.jpg)
June 17, 1926
HARTINGTON - As a result of a bootlegger's war in the territory about ten miles north of Hartington, one alleged manufacturer is minus his still and a quantity of mash. He is also being sought by o$cers who confiscated the equip - ment, and the consumers who have been imbibing freely are complaining loudly, explaining as they do so that the war has cheated them out of some very good “moon.”
When state o$cers arrived here last week to aid in the cleanup of chicken thieves, they found the moonshiners and bootleggers with their war paint on. It appeared as if the majority of these warriors were after George Dettmer, who lives about eight miles north of Hartington.
With the vast amount of excitement about the war, o$cers had little di$culty in finding out about Dettmer's products. The warriors loudly proclaimed that he had a corner on all the business in that end of the county.
It appeared as if he had found a recipe whereby he could make a better bever - age and sell it for less, and like all good products it was reaping the harvest.
Consumers were with him to a man, it is said, and competitors were as solidly against him. A week ago Thursday night two of them are alleged to have visited his place and appropriated a five gallon keg of fine stu. That loss was trivial, and under all of the circumstances, nothing was said about it, but fear was expressed that they might make personal use of it, and in return, so several good friends agreed to assist in opposing the enemy if further assaults were made on the cita - del of joy. And so the armed neighbors kept vigil until the wee small hours when they all went home. But next morning it was found that a big vat of something or other used in securing the wanted liquid was so messed up as to be unfit for use.
George had the good will of all his neighbors who understood his circum - stances. He was left a widower a short time ago and was the father of a large family and was hard hit with other matters, and it was supposed that he took up the manufacture of certain refreshments for the consumption of his friends, and George had few enemies, especially after they tasted his brand. It is believed that he expected in this way to get out from under the heavy load financially. He had partly succeeded when along came the business competitors and broke up his still.
George didn’t lose heart but set up in business again. His continued opposi- tion and bitter rivalry caused his arrest this time, it is understood. The o$cers haven't located him yet, however, and his customers hope he is successful in getting out of the toils of the law.
