The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18
RESISTING REVENUE LAWS.
FIGHTS BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND
CROOKED WHISKEF DISIILLERS.
shot nroA, the hush and Killed for Aiding the
Revenue Observation-Disclosures Enclosed ibv
EnrthMorks Int n,ldntInR "A MItness.


shot rroA, the Hush and Killed for Aiding the
Revenue Onicers-DistiIIeries Enclosed Inv
discriminating n Witness.
A communication from Gen. Raum, Com
missioner OF Internal Revenue. to John Sher-
man. gives an interesting account OF encounters
between the officers engaged In enforcing the
collection OF the revenue and Illicit distiers in
various parts Of the country.
In Arkansas. Deputy Marshal Thomas E.
Rogers was shot from tho bushes and killed.
Monday. tho 29th OF April. 1878. Mr.. Rogers
was the man who furnished tho information
which led to the capture Of two Illicit stills in
Clay County in March last 1t was supposed that
he was killed by Frank Gatlin. who was owner
Of the stills above referred to.
Oct Q. 1878 Collector Wheeler reported "A
bad state OF affairs in Baxter County" and that
Deputy Marshal Wood had met with resistance
so formidable from Illicit distlllers that he WIS
unable to make arrests. He reported that the
Illicit distillers had organized and had enclosed
their stills with formidable oarthwork on
Bonnctt's River and deiled the United States
officers; that they were well armed with rifles
and that II would be impossible to capture the
stills without n formidable force. Collector
Wheeler was authorized to employ n force
strong enough TO seize the stills without blood
shed, II possible. but was instructed 70 enforce
gnnized force Of twenty-five men to support
his deputy collectors and deputy marshals. and
sent them to Baxter County. The Illicit diStil-
lnrs supuosinE the force was accompanied by
United States troops. rs had been publicly
stated In the papers, sunk their stills in the
bayou and destroyed their works The forc"
however. was resisted In attempting to arrest
some OF the distiers shots were exchanged.
and one man , SlIed one prisoner escaped :,
1873 Collector Woodcock reported that Deputy
Collector Davis. with force started out To seize
ties. Soon they discovered tho distlllery Of
Campbell Morgan, located in hollow sur
rounded by densely wooded hills. The distil-
lery was constructed with double-llned doors
and portfolios on every side. When the officers
had reached within one hundred yards OF the
distillery Morgan declared II they continued TO
advance he would kill every one Of them. As
they approached Morgan opened fire through
the poriholes. His gun was shattered. but he
Immediately brought out another and continued
10 fire very rnpidly NJ Dnvs's party. Some Of the
party succeeded, IN firing at Morgan through
In the dstllcry they found two double-bar-
relied shotguns. two muskets, and two pistols.
IN the Second District Of Kentucky. Oct g.
1873. Revenue Agent Whitfield. reporting the
result OF the OPERA ions OF u Deputy Collectors
force in Monroe ana Allen Counties. says that
rs they We're Selling the second still they were
Hired upon from u blum near by. and. inter leav-
ing. We're again attacked They went to the
third stilihouso, but. before reaching II, were
again bush whacked. On leaving The fourth still
they were fired upon by party Of concealed
and one horse killed. The firing AZ this point
grew so hot that the men dismounted and re-
turned the fire. with what result II not known.
He adds: The feeling in this county is bitter
IN the extreme ana the people arc almost aunt
in UNFOLDING the Illicit distillers and rallying
10 their support whenever movement Is made
against them. They will resist 10 the bitter end
any attempt TO seize their stills. general en-
gaEcmpnt and loss OF life In the late raid were
only prevented by the GOODNESS OF our men and
thcir obedience to orders 10 capture the stills
at all hazards but 10 iorbear bringing on or en-
gn4,ing in any conflict after the work was nc
cOmplishe They left the county in good order
although they were followed nearly to Glnsgow
by an armed band. who threatened TO release
tho prisoners"
In the Eighth District OF Kentucky. In Janu-
airy. 1878. II was found necessary to organize n
large force. which was lone by Collector Lam
most determined resistance on the part OF Illicit
distillers WAS made. The force wns met by An
organized body. n fight ensued. and Deputy Col
lectOr Logan was severely wounded and his
horse killed. The lawbrpakers. however were
overcome. and most Of them fled the county.
In the First ID strict OF West Virginia. June 81.
1871. Collector DuvHl enclosed report from
Deputy Collector Schoneld. giving an account
OF occurrences in Rome COUNTY in which he
stated that on the Wednesday night previous
fifteen disguised men came to the house OF one
OF the witnesses who had appeared against Illicit
distilcrs, broke down the doors. dragged him
from his bed. blindfolded him. nut "A rope
around his neck and led him 20 the woods aud
demanded that he take nm oath that he would
not again appear in the case. Hes refused.
when they passed q rope over n limb and hang
eel him until he was almost unconscious. He
stlll refused. and they told him that II he was
found in the State after ten days he would be
TO prevent the prosecution Of any man for vio-
latlOu OF Internal Revenue laws