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Emperor Pic and Prohibition

In 1915 the citizens of Alberta voted for prohibition, all except the majority of Crowsnest Pass residents who voted "wet." Prohibition was enacted on July 1, 1916. Under prohibition alcohol was restricted although it allowed for temperance beer (2.5% alcohol), some hard liquor with restricted alcohol contents and the use of liquor for medicinal purposes. By 1917, the newspapers in the Pass carried many stories of raids on various business establishments looking for bootlegged whiskey. At this time it was also reported that about 1500-2000 quarts of liquor were passing through the Dominion Express office, (a greater quantity than flow through the pass before prohibition.) In 1921, the importation loophole was plugged but this did not stop the flow of whiskey. Some shacks were built in the hills for the express purposes of making "moonshine" but moos still flowed in over the border by the little used mountain trails. Also at this time doctors were supplied with books of special prescription forms for liquor for medicinal purpose. According to one author the supply of whiskey had moved from the pool halls to the drug store.

Emilio Picarello, better known as Emperor Pic, operated a confectionery and cigar business in Fernie. Later he moved to Blairmore in 1918 after purchasing the Alberta Hotel. As proprietor he had the liquor contract for legal liquor from Sick's Breweries in Lethbridge but also dealt in booze with a little more kick that he imported from British Columbia and Montana. He was also known for his powerful McLaughlin cars that made many trips to B.C. and Montana to carry the illegal liquor back to Alberta.

On August 20, 1920 the train from Lethbridge was held-up by three men hoping to take advantage of the rumour that Emilio Picarello was on the train carrying $10,000. They got away with only a little money but that was only the beginning of the adventure. Five days later the three men, Tom Bassoff, George Arkoff, and Aubey Auloff were spotted in the Bellevue Cafe. Three police officers entered the cafe and when the dust cleared both Corporal Ballie and Corporal Usher were dead. Arkoff had been killed by a third officer. Both Bassoff and Auloff escaped. Bassoff was later captured in Pincher Station and he was hung on December 22. Auloff was captured in Montana, and died in prison. To add injury to insult a third police officer was killed while searching for the suspects in a deserted house in Passburg. Constable Hindon was killed accidentally by Special Constable Nick Kislik.

On September 21, 1922 Constable Steve Lawson of the Alberta Provincial Police met up with Picerallo's son Steve on the main street of Coleman as part of a raid on the Alberta Hotel. As Picarello drove past Lawson in his McLaughlin Whiskey 6, Lawson shot him in the hand. The younger Picarello made it back to Michel on the B.C. side of the Pass and was treated in the hospital for his injuries. That evening the senior Picarello and Florence Lassandro went to the APP barracks in Coleman after receiving the news about Steve. In the argument that ensued guns were drawn and Picerallo's car received 4 shots to the front end. At some point in the confrontation Florence Lassandro shot Lawson with her .38 calibre revolver which resulted in his death. Both Emperor Pic and Florence Lassandro were tried, found guilty and after appeals were executed on May 3, 1923. Mrs. Lassandro was the only women to be executed in Alberta. On May 10, 1924 prohibition was abolished ending this colourful era in Alberta history.

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