The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-06-25

= mooNSHlNe TRAoeovs
MOODY Fight nseswssa : mnrshsl's Posss
aud Illegal Dissillcrs rhe Latter
Wounaed and Capsured Amer Mentally
WoandIng Two ofshe Omcers-The Posse
Trapped. Hut FINALLY Rescuesl.
wrLxEssARRK, Pa. June i6.-ThIs
mornings down train brought . number
OF violators OF the United States Internal
revenue laws In charge Of posse Of dep
uty marshals, who have had quite lively
time with the manufacturers of Illicit
| spirits. Deputy Collector Andrew r.
Bedford and six United States marshals
dgured In the fight.
OF late years moonshining has become
quite common In this section Of North
eastern Pennsylvania, and within the
past twelve months there have been an
unusual number Of arrests. The irrcgu-
larity has usually been committed, how
ever, BY those who had q distillery IL
ccnse, and who, instead Of making spirits
without license, evaded the law by falsI-
flying their revenue reports, either by
omission or otherwise
Such were the facts IN the case, and
Deputy Collector Bedford was led drst 10
suspicion and later TO cognixance by the
reports that came daily into his hands.
He accordingly took out warrant for
the arrest Of W. T.. Chandler, James Gov
and W. X. Colwell, and, with the other
members Of his band. left on the one
O'Clock train for New Milford.
Arriving there, the party at once drove
to the house Of Chandler. Whether or
not the latter had been warned they were
unable to ascertain, but the building was
closed 10 the topmost blind. and the door
was locked and barred. Their continued
rapping at last reused some one within,
however. and behind a closed blind q
wonan's voice asked what they wanted.
The chief Of the posse replied that they
had q warrant for Chandler's arrest and
wanted him. The reply at once came
that he had gone 10 Albany, and would
not return for several days.
The marshals then asked her to open
the door. but she refused. and when they
attempted TO force II the bright barrel Of
a silyer-plated revolver was thrust
through the Stats. This, together with
an announcement to the effect that the
house was the owners castle and unless
they desistcd they must be responsible
for any tragedy that might ensue, called a
halt Oh the proceedings for few min
utes, and then, after a consultation, the
attack was renewed.
The door Of the besiegcd house was
broken open, and the posse, after dispos-
sesslng the bciiigercnt female OF her
weapon, made q search Of the house.
Chandler, who was secrcted In the house,
heard the footsteps Of the officers com
Ing up the stars. and hastily summoning
he stepped out to meet the officers.
Hastily grabbing adouble-harrcleds shot
gun, he fired twice at the marshals, badly
wonndng Officers Black aud Bowen. Be-
fore he could fire again Deputy Collector
James Cow, Chandler's confederate, now
took up the gun and commenced to beat
the wounded officers over the head.
shot from the deputy marshals sent him
70 the floor
Mrs. Chandler, who by this time had
escaped the attention Of the officers, ran
ont into the yard and summoned assist
ance by blowing a large dlnner-hOrn.
Sympathizers and other moonshlners
were soon on the spot. The Federal Of
fccrs, beginning TO feel alarmed, dis
patched one Of their number on horse
back 10 the nearest village for help, and
IN the meantime shut themselves up in
the house.
About thirty rough backwoodsmen
were on the outside, and made dcspcr-
ate effort 70 Get into the house, but every
time we're repulsed by a vollcy from tile
officers.
At $50 In the evening the mos outside
organized party 10 20 up on the house
and tear the roof on. but the timely
arrival Of the authorities from Tunkhan-
mock prevented the carrying out Of their
design. The feeling among this class Of
people Is very bitter against the officers,
and had not assistance arrived they
would undoubtedly have murdered the
whole party. Marshal Black and Chand-
Ter will die from their wounds.