The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-12-05
DOCK, THE M0ONsHINER.
How Aided Him In Escaping
From Jail.

How I Aided Him in Escaping
From Jail.
had been so Hospitality entertained
BY Moonshiner Dock Davis, and his
invitation to call again upon him at
his wildcat still had been SO cordially
given that could not resist the temp
iation to saddle my mare and ride
over on Lonesome one bright sparkling
day about a week after the fox hunt.
found without difficulty the little
bind canyon at the head Of which
was the spring branch whose pure
water was, SO necessary to the manu-
facture OF mountain dew" and my
: horse picked his way over the rocky
creek bed at quick walk. Dock was
at home and saw the barrel of his
long rife protruding from a clump OF
bushes before | saw him. Z
He welcomed me cheerily and I
Tilted and tied my horse ton saplidg
while he brought out rough bench
from his little cabin and filled a. gourd.
with moonshine from the barrel along-
side the door. ! was deeply inter-
ested in his description Of the myster-
les of wildcat ,stilling. and he had
just finished telling me how on GER
tain occasion he had plumb fooled
The ma'shals" while "blockading'' a
half-dozen barrels OF whisk y into Dab
lonega. when, with an exclamation of
alitrm, he sprang to his feet and
reached for his rifle. which was resting
against the trunk OF big oak tree.
His hands We're already grasping the
weapon, when heard sharp click,
click, and man with a double-bar-
re ed shotgun in his hands leaped into
the little. clearing and by quick
movement covered us both.
Throw upn was his curt command,
and whilst ] was-qnick to obey, the
moonshiner's arms were raised slowly
above his head and he watched the in
terloper keenly. watching for loop
hole OF escape.
: ''It's no use, Dock" said the stran-
ger, 1--WE got the drop"
He whistled shrilly. and after mo-
ment's silence there was hurried
trampling among the brushwood and
two men armed like the first came
into sight. One of them produced a
pair of handouts and snapped them
on the moonshiner's wrists. He
stepped forward to do q like service
form
"He'un's not wanted by you'uns, !"
said Dock, shaking his head. "He'un
air stranger in. this settlement"
Thus prompted / introduced myself.
and the man who had covered us with
the shotgun held out his hand.
II heard from. the marshal the other
day in Atlanta that you were up
here" he said. land promised him
to look after you. He said you were
studying the people / presume
Dock is giving you a lessen In moon
shining. 4 think you'd travel long
ways before finding a, better teacher
OF. ono who undefstands HIS business
better. Eli, Dockp"
The manacled moonshiner laughed
proudly at this compliment and nodded
his head.
~ low that you'uns shore b'lieve
tibet o. me-" he said. drily. and then
laughing again, continued, "You'uns
hev caught me far an squarF this
a,time, an 1 reckin .thar's no use'n
bawlin' over split milksF Thar's the
hall an, thar's the gourd. Take
suthin'. gentlemen, ct my. expense, !"
The .'ma'shals" were not. slow to
accept the prisoners Invitation, and
he bowed, gravely when they drank
his health and wished him .better
luck next time The balance Of the
liquor in the barrel was emptied upon
the ground and two barrels OF ''swiz-
zlings," big hogshead of beer and
another of mash" just beginning to
ferment, met with like fate. The
revenue officers tore the little copper
still from the mud-daubed fireplace
and one OF the men chopped 1T into bits
with Docks axe. The sgoose~neck'
..and-the worm were also destroyed,
and then the little cabin was set on
fire. Dock, exhibited no emotion and
uttered no protest while the work OF
devastation was going ons but sat on
a log meditatively chewing q maple
twig. ~
We'll, that seems to be d satisfac-
tory cleanup" said the head marshal
IS the flames began to lick the shin
giles. OF The cabin Bring up the
horses, boys, and we'll get back TO
Dahlonega" M
Look .a=hyar, cap'n," said Dock.
my place air rite on yore roads I'd
IKE TO stop an bid the cole woman
howdy. Sides | hev likely saddle
mare an twill make hit easy on you
: uns horse critters ..ef ride her to
town. 49,.
Very we'll, Dock" said the mar
wife,
tic started to climb the slipping
canyon vail and Dock and ] followed,
me marshaps two assistants. with the
/. rses, bringing up the rear. But f9r
y 'ne handouts ON the prisoner wrists
one would have thought US q party Of
friends out for a stroll. W. chatted
together unreservedly. and Dock WA
= The best Of spirits His wife, ~
most child in years. but quite prot