April 29, 1927

Capt. William Yoakum, of the Nassau County police, a Federal agent, two policemen and four truck drivers narrowly escaped death when a still which they were dismantling  exploded and caught fire. Thebarn, 300×150 feet. On the farmer Richard Colyer farm on Woodbury road, which contained the still was burned to the ground before firemen responded to the alarm.

The eight men were on the first floor of the barn dismantling the still when there was a flash and a puff of smock and in an instant the interior of the barn was a mass of flame. All fled for their lives and escaped with a slight singeing.

The still was discovered in the raid Monday night.

The explosion was in the cellar, due no doubt to some of the live embers in the furnace coming in contact with alcohol spilled by the wrecking crew.  With the explosion there was a hurtling into the air of parts of the furnace and still and as the flaming fire brands fell the police and truck men jumped for their live. Two police cars and the truck were close to the building and it seemed for a time that they would catch fire. The police, however, got the car away without damage.

An alarm was sent to Central Park, Hicksville and Woodbury and the firemen responded but the barn and its contents were quickly destroyed and their efforts were useless.

The police say the owner of the barn is Barney Votypka of Woodbury. The police say that the plant which contained two 500-gallon stills and a large quantity of match and other articles used in the making of booze, was worth $100,000 it was the largest still found here since prohibition became effective.

GuiseppeRocamandalo 365 Rockaway avenue, Brooklyn. Who was found behind a still during the raid was arraigned yesterday before United States Commissioner Rasquin in Brooklyn and held in $10,000 ball on a charge of violation of the Volstead Act pending action of the Grand Jury.

–Times.

October 29, 1926

John Edward Votypka, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Votypka, was christened on Sunday last. John Votypka and wife, of Detroit, Michigan, came on specially to do the honor as God-Father.

After the christening a luncheon was served to many guests who came from far and near.

February 22, 1924

On Friday evening last the member of the Broadway Sporting Club were treated to something new and starting when Charley West of Setauket offered to meet all-comers in a Jui-Jitsumatch. Several members offered their ideas of attack and action, but found themselves utterly at the mercy of West who has made a deep study of the Japanese wrestling game.

George Prakas the Greek champion was unable to go on with Farmer Barney, owing to a sore shoulders.

The Italian title holder Mike Romano who has been winning all his matches of late substituted for Prakas and treated our friend, Barney to an assortment of head-locks that would have made Strangler Lewis feel his stock had run out. Barney however, sent the Italian home with a toe a woe-bit larger than it ought to be. This match was won by Romano in 33 minutes by a series of headlocks that made Barney dizzy. The referee came in for some kind words from the gallery when he gave his match to Romano, as the greatest number of members thought it a flying fall.

This Friday the Greek will go on with Farmer Barney.