The Long-Running Liquor Case of Patrick Scullin
After nearly a year of evasion and promises to plead guilty, a jury finally acquits the Lake Washington tavern owner of selling liquor without a license.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Patrick Scullin, who was arrested in September last for selling liquor without license at his place on Lake Washington, called Laurel Shade, was acquitted by a jury in Judge Glasgow's court yesterday afternoon. The trial was very sensational at times, but the testimony did not prove that Scullin had violated the letter of the law, although the spirit had suffered some, it was evident. This case had been running along for nearly a year, Scullin promising to plead guilty and pay a fine. At last City Attorney Fortson got tired of the delay and a bench warrant was issued on July 14 for Scullin's arrest. On that date he was arrested and deposited bail for his appearance yesterday.
“The trial was very sensational at times, but the testimony did not prove that Scullin had violated the letter of the law, although the spirit had suffered some, it was evident.”
This trial highlights the persistent cat-and-mouse game between municipal authorities and illicit alcohol operators in the pre-Prohibition era. The tension between the 'letter' and 'spirit' of the law is a recurring motif in the history of Washington liquor regulations.
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