Despite the ups and downs of the “Pennsylvania Liquor Border War,” Sheriff Thomas Mogle stood his ground, corralling Keystone State Law Enforcement Officials who dared cross the Mason-Dixon Line while resisting calls from Annapolis to cease the skirmishes. With the bitterness increasing and the disruptions in Maryland trade growing, the Sheriff sternly warned trespassing officials to highball it out of the county. “If we are further provoked, I will, as sheriff and office holder of this Constitution, form a posse and patrol the entire border of Pennsylvania and Cecil Line County Line,” the county’s top cop warned.
The firm stand of the unique Cecil County Lawman was greatly appreciated by liquor retailers near the State Line, so they didn’t forget Sheriff Mogle when the intense primary campaign of 1970 heated up. In September, Mogle visited the Conowingo area, knocking on doors and stopping by businesses. One of his calls took him to the Midway Inn and there he was given a gold sheriff’s badge containing 40 diamonds.
Presented by William Webb, the owner of the establishment, the businessman said it was for “representing people in the Conowingo area,” the Cecil Democrat reported. A crowd of well-wishers watched as the gold badge was placed in Mogle’s hand. The people “appreciated the county’s officials’ stand on the “Pennsylvania Liquor War,” the weekly newspaper reported. As for the Sheriff, he said it had made his 15 years of hard work in the police field worthwhile.
The Sheriff lost the primary election that year.
