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Tuesday, June 29, 2021

J.O. Mosteller Fined for Keeping Liquor for Sale, June 27, 1921

Mosteller Is to Pay Big Fine. . . First Street Market Owner Also Has Sentence Hanging Over His Head

Convicted of having liquor and keeping it for sale, J.O. Mosteller, white meat market owner, was fined $500 and costs in police court Monday in the first case and sentenced to six months on the county roads in the second case. The last sentence was suspended, however, on good behavior for 12 months.

Detectives Moser and West received anonymous letters telling them of whiskey at Mosteller’s market on East First street, between Caldwell and Davidson. They apprehended Mosteller at the ball game Saturday afternoon, served a warrant on him and took him to the police office, where he was required to put up a bond of $500. Lee Hunter, negro meat cutter at the market, also was arrested and put under $500 bond. Hunter was released, however, when Mosteller declared that he had nothing to do with the liquor.

At Mosteller’s place 11 fruit jars containing a half gallon of corn whiskey were found. Besides this about 24 empty fruit jars, which smelled strongly of whiskey, were discovered in his place.

Seven or eight character witnesses were put on the stand who swore that Mosteller’s character was good. The evidence offered by the state, however, was enough to convince Judge Laurence Jones that the man was guilty. Mosteller declared that the liquor was for his own personal use, but the 24 empty fruit jars in his place helped turn the tide against him.

Mosteller was ordered to report at the first court each month and swear to his good behavior. If at any time he is brought into police court for breaking the law, the sentence of six months on the road will immediately go not effect.

From The Charlotte News, June 27, 1921

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