The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-15
DOWN in A WE'LL.
Is WHERE AN ILLICIT DISTIL LERY
WAS FOUND.
Atlanta Constitution.

WAS FOUND.
Atlanta Constitution.
One of the most extensive and varied
seizures ever made for violation of the in
ternal revenue laws was made by Deputy
Collector Chisolm, assisted by Deputy
Marshal Mcdonald, Wednesday night, two
miles beyond Stone Mountain.
The seizure consisted of one man, Ben
iamin Franklin Kilgore, a Clubhouse, fif-
teen horsepower engine and boiler, one
still, cap and worm, one cotton press, cot
tOnseed, one mill and number of other
things.
Deputy Collector Chisolm has been
working the case for nearly month. He
knew that the ardent was being made in
or near the clubhouse, and he knew that
he would get it, even if it was as deep
down as the artesian we'll.
Wednesday night the deputy collector
and Deputy Marshal Mcdonald went down
to the mountain and made a careful sur
vey of the surroundings. All was quiet
around the gin, not noise save the chirp
of the crickets could be heard.
"Devilish lonesome place." said the col
lector, as he quietly walked around.
I'D rather be in Paulding county," re-
piled the strawberry blonde deputy col
lector.
II don't like these old houses"
"Me neither. Ding sight rather be in
the woods"
"Well, here, know there's a still here,
and I'm going to find it."
"And 1 hope we'll find some benzine
with it."
The two officers began to try the doors,
but found everything tight and fast. The
windows were tried but no-go. The dep
uty collector squared himself back, and a
few vigorous kicks brought one of the
doors down. The two men walked in.
1t was as dark rs stack of black cats,
but after getting the cold ghosts and
chills off them, a lantern was lit and
guided by its dim rays search was made.
There were no signs of a still,not the least
indications.
"Ain't no still here" said the blonde, as
he jumped about three feet high as large
rat scampered over the floor.
"Yes there is, and 1 am going to find
it," replied Mr.. Chisholm, stamping his
foot on the floor.
"What yer hunting for?"
Ndnu W hllu IL llele all Coldr
under here"
ga cellar ?"
"That's er fact, l was raised up here
bout GAINESVILLE, and don't know much
about em, and never would have thought
of that Well find that still now.'
And they did. The two men began
walking around, and soon found a place
in the floor that sounded hollow. They
knew they had struck the winning card,
and the next thing was to get into the
opening.
"Theres trap door here, somewhere"
said the deputy collector.
"Eh? what?" asked his companion.
"a trap door,"
"And what the deuce is that?"
"a door in the floor"
"Then TIL find it,"
And getting down on his stomach he
crawled over the floor lizard fashion, feel
ing every inch of the planks with his
hands. He crawled up against pile of
cottonseed, but didn't stop; he just crawl
ed under and was buried from sight
Presently he came out almost suffocated,
and with long breath said:
'I-I-Ive foun' it,"
you have?"
"Yes, let's get this pile of seed away and
We'll be there in pair of minutes" They
went to work and the seed was soon re-
moved, and sure enough, the door was
found. 1t was raised up, and holding the
lantern over the opening, the two men
looked in. They could see nothing save
the pitchy darkness. A string was til d to
the lantern and it was lowered depth of
fifteen feet or more before bottom was
found. Swinging the lantern around
they discovered ladder against the side
of the wall. AS soon as this was discov-
cred the two men felt all right, and went
down. They were soon i'll an underground
distillery. Everything was in tip-top
shape and ready for business. There was
the still, and everything showed that it
had only been a short time since run
had been made.
"Lets get out of here" said the deputy
collector, who began to turn pale behind
the gills. '",
''Not yet. Let's see it ALL" was the re-
ply of the deputy marshal, who now ap-
peared deeply interested.
"McDonald," replied the collector SOL
emily, chad you thought how easy it
would be for the moonshiners to slip up
here and close the door down on us?"
"Great Lord! No, hadn't and up the
ladder the deputy marshal scrambled. 1t
didn't need a seconds time to make the
ascent, and he was soon followed by the
deputy collector, almost dead with laugh
ter.
marrow escape" began Mcdonald,
wiping the beads of perspiration from his
brow.
eyes," was the only reply the deputy
collector could make.
"What the thunder are you laughing
about?"
Nothing. Just how quick you got out
of that pit,
at was getting time. If that door had
closed down on us we never would have
got out. Get me in such place again"
The next thing was to arrest Killgore.
They found no trouble in this, for going
to his home only short distance away,
he was found enjoying the sleep of the
innocent. He was arrested and brought
to Atlanta, and gave bond in the sum of
$500.
A man was sent down to guard the
seizures, and what things can be moved
will be brought to Atlanta.