During the spring of 1927, three men from Clatsop County began serving one year sentences for possession of a still. P.T. Kirby, Clyde Alley  and William Ober all served approximately six months in the Penitentiary prior to being paroled in the fall of that same year. In all three cases, their letters to the Parole Board cited their dire economic circumstances as the reason they were involved in distilling liquor.

P.T. Kirby, a woodsman, stated that he “was in bad circumstances and needed some money. Had small contract. No money until completed” though he also added in terms of future work, “prospects good, know the value of money now.”

Clyde Alley, a laborer, indicated “the reason I started to make moonshine was for the money there was in it that I needed bad” similarly adding “I can go home and go to work the day I get there.”

William Ober, the oldest of the three offenders at 40 years of age, painted a picture of a struggling farm in dire need of his return. “Have wife and three children … I have a mortgage of $4,000 on my place and tried to make some money to pay off the mortgage.” The most compelling statement he made painted a vivid image: “… I have lots of work at home, 26 head of cattle to take care of; my wife isn’t in shape to do it. Children going to school. River is washing badly on my place on high water.”

Although all three were paroled, in each case the judge recommended they serve their full sentence; the sheriff had no objection to parole; and the district attorney did not provide a recommendation to the Parole Board.

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