Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-10-04
TEMPTING PRoHIBITIoNIsTs.
John woods Arrested for Keeping a
Jug Bar at Van Dyke.

JJhn W.udi, whose habiiation is
miserable Int in the thickest part of the
forest, near Van Dyke station close to the
Maryland line, was arrested by United
States deputy marshal at Middletown, on
the charge Of violating the liquor Law
Tue ufhoufs have been OF til, lookout fr
Woods since July 23d, but he was ap
prised of their anxiety to catch him
and has eluded them ever since. 1t
WAS next to impossible TO capture
Woods in his Jungle, and Marshal
MoMullen laid plan for him to visit Midi
dletown, which he did and was taken into
custody Tuesday by deputy marshal
He made an effort to regain his liberty Int
was unsuccessful, aud afterward WAS
surrendered to the Marshal who brought
him to this city and locked him mp IL She
cells over the United States court rooui
Woods has proved sonrcs of much
annoyance to people residing in the
vict ity of the fore It for some time and
he is charged with furnishing the greater
part Of the inferior liquor which hae in
cited much rio,ous aud disorderly con.
duct in the vicinity. His howell stands
in the forest. IL is frame and covered
with winding sheet of white wash, roof
and all, which peculiarly distinguishes
1t from other novels in its vicinity.
Being a few yards east of the Maryland
line, which marks the domain of the
prohibitionists, many thirsty Kent coun.
tiaus applied at the domioile for draughts
of his wretched liguor. He ia charged
with keeping large quantities secrsted,
and from this could draw never
ending supplies for his prohibition
patrons He has long been
suspected of Illicit traffic in liquor, in ad-
dition to which he was regarded as bad
man in the community of foresters.
Since the 23d of July last Woods has
been exceedingly vigilant and careful
least he fall in the hands of Marshal
MoMullen. While lodging through
corn fields and thickets by day
he carried his jug aud when
found was always equipped and
in readiness to dispense his vile de-
coctlons oil liquor to patrons. Encouraged
by his success in eluding the Marshal he
became holder and has been seen in the
towns surrounding lately. 1t is thought
that with the arrest Of Woods the most
fertile source Of liquor supply to the forest
ers and Mgrylanders living near the
border will be cut off.
He was given hearing yesterday be-
fore United States Commissioner s. Rod
mond Smith, Esq.
Isaac L. Adkins, Deputy Collector of
Internal Revenue, stationed at Milford,
testified to visiting Woods house in
July last, and buying half pint OF
whisky from Woods wife who got it from
jug, secfeted in an an empty flour cask.
Thirty. five cents were charged for
the liquor ten of which Mrs. Wood stated
was charged for the bottle. The prisoner
was away from home at the time Of wit
ness visit, but the latter waited until
his return. Wood then acknowledged
violating the liquor law, and tried 10 beg
off from being prosecuted. The prisoner
then inquired how much the special tax
amounted to, and paid the revenue officer
81 on account OF special tax. As all the
Government witnesses werenot in attend
auce, the prisoner was held for further
hearing this morning.
Adkins, who visited the abode OF
Wood, states that it is in TIE midst Of
an almost impenetrable forest, the way
to which could not be- found by one
unacquainted with the .Oads and paths
among tie trees. He was accompanied
by Joseph Cheairs, a frequenter of the
| place, who was given to understand the
| revenue officer wished to trade horses
with Wood. After purchasing the liquol
Mr.. Adkins disclosed the real nature o.
his errand. Cheairs, upon learning
Wood had been trapped by the
man whom he guided to his
house was quite overcome with feai
and sinking away in his chair gasped
"I'm dead man in two weeks ~ He IL
in anortai terror lest Wood will regard
his ac, intended for kindness al treachery
and avenge himself. On his way hom
with MIR. Adkins, he said, "Some nigh
I'll he riding through the forest, aud viii
see flash and hear the report of d gun
You'll read in the papers next day tina
have been foand dead, but nobody viii
ever find out who 81. OF ma"
Wood is terror in the forest, and PEG
Pile who have regarded bis hut as littl
better than pest house, were afraid t
report his illegal traffic in rum to tn
officials lest he should learn they d
The case, therefore, was worked up O
information anonymously received.