Like New York City and many of its suburban satellites, the little Town of Pelham was a hotbed of bootleg liquor during the days of Prohibition. Indeed, the many roadhouses in and around the Town of Pelham knew that their patrons simply would disappear if the establishments were unable to serve an illicit nip when requested. Thus, bootleg whiskey and beer flowed freely in such Pelham establishments halted only by the occasional raids by Federal agents and local police enforcing the law of the land.
The Ash Tree Inn was a notorious roadhouse that stood in Pelham Manor at 4393 Boston Post Road very near the boundary with New York City. The establishment took its name from a large ash tree that grew in front of the building. It was "an unpretentious one-story bungalow, set back a short distance from the highway running between Boston and New York." The building, which no longer stands, once stood where today's Pelham Manor Car Wash Lube and Shell Filling Station stand. It stood on that portion of the lot at the intersection of Pelham Parkway and Boston Post Road (on the extreme left of the photograph below).
Pelham Manor Car Wash - Lube and Shell Station on the
Site Where the Ash Tree Inn Once Stood. Source: Google
Maps Street View. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
The property on which the Inn operated was owned by Andrew Schwiermer of Pelham Manor. During the 1920s, Schwiermer leased the property to a number of proprietors who operated it as a roadhouse.
In about October, 1922, Schwiermer leased the property to Alfred Stocklasch. (Some news reports spell the name as Stocklaseck.) Stocklasch and his wife opened the little bungalow as the "Ash Tree Inn." In less than a month, activities at the new roadhouse attracted the attention of Pelham Manor Police Chief Philip Gargan and members of his department. Chief Gargan had the roadhouse placed under surveillance. Pelham Manor police began recording the automobile license plates of the roadhouse patrons and created a list of names of the customers of the business.
Within three months of its opening, the Ash Tree Inn, according to one account, had "established a reputation as a lively liquor rendezvous for New Yorkers." Then, on the night of Monday, January 15, 1923, Chief Gargan saw his chance. The Pelham Manor Police Department received a telephone call that a "free for all fight" had broken out at the Ash Tree Inn. Chief Gargan sent Sergeant James D. Burnett and Patrolmen William H. Hamilton and Michael J. Murphy to the scene.
Once the officers stopped the fight, Sergeant Burnett called Chief Gargan to report. Chief Gargan told his Sergeant to stay at the premises until he could obtain some evidence of the sale of illegal liquor. Though in uniform, Burnett began pleading with Bertha Stocklasch to sell him some whiskey. Finally, with Patrolman Hamilton observing, Bertha Stocklasch relented and sold Burnett a bottle of whiskey for one dollar.
The officers arrested Bertha Stocklasch and hauled her away. She was charged with violations of the Prohibition Act with bail set at $1,000.
With such evidence, Chief Gargan contacted one of the Federal Commissioners responsible for enforcing Prohibition in the region. The Commissioner issued a search warrant and directed Federal agents to cooperate with Pelham Manor Police in a raid of the Ash Tree Inn.
On Thursday, January 18, 1923, Federal Agents and Pelham Manor Police raided the Ash Tree Inn. Upon searching the premises, they discovered hidden liquor and beer including: ten cases of beer, five demi-johns of whiskey, six quart bottles of whiskey, one pint of whiskey, eight beer bottles of whiskey, and a half pint of another liquor. The officers arrested the proprietor, Alfred Stocklasch, for violating Prohibition. His bail was set at $500.
Within a short time, a new proprietor of the roadhouse took over. Apparently hoping for a fresh start, the proprietor, Eugene Frank, renamed the roadhouse the "Boston Road Inn." Almost immediately, Pelham Manor Police began watching the roadhouse and observed a familiar pattern of activity suggesting the sale of illegal liquor on the premises.
Chief Gargan knew the routine. He worked with Federal Agents to obtain a search warrant and arrange a raid. At 1:30 p.m. on January 15, 1925, Pelham Manor Police and Federal Agents swooped down on the Boston Road Inn. They were blocked at the doors for a short time while the proprietor, an employee, and patrons tried to hide liquor.
When they burst through the door they were easily able to find hastily hidden partially-empty bottles of liquor hidden behind curtains, in closets, and under tables. Additionally, five quarts of illegal liquor were found.
The officers arrested Eugene Frank and one of his employees, George Fisher. The men were taken before Judge David A. L'Esperance and were released on $500 bail each, with directions to appear for a hearing the next morning before federal prohibition commissioners in New York City.
With proprietor Eugene Frank now out of commission, the roadhouse was taken over by a man named Orlando Lalli who lived on Boston Post Road in Pelham Manor. Lalli operated the roadhouse, once again, as the "Ash Tree Inn."
Shortly after Lalli took over the roadhouse, Pelham Manor Police observed the familiar pattern suggesting illegal liquor was being sold on the premises. Thus, on Monday, January 11, 1926, Federal Agents and Pelham Manor Police armed with a search warrant raided the Ash Tree Inn yet again. This time, the raid took a more violent turn.
When the officers entered, proprietor Orlando Lalli was behind the bar. One of the Federal Agents came around the bar counter to serve Lalli with the warrant. As he did, Lalli began to fight him. As the two men struggled, the Federal Agent began to get the best of Lalli. Lalli then reached for a gun in his rear pocket. As he grabbed it, so did the Federal Agent.
One of the other officers who had drawn his weapon to cover the crowd of patrons, turned his gun toward the struggling pair. Lalli saw what was happening and pulled the Federal Agent in front of him to act as a human shield. As he did so, the Federal Agent was able to dislodge the gun from his hand. When it fell to the floor, one of the Ash Tree Inn employees grabbed the gun and tried to flee out a back door with it. As he did, he ran into a Pelham Manor police officer who was covering the back door. The two of them began fighting over the gun. Within a short time, the Pelham Manor officer disarmed the employee, Anthony Giannatti. No shots were fired during the raid and no one was hurt.
The officers threw the book at Orlando Lalli. He was arrested and charged with violations of the National Prohibition Act and the Sullivan Act, as well as with resisting a Federal Officer in the performance of his duty. Giannatti was charged with resisting a Federal Officer in the performance of his duty. Three quarts of alleged whiskey, two half barrels of supposedly premium beer and three guns were confiscated in the raid. Lalli eventually pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $50. Giannatti was found guilty after trial and also paid a fine of $50.
This time, Pelham Manor was fed up. The Pelham Manor Police Department worked with Federal Agents to get a Federal order padlocking the roadhouse. The owner, Andrew Schwermier, saw the handwriting on the wall. He sold the property to Burgess Fields of Pelham Manor. Fields operated a gas station and garage on Washington Avenue, but saw a business opportunity to open such a station on the site of the Ash Tree Inn since the planned construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway likely would increase traffic in the area. In 1926 Fields opened such a station on the site which has been occupied by such stations ever since.
Epilogue
Of course, enforcing Prohibition was like trying to stick a finger in the hole of a dam to stem the flow of escaping water. Within days of his arrest, Orlando Lalli merely moved a few hundred yards down Boston Post Road where he promptly began operating another roadhouse. Only eight weeks after the raid that prompted the padlocking of the Ash Tree Inn, the proprietor who was arrested in that raid, Orlando Lalli, was arrested again with others at his new roadhouse for operating a disorderly house.
In Lalli's case, it seems that Police in The Bronx were not going to put up with a new Ash Tree Inn in their neck of the woods. . . . .
Detail from 1929 Map with Arrow Showing Location of the
Ash Tree Inn Structure. Source: G. M. Hopkins Co., Atlas
M. Hopkins Co., 1929). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Stills Discovered by Pelham Manor Police in a Home on
James Street During Prohibition. From the February 3, 1928
Issue of The Pelham Sun. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
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Below is the text of a large number of newspaper articles that form the basis of today's Historic Pelham article. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
"Licquor [sic] Stock Discovered At Ash Tree Inn
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Police and Federal Agents Raid Roadhouse Late Last Night. Find Liquor
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Proprietor and Wife Will Appear Before Federal Commissioner This Morning
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Federal agents, in company of Chief of Police Philip Gargan of Pelham Manor, and four of his men, raided the Ash Tree Inn on the Boston Road near the New York City line, late last night, uncovered a large supply of unlawful whiskey and beer, and arrested Alfred Stocklasch, the proprietor, on a charge of unlawful possession of liquor. Bertha Stocklasch, wife of the proprietor, was arrested Monday night after Sergeant James D. Burnett and Patrolman William D. Hamilton of the Manor force, had obtained necessary evidence of a sale of liquor at the roadhouse on that night.
Chief Gargan has had the place under surveillance for some time, and Monday night he was notified that there was a fight at the roadhouse. Sergeant Burnett and Officer Hamilton were detailed to investigate, and it was then that the alleged sale of liquor is said to have taken place. The officers arrested Mrs. Stocklasch, who was after released on $1,000 bail.
After careful investigation, Federal Agents Charles Berger, Ben Straus, [illegible] D'Angelica, Chief Gargan, Sergeants McCaffrey and Burnett, Patrolmen Hamilton and Jaeschka, surrounded the roadhouse late last night, and with a federal warrant the entry was made and the liquor was found in a trunk. The stuff included ten cases of beer, five demi-johns of whiskey, six quart bottles of whiskey, one pint of whiskey, eight beer bottles of whiskey, and a half pint of [illegible].
Stocklasch was released on $500 bail. He and his wife will appear before Federal Commissioner Hitchcock some time this morning."
Source: Licquor [sic] Stock Discovered At Ash Tree Inn -- Police and Federal Agents Raid Roadhouse Late Last Night. Find Liquor -- Proprietor and Wife Will Appear Before Federal Commissioner This Morning, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 19, 1923, Vol. 13, No. 47, p. 1, col. 1.
"PELHAM MANOR POLICE RAID ASH TREE INN
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Led By Chief Gargan and Accompanied By Federal Officers
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BOOZE IS SEIZED
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Proprietor and His Wife to Appear Today Before U.S. Commissioner.
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Pelham Manor, Jan. 19. -- Armed with a federal search warrant, Chief of Police Philip Gargan, of the Pelham Manor police department, accompanied by four police made a raid on Ash Tree Inn, 4393 Boston Road, at 10 o'clock last night. A quantity of liquor was found there.
Alfred Stocklasek and his wife, Bertha, were released on bail to appear before Federal Commissioner Hitchcock, New York city today.
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(Continued On Page Fifteen)
PELHAM MANOR POLICE RAID ASH TREE INN
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(Continued From Page One)
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The bail for the wife was $1000. Stocklasek's $500.
The raid made last night was considered highly successful and was accomplished after weeks of thorough investigation on the part of the chief and his men, the former said. Nothing was left unturned [sic] to secure the evidence and in the raid, the federal agents and the chief's men working hand in hand, he said.
Chief Gargan with a force of men and three federal agents made the raid on the inn at 10 o'clock last night. This is what they found:
Five gallon deminjohn [sic] of whiskey, six quart bottles of different brands of whiskey, twelve beer bottles of different brands of whiskey, six soda water bottles of whiskey, one quart bottle of gin and three cases of real beer.
With Chief Gargan were Sergeants James D. Burnett and James MacCaffrey and Officers William H. Hamilton and Julius E. Joeshchkar. The federal agents were P. Dangelica and Ben Straus.
The Stocklaseks opened the inn only three months ago and Chief Gargan says he has been watching it for the last two months. He said he has secured the names of the patrons through the automobile numbers.
Chief Gargan said this morning that on Monday a fight occurred at the inn and that he sent three officers down to the place. They were Sergeant Burnett and Patrolmen William H. Hamilton and Michael J. Murphy.
The chief described the fracas as a 'free for all fight.' Sergeant Burnett reported to his chief who advised him to stay until he secured some evidence.
Burnett finally purchased a bottle of booze for $1 from Bertha, the wife of the proprietor. Policeman Hamilton was present for corroboration according to the chief and so on this evidence the federal search warrant was secured from Federal Commissioner Hitchcock, whose office is located in the old post office building, New York city.
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New Rochelle, Jan. 19. -- Federal prohibition officers and a squad of Pelham Policemen raided Ash Tree Inn, a roadhouse located at 4393 Boston Post road, just two hundred feet this side of the New York city line, last night and arrested the proprietor, Alfred Stocklasek and his wife, Bertha, on a charge of violating the Volstead act.
Stocklasek was taken in custody on a charge of keeping liquor while his wife was arrested for alleged selling of a quantity of whiskey to three Pelham policemen on the night of January 15, after they had been called there to stop a fight. Both will be arraigned before United States Commissioner Hitchcock in New York tomorrow. Stocklasek was released on a $1000 bond.
The inn has been open for only three months but has established a reputation as a lively liquor rendezvous for New Yorkers, the police said.
Source: PELHAM MANOR POLICE RAID ASH TREE INN -- Led By Chief Gargan and Accompanied By Federal Officers -- BOOZE IS SEIZED -- Proprietor and His Wife to Appear Today Before U.S. Commissioner, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 19, 1923, No. 10,104, p. 1, col. 4 & p. 15, col. 4.
"Police and Federal Agents Raid Boston Road Inn
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Armed with search warrants, Chief of Police Philip Gargan and Patrolman Michael J. Grady, of the Pelham Manor police headquarters, accompanied by Federal Agents John H. Fitzpatrick and George Hall, swooped down upon the Boston Inn, 4393 Boston Post Road, at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, arrested Eugene Frank and George Fisher, and seized a large quantity of whiskey and other liquor.
Frank gave his age as 43 years, and stated that he was a restaurant owner. Fisher is 35 years of age, and is a porter in the same establishment. Both men were born in Germany.
When the officers arrived and demanded entrance they were held up for some time before the doors were opened to them. In the interim, according to reports made at police headquarters, a quantity of the liquor must have been hastily hidden away, for a number of partly empty bottles were found cached behind curtains, in closets and under the tables. There were six patrons in the Inn at the time of the raid.
A guard was set over these people until a thorough search had been made of the premises. Both men appeared before Judge David A. L'Esperance last night and were released on $500 bail each until a hearing before federal commissioners in New York city this morning.
The Boston Inn was raided once before by the Pelham Manor police, accompanied by federal officials on January 18, 1923. At that time the establishment was known as the Ash Tree Inn, taking that name because of the large ash tree which grows in front of the building. The building is an unpretentious one-story bungalow, set back a short distance from the highway running between Boston and New York.
At the time of the former raid three gallons of old beer, three gallons of whiskey, and about five gallons of assorted drinks were seized. Alfred Stocklasch was proprietor at the time and was arrested for the possession and selling of spirituous liquors in violation of the national prohibition law. Since that time the inn has been kept under constant surveillance."
Source: Police and Federal Agents Raid Boston Road Inn, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 16, 1925, No. 10,712, p. 18, cols. 5-6.
"Alleged Liquor Seized In Raid At Roadhouse
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Boston Road Inn Is Raided For Second Time In Two Years. Search Warrant Obtained
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Proprietors Will Appear Before Prohibition Commissioner Hitchcock In New York Today
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Five quarts of alleged illicit liquor was the haul of Federal Prohibition Inspectors John H. Fitzpatrick and George W. Hall, who in company with Chief of Police Philip Gargan and Patrolman Michael J. Grady of the Pelham Manor police, raided the Boston Inn on the Boston Road near the New York City line, shortly after noon yesterday. Eugene Frank and George Fisher, proprietors of the establishment, will appear before Commissioner Hitchcock this morning on charges of violation of the Federal Prohibition Law.
Armed with a search warrant the Federal officers first enlisted the aid of the local police and approached the roadhouse. Every door and window was closed and the main entrance was barred with a chain. It was believed that entry would have to be forced, but the two proprietors were inside and on recognizing the police officers they reluctantly allowed them to enter. A search revealed five quart bottles of a liquor alleged to contain more than one-half of one percent of alcohol. Two bottles were found in a room on the second floor and three in the cellar.
Frank and Fisher were placed under arrest and held under $500 bail each until their appearance before the Federal Commissioner this morning.
Two years ago Chief Gargan and Federal officers raided the Ash Tree Inn, as the Boston Inn was formerly known and discovered four cases of liquor. Frank and Fisher were immediate successors to Emil Stocklasch who was then proprietor."
Source: Alleged Liquor Seized In Raid At Roadhouse -- Boston Road Inn Is Raided For Second Time In Two Years. Search Warrant Obtained -- Proprietors Will Appear Before Prohibition Commissioner Hitchcock In New York Today, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 16, 1925, Vol. 15, No. 46, p. 1, col. 3.
"CROWDED ROAD HOUSE RAIDED BY POLICE AND FEDERAL MEN
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Pelham Manor Rendezvous Proprietor Arrested On Charge of Attempting to Shoot One of the Raiding Officers -- Guests Make Getaway
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PELHAM MANOR, Jan. 13. -- The Ash Tree Inn, lying off the Boston Post Road in Pelham near the New York city line, was raided by Pelham police and Federal Agents Monday. The proprietor, Orlando Lalli, of 4391 Boston Post Road, Village of Pelham Manor, and the bartender, Tony di Annotti, of 129 Union Avenue this city, were arrested on charges of attempting to shoot Federal Agent Benjamin Straus, maintaining a disoderly house, and for violations of the prohibition law.
Under the leadership of Chief of Police Philip Gargan, of the Pelham Manor Police Department, and Federal Agent Straus, Sergeant McCaffrey and five patrolmen of the Pelham Police entered the building at midnight. Straus immediately went to the bar room and confiscated quantities of liquor.
When Straus attempted to go behind the counter, Lalli is alleged to have drawn a pistol which was knocked from his hand by Patrolman Harold F. Bliss. Di Annotti, according to the police, grabbed for the pistol but was immediately taken into custody by Sergeant McCaffrey.
Road House Crowded
The road house was crowded when the police entered, and a mad scramble was made for the exits by the guests. Several couples who were captured by the police were taken to headquarters but were later released.
Lalli and Di Annotti, were both lodged in a cell at headquarters, and this morning they were taken to Federal Court, New York. Charges of maintaining a disorderly house, violating the Sullivan law, and violating the national prohibition laws will be lodged against them. A gun was found in Di Annotti's possession when he was searched at Police Headquarters."
Source: CROWDED ROAD HOUSE RAIDED BY POLICE AND FEDERAL MEN -- Pelham Manor Rendezvous Proprietor Arrested On Charge of Attempting to Shoot One of the Raiding Officers -- Guests Make Getaway, The Yonkers Statesman, Jan. 13, 1926, p. 5, cols. 4-5.
"Federal Agent Aided By Manor Police Raids Notorious Roadhouse
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Guns, Alleged Whiskey, and Beer Confiscated in Raid. Two Arrests and Inn Is Again Closed
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Ash Tree Inn, located on the northern side of the Boston Post Road near the New York City line, was raided again on Monday night at 11:45 o'clock, for the fourth time within three years. Proprietor of the Inn, Orlando Lalli, 23 years old, of 4396 Boston Post Road was arrested, charged with violation of the National Prohibition Act and the Sullivan Act, and with resisting a Federal officer in performance of his duty. Anthony Giannatti of 129 Union avenue, New Rochelle, was also arrested, charged with resisting a Federal officer. Three quarts of alleged whiskey, two half barrels of supposedly premium beer and three guns were confiscated in the raid.
On Monday night eight Pelham Manor policemen under the leadership of Chief Gargan and Federal Prohibition Agent Bernard Strauss of New York City, started the raid. The patrolmen surrounded the place, and Strauss, accompanied by Patrolman Bliss, entered the place. Strauss attempted to serve the papers on Lalli, but when the proprietor of the Inn saw him come behind the 'bar,' he surmised that all was not well. Lalli was not to be placed under arrest so easy. As Strauss approached him, Lalli picked up a quart bottle and threw it at the Federal officer. The officer dodged and started to grapple with the Inn's proprietor. The ensuing battle turned in the officer's favor, and Lalli reached for his back pocket, attempting to get his gun. Bliss had covered the midnight revelers in the Inn with his gun during the fight, but when he saw Lalli attempt to pull the gun he turned his weapon on the proprietor. Lalli swung the Federal officer around so that he was a shield, and Bliss could not fire for fear of hitting Strauss.
The Federal agent finally managed to twist the gun from Lalli, and as it dropped to the floor, Giannatti, who was standing nearby, picked it up and started for the rear door in an attempt to get rid of the weapon. Sergeant McCaffrey entered the door just as Giannatti reached it, and by a little quick work wrested the weapon away from him. Without the weapon, Lalli was quickly subdued.
Lalli and Giannatti were lodged in the Pelham Manor jail overnight, and were taken to New York early Tuesday morning, where they were arraigned before Federal Commissioner Cotter, who placed both men under a $5,000 bail. Their cases are to be tried on Wednesday before the Grand Jury."
Source: Federal Agent Aided By Manor Police Raids Notorious Roadhouse -- Guns, Alleged Whiskey, and Beer Confiscated in Raid. Two Arrests and Inn Is Again Closed, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 15, 1926, p. 1, col. 4.
"Proprietor of Ash Tree Inn Pays $50.00 Fine
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Changes Plea of Not Guilty and Is Warned of Heavier Sentence If Again in Court
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'Not Guilty,' a former plea entered by Orlando Lalli, 23, of No. 4396 Boston Post Road was withdrawn and a plea of 'Guilty' substituted when he appeared before Judge Anthony M. Menkel in Pelham Manor Police Court on Wednesday night charged with carrying concealed weapons, in violation of the Sullivan Act. A fine of $50 was imposed upon the offender who was warned that a heavier sentence would be imposed if he should appear in court again.
Lalli was arrested January 11th when he engaged Federal Prohibition Agent Benjamin Strauss in a tussle and drew a gun on the officer. Lalli was subdued and the gun taken away from him. At the time of the fight, the Ash Tree Inn of which he was proprietor was being raided and an attempt was made to serve him with papers. He resisted and a fight ensued.
Anthony Gianatti of 120 Union avenue, New Rochelle also held on a similar charge, whose trial was to have been finished at this sitting did not appear, his counsel Joseph Mancusi being ill. Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft appeared as counsel for the village."
Source: Proprietor of Ash Tree Inn Pays $50.00 Fine -- Changes Plea of Not Guilty and Is Warned of Heavier Sentence If Again in Court, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 29, 1926, p. 5, col. 3.
"GUN TOTER FINED $50
Anthony Gianatti of 139 Union Avenue, New Rochelle, charged with carrying concealed weapons, was found guilty by Judge Anthony M. Menkel in Pelham Manor police court last night and fined $50. Gianatti was picked up when the Pelham Manor police under Chief Philip Gargan raided the Ash Tree Inn on the Boston Post Road Sunday, January 10th."
Source: GUN TOTER FINED $50, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 19, 1926, p. 4, col. 7.
"Burgess Fields Buys Ash Tree Inn; Will Install Gas Station
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Property Held at $35,000 Has Admirable Location on Boston Post Road
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Sensing the coming boom in property on Boston Post Road which will follow parkway development, Burgess B. Field [sic] who for several years has operated a garage business on Washington avenue Pelham Manor, has purchased the old Ash Tree Inn property at Boston Post Road, near the New York City line. The price is understood to be in the neighborhood of $35,000.
Mr. Field [Field] intends to install a large gasoline filling station, and up-to-date garage in his new property. Its location is admirable as it is located at the junction of Boston Road, Hutchinson River Parkway, and the new highway which will come from Fulton avenue."
Source: Burgess Fields Buys Ash Tree Inn; Will Install Gas Station -- Property Held at $35,000 Has Admirable Location on Boston Post Road, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 19, 1926, p. 8, col. 2.
"To Padlock Boston Post Road Inn During Day
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Pelham Manor, Mar. 5. -- An order for padlocking the former Ash Tree Inn on Boston Post road here, recently raided by federal agents and local police, is expected to be put into effect today. The order for closing the establishment was granted by Judge Knox in federal court in New York city yesterday, according to a report received this morning from Chief of Police Philip Gargan, of Pelham Manor. The padlocking is to be in effect for a year.
An injunction was also issued against Olindio [sic] Lalli, proprietor of the establishment at the time it was raided, and also against Andrew Schwiermer, of Pelham Manor, who formerly owned the Ash Tree Inn property.
The closing of the place is the result of the ceaseless vigilance of Chief Gargan and the Pelham Manor police, who had made several other raids with federal agents, prior to the last one. In connection with this, Lalli and Tony Gianotti, of New Rochelle, were fined $50 each in Pelham Manor court recently, on charges of violating the Sullivan law. The padlocking process is expected to take place this afternoon.
Among those who appeared in court yesterday to testify against Lalli and Schwierman were Chief Gargan, Sergeant James McCaffrey, Motorcycle Officer Michael J. Grady and Patrolman Thomas Fagan and Harold F. Bliss, all of whom took part in the raid. Assistant District Attorney Lombard prosecuted the case. The Defendants were represented by Judge George Lambert, of Pelham.
That the Ash Tree Inn has seen the closing chapter in its history is indicated in the recent sale of the property by Mr. Schwiermer. It was purchased by Burgess Field, of Pelham Manor, who it is announced intends to install a filling station there. The place is nevertheless expected to be padlocked today, with the result that Mr. Field will have to make application to the federal court later on for the removal of it."
Source: To Padlock Boston Post Road Inn During Day, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 5, 1926, p. 21, col. 1.
"Ash Tree Inn Is Padlocked By Court Order of Judge Knox
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Former Saloon Was Raided Three Times in Year -- Is Now Occupied By Real Estate Concern
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Judge Knox in Federal Court yesterday signed an order padlocking the Ash Tree Inn on Boston Post Road. The place had been raided three times during the last year by Federal prohibition agents and local police. Orlando Lalli, proprietor, and Tony Gianotti, waiter at the place, are held on $5,000 bail for grand jury to face a charge of assaulting Federal officers in discharge of their duty. After the last raid the inn was closed and has since been leased to a real estate concern. It was recently purchased by Burgess B. Fields of Pelham Manor who will open it as a garage and gas station. Fields was in New York yesterday in an effort to get the padlock order quashed. Attending the hearing yesterday were Chief Gargan, Sergeant McCaffrey, Officers Bliss, Fagan and Grady, all of whom testified to the raid."
Source: Ash Tree Inn Is Padlocked By Court Order of Judge Knox -- Former Saloon Was Raided Three Times in Year -- Is Now Occupied By Real Estate Concern, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 5, 1926, p. 1, col. 3.
"MOUNT VERNON MEN HELD AFTER POST ROAD RAID
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Giuseppe Tigano and Giuseppe Sienta Arrested In Roadhouse
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FIVE IN CUSTODY
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One Defendant Wanted in Connection With Shooting -- Raid Near City Line
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New York, March 12. -- (INS) -- Five men, one of whom is alleged to be wanted in connection with the shooting and killing of Henry Sally, in Jamaica, last July, were arrested today in a roadhouse at No. 3525 Boston Post road, the Bronx, by Detectives of the Wakefield station and two detectives attached to Deputy Inspector Peter J. Masterson's staff.
The prisoners described themselves as Tony Calvarese, of 29 Washington avenue, New Rochelle; Orlando Lilli, or Lalli, of 3525 Boston Post road, Bronx; Giuseppe Tigano, of Mount Vern on; Giuseppe Sienta, of 336 Mount Vernon avenue, Mount Vernon, and Philip Aturio, of East Main street, Bridgeport, Conn.
Aturio, according to the police, is the man who, under the name of Philip Balzastro, of 57 West Catherine street, Jamaica, is wanted in connection with the shooting of Sally. He was closely questioned by Captain Arthur Carey of the homicide bureau.
Calvarese Arrested First.
Calvarese was the first to be arrested. Acting on a description supplied by Henry Perkins, a druggist, of 3970 White Plains avenue, Bronx, Detectives Carroll and Lamb arrested hime in the roadhouse and took him to police headquarters.
Detectives Strasser and O'Connor visited the roadhouse and arrested the alleged proprietor, Lilli [sic; Lalli], on a charge of maintaining a disorderly house. The detectives said that Gigano attempted to draw a revolver but he was quickly overpowered and arrested.
Tigano later produced a pistol permit, police said, signed by County Judge William F. Bleakley, of Westchester county and dated March 31, 1922. The permit, the police said, bore the indorsement: 'good until revoked.'
Charged with disorderly conduct, Sienta and Aturio were added to the line of prisoners immediately following Tigano's arrest.
Near Mount Vernon Line.
The roadhouse where the raid was staged is located a short distance below the Mount Vernon line. According to the police of the 27th precinct, it was opened only a few days ago by Orlando Lalli, who formerly operated the Ash Tree Inn on Boston Post Road, Pelham Manor which was padlocked recently.
This defendant is said to be out on bail now in federal court as a result of a raid staged in Pelham Manor several months ago.
At this precinct it was said that Tigano gave his address as 41 Putnam street, Mount Vernon. The city directory contains such a name, listing him as grocer. Sienta gave the address, 336 Mount Vernon avenue, as above stated, but there is no such address in Mount Vernon. The numbers on this street stop at 157.
Mount Vernon police had no information about the case this afternoon."
Source: MOUNT VERNON MEN HELD AFTER POST ROAD RAID -- Giuseppe Tigano and Giuseppe Sienta Arrested In Roadhouse -- FIVE IN CUSTODY -- One Defendant Wanted in Connection With Shooting -- Raid Near City Line, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 12, 1926, No. 11,064, p. 1, col. 4.
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I have written extensively about bootlegging, illegal stills, and liquor raids in the Town of Pelham during Prohibition and even earlier when Pelham went dry under New York's Raines law. For a few examples, see:
Mon., Dec. 26, 2016: Pelham Stood Alone in Westchester When It Voted to Go Dry in 1896.
Mon., Aug. 22, 2016: Pelham, It Seems, Became a Hotbed of Bootlegging and Illegal Stills During Prohibition.
Mon., Jul. 06, 2015: Police Raided a Massive 300-Gallon Illegal Liquor Still on Corlies Avenue in 1932.
Fri., Jun. 19, 2015: More Liquor Raids in Pelham During Prohibition in the 1920s.
Wed., Jun. 17, 2015: Prohibition Rum-Runners Delivering A Boatload of Booze Were Foiled in Pelham in 1925.
Fri., Apr. 24, 2015: The North Pelham "Speakeasy Section" Created Quite a Stir During Prohibition.
Tue., Nov. 18, 2014: More Bootleggers and Speakeasies Raided in Pelham in 1929 During Prohibition.
Fri., May 23, 2014: How Dry I Am -- Early Prohibition Efforts Succeed in Pelham in 1896.
Thu., Apr. 03, 2014: The Prohibition Era in Pelham: Another Speakeasy Raided.
Tue., Feb. 18, 2014: Pelham Speakeasies and Moonshiners - Prohibition in Pelham: The Feds Raid the Moreau Pharmacy in Pelham Manor in 1922.
Thu., Feb. 07, 2008: Village Elections in Pelham in 1900 - New York Athletic Club Members Campaign Against the Prohibition Ticket in Pelham Manor.
Thu., Jan. 12, 2006: The Beer Battle of 1933.
Thu., Aug. 11, 2005: How Dry I Am: Pelham Goes Dry in the 1890s and Travers Island Is At the Center of a Storm.
Bell, Blake A., The Prohibition Era in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 25, June 18, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.
Labels: 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 4393 Boston Post Road, Ash Tree Inn, Bootlegger, Boston Post Road, Crime, Prohibition, Roadhouses
