If I didn’t know better, I would think I’m reading about an illegal pot growing operation in Sonoma county in 2017. Somethings never seem to change.
Healdsburg Tribune, 2 March 1927
OFFICERS FIND BIG DISTILLERY
IN KAWANA HOSTELRY
GIANT ILLICIT ALCOHOL
OUTFIT CONFISCATED BY OFFICERS
In the course of a raid on Taylor mountain, located three miles southeast of Santa Rosa, a large distillery, capable of turning out 1400 gallons of pure alcohol daily, was captured by county dry officers on Tuesday, and George Darnell, 50, claiming to be a pipe fitter from San Francisco, was captured. The still was located in the old Kawana hotel and White Sulphur Springs and is valued at $10,000. On the ground floor one still, with a capacity of 1000 gallons, was located, having three units, one on each of the three stories of the building. Two other stills, one of 250-gallon and the other of 150-gallon capacity were confiscated.
All were rigged by pipe lines with seven 2000-gallon mash tanks, the fermented “juice” from which could be pumped directly into the stills. The tanks, however, were empty and had recently been cleaned out. Other equipment found in the place included a two-ton steam boiler for cooling coils, a gravity feed system supplying oil to the still boilers, and a liquor tank of 200 gallons capacity. Only 50 gallons of “jack” testing 125 proof, was found, and this was destroyed at the place. All other equipment was transferred to the Lee Brothers’ warehouse here pending destruction.
Find Loaded Guns
John Pemberton led the raid, assisted by the sheriff’s office, the working force including Sheriff Douglas Bills and Deputies Leo Honsa, W. A. Shulte and Phil Varner.