The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-14
WHlSXEY WAR IN BROOKLYN.

tect Thcm-The Police Also on Hund-Attrck
Upon and Iniuring of Oncers and Men.
The illicit distllation Of whiskey since the inception
Of the imposed tax upon this popular beverage by
the Internal Revenue law has to q considerable, yet
unknown extent been in vogue in a portion
OF the Fifth ward OF Brooklyn, called
"Irishtown" In extent 1t Is rather q
large territory, and densely populated by the
rougher class Of citizens, chiefly OF one extraction
who have many times demonstrated that they cared
but little for local or governmental laws, partlcu
larry those appertaning to the payment Of such
taxes as are satisfactory to the enterprsing officers
OF the Internal Revenue Department of the Third dis
.rlct. Wun Keen eye to the main chance and
perhaps impelled by the, same incentive that has
marked more prominent operators OF like character
they conceived the Idea OF manufacturing whiskey
and Immediately carried 1t into execution The
majority Of these Inhabitants produced the article In
question, although each In limited quantity,
thereby adding very materially to their respective
incomes.
THEIR MODE OF DIsrILLATIoN.
This Is quite original and complimentary TO their
and stoves and with but little addition thereto they
were converted into stills that served the purpose in
tended. In the innermost rooms OF their houses
and occasionally In some back dwelling these
were put in operation, and night and day
the nlegitlmate production of whiskey was carried
on Gallons upon gallons have, consequently, been
removed, the Revenue Department being deirauded
thereby many thousands OF dollars, and liquor deal
ers in certain sections OF the ward deriving the
THE OFFICERS OF THE REVENUE.
Collector Wood, in charge of this district, known as
the Third long advised OF these operations, has more
than despatched his officers TO effect the seizure
of Illicit stills there aud the arrest OF the parties
sio oals' have almost uniformly been unsuccess
full, principally because Of the lawless nature OF
the men and their sympathizers, whose names are
legion. The last attempt made was productive OF
murderous attack upon deputy sheriff, who, beset
by scores armed with missiles left him fearfuily
mangled on the street, his life being de-
SPARED Of Becoming convinced that stern
measures must be adopted to ensure the seizure
o ess y,, the cnnstntea anthopes at WashnS
ton, and yesterday morning received orders long
expected, giving him the requisite power to
proceed to the territory In question, using
force to effect his purpose II necessary. the
MEASURES ADOPTED
Wen the enlisting OF portion or the marine guard
ed at the Navy Yard, not long distance from
the places where the Illicit Installations have been
carried on Acting IN oGnCert w the
sued an order to the commandant OF the Navy Yard
directing that a force OF fifty marines should im
Wood. Preparations for the proper manner to act
under the circumstances having been decided upon,
after mature deberation Deputy Collector Egan at
the stills found to be unawfully IN operation,
m Rear admiral nf Be in Me promptly CO.
operating, at once issued the necessary instructions
70 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel John Who br1o on e. IN
utes demonstrating efficiency IN alertness OF action,
had the men IN ranks and ready for service.
command OF Captain Wallace. the second in
furnished furnish with twenty rounds Of ball cart.
ridge, and loading their muskets they de.
S es eae Or
character Of the aid required OF them Marching
through gate seldom used and opening on Little
sreet-a thoroughfare but block In length yet long
in comparatively undisputed possession OF the Illicit
notwithstanding Mr. Egan and his assistants, they
were In few moments at the point, where In snort
time there was a scene OF indeScribable confusion
and lawessncss.
THE CRowD-TuEIR ATrACK-TuosE INJURED-THE
The appearance of the marines with loaded mus
kets marching up the street spread dlsmay, which
was speedily substituted by feelings OF defiance The
intelligence OF their arrival had spread like wdre.
Men hther and tnither;. groups stood
and then quickly dispersed In different directions
Soon the streets were crowded with women and chill
dren who were no. silent or guarded IN sme eHpres
In violent assault upon the marines and revenue
officers Up to the present the marines had exhibit
ted no symptoms Of hostility, but the threatening
attitude OF the rapidly increasing mob called forth
some action, and they were quickly drawn
Spd they ma taken up this position when a
volley OF stones was mercilessly showered
at the men. The greatest excitement prevailed,
which was even heightened by the shouts and yes
OF scores OF little fellows who hcralded their ap-
proach. Almost every window in the locality dis
PLAYED numbers Of its earnest and lnqusltive faces,
and the more courageous ofthe feminine community
assembled the housetops where having collected n
heap OF missiles, they commenced vigorous atach
y" one Of the bricks thrown struck Deputy Collector
Eegan upon the head, knocking him down: Near the
corner OF Little ana Water streets Captain Squiers,
OF the Marines was also struck on the head with q
large stone by young man, who subsequently gave
Ma name as George Golding. This belligcrent ind-
vdnal was Immediately arrested by the police under
command OF sergeant Drake who meanwhile had
| been sent for, as Colonel Browne did not desire
| 10 resort to the use OF arms, and sent TO the
Forty second police precinct station Before the
| arrival of the police however, one OF the marines
| was struck upon the head with brick and severely
injured.
| The revenue officers commenced at the foot OF
Little street, and entered in succession Nos IL, 90
~ "a ~ al and - OF this street. In shed IN the
rear OF No ~ was found large copper still OF one
hundred and MY gallons capacity, and three mash
were seized In the sheds at the rear q the Other
buildings mentioned the brick work OF the stills was
found warm, the stills having been removed as soon
as II was ascertained that the revenue officers and
| marines were In sight
| Collector Eagan had concluded his search at about
/ six O'Clock, when the marines were Withdrawn.
| ADDITIONAL EXCITEMENT.
/ During the confusion one Of the marines had
passng through Hudson avenue he broke from the
/ ranks and occasioned considerable excitement
Seeing the crowds rushing from every direction, ton
made UPON tom and charged bayonets, ready e
n;stsct themselyes. Tn, excitement for the moment
was hesscribable The polio. ser a sary,ca.
strong force under the IMPRESSION wa, now dis
covered among the crowd, was at once scored ano
| quoted. He was disarmed and taken to the g.sru
house.
The crowd then dispersed, and Little street and
the surrounding localities were again quiet; but IN
the Illicit dlsilaon OF whskey in that section 1t ~
apprehended that serious trouble will occur.
seizure Of New York Distilleries.
On saturday Inspector Conatty, under dIrec-
tons OF Collector Bailey, Of the Fourth district,
seized the dIstiery Of William Haaerty, in
East Twenty-fourth street, near First avenue,
on charge that spirits had been renewed