Brooksville Bootlegger Defies the Town in 1902


Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 8/26/1902.

Joe Titchener was arrested last week on a charge of selling whiskey at Brooksville. When brought before the Justice, however, he asked permission to step out doors to speak to a friend. Permission being given him, he went out, but did not come back. He went to his "dive" armed himself and defied the town, and for several hours bulldozed the entire population. He fired several shots to let people know that his gun was in shooting order, and it seems there was a dearth of men who wanted the job of re-arresting him. He kept up his nefarious business of peddling booze and defying authorities until some time Saturday when he left for some unknown place, and the citizens are greatly in hopes his stay will be a long one.

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