Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-05
LICENSES LONG AGO.
How Troops Were Called Out to Sup
press Last Century's Mobs
In AN ODD WHISKY RESURRECTION.
A Fatal Uprising of Roughs and Militia
That Cost Some Millions.
PROMINENT PEOPLES BOOTY BATTLES

Since many seem 70 imagine that there is
an uprising of liquor men against Judge
Whites rulings, what will prove more in
teresting and pertinent for comparison, is
the far more formidable opposition made in
the four Western counties of Pennsylvania
during what was known as the whisky in
surrection of 1894, which was described in
these columns about 3 year ago, but which
has again become seasonable. As matter
of history it is very important event, but
so few seem to be familiar with the facts
that repetition of them will be fitting for
the ''great issue of the day." The counties
affected were Washington, Fayette, West
moreland and Allegheny. These counties
had been chiefly settled by the Scotch-Irish,
who were mostly Presbyterians, men Of
great energy and decision, restive under too
rigid restraints.
A lawless spirit soon prevailed among
them. They converted their rye crops into
whisky, and, when the excise laws imposed
duties on domestic distilled liquors, the
people disregarded them. A new excise
act passed in 1894, was specially unpopu-
lar; and when, soon after the adjournment
of Congress, officers were sent to enforce the
act in Western districts in Pennsylvania,
they were resisted by the people in arms.
The insurrection became general through
out that region, stimulated by leading men
in the community.
RIGHT IN THIS VICINITY.
In the vicinity of Pittsburg many out
RACES were committed. Buildings were
burned, mails were robbed, and Govern
ment officers were insulted and abused. One
official was stripped of all his clothing,
smeared with warm tar, and the contents of
feather bolster were emptied upon him.
The local militia formed a part of the
armed mob, at one time numbering 5000 or
5000 people. The insurgent spirit spread
into the neighboring counties of Virginia,
and Washington and his Cabinet perceived
with alarm this intimation of the lawless-
ness of French politics. He observed that
the leaders were connected with the Demo-
cratic secret societies of the French Revolu-
tionists. How widespread and insidious
was the conspiracy against the laws of the
country he knew not, but he was aware Of
traitorous plan, for be believed with justice
great band ofthe insurgents were patriotic
citizens. He took prompt measures to sup
press the trouble.
Governor Miflin refused to call out the
militia, and Washington resolved to act
with vigor. He issued proclamation re-
quiring the insurgents to desist, and, under
the authority as President, he called upon
the Governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland,
New York and Virginia for 1900 men,
afterward raised to 5000. Tne opposing
people could bring 5000 fighting men into
the field. Subsequently there were at one
time 700 troops encamped at Braddock.
The troops were placed under the COM
mand of General Henry Lee, OF Virginia,
and their movement was fixed for Septem-
Der 1.
Meanwhile three commissioners were sent
to the insurgent counties to arrange for the
submission of the laws Two other COM
missioners were appointed by Pennsylvania.
The Two boards crossed the Allegheny
Mountains and found the leading
INSURGENTS IN CONVENTION.
at Psrkinson's Landing. Nearby stood
liberty pole with the legend Liberty, and
No Excise" ''No Asylum for Cowards
and Traitors" A committee of so and
committee of Is met the insurgents at Pitts
burg. Among them were Bradford, Mar
shall, Cook, Gallatin and Breckenridge, a
lawyer, of Pittsburg.
Terms of submission were agreed to, to be
ratified, however, by the votes of the peo-
pie. There was still opposition; but the
alacrity with which the Presidents call for
militia was responded TO settled the matter.
The troops were moving, and complete
settlement was the result.
A final convention was held at Parkin-
D., n
resolutions of submission to authority, that
excise officers might safely proceed to their
business, and that all excise duties would
be paid. Albert Gallatin, in the Assembly
of Pennsylvania, in an able speech, ad-
mitted his political sin in the course he had
taken in the iusurrectionary movements.
The Government was strengthened bv it.
The cost of the insurrection to the National |
was 81, ,500,000
As to further details of efforts to uuell the |
it may be added: There were a |
number of distillers indicted, for which 80 |
warrants were issued. The marshal of the |
district undertook to serve them, and was |
fired upon by armed men. The latter as
sailed Inspector Neville's house, near Fort |
Pitt, which attack small detachment was |
unable to quell. Five hundred assailants |
appeared, and one was killed by the oppos-
ing yarty.
The officers were, however, compelled to
fee for their lives down the Ohio river. The |
mob was led bv John RoI- |
croft, who assumed the name of "Tom the |
Tinker"
BY RoBBING THE MAILS.
Pittsburg to Philadelphia was intercepted |
and robbed. The leading politicians
Bradford and Marshall-coneerned in this
robbery forthwith addressed circular let
ter to the officers of the militia Of the west
ern counties, stating that letters in the
rified mails revealed important secrets
which made it necessary for the militia to
act and called upon the militia to muster
On August on Braddock's Field with arms
and accoutrements and provisions for four
DAYS. Full {, 900 men appeared at the an
pointed rendezvous.
The leaders in the insurrection were
elated. The meeting at Parkinson's Ferry
was an armed convention. Colonel Cook,
,ne of the judges of Fayette
county, presided, and the illustrious
Albert Gallatin, afterward Secretary of
he Navy, acted as secretary. Bradford
assumed the Office Of Major General and re-
viewed the troops. 1t was his design to get
possession of Ft. Pitt and then the arms and
therein; but, finding most of
he militia officers unwilling to cooperate.
lie abandoned the project. The excise off.
,ers were expelled from the district and
many outrages were committed.
During these primitive days, so history
ays, the legitimacy of the liquor business
as unquestioned, and every sideboard-no
natter how humble contained a flask oftbe
essence of maize, and. in most
.ases, a homemade article. In every respect
t is different now.