The Usual Suspects and the Informant
An habitual drunkard arrested by the court 'peaches' on the local club supplying her with illegal liquor.
Mrs. Gunder was before Judge Griffin again this morning on the usual charge of being drunk. She promised the court yesterday afternoon that she would not drink any more, but by that last evening the name of Mrs. Gunder was again on the police blotter. 'Why did you break your promise, Mrs. Gunder?' asked Judge Griffin this morning. 'Because I had a pain in my side, Judge, and I needed some brandy,' answered the defendant. 'Who gave you the brandy?' demanded the court. On the spur of the moment, Mrs. Gunder forgot herself, and promptly alleged that the Olympic club had sold her the 'booze.' Mrs. Gunder, nevertheless, 'peached' on a saloon that furnished her with liquor, knowing that all saloon men had been warned not to accept her patronage. The Gunder woman has been adjudged an habitual drunkard, and for a saloon keeper to sell or give liquor to such an individual is a misdemeanor, punishable by fine of not less than $50 and not more than $500.
“Mrs. Gunder, nevertheless, 'peached' on a saloon that furnished her with liquor, knowing that all saloon men had been warned not to accept her patronage.”
This story highlights the era's paternalistic approach to addiction, where the police and judiciary were less concerned with the woman's health than with finding a local establishment to blame and penalize.
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