Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-08-01

~ ID an speak, "head and
AeA4@S~1tLy. shoulders above
n "A fS, AZ the rest of the citi-
w.. SSg~< zens of the district,
and both of them were, though in
widely different ways, leaders of men.
One was Hon. Amos Eldridge-
sometimes known as General" and
ms often called dgc"-wealthy and
respected; man who had held an i'm
portant command in the Confederate
army; a successful lawyer who had
more than once been elected to the
judicial bench, and II trusted politician
who had represented for u. full term
his Congressional district at Washing
ton. Though barely fifty years of age
his life had been full of honors, and
indeed his ability deserved all the rec
ignition which it had received. The
other man was Hank Firestone, the
bold and notorious ringleader of a
most daring and successful gang of
moonshiners, and the terror of all the
peaceful and law-abiding citizens of
the county.
Besides being great in their way both
of these men were rcputed to be inn
mcnscly rich. Judge Eldridge GER
tainly lived in greater style than any
other man in Smithville, the small
county seat; owned more and better
horses than any of his neighbors, and
paid just about one-half of the entire
amount Of taxes collected in the county.
As for Hank Fircstone, his wealth
could not very readily be computed, as
he paid no taxes. Indeed, that was the
sum-total of his wrong doing evading
the payment of the whisky tax. But it
was known very well, indeed, that he
literally coined money; for he was
principal owner and controller of half
hundred stills of no mean capacity.
He was so rich (and powerful in his
way) and had such n large following
among the ''poor whites of that wild
district that he made no secret of his
business, and his teams laden with bar
rels of whisky for his agents along the
Ohio river were seldom molested. Once
detachment of United States troops
| made a raid on some of the stills, but
they failed to capture Hank or any of
his men, and few weeks later the
whisky business In Eastern Kentucky
was as brsk rs ever.
, Hank fircstone, IL was currently re-
ported, owned real estate "up North
and was alleged to have wife and
family In magnificent home in New
York City, where rumor had 1t he
moved in the very best of society, OF
course under some other name. But
then this was rumor, or in other words
fiction which the glamor of his wild
and outlawcd life called forth among
the not over-intelligent citizens OF
Smithvlle and vicinity. Doubtless he
made considerable money, but how he
spent it was n mystery not yet solved
by respectable people. He had often
been seen in the mountains and along
the valleys, riding his roam mare.
Once or twice he had even walked
boldly along the main street of Smith.
vile in broad daylight, but il was very
seldom that he showed himself in the
small town. Not that he was afraid OF
capture at least not afraid of the local
guardians of the peace. He was well
aware that Uncle Sam bore him nc
good will, but Uncle Sam had never
made but one serious effort to ruin
him and his business-an effort that
had resulted in ignoblc failure to Uncle
Sam.
HANK Firestone was looked upon
Is good deal Of hero round