Stethoscopes and Illegal Whiskey

Dr. Harlie V. Lewis, the oldest physician in Lawrence County in 1939, died at his home at 809 13th St at 3:25 pm Saturday February 1. He suffered a stroke at 8:30 that morning and his condition was considered serious from the first. Dr. Lewis had been in his usual health the last month except for a slight cold that had confined him to his home in the latter part of that week.

Dr. Lewis was born in Bridgeport, Illinois, the son of William M. Lewis and Katherine Eaton Lewis on the old Lewis place just north of the city. He celebrated his eightieth birthday on January 9, 1939. He was descended from the first Lewis who settled in Lawrence County in 1813, migrating here from Kentucky, having gone to Kentucky from Virginia in the early days of the nation. His parents were William Milton and Catherine E Eaton Lewis.

Dr. Lewis was educated in the schools of Lawrence County. Early in life, he decided to become a physician, a decision that was brought about by the suffering of his mother, and when yet a lad, read medical books in the office of Dr Hall. He entered the Physio Medical Institute at Cincinnati from which he graduated in March 1880. His brother C M Lewis also became a doctor.

He began the practice of medicine at Bridgeport. While located there he married Miss Hettie Ray who gave birth to seven sons, Noel, William, Ray, Russell, Paul, Floyd and Victor. Mrs. Lewis died in 1898, and the next year Dr. Lewis and his remaining sons, three having also died, moved to Lawrenceville where he established his practice. He was married a second time to Miss Jennie Walter, who with two sons, Paul of Lawrenceville and Victor of Sandusky, Ohio, survive him.

Dr. Lewis was a great reader, and one who enjoyed digging into the early history of the county. He kept great files of notes that he had gathered in the early days of the vicinity and took great delight in interviewing elderly people. He gathered a lot of data on the early physicians of Lawrence County and had intended to assist in the writing of a book on early day doctors for years. He was the first physician to own and use a stethoscope and would tell of demonstrating its use to the younger physicians.

His early practice took him to every part of the county. These trips were generally made on horseback. Later, as the roads improved, he used a buggy and told of getting much of his sleep on the return trips, allowing the horse to find the way home. Having traveled over the county in the practice of his profession, he was well- known and knew practically all the people in the county at the time his practice was at its height.

Dr. Lewis was active in the affairs of the communities in which he lived. He served the county as coroner for six years 1904-1910, was a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows Lodges and was an active member of the Lawrenceville Christian Church. He served the Christian Church of Bridgeport as Elder for several years. He was also a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.

In 1904 Dr Lewis vacated the Dr Robinson business building on the Square and Carl Busse purchased it for his stock of harness and as shoe shop for $1,550. Dr Lewis then purchased the Stolz Drug Store which he operated on the north side of the square. His medical office was upstairs.  (This was the location of the Hedde Drug Store on the Square, later the Verizon store.)

In all lives a little rain must fall; in this case a little whiskey in the form of patented medicine sold at the Lewis drugstore.  Young States Attorney Cunningham clad in armor as the people’s chosen defender and armed with the law stood single- handed and alone and utterly routed the combined lawyers of the whiskey interest in the county.  Indictments by the grand jury for selling whisky were handed out to the proprietors of Stiver Springs. Fancher Drugs, HV Lewis Drugs and several other establishments for “keeping nuisances.”

In court the lawyers representing the men accused of selling liquor without license united in one mighty effort to dismiss the charges. George W Lackey, J E McGaughey, and S J Gee poured forth invective against the States Attorney, cajolery for the Judge and sophistry for the large audience in the court room.  They invoked the constitution, the bill of rights, and the statutes of the state on behalf of their clients. With the utmost confidence in his cause, States Attorney Cunningham quoted the law, argued his point, and presented the decisions of the higher courts to sustain him.

After four hours of debate, Judge Benson took the decision under consideration and refused the motion to dismiss. Local interest centered on the prosecution of Dr H V Lewis. There had been frequent complaints against this store in former days.  When Dr Lewis became its proprietor, the citizens hailed the coming of a better day. However, for some time, reports had been circulating that the store was selling illegal alcohol.   After a change of venue to Judge Maxwell the following week, a jury was called followed by another long hard fight, every point being closely contended with thirty witnesses being called.  The jury was sent to deliberate at 5:30 on Saturday evening and reported back at 8:00 pm convicting Dr. Lewis.  He sold the drug store shortly after 1908.

His residence was on Cauthorn Street in Lawrenceville. For a short time in 1909 he and George W Low formed an unlikely partnership under the firm name of Low & Lewis Concrete Co for the manufacture of blocks, steps, foundation, culverts, bridges, sanitary sewers, septic tanks etc. The workshop was at the rear of Dr Lewis’ residence.

Failing health caused him to retire from active practice of medicine several years before his death caring only for those who insisted upon his help and advice.

Burial was in the White House Cemetery.