In 1926 the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, recognizing there was a countywide problem with gambling and the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol contracted with Guarantee Detective Agency from Margate to conduct undercover investigations of various hotels and businesses in the County for violations of the Volstead Act. The detective agency sent its operatives to various places within the county to act as patrons of the establishments. It was a successful operation, resulting in raids and arrests. In the fall, the agency submitted the bill to the Freeholders. What they received must have been a shock, because it took a New Jersey Supreme Court Order to compel them to pay the bill.
It most likely was not the portion of the bills charging for transportation or operators to conduct raids the Freeholders found objectionable; it was paying for the booze, women and betting with public funds that probably caused the Freeholders some sleepless nights.
From the County Clerk’s Notable to Notorious Lecture Series: Stories from the Archives of the Cape May County Clerk and Surrogate. This series is taking place at the branches of the Cape May County Library. Coming up on Monday, August 28 C in the Villas 6-7 p.m., Saturday, September 23 in Woodbine 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, October 11 in Wildwood Crest 6-7 p.m. and Tuesday, November 14 in Cape May City 1-2 p.m.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
