The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-13
ILLICIT DsSTELLATION.
Capture OF a Contrabapd Still and It's
Rescue by X. X. K.

Capture Of q COntrabapd Still and Its
Rescue by X. X. X.
Despite the stringent laws passed by Congress,
under the act OF July 90 1885, In regard to the IL
llcit production OF whiskey, considerable contra.
band dstillaton Is still going on in this city well
as In Brooklyn, to check which even the great ener-
gies Of the internal revenue authorities have thus
far proved unavailing. Even the enactment decar-
ing property rented for dstilling purposes for
ieted to the government has proved no barrier to
the contrabandists, who manage by some means
to secure buildings in an out-Ot-the.way locality
in which to carry on their smuggling trade Their
tralllc, however is, ut BEST short lived, there
are plenty OF that class known as informers
around, who advise the revenue oihcers In due
either in the hope of receiving q moety or, as
Mark Twain says, an spirit OF cussedness."
On the 1ith inst. Revenue Agent A. NJ c. Smith,
Of Supervisor Hawley's ONCE received information
that in Sinclair alley, between Fifteenth and Six
teenth streets and Tenth and Eleventh avenues, a
new copper still had been put up which was rum
ming considerable quantity OF molasses rum.
Colonel Smith at once proceeded TO the office of
General Max Weber, Collector Of the Second dis
trict who detailed several OF his deputies to assist
the revenue agent and Captain Cherry, OF the Six
teenth precinct, also sent several policemen to
guard the revenue officers The result OF the raid
was the
CAPTURE OF A FINE DIsrrLrERy APPARATUS
In fun blast and all the appurtenancos OF rum
cooler, &c., and lermenting capacity to turn out
COO gallons 0i whiskey daily.
The officers had to force their way into the
premises by prying the shutters open. Sudden as
was their approach, the wOrkmen inside had no
doubt received warning OF the raid. through their
yidettes post, and made themselves scarce be-
fore the government officials entered the shop.
Everything contained in the building was taken
possession or in the name OF the United States, and
three sturdy keepers left to guard the property,
besides leaving police officer, detailed Tor the
purpose by Captain Cherry, to patrol the alley
during the night When the seizure was made it
was after dark, and the fixtures could not then be
removed Lence it was thought that three keepers
were sufficiently strong enough to sustain the cap
ture. But the revenue officers mscalculated the
strength Of their watchmen, or were entirely ig-
norant OF the character OF those inhabiting this
portion OF the FESTIVE sixteenth ward. Sufficient
to say that at two O'Clock yesterday morning
crowd of some fifty desperadoes entered the build
ing from the second story intimidated the keepers
with revovers and "ku-Kluxed" the fine copper
still in the twinkling OF an eye. The policeman on
duty (9) seemed to be nowhere, and nothing was
known OF this until deputy collector visited the
scene at daylight In the morning. The property
left behind, consisting Of the mash tubs and sew
eral empty barrels, was sold of by order of Col.
lector Weber, who will take immediate measures
to secure the cOnfscation of the real estate upon
which the distlllery was located.