Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-10-26

two hills--almost mountains they wercA
and under a cliff surrounded by tall,
thick-limbed trees and innumerable
bushes and brambles, were the still and its
accoutrements. The telltale smoke alone
gave Indication of its presence, and by
this were the officers guided to It. A
small branch Of water ran down the hill
side, and a stream Of this necessary ad-
junct in making moonshine was trailed
into the still by means of sapling hol-
lowed for that purpose. The still and
its parts were constructed very crudely,
yet, all in all, answered their purpose as
well as those more elegantly put up.
When the officers left this spot they
set out for another still-house eight miles
distant. The rain was coming down as
hard as ever, and cold wind pierced us
through and through. We galloped
through field and forest for three hours
without success, the most careful search
failing TO reveal the still we had hoped
to find. Night coming on, the party
rode four miles further, to place called
Big Clifty. Here we remained over night,
the landlord, Mr.. Goodman land we
found him we'll named), entertaining us
with an excellent supper, the sudden
indeed, 1t may be said very sudden-dis-
appearance of which astonished the host
exceedingly. In the morning, early
breakfast eaten, start was made for
another still.house. Four miles of gal
looping and halt was ordered. H
Amy moonshining about here?" we
asked of man in the road.
90 Not I knnuyu ~ tho
"Show US where that still is, or I'll end
your career in jiny" cried Whitaker.
"All right, sir, all right" said the
countryman. Follow me and I'll take
you thar"
We followed, aud, half mile on,
heard the sound of wood. chopping. Our
guide was released. Peering through
the bushes, we saw an old man chopping
wood. Beyond him we could see a small
wooden house, probably eighteen by
twenty feet in size, and not more than
nine feet high A drove of hogs grazed
between the ax-man and the house. I'm
derstanding their fondness for refuse
matter, we felt sure that an Illicit still
was near. In order to reach the aX-man
we had to descend hillside 500 or 800
feet deep, clinging to bushes as we went.
When the ex-man was reached, Wyatt
said: How dye, strangerS" ...
" Morning." answered the one ad-
dressed.
"Old boy, how's moonshine?" con-
tinued Wyatt.
"Thar's none bout here, sir"
"Ain't that still,house?"
No, Stree; not as know Of"
=" Whose hogs are those?
Mine"
What is your name?"
"Pearl, sir-Jcems Pearl"
"Aha!" continued Wyatt; $50 that's
not your house, but them's your hogs
A sort of Pearl among swine, you'd have
us think-eh2 Guess that's the house
Jack built. Burst that door, Walter"
The last remark was addressed to
Whitaker, who thereupon forced open
the door. A glance within disclosed a
still and fourteen tubs, and nearer in
spection revealed many other things nee
essary for making whisky. Two gallons
of pure moonshine were rooted out of
concealment, and so were numerous
sacks of corn meal, some malt and a
quantity of corn. Fourteen tubs con.
tanned mash and beer, and an eighty-five-
gallon still reposed on the dying embers
of a recent fire. Whitaker remaining to
guard the prisoners; Wyatt left for the
purpose of securing yoke of oxen to
carry the meal, etc, to the nearest sta
tion, from there to be taken to Louisville
on the railroad.
On the way he met William Wakefield,
an old man of seventy eight. He ac.
himself to be the owner of
the land on which the still was situated,
and was therefore arrested. Obtaining
the necessary oxen, Wyatt returned, and
left the prisoner Carter in charge of
them for few minutes. He had scarcely
been absent quarter of an hour when
two men, springing out of the bushes,
pointed pistols at Carter's head, and babe
him set free the oxen, also cursing him
for being with the officers. Car.
ter explained that his coming had been
and, watching his opportu.
nifty to escape, seized a moment when
the new corners were engaged in conver-
sation, and darted behind the oxen, at
the same time crying, Justify;
Ed! Ed quick-quick, this way"
The Marshal heard the call, and, fearing
trouble, came rushing through the bushes
with pistols pointed and hammers raised.
The two strangers, hearing him APP
preaching, ran for dear life, disappear
ing behind cliff just as he came in view
of their flying forms. g- T.
Without further trouble prisoners and
booty were removed to Big Clifty, the
railroad station, and thence taken
to Louisville. -
The last still-house was built upon
stream of water at the foot of two mount
aims. Great high cliffs overhung both
sides and were covered thickly with
laurel bushes. All in all, its situation
was truly grand and picturesque wild,
weird spot, its like seldom seen any
where, and perhaps nowhere else in Ken
lucky. 1t was just the place for the
business, and of course extremely valua-
BILE to the owner. r..r.... .,..
And thus is the moonshiner hunted
down by the minions of the law. The
cost of his capture far exceeds any bene-
fit the Government derives from the sale
of his wares. The statutes cause his
punishment to be confinement in jail,
and here. instead of obtaining any benefit
which might accrue from his labor were
he compelled to toll as those sentenced
to penal servitude, the Government pays
out seventy-five cents each day to the
civil authorities for his board and lodg-
ing. This is necessary, that those who
are honest and pay license may be pro-
tected. AT present there is as much
going on in Kentucky as
has existed for years. Many stills have
been erected recently, and, if report be
true, there are many to follow.-Har-
per's Weekly.
She Has Got Religion" and Told Her
-yn. Experience.
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