Decker Walker, Allan Walker, Harold Morris, Edward McCain

Article taken from The Mansfield News, June 12, 1913

Cincinnati Judge Gives Portsmouth Men Long Sentences In Federal Prison

Cincinnati, June 12-Federal Judge Smith Hickenlooper displayed variety in dealing out sentences for violations of liquor laws for one culprit drew 24 hours in jail and all other was sentenced to serve four years in prison at Atlanta and pay a fine of $5,000, the stiffest penalty ever given to a dry law violator here.

Decker and Allan Walker, brothers, and Harold V. Morris of Portsmouth pleaded guilty of having operated an illegal still. Frank W. Rickey of Portsmouth, general prohibition agent, told the court that the trio had run the largest illegal still in the U.S. their output being a truck-load of liquor a day.

At the time of the raid that resulted in their arest the officers found 400 gallons on hand, the enforcement agent said.

Decker Walker drew the record sentence his brother being sent to Atlanta for three years with a fine of $3,500. Morris drew two years and $2,500. Edward McCain, also of Portsmouth, employed by a man sentenced last week drew a 24 hour term for having aided in the law violation. Charles Pucket, a tinner, was fined $500 for having made stills, for sale.