Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-20
A TYPICAL MooNsHINER.
Two Desperate Illicit Dists;iers Brought
from their Mountain Fastnesses.

from their Mountain Fastnesses.
From the Rome Courier.
Mr.. Ed. Murphy, Atlanta's celebrated
detective, but now of the United States
Internal Revenue service, assisted by
last Friday captured on Lookout Noun
tain two notorious desperadoes and MOON
sinners, Ayres Jones and Joe Gilreath.
They were brought to this city Sunday
night, and by Commissioner Beck, yes
terday, were committed TO Jail to await
the mex term OF the United States Court.
Daniel Young, an old crippled man, was
also arrested by the same officers and
committed to the next term of court.
The two men-AYres Jones and Joe Gil
reath-are two of the Oldest rats that have
been bothering the government barn. The
warrant upon which Gilreath was arrest
ed is years old, and he and Jones were
regarded by all the revenue men as des-
perate characters.
In the mountains of Chattooga county,
near the Alabama line, they made their
homes, and there, hid away in their fast
ness, out of the reach of all civilization,
they carried on their work OF manufac-
turing Illicit whisky. and bid defiance to
all law. Ayres Jones, some years ago,
was tried and acquitted of the charge of
numbering Lieut.. Mcintyre, in Fannin
county. He is a man of more educa-
ton than the common run Of moon
sinners, and in dress and per-
sonal appearance bears the MARKS
OF the typical mountaineer. He is of av-
erage height, sparely built, and patched
pair of h0mespun pants, hickory shirt,
brOgan shoes and SLOUGH wool hat con-
stltute his personal make up. He Is in
tina a htr n Ia h0f Nvh al 10 iaf
black aud parted in the middle, hanging
down over his shoulders; but few days
ago he had it cut of. Altogether he is an
interesting man, and in conversation
with reporter he frankly admitted hav-
ing violated the revenue laws.
Yes, | have been scOoped this time,
and | admit that have been engaged in
the making of whisky. In the mountains
where | came from it is distant from all
markets, and with bad roads 1t is hard to
carry TO town the corn that is Yaised. In
the making of whisky we find ready
money, and as that article is 30 scarce
we are forced to violate the lay. l claim
to be an honest man, and see nothing
wrong in billing our corn into whisky
"How came you to be cRptured?"
"Well, Smith over there" pointing
across the room, land me were partners.
He furnished everything and | did the
work. Smith, as he did everybody else
who worked with him, toted unfair and
insisted on square deal. When Smith
saw that he could not steal from me he
got mad and reported me to the govern
ment officers. He also reported that old
crippled man." abiding to Young.
young only bought quart of whisky
from Smith, who, after p0cketing the
money, gave him away. But l reckon it's
all right, as Smith is IN the same boat
with u.s."
Did the officers use any violence with
youY'
"No, sir. l never was treated better
by anybody in my life. While they were
bringing me here l hardly knew whether
to regard myself as prisoner or one Of
the officers. When they come In on me
while / was working az the still, Muir
ply, who ! saw while in Jail at Atlanta,
came up pleasantly aud shook hands, and,
before had time to think, told me / was
under arrest. 1t is usual for revenue
men TO come upon us with guns and pis-
tolls, and i, OF course, was taken back with
surprise when they came up pleasantly
and without violence. After | had been
caught lknew it was no use to kick, and
| therefore made no resistance"
The revenue men may well cOngratu-
late themselves on their shrewdness in
capturing this man. All OF the people in
the neighborhOod regarded MIN as a des-
perate character, and warned the officers
Of trouble. Had they not gone to work 80
quietly bloody tragedy would probably
have been the result of the effort. While,
of course, the laws Of the country should
DO enforced, yet it bears heavily upon
these hardy mOuntaineers, whose remote
ness from the market forces them TO resort
to this means of earning a livelihood.