100 years ago: March 25, 1921

The jury term of superior court this week finally settled down to three charges, the first one being that of the state vs. Richard Hamblen on the charge of having intoxicating liquor in his possession. The state showed that deputy sheriffs went to the Hamblen ranch near Winona about a month ago with a search warrant and found three ten-gallon containers filled with a fermenting liquid. The containers, one keg and two crocks, were covered over in a box in the granary and a lighted lantern setting in the box. Samples of the liquid were taken to the state chemist at the State college at Pullman and he pronounced it alcoholic and a capable of being used as a beverage.

Mr. Hamblen contended that he was making vinegar. He said that he had purchased a quantity of prunes and found that they were wormy. In order to save what he could he said he had decided to use them in making vinegar. He said he had already made one batch of vinegar and was making the second batch when the officers searched his place, took samples of the vinegar and poured out the remainder.

The case was started at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon and went to the jury at 11:15 Wednesday morning. The jurors considered the case through the noon hour without going to lunch and at 1:17 p.m. brought in a verdict of not guilty.