CANTON – Local author and retired editor of The Journal in Ogdensburg Jim Reagen recently shared stories from his latest book, “Booze, Bad Boys & Bootleggers Vol. 2: The Year of Violence 1921” with members at United Helpers Independent Senior Living in Canton. 

Reagen spoke about how prohibition led to a deep political divide across the county with local law enforcement authorities often battling with those from the state and federal levels. He also told a story about gangsters from Brooklyn who leased the cheese plant in Madrid to use as a cover for a smuggling operation, shipping liquor from Canada back to New York City.

Reagen’s book, which includes 22 stories related to Prohibition in the North Country, is available on Amazon or through many local retailers.