Daviess County Sheriff B.B. Houghton and Sheriff Deputy Novia Doak, accompanied by several others, captured two men in a Carlow booze raid in October, 1926. Five gallons of corn whiskey was seized for evidence for use in the prosecution of the men.

Upon arriving at the scene of action southeast of Carlow, MO, the posse divided and approached while the still was going. A lookout on duty discovered that intruders approached, saying “Boys, it’s time to go” and three of them proceeded to go as fast as their legs would carry them. The sheriff succeeded in capturing one, Jess Rader, who with one of the largest whiskey plants that has been found was brought to town.

A fanciful pitcher for “John Barleycorn”

Previously, in January, 1926, Sheriff Houghton led a raiding party to Carlow country and captured a big still along with 12 or 14 barrels of mash. Search warrants had been issued to houses in Carlow. The still was discovered by Deputy Doak, Farley Burge and Ralph Cox on the bank of Little Muddy Creek, just east of Carlow. As they approached, three men made a getaway in the weeds. The third, Loren French, stopped after going about 100 yards. The officers were firing shots lively around the fleeing men.

French was winded from the run, and stated he was coming in from looking after horses over in the pasture. He claimed he knew nothing about the still.

No liquor or evidence was found in any of the houses that were searched. Empty jugs, however, were found thrown in the weeds around a house. Although the jugs smelled of liquor, none contained any spirits.

The officers report the still operations on the creek bank were quite extensive. The still itself was a big one and would probably handle 50 to 60 gallons. Stoves, funnels, and necessary adjuncts were also present. Only a few hours later and a big quantity of corn liquor would have been confiscated. The mash was poured into the creek.

Former Sheriff Frank Gildow, C.K. Connell, Harrison Worrelll and Taz Helm also accompanied the sheriff to Carlow, and it was reported that ex-sheriff Gildow fell in the creek two or three times making his way around with the search party.

— reprinted from the Gallatin North Missourian, Oct. 27 and Jan. 7, 1926 editions

The village of Carlow in Daviess County, MO, was once linked to Gallatin by the Wabash Railroad.

This map of Carlow, MO, is in the 1898 plat map book of Daviess County, MO.