The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-07-28
A COFFIN BOAT

revenue officer related the following story:
 At one time we had gyea: deal of trouble with illicit dis,i!,ers in Arkansaw. There was one ne.ghborhooi especially where il seemed impossible ,o discover the outlaws. This community Was away up or White river. Officer after officer had been sen; up. and quite number of them ire there ye; although the dcpart- reat did not receive notification tha, they intended ,n leave the service. One day the new came in that one of our be. tcn had us; been killed !. Dripping springs. by which name the aanserou, neiahbothood wts known. va, sen; for by the marshal who s.id
 Major. yoa have had considerable s4eeess in hunting for d.,,.ller. EaW we II, you to tad those fei.oss and bring then, ,o justice. As you know none ot OUT men have been aa.e L. md them anu
 They've beea ioaad ui.:e,o ,o5 fen . suggested
 That fact. the marsa.l agreed. bat no; by ;he rish: mar Now want you b take as many sa.iie.s as yoG v.,a,. go 10 the eut,ci p.aee and break gp ;he business
 reflected for a mo;aen; and replied : :" think that ous mistake has been in taking too many men. l. Is almos: im- possible for q parry oi men 10 find a wild cat distilley Their approach is soon heralded and disaster Is ceT.a;n :a follow will go alone and discover the nes.. Then car return and capture the entire outfit
 Rather hazardous" ;,sc mas ,aa. said. ,hous sh,fully scratching his head.
 " No, so dangerous as tae course hitherto adopted
 All right: use your own jud dsuen;
 The next day started on my pe.loas expedition. wen: horseback. and my progress was very slow When a, las, l reached the place. found beaunfal. rich country with grand hills and li,,le valleys luNuran,ly csrpe.ed with grass could see no signs of lawlessuess. bu, on the other hand 1 was kindly treated. stopped a, the house of man named Anderson. well 10 do fellow. with some education and bright-eyed daughter who seemed 10 be devoted 10 her father. l saw at once tha, Anderson was an hon. est man, and when learned tha, ne had been in the federal army fe.: secure under his roof. Sill did no, care 10 tell him my real business. bu, in answer to a question stated that was looking for land Tn leisureiy sor; of way. having just been discharged from the regular army and especially desiring res, from that dangerous activity which ali army officers incurred
 Well, sir. you are welcome a, my house. and nope you'l, ind your stay pleasant My daughter. who can TOW a boat to perfection. will cheerfully con- tribute to your enjoyment"
 understand" looking a, him, that several government, officers have been killed by illici, dis,illers in this nei ishbor- hood"
 "Yes," he replied, ' shamefully mur- dered. Well, won, say murdered for the distillers no doubt considered i, self defense. Up in the hills here, somewhere. there is large distilleY. bu; i, will be a long time, think. before the governmen; breaks it up. It is almos; impossible 10 conduct party of men ,hroug gh the hills and it is almost certain death. for the disullers can see almost every ,uyn. My advice would be to watch for the whisky that's sent away, capture the men hand. ling it and compel them to show the ex. act location of the dis,illey."
 Several days passed and still I made no progress. Twas not regarded in ,ha, light of suspicion which though, would characterize my appearance among the people, and was soon convinced tha she farmers around were not in sympath, with the distillers. Finally told Ander son my business.
 Well" he said, if can do anything for you, I'll do it cheerfully, bu, le, m, advise you not to go into the hills Watch the river, as tha, is tke only va, they can possibly ship the stuff. an going up the river to-day after some wal nut lumber and if you will accompany m. we may make discovery. As you have nc doubt noticed, make a great many cof fins. Not for government officials" h, added with smile. but am supplying cheap cofiins for the New Orleans market