The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-15
MASKING A pISTILLERY.


CROOKED wHIsKEY IN THE TWELFTH WARD
HOW THE ILLICIT INDUSTRY WAS BROKEN
UP-oSE PRISONER CAPTURED.
Among tho billy paths and rock bored cuts that
sttuto the streets OF large portion OF that OF
Manhattan Island known Manhatanviils WINS tho
OF exciting raid yesterday morning before the
majority OF Tho people OF New York had taken their
morning meal The block where the raid place Is
bounded by the Boulevard, Tenth avenue, 10th and
l3oth streets Oh the southwest Is situated
dismal looking old brick building several stories high
Just beyond IT, on l30th street, is another building OF
similar structure Theso buildings formerly used
by the National Car Spring Manufacturing Company,
but are now, and were last week, supposed TO DO
vacant The locality is very lonely one the vacant
lots being covered with bushes and quite overgrown
with underbrush.
THE DISCOVERY.
As bcnghtcd traveller was passing along the road
several nights ago, thinking of the hard and his
inability TO live on water alone, pleasant odor Of
beverage once familiar TO his thirsty lips waited
to his painting nostrils by the night air. II was
veritabe whif OF whlskcy and good whiskey at that.
Stopping, surprised, tho gentleman to tho con
cusion that lurking 'drap o. tn. crathur" was tho
cause of the peculiar aromatic odor that filled the arr
But beyond the smell and the two large buildings
standing black and grim before him in the foggy air
nothing could be perceived. Tho gentleman, further
employing his anal powers began to suspect that
the ''crookcd' was being manufactured near that
locality Ito comm unicatcd his suspicious OF
his trends, aud tho rumor nhaly reached United
States Revenue 0nlcers Willis and Crawford. These
gentlemen proceeded on a smelling tour and sue
cccded In locating tho strongest odor portion Of
the old lot near the Two buildings
THE SURPRISE.
Alter all the prciminaries nad been arranged the
officers, under The supervision OF General Max Weber
called on Captain Lcary OF the fhirlieth precinct
yesterday morning, and Informed him that they had
strong suspicious that an Illicit distIcry pcing
run III his precinct Tho Captain was surprised but
Immediately detailed five OF his officers AID in search
ing Tor the place. Al halfpast seven the started
from the police station, amt passed down Lawrence
street TO tho OF action. Tho had lust risen
but the thick clouds oggy AT osphare rendered IL
difficult to very far ahead. Not word was spoken
the men taking thor places by preconceted arrange
meni. Ono officer was stationed each side OF the
block ana one between the two buildings whiIo
the revenue officials undertook tho task Of searching
for their prey All were armed, as It was feared,
should the still be guarded by many men,
that there might be desperate encounter The
marshas entered The larger building and explored ali
the noors They lound steps leading from tho ground
floor to the root; but there was no one the roof
and the building appeared To be empty. Just they
were about 10 leave It ray OF light coming through
crack, revealed 10 them the passage the cellar
They quickly descended, and found what they mad 30
long been search Of In the cellar was large sun
apparatus, all in working order In the vat we're
2 900 gallons NASH all ready for several
hogsheads oil moIasses and about three barrels of
whiskey, just distilled The capacity OF the still was
looked as though the persons engaged In the
had been surprised III their work the the
officers walking overhead ana mad hastily left their
work But whore could they have gone9 After
carefully searching around the walls OF the cellar
the revenue officers found small door which cd IN to
underground passage They followed it TO tho end
aud found that II opened tho lots tho rear
OF the two buildings and quito distance away IRON
them. Thinking the distiliers had escaped they re
turned to tho collar ana seized the whskey and ther
destroyed all tho dcs,ructIble property in the room
Worm, still, mash and all were rendered unit for FUR
Their use.
While these scenes were taking place inside the
building William hehoc, the police officer OF
the Tenth avenue sde OF the block, was keeping hi.
lonely watch, intending to cut or the distilcrs' re
treat should they come that way. Ho concealed
in the bushes, awaiting the progress Of events Soor
no was attracted by tho noise OF falling stono
and sand. Soon after head protr udcd from
| the earth and finally body, with u re,
shirt on It ant smelling strongly of mash, emerged
Kchoc put aside his pistol and arrested tue mi
He made resistance aud quietly followed the Office
to the station house. Tho other policemen came al
| and were soon joined by the revenue officials.
Tho gentlemen appeared AT Commissioner Shields
Office yesterday afternoon IN high gce at their
tabt capture. The prisoner, who gave his name a
| Thomas smith, was brought down from the ihirtiet
precinct and held in $4,000 bail. Boing unable
nisn this amount nc committed to Ludlow Stree
Jail. His examination was set down for TO- norr0
afternoon at three O'Clock. The officials regard hi
Institute gations 10 discover the real owners
''backer" oil the still. Twas evident that the al
only night hand employed TO see that til
| gtIl properly led.