The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-30
THE DISTILLERS' WAR.
DETAILS or THE TROUBLES IN LEE COUNTY,
W.-REPoRr OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
OFFICER.

DETAILS or THE TROUBLES IN LEE COUNTY,
vA.-REPoRT OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
OFFICER.
WASHINGTON, May 90, 1871
Tho following is the full report OF the internal
troubles In Lee county Va mado to Collector
Rives and forwarded by him TO the Internal Revenue
Office In this city 1t is from Deputy Collector Josyn
and dated Bristol, Va, Gath inst -
THE coLLEcroR's REPORT.
On the 18th OF tho present month, while was at
louisville, l made q partial report OF raiI that
Deputy Marshal Austin and myself had made the
night OF she 18th, with promise That would make
full report when reached my Office, which | now
proceed to do In compliance with your instruct on s.
dated April 8, 1877, have The honor to report that
while on my way TO Leo county on business i met
Deputy Marshal Austin ana Two men Charles 4. Bit.
ting ind Edward ralley, anu upon IN Information had
obtained we at once planned raid upon the Illicit
d,sicrs OF Leo comfy. We arrived Joncsvilie on
Friday night tho llth, and on SATURDAY hight, tho
18th, assisted by Deputy Sheriff W. ). Doyle and 1
distlcrs IN the locnIitv known as Blackwater Creek
and succeeded in arresting six persons and seizing
four large whskey dstilcries that beng carried
iicitly, three OF them iocatcd on Backwater and
one on Wallin's Creek.
PRISONERS ARRESTED.
The names OF the rested Oliver Brewer
Eli Brewer, George Brewer Whit Duvalt. Jerry Null
Inns and Wash Lcvlshay. On the morning after tho
arrests and seizures were made, while way TO
the Jonesville lice county, Court House with the
prisoners and captured STILLS intercepted on
the road by body OF armed men, probably fifteen in
number, who had placed themselves each sdc of
the road at a gap that We were compelled TO pass
through. This party was led by Richard Brewer, a
son OF Oliver and brother Vi George and Eli Brewer,
and John Duvat, the brother OF Whit Duvat, who
endcav orcd stop and threatened TO lire upon us
IL we did not release the prison and Stills THIS
declined 10 do, and went through the gap without
being Tired upon, but would have been entirely AT
their mercy but Tor tho prisoners, who were
SO placed that they might help stop some
OF the bullets had the dcspcrndocs fired upon
After crossed the Powcil's River they did
lire upon us, but did damage, ana we lodged the
10 nd
placed guard over IT, The citizens who went with
us aud assisted us and who live on WaIlnis Crccg
below where captured dstilory that located
that creek then returned homo that they might get
rest and DO ready 10 resume their usual avoca-
tons the next day.
MEMBERS OF POSSE ATTACKED
On the following day, Monday, tho 18th, near sunset
only sufficient notice to enable them, some SIX III
ber to get together, they were attacked by an armed
body Of men, numbering twenty six, aud one OF Their
number, Jesse Nandewnter, was MORALLY wounded
and has since died. The little party OF citizens fought
mantuiy ana being reinforced by four others drove
tho murlerers 10 the noun ains, with u loss OF four
wounded-one mortay and three pretty severely.
This attack was led by Richard Brewer, John Duvalt
aud Bert Louis, three noted desperadocs who reside
on the Backwater. The names OF the Backwatcr
party who were wounded Jesse Anderson, NOR
tally, and Andrew Testament, James Collins ana Hiram
Lcvisny
WARRANTS ISSUED
The County Judge OF Ice ut once caused warrants
to be Issued Tor all the persons known 10 have been
engaged In tho attack and pl1ced them in the hands OF
Deputy sheriff Doyle, VINO will do all in bis power
TO arrest the guilty parties and II caught they viii
certainly DO brought 10 justice. Tho friends
OF the prisoners threatened to tear the Jail down
or have them out, and we were compelled 10
ily cltzcns guard the jail at Joncsve until
tbs Marshal could summons witnesses and get ready
10 start Tor Abingdon Win the prisoners and have
them tried by the United states Commissioner.
REMOVAL or THE PRISONERS
On Wednesday, May 10, Deputy Marshal Austin,
with about niy citizens, well mounted and we'll armed,
left Joncsvillc for Abingdon with tho prisoners and
stills THIS large forcc was necessary because OF his
being compelled TO cross both Walllns Creek and
Powcls Mountain on his way out aud having received
Information that any ordinary iorcc would be attacked
the other OF these points ON Thursday, tho
17th, after crossing CInch River, tho Marshal dis
missed all but small guard. and on Friday night ar
rived safely IN Bristol with tho prisoners aud stills.
Tho stills safely stored ut Bristol and the prison.
all sent by Commissioner Giiderslcovc and
four cvi.nitted TO jail IN deault OF bail We destroyed
al lcrmcntny tubs, 1880 gallons mash and beer,
about go gallons sngngs ana quantity OF bac1lngs,
and brought away all the stills and xturos we found.
The substantial citizens OF Lee county stood by US
noby III TINS Affair." and full credit Is due 10 them Tor
doing, and ali Gus that this gang OF law
less be broken up, anu arc ready TO render tho
officers assistance IN their power 10 bring the guilty
parties TO justices and had u been Tor the good
citizens OF Leo am quito sure the United States ofl
ciais would have farcd very badly IN the affair.
DETAILS on A RAID.
"A detailed report OF % raid OH Illicit distilcrs by
George Il. Atkinson and others in Western Virginia
copper stills with capacity OF 100 gallons 1O7 mash
hogshcsds, with capacity OF IL, $40 gallons; 1900
gallons OF cornmeal mash, and largo quantity OF
whiskcy. The report Of their operations, giving
an account Of the difficulties met by Tho party tho
with Illicit distilers and tho obstacles
csing character aud Indicates tho great determination
OF tho Illicit disttIcrs TO pcrseverc In their