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Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 6, 1923 continued By Alissa Corman Jan 07, 2023 12:00 AM A A News from 100 years ago The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago Jan. 6, 1923 continued JUDGE THOMAS REVOKES PAROLE ELMER SIMMONS The parole of Elmer Simmons, who pleaded guilty last October to an infraction of the prohibition law, was revoked by the circuit court this morning by Judge C. M. Thomas, after a hearing of arguments and affidavits, file pro and con. Simmons was arrested December 27th, and in an affidavit told of being driven from place to place by Prohibition Officer S. B. Sandefer, Dillon Hill, and D. M. Lowe, who were alleged by Simmons in an affidavit, to have tried to induce him to “tell something on Charlie Terrill.” Affidavits were also made by L. M. Sweet of Beagle, father-in-law of Simmons, and Simmons’ wife supporting this allegation. Simmons has been employed as a special prohibition officer while on parole. Sandefer was not in the courtroom during the hearing, but all the other affidavit makes, on both sides of the issue, were present. Besides the charge of violating the liquor law, Simmons was accused of “disloyalty” to Sandefer, and “tipping off” Ray Carpenter, suspected, it was charged, of bootlegging operations, that a plot was being fomented to have him offer a bribe, with hidden “witnesses” on the scene. Mrs. Simmons, in an affidavit, stated that in a conversation with D. M. Lowe on or about December 27, Lowe expressed himself as “completely disgusted with Elmer,” and that, after promises Lowe stated “If they did not believe him, he would take Elmer before Governor Pierce, who would assure him (Simmons) there would be no prosecution.” The hearing this morning is another chapter in the “Simmons case,” the ramifications of which have been before the public, since last spring, and never clearly explained. The case was heard by Judge Charles M. Thomas, and the session marked his initial appearance on the Jackson County bench. Judge Thomas in a verbal decision ruled that Simmons should have his parole revoked, upholding the contention of the state in this particular, and stressing the point that Prohibition Enforcement officers were encountering sufficient difficulty without being combated by one engaged in helping them. — Alissa Corman; [email protected]