The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-04
WHISKEY RlNGSTERS.
Interesting Interview With
Ex-U. s. Officials.
Account Of the Reception Of
the Convicts into Their
Future Home. ID.
Some Swear They are limo
cent; Others That They
Were Seduced.

LOUISVILLE, February 1.-THE lndI-
anians recently tried and convicted al
Indianapolis tor completely in the whisky
frauds were placed in State prison al
Jacksonville last evening. Their names
an terms of sentence are as follows:
Jos, K. Hill, two years and six months;
Albert McGriff, two years; VIM. Nun
ford, two years; David NJ. Lewis, two
years; Geo. r. Simonson, Philip Q. Eb,
erwine, Harrison Miller, John Z. Phil.
lips and Hiram B. Snyder, each two years
Interesting Interview with the Pris
oners.
A Courier-JourHuL reporter succeeded
in having an interview with the prison
ers at the prison. MeGrif was sitting
on a smoking lounge with his face bur.
led in his hands, the picture Of griet and
despair. He is an old man, 60 winters
having whitened his hair. Mr.. McGrifl
| am sorry to see you here for believed
that you were more sinned against than
SHINING and l hoped you would fall
through.
1t was no use, my counsel did all they
could for me. My God to think that l
would ever come to place like this. Ii
will kill me, my heart is almost crushed
now. If were not for my poor wife
and son l believe ! could
stand 1t, but to think of
the disgrace brought upon them is more
than | can bear. But there is one con-
ISOLATION. she knows am innocent Of the
charge. Mcgriff was well known and
highly respected at Evansville. James
II Hill displayed more true grit yester-
dav than the other prisoners. He said
that he could stand as much as any other
living man. Hill has an extensive &C
quaintance in Indiana, andi well. known
in this city. He asserted his innocence
Yesterday, and before he was sentenced
presented the following TO Judge Gres-
ham: "With due Difference to your
Honor and the Jury that found me
guilty, l say now, in the presence
of God and the world that l am not
guilty.. During my connection with the
Internal Revenue Department, l have
worked faithfully in the interest of the
Government. Hill is forty-three years
old and has a wife and eight children.
Phillip Z. Eberwine was sad and silent,
having nothing to say TO any one. lie
is thlrty-fve years old. In note to
Judge Gresham, before being sentenced,
he said, 81 withheld nothing from the
U. S. attorneys when called upon, but
gave them the evidence upon which
nv own indictment was found.
and that oil others. l am unfortunately
a pensioner upon the government; bear
three severe and honorable wounds as q
record, for three years good service as a
private soldier; | am manned for life and
unable to do any manual labor. 1t wss
my helpless condition and poverty,
coupled with desire to save my little
home from being sold from US, that caus-
ed me TO listen to the seducer. lie said
that he never would have been in the
ring only that all the officers were in Il,
and if he kept out he would have had
them all TO fight, and that 10 save
his position, he went in.
John 5. Phillips thinks the sentence is
terrible. He was in the army four years,
and was badly wounded. he said the
distiller. got him into it by stating that
they would have TO shut down or run
crooked" and that he was trying TO
provide a home for his family ana did
not want to lose his position. He is about
fifty years OF age, and has wife and four
children in Strengthened circumstances.
He took his sentence hard.
George 7. SImson was cool and self
possessed. lie was in the army, but
broke down on account OF i'll health, is
about 4S years old and has wife and
three children.
Wm. Nunford, a man probably 5j years
old, was colonel in the army and receiv-
ed several wounds. He looked pale, but
was cain
David N. Lewis had nothing 10 say
and appeared resigned to his fate He
is man of about middle age and has q
tnmily.
H. B. Sryder appeared Indifferent 70
all around him and looked sad and
gloomy. After the prisoners had bade
their friend. goOt bye, they were
marched out of the Office IstO the prison
ers reception room, and were relieved ol
such articles as they had about them,
which il was contrary TO the rules for
them to keep. They were next taken 70
the prison barber, where their hair was
cut and their whiskers shaved of. They
were then taken 10 the clothing depart
ment, and striped convict suits were CIV
en- them, which they pat on, shd they
we're taken to the house and assigned
their quarters and cots. They will not
at present have any work 10 do, si the
convicts are all idle.