The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Sept. 6, 1973

Deputies are investigating the death of John Wesley Place, 15, who was found in the back seat of a vehicle behind My Tavern Place. The boy lived in a residence at the same location. Deputies believe he died from drinking an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time, causing him to get sick and choke. Companions told deputies he offered them drinks from what he said was a fifth of gin, and then consumed it within 10 minutes. He fell in a stream and the companions took him to the car, removed his wet clothes and placed a blanket on him.

City council passed a motion t...