. Louis J. Schmidt, saloonkeeper 
58. Matt Olinger, saloonkeeper and shoe repair shop 
59. Mose Klyman, Klyman Brothers liquor distributors of Henderson, Kentucky 
60. Ollie Woodruff, restaurant owner and saloonkeeper, election registrar 
61. Otto Durre, saloonkeeper and wholesale liquor dealer 
62. Otto Klein, saloonkeeper and proprietor of drink stand 
63. Porter White, Carpenter 
64. Richard “Dick” Pennington, saloonkeeper at Eighth and Mulberry streets 
65. Rube Becker, saloonkeeper 
66. Sam “Spec” Campbell, restaurant proprietor and resort keeper 
67. Sol Cohn, Cohn Brothers dealers in meats, groceries, and fish 
68. Stanley “Harry” Bennett, husband of Vernon Bennett who operated the Three Trays brothel 
69. Van Pickerill, wholesale liquor dealer at Henderson, Kentucky 
70. Walter Pelz, owner of Pelz Transfer Company 
71. William “Bingie” Davault, chief electrician of the fire department 
72. William “Doc” Oehlman, saloonkeeper 
73. William C. “Puss” Meinert, Democrat Equality League president & Superintendent of Streets 
74. William Fuchs, plain clothes moral/vice squad detective 
75. William Morris aka Butch Hayhurst, police detective 
76. William Perrett, motorcycle policeman 
77. William Schoepflin, of Henderson. Klauder Beer Garden 
78. William Wimberg, Wimberg Dray company & president of the local Order of Eagles

The defendants were accused of violating section 37 of the Criminal Code (conspiracy to violate the Reed Amendment). 

This criminal case consist of indictments, warrants, recognizances, subpoenas, motions, answers, judgments, and petitions.

Link: NAID 1112367

7th Circuit Appeal #2897 (Ossenberg)

This bound, hardcopy book contains multiple appeals including that of defendant Fred Ossenberg in the U.S. District Court #1492 (Schmitt et al) case.  Ossenberg's record on appeal includes a transcript of the trial testimony and the following exhibits:

■ Complaint filed in Superior Court of Vanderburgh County in re F.W. Cook Brewing Co vs. Edgar Schmitt.
■ Affidavit of Clem Goedde and Van Pickerill for change of venue from judge.
■ Ave Lamb's executed mortgage note pertaining to the Fanolia.
■ Copy of decree and order in re F.W. Cook Brewing Co vs. Edgar Schmitt.
■ Copy of the reversal in re F.W. Cook Brewing Co vs. Edgar Schmitt.
■ Map of Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Link: NAID 722104

U.S. Department of Justice Record Slips

This series consists of record slips which were used to record incoming correspondence to the Department of Justice. Each entry contains the date of the document, the number of the litigation case file in which the document was inserted, the name of the writer, a brief summary of the contents, and the division to which the document was referred. 

The following cards were referenced in the book Wide Open Evansville:  cards 153, 184, 191, 192, 196, 218, 226, 235, 268, 306, 339, 367, 377.

Link: NAID 157130770

U.S. District Court Investigative Notes

This series consists of material that relates to investigations carried on by special agents of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation, into alleged violations of federal laws regarding the transportation and sale of liquor. The papers consist of letters from persons in Evansville to government agencies and officials about smuggling and other activities, correspondence of agents with the Bureau’s office in Indianapolis, notes kept by agents of their investigations, lists of suspects, and copies of statements made by witnesses and suspects. There are some copies of reports submitted by the agents as to the use of their information in courts of law, along with a considerable number of copies of receipts for purchases of whiskey and beer from establishments in Kentucky. Much of the criminal activity being investigated seems to have centered around the transportation of whiskey and beer from Kentucky into Evansville and other nearby Indiana locations and the maintenance of "common nuisances".

■ Box 1 Folder 1 Voluntary Statements
■ Box 1 Folder 2 Untitled Folder 1 [relating to investigations of liquor law violations]
■ Box 1 Folder 3 Untitled Folder 2 [relating to investigations of liquor law violations]
■ Box 1 Folder 4 Bittner, Joe: Evansville Beverage Co
■ Box 1 Folder 5 CW Smith
■ Box 1 Folder 6 Bernsmeier, CF: 1367 Mt. Vernon Road
■ Box 1 Folder 7 Schneider, Val
■ Box 1 Folder 8 Beichaus, Wm.: Baker, Columbia
■ Box 1 Folder 9 Becker, Val: West Heights Road
■ Box 1 Folder 10 Barth, August: 836 William 
■ Box 1 Folder 11 Allen, Edward: 111 N. Adams Ave
■ Box 1 Folder 12 Arnett, W.S.
■ Box 1 Folder 13 Blymyer, DW: President & Treasurer E'ville Ice and Storage Co
■ Box 1 Folder 14 Boner, Wm: 8th and Dun
■ Box 1 Folder 15 Buchenberger, Oscar: 1007-5th Ave
■ Box 1 Folder 16 Chanier, Wm: 1421 Main
■ Box 1 Folder 17 Dief, Henry: Armstrong, Ind
■ Box 1 Folder 18 Doan, Ben
■ Box 1 Folder 19 Folz, Joe: Gro Co
■ Box 1 Folder 20 Folz, Clarence: Mgr. Foly Gro Co
■ Box 1 Folder 21 Forcum, A
■ Box 1 Folder 22 Frank, John: Dixie Motor Co. 1st and Ingle
■ Box 1 Folder 23 Fray, GR
■ Box 1 Folder 24 Froelich, AC: 15 Powell Ave Citizens Trust and Savings Bank
■ Box 1 Folder 25 Fuchs, Frank P: Cashier, Citizens National Bank
■ Box 1 Folder 26 Gahr, Fred: 2401 Main St
■ Box 1 Folder 27 Gatwood, LT
■ Box 1 Folder 28 Geier, George H. Saloon at 1519 E Columbia, 1903 E Delaware (residence)
■ Box 1 Folder 29 Gergenrath, Henry, Miner at 1615 W. Franklin
■ Box 1 Folder 30 Germania Maennerchor
■ Box 1 Folder 31 Korff
■ Box 1 Folder 32 Hartig, August: 1017 W. Penna St.
■ Box 1 Folder 33 Ichenhauses, Milton: Buckingham Apts
■ Box 1 Folder 34 Jeffies, SH
■ Box 1 Folder 35 Kibley, Geo
■ Box 1 Folder 36 Keil, Nick
■ Box 1 Folder 37 Killinger, FM
■ Box 1 Folder 38 Untitled Folder [investigative material and written testimony]
■ Box 1 Folder 39 Opperman, C: Near Inqules Mine
■ Box 1 Folder 40 Pfisterer, Ed: Michigan and 3rd Ave
■ Box 1 Folder 41 Phillips, AN: 1601 Walnut St
■ Box 1 Folder 42 Pregler, Fred: Mich and Edgar
■ Box 1 Folder 43 Raeber, Chas: 1701 Fulton 
■ Box 1 Folder 44 Geo Reising and Son: John St
■ Box 1 Folder 45 Rice, Hurst
■ Box 1 Folder 46 Prude, Roberts: 333 L 1st St
■ Box 1 Folder 47 Rosen, Henry: 3rd and Locust
■ Box 1 Folder 48 Rothschild, Chas
■ Box 1 Folder 49 Rustin, William
■ Box 1 Folder 50 Sanders, WO
■ Box 1 Folder 51 Schenk, Joe
■ Box 2 Folder 1 Schindler, Gus
■ Box 2 Folder 2 Schindler, P
■ Box 2 Folder 3 Schmist, SJ: 1501 Main St
■ Box 2 Folder 4 Dewitt and Johnson: 17 Putman St Washington Court
■ Box 2 Folder 5 Schoenbachle, Chas
■ Box 2 Folder 6 Schroeder, WC
■ Box 2 Folder 7 Sickmann, M
■ Box 2 Folder 8 Sickman, Jake: 3rd Ave and Columbia
■ Box 2 Folder 9 Wooley, Wm
■ Box 2 Folder 10 Wund, Walter: 613 Fulton Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 11 Zeigelbach, P
■ Box 2 Folder 12 Kluschulte, H
■ Box 2 Folder 13 Kniesche, W: 2501 Division - 1108 E Washington
■ Box 2 Folder 14 Koenig, Bert: Evans Sand and Gravel Co
■ Box 2 Folder 15 Lautenslager, Chas: 433 N 4th St
■ Box 2 Folder 16 Lohman, Chas: 5 Locust St
■ Box 2 Folder 17 Lowrey, John L
■ Box 2 Folder 18 Lutterbach, P: 1600 Fulton Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 19 McGraw, Robert: 110 S. Adams Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 20 Magerkurth, Edward
■ Box 2 Folder 21 Martin, Mann: Imperial Hotel
■ Box 2 Folder 22 Martin, Carl: 100 E Franklin
■ Box 2 Folder 23 Marx, Geo: New Harmony Road
■ Box 2 Folder 24 Mathis, Chas: 808 Main St
■ Box 2 Folder 25 Matthews, Mrs. F: La Palma Hotel
■ Box 2 Folder 26 Meyer, Gus
■ Box 2 Folder 27 Meyer, John: 402 Baker Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 28 Morris, L: 1006 Adams Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 29 Murry, Robert: 221 Lincoln Ave
■ Box 2 Folder 30 Neuber, AB: Armstrong, Ind
■ Box 2 Folder 31 Offret, J.G: Fulton and Columbia
■ Box 2 Folder 32 Ohbing, FC: 1222 Main St
■ Box 2 Folder 33 Oldberding, Geo: 1620 Main St
■ Box 2 Folder 34 Untitled Folder [investigative material, tips submitted, and written testimony]

Link: NAID 38222911

Edgar Schmitt Inmate #11271

The inmate case file indicates that Edgar Schmitt was convicted in Indianapolis, Indiana for conspiracy. He was 41 years old upon entering the penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia.

The file consists of copies Edgar Schmitt's demographic information/physical description, mugshot, fingerprints, records of articles received, a commissary card showing deposits and expenditures, correspondence (predominantly to the warden about Schmitt), telegrams, parole board actions, log of letters sent/received, day passes, and special letter requests.

Link: NAID 868616

University of Southern Indiana David L. Rice Library UASC Digital Collections

Evansville Government Collection
Link:  MSS 233

Oral history Charles LaFollette interview
Link:  OH 0001

Oral history W. Charles Bussing interview
Link:  OH 0002

Oral history J. C. Kerlin interview
Link:  OH 0036