Letter About Transportation of Liquor from California to Washington
2/21/1928
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This document pertains to a case concerning the investigation of a conspiracy to transport liquor from California to Washington during Prohibition.
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[stamped] "Received Feb 24 1928 [illegible] San Francisco, Calif."
Melvin L. Hanks
Special Agent.
In re: 45-A.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
U.S PROHIBITION SERVICE
PORTLAND, ORE.
February 21st, 1928.
Ralph R. Reed,
Special Agent in Charge,
U. S. Prohibition Service,
San Francisco, California.
There is inclosed herewith a picture and description of one J. H. Bailey, alias "Sailor Jack," alias Roy (or Ray) Sparks, alias P. Rex.
Last September "Sailor Jack" was apprehended while transporting alcohol along the Pacific highway near Medford, Oregon, by Prohibition Agent, Terry A. Tallent. Subsequent to that arrest "Sailor Jack" acted as an informant for Tallent, but at the same time he attempted to get his own loads of liquor past the officers. Finally "Sailor Jack" jumped state bonds, and disappeared.
It is now our information, from a very reliable source, that "Sailor Jack" is running alcohol from San Francisco to Crescent City, California. He is reported to be using the name of P. Rex in Crescent City, and is stopping at a hotel, the name of which we have not yet learned, with a man by the name of Byers.
Prohibition Agent Tallent states that if any one were to get "Sailor Jack" in a "tight place" he would tell all he knows about the transportation of alcohol from San Francisco to various Pacific Coast points. It is requested that an effort be made to locate "Sailor Jack," and to interview him regarding the alcohol traffic.
[signed] Melvin L. Hanks
Melvin L. Hanks,
Special Agent
MLH:MDC
Encls.This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of the Treasury.
National Archives Identifier:
298430Full Citation: Letter concerning the transportation of liquor from California to Washington; 2/21/1928; Investigation of Smuggling between California and Washington; Investigative Case Files, 1924 - 1933; General Records of the Department of the Treasury, Record Group 56; National Archives at Seattle, Seattle, WA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/transport-liquor-ca-to-wa, May 4, 2024]