The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-08-07
How Pete" got out of it

'CeSio VI sAS '~''s~t ~ wiz N's'NN eNeN1 -
Judgements of its spirit and purpose be-
camo evident in Grand Haven. Every
voter had voted for the Law. But, rs in
other parts of the Stateit was evaded, so
here whiskey was Struggled in, and its
cffec Is noticed. Vigilant officers were
foiled in their attempt TO seize the cul-
prits, or fasten proof positive upon those
who sold or kept it as an article of traf-
fc, contrary to the law. This is the way
the officers were humbugged in one case:
A jolly Frenchman served the commu
nifty as ferryman, across Grand River, be-
tween Grand Haven and Mill Point. To
reach his house, on the bank Of the river,
from Grand Haven, long bridge and
causeway Of about mile in length, over
low ground and bayou, intervened--so
that all corners were sighted long before
they claimed tho services Of tho ferryman.
The wide river, and rs long a bridge, or
"sawdust road," interviewed between Pete
La Bellies and the village Of Mill Point,
so as Pete expressed it, " ma Jisnas hare
de grand circumstance Of Ia nature, Ike
von Quebec" And he defed all attempts
ofoflicers to seize his whiskey, by approach
uuawares. lie was always ready TO re-
ceivc them, and show them his establish
ment to be rs innocent of the ardent y
rs the most abstemious could wish.
In the course of time an unmisiakable,
hooped package of "Corning's Best"
containing forty gallons, moro or less, was
received from Chicago, at a warehouse in
Grand Haven, marked, as Enthusiastically,
with the ferryman's name. The Prose-
cutting Attorney, and the Vigilance Com
mittee, chuckled, Wen have him now"
A watch was set to notify the proper Of
ficors when Pete should claim it, pay
charges and take it homo. This was the
first barrel so received, rs Pete had here
toforc struggled tho "needful through
in smaller packages, under all sorts Of dis
guises. Success in Guiding detection had
made him bold-so that barrel was not
to insult their vigilance with immunity,
, nor Monsieur Pete thus brave the law Of
tho State and the dignity Of its citizens
: particularly the Prosecuting Attorney
! and the constabulary force Of this order
loving and law abiding town.
Pete "got out" in few days, and one
rainy morning hitchcd up his pony, drove
a down over the long bridge to the Haven
a for his barrel, loaded it into his wagon,
, and, astrido of the whiskey, drove through
= town and home--congratulating himself
: that he was unobserved-placed his barrel
: on tap, in back room, tested the proof
, of its contents, in manner peculiar to
j himself, lit his pipe, and saying exulting-
: inly, as he pulled and walked out of the
P door for squirt down the bridge, Man
Lar, grand speck-a-la-scion far me;
G whiskee, von Jarree full, like de Wad
@ dare; me Rub on de nose Of re mans al,
+ ovare de ville, two drop ran, make shu,
: him eyes de o6icare blind like small dog
: Can't catch Pete, DIS tame, no sore"
S But at a glance down the bridge, his
p jaw dropped, his pipe too, and as he real
+ lied the case in hand, the words came
: Mile tonnare; yank-trick as de mat
t tare; morn as toHaad peoples; Moyeess
: Hopskin, and all dc Constabs, and 'vhis-
I. lee, one 5arreo tun, Ccepts cot I drink
. an ma houS--no mistak! Pete-iS-one
: gone; terry-house-no-mistak"
G He stared as one paralyzcd at the
Q coming officials. But no time was to be
/ lost:
"Arrete! you Nan LaV; Pete LO
Belle .fr von dernier resort"
And he stumbled into tho house-roll
ed out his whiskey on to the platform ii
. front, facing the river-set the barrel VI
by the door, against the side of the house
knocked in the head, and threw the
heading, with the faucet, into the kitchen
+ with the words, "Bwn him IN, Stove hkt
n von .firr-now and then carefully placed
}. boards from along the caves of the house
= from each direction, terminating in the
y barrel-then deliberately went down tc
Il his row boat and lazily dipped the water
d out of his lcaky craft. Soon the officers
!, came up tho road and around the corner
u of the house, in sight of the Frenchman
Wants for cross, NIL Pint CHI
max basel make basel hurr up No