The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-30

tue IOScTuoI MI. EhfSS.
UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE
DEPUTY COLLECTORS OFFICE,
eFIFTH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA,
BRISTOL. May "a, 1877.
Captain j. FL. Riues, Collector Fifth Dis
trict, Lynch6urg, Va.:
Sir,-On the 14th III the present month
while was at Jonesvil!e made partial re-
port Of raid that Deputy-Marshal Austin
and myself had made on the night OF the
18th, with promise that would make
full report when reached my office, which
l now proceed to do. In compliance with
your instructions dated April 6, 1877, I
have the honor to report that while on my
way to Lee county on business / met Dep
uty- Marshal Austin and two men, Charles
A. Biting and Edward Talley, and upon
information / had obtained we at once
planned raid upon the illicit distillers of
Lee county. We arrived ut Jonesville on
Friday night the 11th, and on Saturday the
18th instant, aided by Deputy-Sheriti Doyle
and a posse OF citizens, made raid upon
the illicit distillers in the locality known as
Blackwater Creek, and succeeded in arrest
ing six prisoners and seiZing four large
Observation-Disclosures that were being carried
on ilicitly-three located on Blackwater,
and one on Walen's Creek. The names OF
the persons arrested are Oliver Brewer,
Eli Brewer, George Brewer, Whit Duvalt,
Jerry Mullins, and Wash Levisay. On the
morning after the arrests and seizures were
made, while on our way to Jonesville. Lee
Courthouse, with the prisoners and cap
tured stills, we were intercepted on the road
by body OF armed men. probably fifteen
in number, who had placed themselves on
each side OF the road at gap that we were
This party was led by Richard Brewer,
son Of Oliver and brother OF George and
Eli Brewer. and John Duvalt, the brother
Of Whit Duvalt, who endeavored to stop
us, and threatened to fire upon us if we did
not release the prisoners and stills. This
we declined to do, and went through the
gap without being fired upon, but would
have been entirely at their mercy but for
the prisoners, who were so placed that they
would help stop some Of the bullets had the
desperadoes fired upon us. After we had
crossed Powell's river they did fire upon
us, but did no damage, and we lodged the
prisoners and stills safely in the jail at
Jonesville, and placed strong guard over 1t.
The citizens that went with and assisted
us, and who live on Wallcn's creek below
where we captured the distillery that was
located on that creek, then returned home
that they might get some rest and be ready
to resume their usual avocations the next
day.
On the following day, Monday the 14th,
near sunset, and while they were at work IN
their corn-ficlds, with only sufficient notice
to enable them, some six in number, to get
together, they were attacked by an armed
body of men numbering twenty-siX, and
one Of their number, Jesse Vandervinter,
mortally wounded, and hastsince died. The
little party OF citizens fought manfully, and
being reinforced by some four others drove
the murderers to the mountains with loss
of four wounded-one mortally and three
pretty severely. This attack was led by
Richard Brewer, John Duvalt, and Bert
Goens, three noted desperadoes who reside
on Blackwater. The names Of the Black
water party that were wounded are Jesse
Anderson, mortally, and Andrew Testa-
ment, James Collins, and Hiram Levisay.
The county Judge of Lee at once caused
warrants to be issued for all persons known
to have been engaged in the attack, and
placed them in the hands of Deputy-SherifF
Doyle, who will do all in his power to arrest
the guilty parties; and if caught they will
certainly be brought to justice.
The friends of the prisoners threatened to
Dull down the Jail or have them out, and we
were compelled to summon fifty citizens to
guard the Jail at Jonesville until the mar
Shall could summon witnesses and get ready
to start to Abingdon with the prisoners, and
have them tried by the United States COM
missioner.
On "Wednesday, May 10th, Deputy-Mar-,
shal Austin, with about fifty citizens, well
mounted and well armed, left Jonesyille for
4 Abingdon with the prisoners and stills.
L. &c 1a, hap1nSe
his being compelled to cross both Wallen's
creek and PowelPss ssmountain on his way
out, and of reliable reports that any ordl-
pary force would be attacked at one or the
other of these points.
On Thursday the 18th, after crossing
Clinch river, the marshal dismissed all but
small guard, and on Friday night arrived
safely in Bristol with the prisoners and
stills.
The stills are safely stored at Bristol and
the prisoners were all sent on by Commits
sioner Gildersleeye, and four committed to
iaiI in default Of bail. ~
We DESTROYED 46 fermenting-tubs, 1900
gallons mash and beer, about 250 gallons
singlings, and q quantity OF buckings, and
brought away all the stills and fixtures we
found. The substantial citizens OF Lee
county stood by us nobly in this affair, and
full credit is due them for SO doing, and all
seem very anxious that this gang OF laWless
men be broken up, and are ready to render
the officers any assistance in their power to
bring all the guilty parties to Justice; and
had it not been for the good citizens OF Lee
I am quite sure the United States officials
would have Jared very badly in this affair.
Very respectfully,
[Signed] HENRY Z. josLYN,
Deputy Collector.
EXCURSION FROM WASHINGTON = BASE