On Feb. 11, 1923, John Holman, the Republican sheriff of Ocean County, had overseen the raid on Clam Island that netted a huge cache of expensive imported liquor. The island, in the bay below Barnegat Inlet, was owned by millionaire George J. Gould. On Feb. 16, the New Jersey County Courier reported what county prosecutor Wilfred Jayne told the court.

“With your Honor’s indulgence I would like to employ this opportunity to make a few general remarks with respect to the observance of the…