Church Body Heads Raid On Speakeasy
(Morris Daily Herald Tuesday November 1, 1932)

SEWARD, ILL., Nov. 1. The only known speakeasy in the village was closed today and its proprietor pleaded guilty in court because a whole church congregation made a midnight raid after praying for five hours.

Ernie Meyer and the speakeasy he operated openly were the subject of sermon and prayer when the congregation gathered at 7:30 for Sunday night services.

"Lord, keep us here in prayer until that den of iniquity is closed," the minister prayed.

The congregation then voted to stay in session until Meyers was run out of business. A vestryman was given $1 and told to go buy evidence. He came back with a pint of liquor which he said he bought at Meyers' place.

A triumphant delegation, one of their number guarding the pint bottle, drove to Rockford, 14 miles away. They awakened a deputy sheriff Millard Stokburger. The deputy got Assistant States Attorney Max Weston out of bed.

The officers roused Justice of the Peace O. M. Williams and he issued a search warrant. It was then after midnight. The delegation and the officers hastened back to the church, where the congregation was still praying.

The church folk arose and the whole group swooped down on the speakeasy, arrested Meyers and a bartender, Dennis Ashton.

Then, while the satisfied parishioners walked thankfully to their homes, the officers took their prisoners to Rockford jail. Meyers pleaded guilty today, Aston was yet to be arraigned.

Rain Followed Farmers' Prayer
(Morris Daily Herald Saturday July 7, 1934)

NORTH HORNELL, N. Y., July 7. - A humorous touch in the recent disastrous drought:

Farmers hereabouts gathered at the North Hornell church to pray for rain. They raised their voices in prayer, pleading for the moisture to save their crops.

Nearby, Mayor Phillip Rockwell and other business men and officials tried to concentrate on their work.

The prayers grew louder.

Mayor Rockwell's nerves grew worse.

Finally, the executive sent over word to the church asking them to "desist from shouting," so that the regular affairs of the municipality could continue.

The prayer were ended abruptly and shortly afterward rain came.