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

| continued to grow large IN size, until, at
half.past three, quite a sharp shower
was in progress. Riding now became
decidedly disagreeable, miserable,
rocky road adding to the discomfort first
brought on by the rain and darkness.
The horses ceased galloping and picked
their way along in a quick walk. The
moon had disappeared entirely and dark
ness most intense enshrouded the earth.
We could hardly distinguish each other,
and having entered forest several miles
IN length, full of narrow, winding paths,
tall, thick trees, and overhanging vines
and bushes of all descriptions, were com.
PEELED to proceed with exceeding care
and caution.
Wyatt rode a white horse, the writer q
bay and Whitaker gray. In order that
all could keep together, Wyatt went in
front, hoping that the other two could
always perceive his white horse. For a
time we were enabled to do this, but by
and by, as the darkness grew deeper, not
even this animals snowy color could be
seen. The path we were following led
through creeks, up and down hills,
through the brush, through briers, across
| fields, forests and meadows. Thus seven.
teen miles were passed before halting.
When a stop was made the gray signs of
daylight were appearing in the eastern
| horizon The rain poured down as in.
cessantly rs ever, the three of us being
drenched through and through. Chang
ing horses we went forward once more,
anxious to reach the still.house for which
we had started before day had fairly
come. BY some mischance the wrong
road was taken, and after travelling
in all twenty-five miles a second halt
was ordered. Day had now appeared,
and, lest we should be seen by moon
sinners, the Marshals thought it best to
find shelter. Observing an old farmer
feeding hogs we signaled to him, and on
his coming up to within few yards of
us Whitaker asked for shelter for man
and beast The old gentleman did not
seem particularly desirous of complying,
and the others, dismounting, ordered him
to move aside and allow them to pass
He obeyed, and shortly afterward men
were before warm fire and beasts be-
meath q warm cover. Breakfast eaten,
the old man, Mr.. Gibson, was asked
whether there were any still-houses in
his section. He answered that there
were, but declined to locate them, saying
he might involve himself in trouble by so
doing. Persuasion was of no avail, re-
ward was likewise Ineffective, and the
only alternative before us was to try his
son. The young man proved truly q
chip of the old block. Not caring to
daily more, the Marshals produced pis-
tolls, and told young Gibson to mount
Il 40 hn
He obeyed very reluctantly, going to a
place four and a half miles distant, in
the midst of a heavy wood There he
drew rein aud remarked: 81 think it's
right close" referring to the location of
still-house. All dismounted, and,
creeping forward, soon observed light
smoke curling gracefully heavenward
from deep ravine. Another peep
showed a still-house, beside which sat
man whiting stick and occasionally
stirring a fire. The pattering of the rain
drowned the noise of approaching foot
steps, and not until the three men stood
before him did the solitary one seem ap-
prised of their coming. Whitaker's
voice first startled. him. The Marshal
said, before he himself was seen, and as
the moonshiner sat whiting: stranger,
how are your"
Leaping to his feet the other cried, in
tones of astonishment: "Satanw
go no." said the officer; Whitaker,
Observation-Disclosures for Uncle Sam, you
know. My friends, Mr.. Moonshiner,
Wyatt and -: true blue, you betW
The fellow was too astonished to utter
a word He gazed at those before him
for five minutes, and then, turning his
eyes on Wyatt, beloved out: 40 say,
you've ketohed the wrong fellow; / swear
you have, by goshl Pm innocenti in
deed ] am, mister. I'll bet twenty dol
lars-and it's all I've got-that l can
prove my innocence by any man around
here. Yes, can, by gosh"
I" No doubt, no doubt" said Wyatt;
"but can you show me man about here
that hasn't got something to do with
'stilling?"
Before an answer could be given Whit
aker suddenly CALCULATED: behind the
barrels, boys here's more coming"
We were hidden in an instant.
Whitaker said: Here, you moonshin-
er; dare give those fellows a sign and I'll
bullet Shoot you! If they're engaged
here motion with your left hand"
The prisoner did not comply.
Whitaker cried: "Quick, quick, now!
Is either connected here or not?"
"Yes, the one on the left; the other is
not"
The two individuals continued to ap.
proach. When within pistol range the
two Marshals sprang up suddenly and
bade them throw up their arms and come
forward. The answer was that they
were without weapons and would sur.
render. The three were then searched
and told to sit down, to await the com
ing of more. An hour later young Glib
son the guide and stranger came in
view. At the sight of the former, the
first prisoner, Frank Carter, and the one
he had pointed out as concerned in the
Illicit work, conferred together few mo-
ments. A while after Carter burst forth
in q violent torrent of abuse, cursing
Gibson and his family in the vilest Ian.
guage, and callingon God to give him an
opportunity to thrash him. His compan-
ion, beardless youth, Silas Pendleton
by name, said:
"Clay Gibson is mad with both of us.
He piloted you men here, and as live,
and as God lives above me, he had bet
ter kill me nowl He'd better get evil
dence to hang me, too, for, as hope to
get my liberty, I'm coming back to make
him die for this. l am, so help me
Godp
"Pve notion to do it now" said Car
ter.
Gibson grasped the revolver of the
writer from within his oYercoat pocket,
His face was as white as sheet as he
looked at his enemies, and said: "You
accuse me wrongfully. l did not give
you away. Say what you please, Carter,
about me, but speak of the old folks
again as you did just now and I'll lay
you out, though hang as high as the
tree-tops. Mind, now mind, say, for
my blood is up, and you'd better take
carel"
"Quietl quiet, both of you" put in
Whitaker. Garter, hush! Young fell