The first man in the history of Schuylkill County to be convicted of illegal sales of liquor, has escaped punishment due to his health.

Michael Yurbonis of Coaldale told Judge Bechtel he was too weak to work, due to the ravages of tuberculosis and asthma. He said he was "obliged to sell the liquor to buy bread." Yurbonis was too weak to stand for his sentencing, prompting the judge to declare "A jail sentence for this man, in his present condition, would mean death."