Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-19
CHASING THE MOONSHINERS.
A Detectives Experiences in Hunting U
Illicit SiIIIs I'm the Mountains.

A Detectives Experiences In Hunting Up
Illicit Stills In the Mountains.
A Pittsburgh. Pa, special OF the 18th
SAYS: Deputy Silverman. OF the Internal
revenue Office in the Twenty-third district,
returned to-day from a raid on an Illicit
disiilery in Cambria county. Pa. He had
several thrilling adventures with the men
engaged In the Illegal business, but escaped
unframed. His mission was most hazard
ous one, and he has been working care
fully over three months. Alr. Silyerm m
visited the locality where an illicit distil-
lery was reported to be in operation few
months ago, but after remaining week
was compelled to return in order To avert
suspicion. He had made several trips TO
Cambria county since that time. and about
two weeks ago obtained a clew as to the
whereabouts OF the distilery, and after Sc
curing special allowance from the Gov
eminent for expenses proceeded to work.
He had 10 make his Investigations eau
tiously, fer II discovered the "moon-
sinners" would have made short work OF
him.
THE DETECTIVES STORY.
Mr.. SiyeIman was met by your corre-
spondent this evening, and in speaking OF
his trip said: at was the most hazardous
one ever attempted, and had my mission
in that region been known. my life would
not have been worth a three-cent piece.
Last Saturday 1 discovered the exact loca-
ftion Of the still, and obtained the services
Of two men and driver. We were driven
to the spot in a light spring wagon, and
arrived in the evening. One still was found
in a hollow near the creek, and the condi'
ton OF the place showed that one had been
removed. l started up the creek short
distance TO where the men lived. l de-
manded admittancc, and found an old man,
his son, and q grandson about eighteen
years Of age. l recognized the old gentle
man as an ex-penitentiary convict, he hav-
ing served a term for robbery. One OF his
sons, whom / believe to be one OF the
'moonshiners.' was recently sentenced to
the penitentiary. The three men denied
apy knowledge OF the missing still. and
after thorough search Of the premises |
failed to discover 1t.
FINDING THE STILL.
81 then threatened the boy with imme-
diate arrest unless he led us TO the place
where the still was concealed. This fright
ened the lad, and he at once showed US
where IL hau been hidden. We then de-
stroyed all the apparatus, with the eXcep-
ton OF the two copper kettles and one or
two other articles needed in evidence.
These we placed on the wagon and drove
away. During our investigation one OF the
men was stationed with doublc-barrelled
shotgun ready to check any aggressive
movement on the mart Of the moon
sinners About midnight we reached q
country tavern, where we stopped for lunch.
There were several-dangerous looking meu
around who recognized and followed us.
| They kept behind us for four miles, but the
shining barrel OF the shotgun no doubt
caused them to forego their attack on our
PARTY. We arrived safely, and believe We
have sufficient evidence 10 convict six men,
| The gang consisted OF nine men. but three
were recently sentenced to the penitentary
| for another crime"