Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-18
MISSOURI.
The Crooked WhiSkey Frauds.
Trial of Mcdonald, late Supcrvi-
sOr at st. Louis.
Damaging Testimony Against the
Ring.

| St. Louis, November Il. In the trial Of Super
visor Mcdonald, yesterday, Thompson, distiller,
testified that Joyce told him he might run an ex-
ira tub or two. Witness paid Joyce $500 for SER
vices rendered him in Washington. He made
from % TO 80 per cent. of crooked spirits used all
stamps three times. and paid to the ring fund
from $500 to $500 weekly, generally to Mr. Me
grue.
In September, 1872, special agent Brasher came
here from Washington, and afterwards said he
had caught us all and must have $4,000, which
was raised for him.
On cross-examinaton, witness stated that he
understood the money paid by the ring was for
the supervisor, revenue agent, collector, gaugers
and storekeepers, although started, as he was
told, for a campaign fund.
Alfred Bevis testified that he made crooked
whi.key with the knowledge of Joyce and Nc
Donald. and paid from $1,000 to $1,000 per week
to Megrue. Paid Brasher $500 as his share of
the $40 900 demanded by that officer. Witness
though his house paid to the ring from SO 900 to
500, 900 in IA months.
Witness was in the collectors office when the
records were destroyed. Their destruction was
arranged by Joyce and Concapnon, the latter a
clerk in the collectors office.
Witness had been shown by Joyce, letters pur-
porting to come from Avery, and Gen. Babcock,
the Presidents Secretary.
On cross-eXaminaton, witness said that he had
conversed with Mcdonald about whiskey matters
and Mcdonald had said, "Everythins is all right
90 ahead"
The trial of Gen John Mcdonald, was con-
tinued to day.
Edward b. Frazer, of the firm OF Bevis ( Fra
zier formerly resident of Lafayette, Ind, test
fed
Took charge of the dis,illeiy of the firm in
Nav, "A. The firm then making crooked
whskey. All the distillers were raising money
| for the revenue officers, On one occasion. Joyce
'ol hun he must have ", 600, which was raised.
An ther 81, 900 was raised In May, 1873. at the
suggestion of Joseph NJ. Fitzroy, chief clerk in
the revenue collectors office, and was given to
| him. This was to prevent seizure, but whlskev
| be longing to tie firm was afterwards seized. a
| demand was made for the return of the money,
As it had not served the purpose for which 1t was
raised, but they never got it back. l never paid
any money TO Mcdonald, but did to Joyce.
raised some money for revenue agent Hague, who
WAS here investigating u 1874. Joyce repeatedly
told witness that erythinS was all right and that
| he would have adviccs from Washington OF any
| trouble ahead.
Mcdonald told witness that Fitzroy should not
| be blamed for the $4,000 he received ar it had
given the dstillers time to get lid OF their sur
| plus.
marks made by him. about the money paid Fitz-
| ROY. Witness plead guilty on the advice of his
| counsel, Gen. Noble, and never had any CONVEX
saton with the district attorney.
Andrew Megrue, an employee in the post office
at Cincinnati, and o cousin of L. $. Megrue, test-
| fled ran Bevs & Fraaer's distillery in 1871
and 1872 made illicit whiskey, perhaps one-third.
Mcdonald came to the dstillery two three
| times, and asked me how we were getting along,
and if we could not make more crooked whskey.
He said Damn it, man. This thing amt pay
| ing. We must make more
On cross examination. he gave an account his
connection at different times with distilleries in
Ohio. bat had never made crooked whiskey in
them. He came there at the instance of his
cousin, Con. Magrue, to talk up the matter Of il
Lett dstilling with Bevis and was authorized to
tell Bevis that Con. Megrue had made arrange
ments with the revenue officers here, which would
protect the distilleries in making crooked wnskey.
Rudolph w. Ulric one of the most prominent
disters here, then testified that he talked several
times with Joyce, in 1871, about making crooked
whskey, but that he declined to enter into any
arrangement. Subsequently, however, he found
that several other disers were in the illicit bust
ness, and he went in and remained till October,
1872 He had severa, talks with Fitzroy and paid
him money several times. He reported the amount
of crooked whiskey made to Megrue and after
wards to Fitzroy He paid 80 and IS cts per gal
| Ion. lie did not know where the money went or
did not care. He raised money for both Brasher
and Hague.
ID. ID. Thorne, testified:
Was government storekeeper at various distil-
leries Mcdonald instructed him TO see that the