Sheriffs Criminal Docket Ledger Book: Citrus County, Florida, 1927-29

Commercial ledger. Large folio, 12 ½" x 17 ¾". Contains a thumb index and 500 number stamped pages, of which the first 311 have manuscript entries dating from July 7, 1927 to December 30, 1929. Each page has a printed template used to record two separate docket entries written in manuscript in pencil or ink, for a total of approximately 600 criminal cases entered in the ledger. Bound in dark red polished leather over boards, both covers stamped in gold and in blind, gilt spine, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. Two printed labels on front pastedown: "Barnard’s Patent Flat Opening Blank Books" and a large pictorial Stationer’s label. The leather is rubbed and worn at the head and tail of spine and edges of the boards, else very good or better with the internal pages clean and bright. A scarce, prohibition era docket of criminal cases committed in Citrus Country, located on the west central coast of Florida about 75 miles north of Tampa, by individuals from throughout the state. Offenses range from "Using profane language" to "Assault to kill". Among the more common offenses are "drunk and disorderly" conduct, fighting, larceny (including larceny of hogs and cattle), vagrancy, and stealing. Other frequent offenses include assault, breaking and entering, embezzlement, and bad checks; together with less frequent crimes like "carnal intercourse" and insanity. Prohibition offences include possession and transporting liquor and possession of whiskey. Each docket entry includes the judgement of the County Judges Court, typically a fine including court costs or referral to another court, the name of the arresting officer, and various notes relating to the specific case. For example: in State of Florida vs. Edna Lee Parrish (April 23, 1929), Parrish was arrested for being a "Juvenile Delinquent" and was committed to "Fla. Industrial School for Girls". Another woman: Lizzie Lindsey, was arrested for fighting, spent "2 days in jail" and was billed $10 and costs. Most later notes indicate if someone has been "paroled on good behavior," or had their case withdrawn at the request of a local government official. An important, often overlooked primary resource documenting the social history of a large Florida community during Prohibition. …