Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-31
AFTER YHIkTY YEARS,
Illegal Liquor Traffic an Aged Negro
IL brought to Justice.

JscE Collins, an eyed negro, was ar
rested ut Pennington Friday by Ma =
shAl apMnllen aud Deputy Aiufoow and
brought 10 this city iu the evening where
he was locked up in the cell over the
United States court room 10 await hear
ing on the charge of selling liqaOr
without tne payment OF the spscial tax.
The prisoner was formerly slave owned
by Governor Collins, whose nams he
assumed aud takes great pride in. lie
claims to be over so years old, but his
statement ia disbelieved, and it is pre-
sumed that he put1 his years at four
score to gain sympsthy. Yesterday was
the frat time he ever visited Wilmington,
and was never nearer thar Dover to the
imaginary Mason and Dixon's line before
His clothing was of the most antiquated
cnt, ragged aud bore evidence that 1t had
seldom been brought in contact with the
wash board. He wore q linsey woolsey
great coat, had white hair, stubby gray
whiskers, was bended nearly double,
hobbled on pair of legs more crooked
than his body, and on the whole was
almost picturesque.
Despite his ignorance of worldly affairs
Jack was shrewd dealer in fiery
draughts, which he supplied chiefly to
thirsty Maryland people who are barred
from the beverage by local option laws.
II lie claimed that he has conducted the
business for upward of 80 years and
eked out a bare and wretched existence
by dispensing vile coaooctions, without
the laws sanction. He lived in miser-
able hut in swampy forest about four
miles west from Pennington and his
patrons came from many miles to
drink from his stores. On Sun
days his trade was particularly
active, and vehicles of all kinds stood in
the secrecy of the forest while their
owners sought the refreshment which the
hut offered. of late he has become bold
and carried on his business openly
without fear. He kept a sharp lookout
for officials snd few weeks since when
the marshal went to arrest him had
prepared for his coming, and sought the
protection OF the deep forest and
swamps, which did him good service.
He was reputed to be bad
negro who would kill his man rather
than submit to arrest, and WAS regar led
as the proper person to let alone, which
residents of the community did with
special care. In addition to his trade
indoors he carried his liquors about with
him and dispensed them to thirsty
persons by the road side or in the for sst.
Though raised to hard work
he got surfeit of toll early
in life aud entirely abstsined
from manual labor almost ever since bs-
ing freed from bondage. He earned
scarcely enough money by his traits to
live and seems to think that he has got
the best OF the government just now, as
HIS prospects are good for being provided
with comfortable quarters during the
cold spell. He does not deny the Illegal
selling Of liquor aud informed the
marshal that the forests were teeming
with mis- fellow tfadeSmen.
Collins was given hearing Saturday
morning before U. S. Commissioner S.
Redmond Smith and held in 5000 bail for
his appearance at the next term OF
ths United States district court, to
answer the charge of carrying on bust.
ness rs q retail liquor dealer without
paying the government tax. Marshal Nc
Mullen sen. his prisoner TO New Castle
this afternoon.