75. Chatter Box Road House - Near Ridgeville

State Files Action To Padlock Chatter Box 

Winchester Journal Herald.
March 30, 1946.

     Charging that the Chatter Box road house near Ridgeville is a "common nuisance," the state of Indiana today in Randolph circuit court filed action to have it padlocked for a year.
     Judge John W. Macy issued a temporary restraining order against Bert and India McKew, proprietors of the establishment, and set April 3 as hearing date on a temporary injunction.
     The complaint says:
     That on October 1, 1945 Bert McKew owned the Chatter Box which is the first building south of the Mississinewa river on the east side of state road 28 south of Ridgeville, and on that date (following a raid in which several arrests were made), McKew pleaded guilty to unlawful sale and unlawful possession of liquor for sale.
     Further, that McKew continued to own and operate the tavern by way of a hired manager when in February of this year.  Albert Combs, a state excise police officer, was sold one four-fifth quart of whiskey.
     On March 1, the complaint continues, McKew entered into an agreement with his wife, India, she becoming the "apparent" lessee.  On March 24, the place was raided again, Mrs. McKew and a patron being arrested, both being fined the following day and the proprietress given a five-day jail term.
     The state contends that the McKews permit liquor to be taken to Chatter Box and illegally sell liquor and setups; also that they have permitted minors, some as young as 16 years of age, to take liquor and drink, and that because of these facts permit traffic hazards and are a common nuisance.