Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-07
Calls aud Sketthes.
Among the "M00nshiners.
| A GRAPHIC STORY OF THE CAPTURE OF A
| CROOKED DIsTILLERY.

A GRAPHIC STORY OF THE CAPTURE OF A
CROOKED DIsTILLERY.
During the winter of 1882 was detailed
on special duty in one of the backwoods
counties of North Carolina. where the
..Moonshiner piled his vocation. to find
out the whereabouts and exact locality,
ii possible, of two or three illicit dlstilleries
in that section.
The country was mountainous and
rough. The people were uncouth, unedu.
Gated, and cared little tor law or order
One of their cardinal principles was to
beat the government out OF every cent
they could, and this they considered nc
harm.
| had been out week and had met with
very poor success. | had not definitely
spotted any still, but had encountered one
! or two parties whom | thought would
bear watching. | decided. however, to
90 on further down the river, where the
| largest of the distilleries was supposed te
be located, and leave the others for some
! future time.
Near the close of raw, cold day il
| December, after hard days ride, drew
rein at the gate of a house more preten
tons than was usual in that neighborhood
1t was large two-story building. neatly
painted. and with well-kept yards.
general air Of prosperity prevailed.
hailed at the gate, and tall, rather
handsome gentleman, of pleasing address
about 80 years of age came out. intro
duced myself and asked him it could
stay all night.
Certainly. sir, he replied; we will be
glad of your company. We seldom meet
with strangers here, but they are the more
welcome"
A boy was called and instructed to take
my horse and put him up, while and my
host went into the house. found that my
hosts name was Wetherly, of whom had
heard as one of the leading men in the
county in all matters OF public interest
His nelghbors all held him in high repute
and his opinion was sought upon all vexed
questions.
In the house we entered neatly fur.
nished room, where bright fire sent a
cheerful glow into every nook and corner
(Which way are you travelling, and
what business brings you into this out-of
the-way place." asked Mr. Wetherly.
Il have been out on prospecting toul
for party of Philadelphians. who con
template purchasing some mining proper
tv in this neigbborhood," | replied.
dared not tell my real errand, for i
was dangerous business for revenue
man to 90 into that part OF the country
The people hated them worse than they
did the rattlesnakes which playful abound
ed among the hills and caverns of tha
wild region, and would hesitate not much
less to Kill him.
Mr.. Wetherlv was about to question mt
further when his wife entered the room
She was comedy woman, apparently
about ten years the junior of her husband
very intelligent She announced tina
supper was ready, and we repaired to the
dinner room
There I met daughter. about Is, anC
two sons. aged about Is and 20, of "mlnt
host"
NV days ride had gwen me ravenou
appetite, and ate heartily of the splen
did supper prepared for us. A genera
conversation was kept up during the meal
and was surprised at the intelligence OF
my host and his family. Supper over
Mr.. Wetherly and | went to the sitting
room to enjoy a smoke. We had beer
sitting smoking and conversing on genera
topics for some time when the elder of tn,
! bows entered and announced that he anC
his brother were going that night with ;
party of friends to search for the bidder
treasure. and would probably not return
before morning.
why, boys" said Mr.. Wetherly, il
| hot do F..
| 90 on that foolish errand, for? You will
gain nothing by it, and prefer YOU would
not GO"
But, father, protested the young man
you know we might find it; and as tor thu
ghost, don't believe word of it. Be
sides. we have promised Nick William
and Hank Simmons to 90 with them"
LAS you will he responded, but
don't approve of it,.
MY curiousity was excited by the refer
ence to the "hidden treasure" and tn,
ghost" and asked my host for an ex
PLANTATION.
ats an old story" he said: "everv
body about here knows it. However, /
YOU care to hear it, will relate it to vol
as the gossips have it."
And lighting fresh cigar, he began:
Tradition says that just previous tt
the Revolutionary war there lived at tn,
base of Hickory Nut hill, about hal
mile from here, an old widow lady by tn,
name of Toris. She had two sons. botl
handsome types of manhood, and both in
dustrious boys. The war came on, anC
both Young men enlisted and went forth tC
battle for their country, leaving theil
mother to the care of an old and trusted
servant When the war cloud hung darl
and lowering, and it was uncertain upol
which banner victory would perch, the
old lady became alarmed for the safety o
her riches. which, tradition says. consist
ed of large sums of gold and silver 81
she took her money one night and with thu
aid of her servant carried it to a certait
place in dark, dreary ravine few hun
dred yards from the honse, and there. ii
the side of the hill, under huge. over
hanging mass of rocks, digged hole AM
buried the money. Well. the war finall,
ended and the boys came home. Bot
were grief stricken to find their age
mother near deaths door, She Gale,
them to her BEDSIDE and told them wher
she had hidden the money, and instructe,
them to 60. after she was dead, and d
she must, and get the money and divid
it equally between them. Mrs. Tori
died few days later, and al
ter she had been deceptly buried
the boys went one day to ge
their treasure. They easily found tn
| ,,laoa ap1 -at 70 ,,-orl- h.. hoJ 90.