During Seattle's Prohibition years in the 1920s, Roy Olmstead became one of the largest and most successful bootleggers in King County. Learning how the trade operated from involvement in raids and arrests while serving as a Seattle Police Lieutenant, Olmstead noted the lack of organization of many bootleggers and began his own operation. His operation eventually grew to include many vessels, trucks, warehouses, and employees importing liquor from Canada. Alfred Hubbard worked with Olmstead as a radio operator, using the airwaves to signal the rumrunners.

Typed on sleeve: Alfred M. Hubbard, Seattle inventor. Worked with Olmstead as radio operator. He would signal the rum running boats over the air.

Caption information source: HistoryLink.org; OYEZ - US Supreme Court Multimedia.