The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-09-27
Capturing a Still.

OCU l1CCt1 Lily CG - OIll.
The other night, Major Griddlewood,
who long ago won his spurs as an eff
cicnt revenue officer, related the follow
ing story:
At one time we had great deal of
trouble with illicit distilers in Arkansaw.
There was one neighborhood especially
where it seemed impossible to 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 depart
ment did not reccive notification that
they intended 80 leave the service. One
day tho news came in that one of our
best men had just been killed ut Drip
ping Springs, by which name the dan
gerous neighhorhood was known. 7
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 a trihe too often,'
[ suggested.
"That's n fact" the marshal agreed,
"but not by the right man. Now 1
want you to take as many soldiers rs you
want, go to the place and break up the
business"
| reflected for moment and replied:
'I think that our mistake has been in
taking too many mon. 1t is almost i'm
possible for q party of men to find wild
cat distillery. Their approach is soon
heralded and disaster is cc' tain 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 perilous
expedition; l went horse back, and my
progress was very slow. When ut last I
reached the place, / found beautiful,
rich country, with great hills and little
valleys hlXuiantly carpeted with grass.
could see no signs of lawlcssncss, but
on the other hand l was kindly treated.
/ stopped at the house of man named
Anderson, a we'll to-do fellow, witt some
education and bright-eyed daughter,
who seemed to be devoted to her father
saw ut once that Anderson was an
honest man, and when I learned that he
had been in the Federal army felt Sc
to tell him my real business, but III
answer to II question, stated that I was
looking for land in lcisurcly sort Of
way, having just been discharged from
the regular army and especially desiring
a rest from that dangerous activity which
all army officers Incurred.
"Well, sir, you arc welcome Mt my
house, and | hope you'll find your stay
pleasant My daughter, who can row n
boat to perfection, will chccrfully con-
tribute to yonr enjoyment.
'I understand, looking at him, "that
several government officers have been
killed by illicit distillers in this neigh
borhood."
eyes," he replied; "shamefully mur.
dercd. Well, won't say murdered, fo,
the distillers no doubt considered it self
defense. Up i'll the hills, here, some
where, there is large distiIlcry, but i
will be long time, | think, before Tho
government breaks it up. 1t is almO5
impossible to conduct n party of mcI
through tho hills, and it is almost Ger
tain death, for the diStilcrs can Sc,
aim most every turn. My advice would b
to watch for the whisky that's sent away
capture the men handling it and comp,
them to show the exact location Of th
distillcry."
Several days passed and still MAD
no progress. [ was not regarded in the
light of suspicion which thought woul
characterize my appearance among IL
people, and l was soon convinced thi
the farmers around were not i'll sympi
thy with the distIlcrs. Finally I tUl
Anderson my business.
"Well," he said, eff / can do any
thing for you Ell do it cheerfully, bl
let me advise you not to 90 into the hill
Watch the river, as that is the only wa
they can possibly ship the stuff. I n
going up the river to-day aftcr son
walnut lumber, and if you will accom-
pany me we moy make discovery.
you have no doubt noticed, | make
great many collins. Not for governmel
officials he added with q smile, "bl
am supplying cheap collins FOR the Ne
Orleans market. During an epidemic
it is almost impossible to get coffins
tue city fast enough, and at SUCH time
| employ quito number of men. Com
and Ill show you my place of business.
The shop stood near the river balll
Several workmon we're employed j
dressing walnut lumber. Coffins wei
stacked mp all around, and at.bot
W, being loadcd with the dcathly fun
I turc | dId not go up the river wit
4RQopQp, bBt to0k 9 b9at yida With b