The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-05-06
NORTH GEORGIA OUTLAWS.
THE STORY OF A. MAN WHOSE DEATH
Is RECORDED ON A POPLAR TREE.
a Narrative of Somo Very Lively Expe-
riences Among the Moonshiners--- Tho
Narrow Escape OF Venturesome Eel.
("EUhdrlcc" in the NetD York Star-


Narrow Escape OF a Venturesome Eel,
low.
("Euharlec" IN the Neto York Star.)
About the middle of last December
Deputy United States Marshal Kellet
was mu rdercd by moonshiners in
the mountains Of North Georgia. An
account Of his killing, published in a
New York newspaper, said that
another notch was cut in the big pop
lar that guards the entrance to Sleepy
Cove, the retreat of the outlaws,
making five in all, each significant Of
the death at the hands of the Illicit
whiskcy makers, Of revenue officer.
Now, l was until recently a revenue
officer, and can without fear Of con-
tradiction say that no one is better ac-
qpainted with Sleepy Cove and that
big popla. than mhyself. | knew W l.
three of the poor fellows whose cpl
taphs stand gaping there, silent but
awful warnings, to all who would dis
turb the lawlcss men of that lonely
cove; the fifth notch is for Kellctt, but
for whom the fourth was cut seems
still to be a mystery to the surround
ing ncighborhood. Moonshincrs sell
dom make mistakes in their matters Of
murder, but in this instance I think
they have lost their reckoning. That
fourth notch was cut for me. | saw il
done, with death staring me in the face.
Is it possible that the outlaws still be-
licvc my bones are bleaching on the
damp ground in Smoky Hole?
When notch No. > was cut there
was great stir in North Georgia.
Country people were wild with cx-
citcment. Revenue men riding through
the mountains had sort of itching in
the back, and were inclined often to
turn in the saddle. We laid the mur-
der Of W at the door Of the noto-
rious Cap Hawkins, the daring leader
Of a fearless band Of outlaws in the
Cohutta Mountains, and as soon as
possible we were on his trail with q
good pack of bloodhounds. The scent
was cold, and when we had penctrat-
ed some eight miles into the range the
dogs became diShcartcned. After
circling round us time and again in
search Of the trail they gave it up, and
we were forced to retreat without
having accomplished anything.
n was dusk when we cot out of the
deep woods, and began to look about
for a place for the night. a logUUcabin
} Of two rOOmSsswas not inviting, but the
/ old cronc who came to the door said
she could provide Cor one Of the party,
and that the others might find accom-
mOdatiOns at another cabin q mile
down the road. In some way it was
arranged that | should stay at her
; house, and Join the party next morn
ing. She made me as comfortable as
| possible. For supper had pure corn
bread and molasscS, with tin cup of
something hot which she called coffee.
, While Pate she smoked clay pine,
, sitting IN tho chimney corner with her
legs crossed and her foot swinging in
cessantly. when she spoke to nc,
which she did ottcncr than | liked. |
could not help feeling that she was
trying to pump me. She wanted to
know entirely too much about the moon
= sinners and the revenue men, and
before | finished my meal she made me
look upon her with suspicion. Once
or twice ! allurGd to her family. for
thought it strange that shc should live
alone, and even went so far as tc
inquire about her husband, and asl
when he would be at home. But sh,
replied cvascly, and all | learned wa
that Ecr Old man and three growl
5 boys were up on the mountain, tend
ing cropS. It did not require mucl
exercise Of my Imagination TO deter
mine what kind of crops iliey wcr
tending. In thinking of them m,
hand went instinctivcly 70 my trust
revolver, and the touch OF the col,
steel DraGGd me up. | wondered hoy
the men were getting on down at tn
other cabin, and if they could hear
pistol shot that far of.
when the old woman had shown m
to my room, she returned to her chin
ncy corner and her pipe and her foo
: swinging. My bed was an old fash
| Toned ono, with ropes for springs an,
bear Skins iOp mattress and cover.
J didn't undrcs3, but crawlcd Just as
was between the skins, and laying O.
my back, thought ! should not d
much sleeping. When my eyes prcy
accustomed to to the darkness an,
, wandered aimlessly over the open cell
ing, | saw something about the size 0
tic bed hanging directly over me. |
= seemed tQ aWing slowly back an,
forth. | stood np and touched it
examined it as minutcly as poasiblc
and again lay down. 1T was nothin,
but three or four bed quilts stretches
across two boards supported at tn
ends b. short ropes. fit grew colde
in tho night ! would reach up to then
for more cover.
| | intended to stay awake, but mus
have been nearly asleep when era ok
ing noise aroused me. The mex
momcDt it was repeated, and the Quilt
above me descended rapidly. 1T fash
ed upCc,n Inc that / was in a trap
Drawing my T1""apon, { attempted t
spring out of bed, de,c.''liinea 20 sol
my life dearly, but as al5"'Siie(
up the quilts covered me, and before
could throw them off strong hand.
were at the corners. 1t seemed as if
ton weight had fallen upon me an(
doubled me up. My head was bent sc
close upon my breast that my nccl
would break. My breath came shor
and fast.
With frantic struggle cooked my
| nlStDI 81