Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-21
Al&fanotla @axette
FRIDAY EVENING, deer 81.


Aud again We heard from the moonshiner 10
his hole. This time it was John Wyatt, spa
cial United States bailiff, who met the enemy.
but could effect no capture. Wyatt was en-
ployed, with others, by Deputy United States
Marshal Thompson to assist him 10 bis work 10
Bath and other counties. aud up to last Mon
day the party had arrested three moousbiners.
There ware warrants 10 hand agal 'st
Levi Patrick. magistrate Of Magothn couut,;
Wm. Patrick, Moses Berget and Dunlap Dlkes,
charging them With Illicit distilling 10 Magoi'
fin county. Monday last Wyatt, Special Ball.
if Joe Westbay and John White Power and
James Preston Power. two assistants, started
to execute the warrants. They lett Sal yersVllle,
the county seat of Magohiu, and aimed to reach
Fighting Fork, ou tho Licking, a creek about
ten miles from Salyeravle, up 10 mountaln-
Gus country.
They were admonished by people along the
creek not to 60. as there was an armed baod
on the mountains ready to do mischief. The
party paid 90 heed to these admonlloDs, but
continued on their Journey When about
halt mile or more from the mountains, Wyatt
says they met DR.. Lee. resident OF the coun
ty, who told them not to 60 any further; that
it was dangerous undertaking. as some 4O or
so men from Breathitt and Magofin countles
all armed, would get away with them, Ihey
were about to continue, anyhow, when Lee. who
had started off, turned back to them, aud Do
and Wyatt went to the mountains, while the
other three remained behind. Wyatt leaving
his gun with them.
When at the foot Of the mountain they saw
the men on top, and Wyatt shouted to them
"Lay down your guus and come down here; l
want to talk to you" Levi Patrick, 10 response
came down uuarmed, and he and the officer had
talk. Wyatt said to him live got war
rant against you, but | reckon l cant serve 1t
on you with that crowd to back you Patrick,
Wyatt says answered rather scoslbly'. ne
stated that he and others had been bedeviIed to
such an extent by some officers Of the Govern
ment. working merely to get psltry fees. that
thew had gotten tired of it. They had commit
ted no violation of law, and did nt intend there
fore to be arrested. Wyatt told him he might
az we'll be arrested now, as he would surely be
caught somo other time. This ain my fight,
he said "but want to execute tho law. You II
have to 20 to the peuitentiary, il you don't
mind"
Seeing there was no use Of attempting an ar
rest, Wyatt and Lee went on top OF the moup'
tain With Patrick The former relates that DE
counted 90 men himself, while others were
around, Some of them did mt seem to IKE LIS
comiDg there at first. and one man asked hlm
where his gun was. "Oh, LETT that behind,
be replied. "Wall," said the moonshlner, Il
calkerlated to swing that ere gun across my
back aforc long," You had better watch out
that you don't get the contents of it some OF
these days." was Wyatt's reckless answer,
The gang cooked dinner for Wyatt and Lee.
and they remained about two hours and halt
before taking their departure. Returning to
the three men remaining behind. the party all
went back to Salyersvillc. The moonshine par,
ty all knew Wyatt. and doubtless admired his
bravery in coming among them as he did tic
stated to Courier Journal reporter that it was
one of the few times be had to take water.
|-LOuiSrIe Courier Journal, l7th.