Rieker's, Raids, & Reforms: Prohibition in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
The story of a bootlegger, police chief, judge, and lawyer from 1931-1932 in Lancaster County (Part 2 of 2)
Lancaster City police force (1929)LancasterHistory
Lancaster City Police
Meanwhile, the Lancaster police department was facing its own challenges of corruption in connection with Max Hassel and Rieker Star Brewery. Commissioner of Police Raymond Whitcomb resigned after Judge John M. Groff convicted him for supporting the liquor trade in Lancaster.
To address the role’s vacancy, Daniel Bursk Strickler was sworn in as the Commissioner of Police on April 5, 1932.
Lt. Col. Daniel B. Strickler (1930)LancasterHistory
Daniel B. Strickler
Daniel B. Strickler was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania on May 17, 1897. After studying law at Cornell University, he served in World War I and received the rank of Lieutenant. He joined the Lancaster County Bar on October 26, 1923.
Strickler believe Whitcomb was not the only police department member influenced by Hassel and wrote that “almost the entire police force was owned and handled by Hassel.” Strickler’s main priority then become reorganizing the police department. Three days after becoming the Commissioner of Police, Strickler announced a “record shake-up.” He demoted three policemen and promoted three others.
Ramping Up Raids
Following the reorganization of the police department, Strickler focused much of his energy on the crackdown on gangs and the enforcement of Prohibition. The police ramped up their liquor raids.
"Violators by the dozens were brought into court for trial and sentences. Soon people realized that I meant business, and violators began to close down in order to escape being raided." - Daniel B. Strickler
Empty Barrells during Prohibition (1925)LancasterHistory
Rieker Conclusion
Strickler was also involved with the Rieker Brewery/ Max Hassel case, but soon lost contact with Hassel. In 1933, Strickler learned that gangsters in New Jersey murdered Hassel six days after the Cullen-Harrison Act legalized alcohol on March 22, 1933.
Judges C. I. Landis, Groff, and W. N. Apple (1929)LancasterHistory
Corruption Continues: Judge Groff and Edna Hurst
During his time as Commissioner of Police, Daniel B. Strickler grew concerned about the actions of Judge John M. Groff and Edna Hurst. While Groff did convict Strickler's predecessor for corruption, Groff and Hurst were actually involved in their own corrupt practices.
Edna Hurst, The 3rd Female Lawyer in Lancaster
Edna Hurst was Groff’s former secretary, and they remained close after he became a judge and she a lawyer. However, a pattern developed in their cases. Defendants represented by Hurst were more likely to be acquitted before Groff. This raised local Bar members’ suspicions.
Over several months, Strickler and six other lawyers worked to secretly install a microphone in Groff’s office in the Courthouse. From June to July 1932, they listened in on Groff’s conversations with Hurst to gather evidence against them. They discovered that Groff consulted with Hurst about cases he would oversee, allowing for the bootleggers they favored and Hurst represented to be acquitted.
Lancaster County Courthouse (1925)LancasterHistory
Tapped
Over several months, Strickler and six lawyers worked to install a microphone in Groff’s office in the Courthouse. From June to July 1932, they listened in on Groff’s conversations with Hurst to gather evidence against them.
Panorama of Lancaster City (1930)LancasterHistory
Listening In
Strickler and the lawyers discovered Groff and Hurst did collude to benefit their favored bootleggers. After a Courthouse janitor discovered the wire on July 11, 1932 and with enough evidence in hand, Bar members requested the resignation of Judge Groff.
Edna Hurst Disbarment Trial transcript Page 8LancasterHistory
Resignation
Groff indignantly announced his resignation on July 19th in the local newspapers. He expressed that he had been framed, and, on August 31, officially retired.
Lancaster County Courthouse (1925)LancasterHistory
Saving Face
Despite the investigation, the Lancaster New Era and Intelligencer Journal explained that Groff retired due to health issues. Older members of the Bar were concerned about how the corruption of one of their own could harm their reputation.
Edna Hurst Disbarment Trial transcript Page 9LancasterHistory
Hurst
The Board of Censors gave Edna Hurst an ultimatum: stop practicing law and avoid disbarment. Edna promised, but eventually went back on her word. Hurst was officially disbarred in May 1935.
Raid on a still (1925)LancasterHistory
Prohibition's Legacy
The interwoven lives of Max Hassel, Mike Benedict, Daniel B. Strickler, John M. Groff, and Edna Hurst are a story of corruption in Prohibition-era America.
Rieker Brewing Company interior (1925-12-28)LancasterHistory
Ounce of Prevention, Pound of Cure?
The prohibition of liquor did little to improve social concerns like alcoholism, domestic abuse, and poverty in the United States. Instead, it led to immense corruption in courts and police departments across the country.
Raid on a still (1925)LancasterHistory
Tough On Crime?
When government officials turned a blind eye to illegal activity or actively supported the liquor trade, Strickler cracked down on this corruption. He increased raids on locations that manufactured or sold liquor and made corrupt leaders face consequences for their actions.
Aerial view of Lancaster City (1929)LancasterHistory
Aftermath of Prohibition
While Prohibition’s consequences highlighted systemic issues often rooted in race, ethnicity, and class-based prejudices, the corruption in Lancaster illustrated the power individuals could also have on the law and justice system.
Visit LancasterHistory's Thieves and Vagabonds: A History of Law and Justice in Lancaster County (opening November 13, 2023) to learn more.
Credits for items donated to LancasterHistory:
- Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook: Gift of Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Strickler
- Watercolor rendering of a still: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Illgenfritz
- Edna Hurst Disbarment Trial transcript: On loan from Dennis Shumaker
Created by Kayla Stevens, LancasterHistory Education & Exhibition Planning NEH Intern, 2023.
Any views, content, findings, opinions, etc... expressed in this Story do not necessarily represent those owners of the media found or used in this Story.
