The New York herald., 1876-12-03
CROOKED" WHISKEY.

SEIZURE OF AN ILLICIT DIsrILLERY ON WEST
FoRry-FIRsT STREET.
One OF tho most important seizures that has taken
place in the city for years was made yesterday by n
posse OF internal revenue officers. under command OF
Mr.. McLear. The establishment seized Is mt No. 533
West Fortyhrs street. in the rear OF cooper shop.
IL was iound 10 be fitted up with all possible prccau-
tons against detection.
Large .and costly mash tubs and stills With tho
various other appurtenances for making whiskey wcre
found in full operation, and doors and passaseways
leading from the cellar to OF escape
covered. A clever contrivanco Tor disposng OF tho
escaping steam was found in hose which
carried it from the escape ppo under ground
Tho steam itself was supplied from tho rec
tiiyng establishments opposite. Twenty-Five thou
sand dollars worth Of property was sczcd.
A suspicion that tho place ''crooked" was en-
tertained by the revenue officers some days ago. but
SO carefully the tracks covered up that they
could get sufficient proof. Yesterday morn.
Ing Mr.. McIcar, with eight officers. called
on Sergeant Shuz, of tho police boat Son eca,
and requested his cooperation in making
the seizure This being gvcn they boarded the Seneca
at the loot OF East Seventeenth street, and IN few
moments the boat steamed away her mission. Tho
destination was secret and the boat quietly steamed
around into tho North River. When opposite West
Forticth street the boat headed ior the pier
aud about nine O'Clock she lay at the foot OF West
Foriy.hrst street. The revenue officers then went
ashore and werc followed by the police, who only
present TO prcvont breach OF The peace. Then II
ranspred that the object OF tho voyage was 10 be
descent on Edward Roche's place. No. 533 est Forty
first street.
Firth, and tie officers under MIR. Mciear.
| Upon landing the officers quietly surrounded tho
houses, bur unfortunately entered the wrong
| in The meantime got tho alarm, and
quickly escaped. When tho United States
man, VINO was arrested. The rcciiyng place was ap-
parcnty all right but upon examination a four inch
pipe was discovered, which apparently ran under
Tho officers crossed tho street. and on going
through. coopcr's shop and yard found a
Then 1t was ascertaned that the tour inch pipe crossed
the street from tho rcct!yng place, thereby carrying
steam to the Illicit distillcry Tho officers seized
charge OF the entire property on both
sides Of the street, there beng ono
one least s25 900 worth of property being seized
The principals and workmcn, however, escaped. How
long the stl has been IN operation IS not known but
II evident that immense trade had been DONE
The revenue oIccrs' attention was first called 10 tho
place Roche selling rcctined spirits
than he was buying and by quiet investigation the y
obta ned sufficient evidence to mako the rad
The work was carried on IN most ingenious
manner Rochc's rcctirying establishment Is on
the north side Of Forty-hrst street. The ppc
which ran under tho street was connected
with tho rectiiying boiler and the still boiler
vibration could be distinctly heard In boiler on tho
south side. The escape steam pipe was submerged
pool oil water In the yard How the steam pipc
Iaa under the street was question which
puzzled even tho most experienced OF The
revenue officers. II was twelve feet below
the surface aud excavation mast have boon made
as any interference in The public street would havo
attracted tho attention OF the officials post duty
tho residents OF the ncighborhood
The revenue officials have long suspected that
thing wrong Rochc's establishment, and IL was
ony recently that they discovered tho still tho o-
poste side OF the street.
Both piaces now In the hands OF The officers and
1t expected VIII be coutscatcd Ono OF tho
officers made the remark that 'this seizure will pay
the expenses OF cntirc department for year
The seizure is regarded as great success, ana also
great triun ph TO the officials and the police