Digital Bob Archive

AUGUST 30, 1882-Residents of Juneau are fed up with the failure of federal authorities to enforce the liquor laws and especially those pertaining to the sale of liquor to Indians. The miners have been particularly incensed by the sale of liquor to packers on the trail to the Basin, thus disrupting the orderly conduct of mining. In consequence, meetings were held on the 20th and 28th and a new code of laws was adopted and provisions made to enforce them.

The new code made it unlawful for any person to sell or give liquor to any Indian or to any person known to convey the same to any Indian. Any person convicted of violating this provision is to have his liquor seized and sold at public auction, the proceeds to go into a General Fund which is to be used to maintain a constable.

Upon conviction of a second offense against the provisions of the code, the person shall have his liquor seized as above, and also shall be compelled to leave this district and not return for at least a year.

It shall also be unlawful for any person to sell, barter, give or keep for sale any molasses, or to bring any within the limits of this district. A person convicted of possession of molasses will be granted the privilege of shipping it out on the first boat, but if that is not done the molasses is to be seized and dumped in the bay.

Any and all intoxicated Indians are to be arrested by the Town Constable and turned over to the Executive Committee for trial. If convicted, the Indian is to be confined for a period of five days or required to work on the roads and streets for three days.

The first Executive Committee, elected at the second meeting, is made up of J. Rudkins, N. A. Fuller and William Newcomer. Levi Harrod, known as ?Big Levi,? was elected the first Constable and Richard Dixon, the Recorder, was selected as the first town Treasurer. There is to be an election every six months to fill these offices. The Constable is to be paid $100 a month out of the General Fund and the Executive Committee is empowered to solicit funds to maintain the General Fund.

Provision was also made in the code for jury trials, when required, and for drawing juries for six persons from the names of no fewer than 30 men. The drawing is to be done by a member of the Executive Committee.