1923-10-11-sr-p11-c1-wheat-queen-convicted
October 11, 1923 Spokesman-Review Page 11 Column 1:
IN MID-WASHINGTON
BIG BEND WHEAT QUEEN CONVICTED
Mrs. Josephine Ditmar Fined $500 and Given Suspended Jail Sentence.
WAS OPERATING STILL
Son Assessed $750 and Gets Six Months—Both Appeal—Give Bonds.
DAVENPORT, Wash. Oct, 10,—Mrs. Josephine Ditmar, familiarly known as the “wheat queen of the Big Ben was found guilty of manufacturing intoxicating liquor, following a trial before Justice F. H. McDermont here today. She was fined $500 and given a 60-day suspended fall sentence. Frank Ditmar, her son, was found guilty on a similar charge and was fined $750 and given six months in jail. Notice of appeal to superior court was filed by Mrs. Ditmar and her son, and they were released under $1500 bonds.
Officials testified that they raided the Ditmar farm, south of Reardan, September 18, finding a quantity of moonshine liquor and portions of a still, with five barrels of mash. Mrs. Ray Ramsay, Reardan, testified that Mrs. Ditmar told her she had a still on her farm and would have paid off all her debts in two months if officers had not arrested her. She and her son offered no testimony in their behalf, They were represented by P. C. Shine, Spokane. Justice McDermont berated Frank Ditmar for being the one really responsible for having the still and attempting to hide behind a woman's skirts.
