Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-13
SMASHED THE STILL.
Stronghold of a Gang of Moonshiners
and Counterfeiters Taken.
LAST OF TIE OUTLAWS ARRESTED.
Thrilling Story of His Capture and
Attempts to Escape.
THE OFFENDERS WEALTHY FARMERS
rrrc,AL TELEGRAM TO rHr DISPATCH,

rPEcIAI TELEGRAM TO THR DISPATCH,
KEYsER, W. VA, November 12-Depu-
ty United States Marshal o. c. Miller ar
rived here day or two ago, having in
charge a moonshiner named William Fam
Hler. He lived, with a number of others of
his class, about 20 miles south of st. George
the county seat of Tucker county, and about
90 miles from the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, and his chase and capture constitutes
one of the most remarkable episodes in the
criminal annals of West Virginia. Detec-
tive Miller was compelled to follow his man
for several weeks before he finally landed
him in prison, often at the risk of his life,
snd he detailed his experiences to your cor
respondent about as follows:
Fansler is a member of one of the most
daring and successful gangs of moonshiners,
counterfeiters and stock thieves that ever
infested the mountains of West Virginia.
Their stamping ground was the Canaan"
wilderness and contiguous portions OF ad-
5oining counties, and their headquarters
were established ina
LOG HOUSE, STRONGLY FORTIFIED,
snd provided with loop-holes for its de-
Tense with repeating rifles and situated In
the most inaccessible portion ofthe Back
bone" range of mountains. Itis surrounded
for miles on every side with laurel and
timber, standing so thick as 10 make an ap-
proach to it almost impossible, except bv a
secret path which for a long time was
known only to the members of the band.
Here the gang had for several years operated
j splenddly equipped distillery, with a
capacity of S5 gallons day, until they were
BETRAYED some months ago by one of their
own number, who led posse of Government
officials to the fort as it was called, at a
time when all the gang were away disposiag
Of their stock of liquor at Philippi.
The detectives lett not one log OF the thief
barbor resting upon another, and destroyed
the still, mashtubs and everything else of
any value found about the premises. These
summary proceedings made home anything
but sweet Tor the gang. and they scattered,
Fansier being the only one who made any
attempt TO hold the fort" and even he. taking
alarm at the activity of the officers, retreated
To what he called his mountain place." about
Is miles further south.
BEARDED IN HIS DEN.
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 himself up, as he had men outside
who would take him, and resistance was useless.
r ansler surrendered, and started of quietly
with his captoT, but when they had gone some
distance without meeting any other officers,
tansler turned upon Miller, and q fierce fight
ensued. He was finally overpowered. and
everything went well until the Dry Fork of
Sheat river was reached.
The two men started across the stream in
ekln, but Fanser. watching his chance, caught
2he detective by the shoulders and threw him
out of the boat Fanser then Jumped into the
swift current himself and tried to escape but
rowly escaping being drowned, Fansler again
surrendered 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 penitentiary.
THE GANGS HIGH STANDING.
A strange feature of the whole matter is that
the members of this gang were not vagabonds
Or criminals, in the common acceptation OF
those terms. bat all owned fine FARMS and as an
evidence of this. one of the party, arrested
sometime ago, was released by United States
5udge jackson on s, 600 bail on his own recog-
i zance. The queer and 'moonshine'' de-
partments of the business were managed with
skill and energy, and they were assiduous and
successful in their live stock operations, fire.
UuenUly stealing as many as 200 sheep, or so or
n cattle at once. Many aTe the stories told by
the people of Randolph. Tucker, and Barbour
counties of the wild orgies with which they cell
ebrated at their camp in the mountains the
successful issue of 4 raid of this kind on the
barns and pastures of the farmers of that por-
ton of the State.
Until recently, no attempt at Furnishing these
outlaws ever succeeded, as they were quick to
take either legal or illegal proceedings to pro-
sect themselves.