Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-12
A wmusnEY-TRUsr spy.
He Narrowly Escapes LynchiuE by nm
Angry Crowd OF Distfiiery- Men.

A Chicago special says: J. L. Wolcke,
detective in the employ of Stanley's
agency, stood tied to post in Shnfeld's
distillery this morning facing an angry
crowd OF workmen. Shufeld's distillery
is the only one north of the Ohio river
which does not belong to the whiskey
trust Its proprietors claim that the
trust has tried every means, both fair
and foul, to drive it ont of the bust
ness IL was for this purpose, they
say, that Stanley's detective agency
was brought into requisition. Seve-
raj weeks ago one of the team
sters in the employ Of the COM
pany reported that his dray was being
followed In order TO find out who the
"shadow" was, one of Pinkerton's men
was detailed to follow the "shadow." He
traced him 10 Stanley's Office, and re-
ported that he was one OF his operatives.
Nothing was done in the matter, how
ever, except to keep close watch upon
the man. March goth ne was seen TO take
the address of Richmond (Va. firm
from consignment OF goods being
shipped to that firm by Shufeld. A few
days afterwards the Richmond firm re-
ceived a communication from Corning
Co., OF Peoria, who belong TO the trust,
saying that they would sell them gin at
81. 10 gallon. As the list price OF that
article at the time was Sl.21 a gallon,
Shufeld & Co. became convinced that the
whiskey trust was employing detectives
to ascertain the names of their custom
ers, in order 10 undersell and drive them
out Of the business. This suspicion WAS
confirmed by a member of the trust,
who. they say, told them that they must
either close up or be ruined. Without
having the least idea that he was being
watched, Wolck used every means in his
power to get inside the distillery. he
was as well known to the managers,
however, as any of their workmen, and
all his efforts were unavailing. The
firm consulted their lawyers and
found that they could obtain no
adequate legal redress from either
Wolck or bis employers. Early
this morning the detective APP
Piled to Mr.. Thomas Lynch, the
junior partner, for position in the dis
tillery. Mr.. Lynch asked him a few
questions and told him he could go to
work. In the mean time the employees
had been informed of the methods that
were being used by the whisky trust,
and their Indignation knew no bounds.
Wolck went into the distilling-rOoms and
seated himself upon a barrel waiting
for the signal to go to work. His eyes
roamed restlessly about the room. He
read the labels On the barrels, and took
out a note book and jotted down the
address of the consignees.
"Boys," said man, grasping Wolck
by the shoulders. "this is a whiskey trust
spv." With a howl OF rage the forty
workmen sprang forward to man.
Wolck placed his hand behind him and
attempted to draw O revolver. In n
second he was sprawling upon the floor,
with his weapon in the possession OF one
of the workmen.
Hang the - spy shouted several
men in a breath. 4 coil OF half-inch
rope was at once procured, and Wolck
was securely tied
Now, - you; you're going where
the only trust is run by the devil The
rope was tied around the neck Of the
trembling detective and thrown over u
beam. Wolck turned pale and rolled
his eyes in agony.
Don't kill me-" he murmured; GIVE
got wife and children; didn't come
here to play spy, but to -
At this jnncture MIR. Lynch inter
fered, and the rope was taken from
Wolck's neck. He was firmly tied to a
post, however, and it was with great diff
fculty that the men could be prevented
from covering him with the slime from
the distilling apparatus. On promise
of being released he consented 70 make
a confession. A notary public was sent
for, and Wolck made a statement re-
garding the object of his visit. lie
claimed, however, that his main object
was to see that there was no evasion OF
the internal-reyenue law on the part of
Shufeld Co. After signing the con-
fession. with few parting kicks the de-
tective was sent into the street. Before
be left. however, Mr.. Lynch showed him
his revolver, and told HIM that he would
receive its contents in his body II he was
ever caught within mile OF the build
ing.