James McClellen Fry: Prohibition

James McClellen Fry was born 15 March 1867 in Madison, IN to Phillip Fry (1842-1925) and Emily Jane Boals (1847-1925).

James was a farmer, he had 55 acres of land in Fort Wayne, IN. He also had a still he was making moonshine.










Inmate #38695 Leavenworth Federal Prison
Rec: 19 Apr 1931
Crime: Prohibition Act (Manufacturing a Still)
Term: 2 years




















Inmate #38695 Leavenworth Prison in Kansas
Crime: Prob. Act Mgf. Still
Rec: 19 April 1931
Term: 2 years
Age: 64

James was first married to Lucinda "Lucy" Savio (1875-1904) on 28 Nov 1894. She gave him 2 sons, Darwin Edgar Fry (1895-1967) and Russell Edwin Fry (1895-1965). In 1904 she died in childbirth, I found no mention of the child surviving in her obituary.

James married Emilie S Fuelling(1887-1947) on 31 Jan 1906. She gave him 4 more sons.

Albert C Fry 1907-1968
James Fry 1914-1936
Robert L Fry 1917-2009
Jesse Fry

These were hard times and in the prohibition era most of the local would turn a blind eye to a still on a farm. I did not find any newspaper clippings. 





















He was 64 years old and his health wasn't good, too many years of taking to the drink. His family received a telegram from the prison about his failing health, unfortunately they didn't make it in time.











He died 5 Feb 1932 in Leavenworth Prison from Cirrhosis of the liver, he also had Syphilis. Such a sad way to die, alone and in pain. He was returned home and buried in the IOOF Cemetery in New Haven, IN where his wife and a son would join him.





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