Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-11-20
CAPTURING A MQONsHINER.

| CAPTURING A MQ0NSHINER.
THE New York Sun publishes the
following graphic account of a hand
to hand encounter with n desperate
aud his capture by deputy U. S.
Marshal in West Virginia:
Keyser, W. Va, Nov. l2.-Deputy
United States Marshal o. C. Miller
arrived here a day or two ago having
in charge a moonshiner, William
Fansler. He lived. with q number OF
others OF his class, about two hundred
miles south OF ST. George, the county
seat OF Tucker County, and about 90
miles from the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and his chase and capture
constitute one Of the most remarkable
episodes in the criminal annals OF
West Virginia. Detective Miller was
compelled to follow his man for sew
eral weeks before he finally landed
him in prison. often at the risk Of his
life. and be detailed his experiences
to your correspondent about as fol-
lows.
"Fansler is member OF one OF the
most daring and successful gangs o
noonshiners, counterfeiters. and stock
thieves that ever infested the noun
tains Of West Virginia. Their stamp
ing ground was the Canaan wilder
ness and contiguous portions OF
adjoining counties, and their head
quarters were established in the most
inaccessible portion OF the Back
bone range OF mountains. II is sur
rounded for miles on every side with
laurel and timber, standing SO thick
as to make an approach TO it almost
impossible except by secret path,
which for a long time was known
only 70 the members Of the gang.
Here the members Of the gang had for
several years operated a splendidly
equipped distillery, with a capacity of
eighty-fiye gallons a dag. until they
were betrayed some months ago by
one Of their own number, who led a
posse Of government officials 10 the
Tort as it was called, at time when
all the gang were away disposing Of
their stock of liquor al Philippi. The
detectives left not one log of the thief
harbor resting upon another andldes-
troyed the still, mash, tubs and every
thing else OF any value found about
the premises. The summary proceed
ing made home anything but sweet
for the gang, and they scattered.
Fansler being the only one who made
any attempt to hold the fort, and even
he taking alarm at the activity Of the
officers, reiretted to wha. he called
his mountain place, about fifteen miles
further south. Here he was traced
by Marshal Miller, who spent seven
days in getting to the place from ST.
George. Miller was fortunate enough
TO find Fansler at home, and, walking
suddenly in upon him. told him the
best thing he could do was TO give him
self up. as he had men outside who
would take him, and resistance was
useless. Fansler surrendered and
started of quietly with mis- eaplor, but
when they had gone some distance
without meeting any other officers,
Fansler turned upon Miller, and a
fierce fight ensued. He was finalIy
overpowered, and everything went we'll
until the Dry Fork OF Cheat River
was reached. The two men started
across the stream in a skif, but Fans
Ter, watching his chance. caught the
detective by the shoulders and threw |
him out Of the boat. Fansler then
jumped into the swift current himself |
aud tried to escape, but Miller caught
him by the legs and he narrowly es-
capped being drowned. Fansler again /
and the two reached the
shore. Fansler made no further effort
to escape, and is now under lock and
key. There are three bench warrants
against him and many capiases, and
be is sure Of long term in the peni.
Tertiary. A strange feature Of the
whole matter is that the members OF
This gang were no: vagabonds or Grim
mails in the common &C cep;ation Of
hose terms. but all owned fine farms,
and as n evidence Of tLis. one Of the
party arrested some lime ago was re-
eased by United States Judge Jack
'on on 5000 bail on his own recog-
lizance. The queer and 'moonshine'
departments OF the usiness were
managed with skill and energy, and
hey were assiduous and successful in
heir live stock operations, frequently
tealing as many as 200 sheep or thirty
II forty cattle at once. Many are the
tories told by the peopleof Randolph, {
tucker and Barbour counties Of the
Tild orgies with which they cele-
rated at their camp in the mountains
he successful issue OF a raid O, this
ind on the barns and pastures OF the
armers OF tina; portion OF the State. {
Until recently no attempt at punish |
ng the outlaws ever succeeded, as
hey we're quick to take either legal or
legal proceedings to protect them :,
elves" )
A NEW sheet. The DaiiU Hole :