The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
INCONSISTENCIES" In THEJAIL
United States Marshals Bring in a Pair
of Harrison County Farmers.
One of Them Is Peter Roth, Who Threatened
to Kill Revenue Collector Platt-IIad
Double Floor in His House.

Deputy United States Marshals Edward
Conway and Albert Moore arrived in the
city last night from New Albany. having IL
charge Peter Roth and Philip Reinhart,
two Harrison county "moonshlners." Roth
owns a farm about three miles from Lanes
vile and fifteen miles from New Albany.
Reinhart 10 simply an employee. AS Is the
custom In that region, Roth runs an apple
jack still 1t is run under license accord
ing to law. but the violation complained of
consists in secreting part of the product
from the revenue officers.
A visit to Roth's house, some days ago.
by the revenue officers at New Albany, re-
suited in finding sixteen barrels mid under
was demanded of Roth. but he let his nat
ure assert itself. and succeeded in causing
some apprehension on the part of the Off
GERS for their personal safety. before they
could leave the premises. Their reports
caused furry in Official circles. Roth
was described as o sort of q desperate
and word was sent for the officers located
here to come down and arrest them. Dep
mites Conway and Moore drove up TO the
house yesterday and Knocked at the door.
Roth's wife answered. and in moment
Roth came out bare headed. He saw at
glance that he had federal officers to deal
with, and said something about he would
be ID If he stood any more of this sort of
thing"
Thinking possibly there might be occa-
sion to shoot. Deputy Conway said: well,
como down the still. and We Will talk the
matter over. You don't want any more
tronble than possible over this thing"
well. l won't CO." was the surly an
swer. and Roth's muscular, big- boned and
LIZ -x.I Era rntl nd
ready for fight. His face has heavy-set
jaws. and q very common order of intelli-
gence is depicted on his face. His skin and
stubby, stiff beard are Of reddish tint,
also somewhat drunk. He started TO move
away; ,,
Conway.
Ppm aoin' to get Ratchet to bust in that
STILL" said he.
mo. you're not" was the officers re-
mark. "You stop where you are"
Roth continued to move OFT, muttering
like mad bull. Instantly Conway. and
Moore covered him with their revolvers.
Halt! throw mp your hands"
This haG effect. and before another min
ute Roth was W caring handcufts He kept
up his murmuring and grumbling inter
New Albany. He even showed q surly
temper after being taken to the revenue
Office, and was still held in handouts.
These were removed only when hs was
taken to jail for safe-keeping until the
evening train north
During the afternoon he talked with the
sheriff, Charles l.. Jewett. and others. and
took more philosophical view of things
When he was taken out To 20 to the train
he WIS perfectly docile, so that no hand
cuffs were put upon him. Neither he nor
Reinhart had any thing to say. but
both were willing to accompany
the officers without trouble. Conway and
Moore had met Remnant going into the
city with load of liquor from the still as
they were driving ont. Knowing they
could find him on their return. they let him
proceed. He stopped on the way, however,
at rOad-house, and when arrested was in
an intoxicated condition. He made no re-
sistance. Both were safely landed in the
Marion County Jail. to await srraignment
before Commissioner Van Bnren.
A revenue officer seized Roth's still and
thirty-one barrels. or about 625 gallons
The total value of the property seized is
about $4,000 Other farmers. who run stills
IN that county. were detected hiding a part
the liquor to the warehouse. and to stand
should be demanded of them. 1t
is not the making of illicit whisky
that involved Roth in trouble. He
his neighbors. and followed the commands
of the revenue officers. His still, he
told q Journal reporter last night, has
capacity of twenty-six gallons per day,
and is one of the largest in the neiRhbor-
hood. Roth has been in the business for q
number of years, and says he never before
had any trouble. He refused to say any
thing about the charge against himself
Roth kept the brandy on which the tax
had been paid in one of the rooms of his
house. and in the corner of that room was
an unused bed. When Deputy Collector
Plat last visited the place in the discharge
of his official duties he happened to discover
a trap-door under the bed, concealed
by means of piece of carpet. As Roth
would give no intelligent answer to the
question of what the trap-dOOr was there
for the officer decided to investigate the
matter for himself. Raising the
door he dlscov cred, instead of a
cellar, as he had expected, q
second floor only a few feet
below the one on which he was standing
A further examination resulted in the dis
covery of thirty.0ne barrels of brandy IN
stamped aud ungauged. The liquor was
Immediately seized and taken to New AL
bany, and as Roth became very threatening
In his manner the distillery machinery was
also seized. When Mr.. Plat started to
leave the house Roth confronted him and
threatened to kill him unless he would
divulge the name of his Informant. It was
only when cowed by the sight of revolver
IN the hands of an officer that Roth was
induced &c stand aside.