The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-10
MODEL
A DETECTIVE IN DANGER.
Narrow Escape Of Spy Employed by the
Whisky Trust to Watch Distillery.

CHICAGO, April 9.--J. F. Wolck, q detective
Ia the employment of Stanley'g agency, stood
tied to post IN Shufeldt's distillery this morn
ing, facing an angry crowd OF forty workmen.
Shufeldt.s distiliery is the only north of the
Ohio river which does not belong TO the whisky
trust Its proprietors claim that the trust has
tried every means, both fair and foul. drive it
out of business. Il was for this purpose they
say, shat Stanley's Detective Agency was
brought into requisition Several weeks ago
one of the teamsters in the employ of the COM
pany reported that his dray was being followed.
In order to find ont WHO the shadow" was,
one Of Pinkerton's men was detailed
to follow the shadow" He traced him
to Stanley's Office, and reported that
he of his operatives. Moth ing
done in the matter, however, except to keep a
close watch upon the man. March 30 be was
seen to take the address OF Ellison % Harvey,
Richmond, Va, from a consignment of goods be-
ing shipped to that firm by Shufeldt. A few
days afterward Ellison g. Harvey received a
communication from Corning 81 CO., of Peoria,
who belong 10 the trust, saying that they would
sell them gin st 81. 10 per gallon. As the list
price Of that article at that time was 81. 20.
Snufeldt % Go. became convinced that the
Whisky Trust was employing detectives TO
certain the names OF their customers in order
undersell them and drive them out of business
This suspicion was confirmed by member of
the trust. who, they say, told them that they
must either close up or be ruined-ths old
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
uravailinR. The trm consulted their lawyers,
and found that they could obtain no adequate
legal redress from either Wolck his employ
ers Early this morning the detective applied
10 Mr.. Thomas Lynch, the junior partner. for
position in the distillery. MIR. Lynch asked him
few questions. and told him he could go to
work In the meantime the employees had been
informed of the methods that were being used
by the Whisky Trust, and tn cir indignation
knew no bounds. Wolck went into the distil-
ing rooms and seated himself upon barrel.
waiting for the signal to go to work: His eyes
roamed restlessly about the room. He read the
labels on tha barrels. and took out q notebook
and jotted down the address of the consIgnees.
Boys" said man. grasping Wolck by the
shoulders, t.this is q Whisky Trust spy"
With howl Of rage. the forty men sprang
forward 10 a man. Wolck reached his hand be-
hind him and attempted to draw q revolver. In
his weapon in the possession of one of the work
men.
s'No. you don't." shouted Mr.. Lynch. standing
over the prostrate man, with murderous-look-
Hang the - spy" shouted several men in
breath. coil of half-inch rope was at once
procured. and Wolck was securely tied Now
- you; you're goin' where the only trust is run
The rope was tied around the neck of the
trembling detective and one end thrown over a
beam. Wolck turned pale and rolled his eyes
IN agony Don't kill me" he murmured: i've
got wife and children. didn't come here 70
play the spy, but to --n
At this 1uncture Mr.. Lynch interfered and
the rope was taken from Wolcks neck He
was firmly tied TO q post. however and it was
with great difficulty that the men could be pre-
vented from covering him with the slime from
the distillinR apparatus. On a promise OF being
released he consented to make confession. A
notary public was sent for and Wolek swore to
statement regarding the object OF his visit.
He claimed, however. that his main object was
TO sec that there evasion Of the internal
revenue law the part Of Shufeldt d Co.
After signing the confession, with few parting
kicks. the detective sent into the street.
Before be left however, Mr. Lynch showed him
his revolver, and told him that be would receive
its contents 10 his body if he was ever caught
within mile OF the building