Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
November 20, 1947
The Mingo Republican
Williamson, Mingo County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
State Police Sergeant Ezra Zirkle instills panic among operators of illegal enterprises in Williamson, causing them to hide race horses, slot machines, and dram shops. Reports of undercover men add to the fear. Chief W. E. Burchett defends Zirkle against transfer attempts by Logan politicians.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Local Hot Spot
Operators Are
'Covering Up'
Recent scurrying to cover among those conducting alleged illegal enterprises in Williamson is said to have been caused by the ominous shadow of State Police Sergeant Ezra Zirkle, of the Logan detachment.
Whether Sergeant Zirkle actually appeared on the local scene or whether his shadow projected itself over the stretch between his Stollings headquarters and the Williamson hot spots is a matter of conjecture and debate. Anyway, Sergeant Zirkle had the local resort keepers running around in "zirkles."
Little race horses were hastily returned to their well hidden stalls; slot machines disappeared as if by magic; dram shops became Saharas, and clubs suspended extra curricular activities.
Panic was fanned by reports of snooping by two alleged under-cover men, said to have paid visits to a number of local resorts. Panic is still on, according to the grapevine.
Sergeant Zirkle, active in suppressing vice in Logan, is said to have aroused the ire of politicians there, who boasted he would be transferred. In a letter to the Logan Banner, W. E. Burchett, chief of the state department of public safety, declared that the crusading sergeant will not be moved. "Politicians do not make the policies of the state police," Burchett wrote.
Operators Are
'Covering Up'
Recent scurrying to cover among those conducting alleged illegal enterprises in Williamson is said to have been caused by the ominous shadow of State Police Sergeant Ezra Zirkle, of the Logan detachment.
Whether Sergeant Zirkle actually appeared on the local scene or whether his shadow projected itself over the stretch between his Stollings headquarters and the Williamson hot spots is a matter of conjecture and debate. Anyway, Sergeant Zirkle had the local resort keepers running around in "zirkles."
Little race horses were hastily returned to their well hidden stalls; slot machines disappeared as if by magic; dram shops became Saharas, and clubs suspended extra curricular activities.
Panic was fanned by reports of snooping by two alleged under-cover men, said to have paid visits to a number of local resorts. Panic is still on, according to the grapevine.
Sergeant Zirkle, active in suppressing vice in Logan, is said to have aroused the ire of politicians there, who boasted he would be transferred. In a letter to the Logan Banner, W. E. Burchett, chief of the state department of public safety, declared that the crusading sergeant will not be moved. "Politicians do not make the policies of the state police," Burchett wrote.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Vice Suppression
Illegal Enterprises
Police Crackdown
Williamson Hot Spots
Sergeant Zirkle
Undercover Snooping
What entities or persons were involved?
Sergeant Ezra Zirkle
W. E. Burchett
Where did it happen?
Williamson, Logan, Stollings
Story Details
Key Persons
Sergeant Ezra Zirkle
W. E. Burchett
Location
Williamson, Logan, Stollings
Story Details
Sergeant Zirkle causes panic among Williamson's illegal operators, leading to concealment of gambling and drinking activities; Chief Burchett protects him from political transfer threats in Logan.