The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-01
CAPTURING A STILL.


The other night, Major Griddlewood
who long ago won his spurs as an eff
cient revenue officer, related the follow
ing story:
At one time we had great deal o.
trouble with illicit distillers in Arkan
saw. There was one neighborhood es
pecially where it seemed impossible tc
discover the outlaws. This community
was away up on White river. Officer
after officer had been sent up, and quite
number of them are there yet, although
the department did not receive notifica
ton that they intended to leave the ser
vice. One day the news came in that
one of our best men had Just been killed
at Dripping Springs, by which name
the dangerous neighborhood was known.
was sent for by the marshal, who said
"Major, you have had considerable
success in hunting for distillers. Now
we want you to find those fellows and
bring them to Justice. As you know,
none of our men have been able to find
them and"
They've been found tr;Ae too Of
ten" / suggested.
That's fact" the marshal agreed.
"but not by the right man. Now want
you to take as many soldiers as you want.
go to the place and break up the bust.
ness"
reflected for moment and replied:
81 think that our mistake has been in
taking too many men. 1t is almost i'm
possible for party of men to find q
wild cat distillery. Their approach is
soon heralded and disaster is certain, to
follow. / will go alone and discover the
nest. Then | can return and capture
the entire outfit"
Rather hazardous" the marshal said
-thoughtfully scratching his head
''Not so dangerous as the course hith-
erto adopted"
>''All right; use your own judgment. :"
The next day | started on my per1lous
expedition. went horse back, and my
progress was very slow. When at last /
reached the place, found beautiful.
rich country, with great hills and little
valleys luxuriantly carpeted with grass,
could see no signs of laBIessness, bnt
on the other hand / was kindly treated.
I stopped at the house of man named
Anderson, well do fellow, with some
education and bright eyed daughter.
who seemed to be devoted to her father.
/ saw at once that Anderson was an
honest man, and when I learned that he
had been in the federal army I felt Sc.
cure under his roof. Still I did not care
to tell him my real business, but in
answer to question, stated that [ was
looking for land in a leisurely sort of
way, having just been discharged from
: the regular army and especially desiring
q rest from that dangerous activ ty which
all army officers incurred.
''Well, sir, you are welcome at nv
house, and hope you'll find your stay
pleasant. My daughter, who can row q
boat to perfection, will cheerfully con-
tribute to your enjoyment"
II understand, looking at him. s'that
several government officers have been
killed by illicit distillers in this neigh
borhood."
''Yes," he replied; "shamefully mur-
dered. Well, won't say murdered, for
the distillers no doubt considered it self
defense. Up III the hills, here, some
where, there Is large distillery, but it
will be long time, I think, before the
government breaks it up. It is almost
impossible to conduct party of men
through the hills, and it is almost GER
tain death, for the distiIiers can see al |
most every turn. Ny advice would be |
to watch for the whisky that's sent away. |
capture the men handling it and compel |
them to show the exact location of the |
distillery."
Several days passed and still made |
no progress. / was not regarded in that |
light of suspicion which thought would |
characterize my appearance among the
people, and was soon convinced that |
the farmers around were not in svmpa. |
thy with the distillers. Finally I told |
Anderson my business.
well, he said, ''if 1 can do any-
thing for you, I'll do it cheerfully, but |
let me advise you not to go into the hills. |
Watch the river, as that is the only way |
they can possibly ship the stuff. 1 am |
going up the river to day after some
walnut lumber. and if you will accom-.
pany me we nay make discovery. AS |
you have no doubt noticed I make a |
great many collins. Not for government |
officials, he added, with smile, ''but |
am supplying cheap cotfins for the New |
Orleans market. During an epidemic, |
it is almost impossible to get cofins to |
the city fast enough, and at such times |
/ employ quite a number of men. |
Come and Ill show you my place of |
business.
Auo suOp StOOu near the T1yef bank. |
Several workmen were employed in |
dressing walnut lumber. Coffins were /
stacked up all around, and flat boat |
was being loaded with the deathly furni-
ture. / did not go up the river with
Anderson, but took boat ride with
his daughter. She was not devoid of
charms and she chatted gaily as she
rowed.
II want pa to leave ti.is place. she
said. Mother pinned away and died
from sheer loneliness, and if were not
so light hearted, I think I should go that !
way too." /
DO you ever see any of the illicit dis.
tillers?' / asked.
81 expect see them, but I don't
know them, of course. They are terri.
BILE when they get mad, but as long as
they are not disturbed you wouldn t
know that they were in the neighbor-
hood. When We moved here they re-
garded pa with lingering suspicion. but
finally, satisfied that he was in no way