davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

peace against him before the Squire, but
feared that between the time the warrant
was issued and the constable could serve 1t
that Yoney would hear of it and wreak a
terrible revenge upon US at an unguarded
moment So when we heard he was coming
along the road, We thought it would be q
good plan to 90 and capture him, tie him to
tree with the rope we had along and then
90 after the warrant and have the constable
serve it at once. This idea might not have
been strictly according to law, but it was
not serious ofense, at any rate.
IT think there were NO shots fred during
the scuffle. If one was fred it was in the
air. When called to Hochstetler to halt
he picked up . rock and threw 1t at me,
saying, Now have you where I want
you. The stone struck partly on the gun
and partly on my hand, bruIsing these
knuckles az you see. He then picked MP
another stone and closed in on me, attacking
me in the most vicious manner, 80 that I
finally had to strike him with the gun in ab-
solute self defense. I had not the slightest
intention of killing Hochstetler, and am
very sorry that the blow proved fatal.
When Pritts gives himself up, as think he
will, he will corroborate my story, and I
firmly believe that We will eventually be
acquitted"
Very Intelligent tor His Olnss.
Miller IL by all odds the most intelligent
Of the mountaineers, can read and write,
and has been o subscriber for one Of the
county papers for the past % yesra He
also took little part in the politics Of the
rough district, being . strong Republican.
There is some foundation for Miller's story
that Hochstetler had organized band Of
outlaws some time ago. About ~ years
ago one of the best known school teachers
OF Milford township was tramping over tho
mountain back OF Trent The day was hot
and the teacher sat down On . log by the
roadside to rest. Suddenly he was seized
from behind by two men. A struggle fol-
lowed. Finally freeing himself frem the
grasp Of the rascals the teacher struck one
Of them, knocking him down, but In return
received stab in the arm and another that
cut through his coat and vest, but failed to
reach his body, from knife in the hands Of
the second man. Finding that he was un-
equally matched the teacher fled. When
he stopped running he found that his panta-
loon pockets had been TUNED wrong side
ont and had been relieved Of several dollars
in silver.
The revenue officials admit that they knew
that Hochstetler was making moonshine
whisky even while he was informing upon
the others in the business, but his services
as spy were of such value that it was de-
cided not to arrest him, at least until every
body else in the district had been put be-
hind the barA Young Hochststlsr, better
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

pension of $24 month hich have drawn
for Gx or seven years past was granted fol
zsy anu heart failure"
Nor Trsmbling With Fear.
Miller's palsy is quite noticeable, and led
saw him in jsil just after bis surrender,
to suppose that he was shaking
with fear. This IL emphatically not the
case, as the alleged moonshine king il wor-
rying very little about the deed of blood, Of
which he thinks he will easily be cleared
on the ground of selfdefense. He IL far
more alarmed by the dread that the Gov
ernment revenue officers, for whom he has
wholesome respect, may take him away
from the county authorities and revive tho
charges of illicit distilling. There was .
story current that Miller Killed his father
some years ago, but he only refers to the 90
cusation as joke, and there has been ab:o-
lutely no proof advanced in support Of tho
horrible tale. When asked about the death
of Hochstetler the prisoner said:
$50 many false and improbable state.
ments have been made that think 1t will
be best to give THE DISPATCH the inside
facts of the case. In the first place, the name
of General Sigep was only applied to me
by my enemies, and was not the chief Of
band of moonshiners. There is plenty Of
white whisky made in the mountains, but Of
late years, at least, have only been max
ing little apple-jack, just enough for my
own use, and that is not in violation Of the
law"
"what was the cause Of your quarrel with
Hochstetler7" was asked.
Tho Cause Of tho Quarrel.
"Yoney and fell out six or seven years
ago, when doctor named Hunter came into
the Laurel Hill region. Yoney believed
that Hunter was revenue department spy,
and wanted to have him killed. I suppose
he came to me more than Q score of times
with the suggestion that the doctor be put
forever out Of the way, but, Of course, I
would have nothing to do with any such
proceedings One night Hochstetler woke
me ND, rifle in hand, and said that II did
not 70 with him and help kill Hunter he
would kill me. again refused, and from
that time Yoney constantly threatened my
life.
1T was . year or moro ago that tho
freundschoft,' the old moonshine organize
ton, was broken up, and Hochstetler at
once tried to organize another one, which
he called The New Constitution Young
insisted on me joining this order and tax
ing the oaths, which were accompanied BY
the sprinkling of whisky and other cere-
monica I absolutely refused, as l had
never taken an oath in my life, except that
of allegiance to the United States when I
Joined the army. Hochstetler and his fol-
lowers then accused me Of being traitor,
and publicly announced on many occasions
that they would cause my ruin and death.
They circulated all sorts of lies about me.
when, as matter Of fact, this New Con-
stitution' band was gang of outlaws a.
we'll as moonshinerA 1t was composed Of
people who would about as soon rob, and
if necessary commit murder, as make Illicit
time. Hochstetler was making whisky the
day of the raid last January, but he was
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

one besetting sin there would probably b<
no more misdoings or crime than in an or
binary community.
They are opposed to education, and thu
charges of burning schools made agalns
them are confirmed by the weight OF the
evidence The young people marry at an
early age, and large families are the rule
and not the exception. The women smoke
pipes and use snuff freely, and any good
looks with which they may be blessed In
youth soon fade. The men OF the noun.
tains average over six feet in height, with
lank forms possessing great strength. They
are wonderful marksmen, and their favorlte
amusement is a turkey. shoot.
There is one story current in the moon.
shine district of a very romantic nature,
being of the Pocahontas and John Smith
order. The period of the incidents in the
narration is located about 25 years ago, and
either the names of the chief figures have
been forgotten or they are purposely with.
held by those who still have knowledge OF
them. The tale runs that shortly after the
war an ambitious young peddler penetrated
into the wild country, and about midnight
visited the cabin of one of the most noted OF
the illicit distillers of the regions
mountaineer with a large family and q
more comfortable home than most of his
class
Won the Feminine Hearts.
When the travelling tradesman called the
men folks were all absent, and he was re-
ceived only by the moonshiner's wife and two
daughters, the youngest of whom was quite
beauty of the rural style. The contents
Of the peddler's pack made him quite popu-
lar with the feminine portion of the family,
though they did not purchase to any great
extent. While the goods were still being
inspected the mountaineer arrived fol-
lowed at short intervals, by his three
stalwart sons, and another young fellow
who was living with the family, and who
expected soon to be the husband Of the
rustic beauty previously mentioned.
Their greetings of the visitor were not re-
markably cordial, but their suspicious were
apparently lulled, for he was finally invited
to partake of the homely but substantial
evening meal which was speedily placed on
the rough table.
When, however, the peddler later on re-
quested permission to stay all night in the
cabin his plea was at first grufiy refused,
with the information that there was no
room to spare. The cold woman" as she
was called, again interfered, though, and
after a whispered conference it was an
nounced that he could be accommodated, as
a portion Of the male occupants of the place
were going to see neighbor, and would
probably stay all night Soon afterward,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

the sons and their companion left the house,
presumably for the neighbor's, and it was
not long before the old man announced that
he was going to retire, and apparently left
the living room for another portion of the
cabin. The older daughter and her mother
were busy with their usual evening work.
fitting from one room to another, leaving
the youngest to entertain the visitor.
Not Used to Compliments
This girl, accustomed only to the boorisb
ways OF the young mountaineers, was more
than pleased with the by no means bashful
compliments paid by the young travelling
merchant Learning that be was something
of q musician, an old fiddle with string OF
two missing was uDearthed and by his man.
agement Of the instrument the visitor added
greatly to his popularity. Finally, at d
late hour for that region, he was given 4
candle and directed to the small apartment
with . low ceiling which had been set aside
for him.
The peddler took his pack to his room
with him, and for some time occupied him.
self rearranging its contents ready for an
early start in the morning While thus en-
gagged his attention was attracted by low
but hoarse voices and other occasional
noises His curiosity got the better of his
good judgment, and as everything was quiet
inside the cabin he silently stole forth upon
q tour Of investigation. Guided BY the
sounds he speedily stumbled upon their To-
cation, and from place Of partial conceal
ment saw the mountaineer and his sons with
their Illicit operations in full blast.
Discreet . Little Too Late.
After brief survey the peddler's discre-
tion returned, and he concluded that he had
better get to bed as quickly and quietly as
possible. Just as he was turning to do so
he was clasped from behind in the strong
arms of the young man who was a perma-
nent guest at the cabin, and the struggles
that followed brought the other moon
sinners to the scene at once, and his cap
ture was but the question of q very few
moments. His first assailant stated that he
had suspected the traveller from the start,
and had decided to watch him, with the re-
salt stated
The accusation Of being Q revenue in
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

"Holmes," said I, as stood one morning
in our bow window looking down the street,
''here is a madman coming along It seems
rather sad that his relatives should allow
him to come out alone"
Ny friend rose lazily from his arm chair
and stood with his hands in the pockets of
his dressing gown looking over my shoulder.
It was bright, crisp February morning,
and the snow Of the day before still lay
deep on the ground, shimmsring brightly
in the wintry sun. Down the center of
Baker street 1t had been plowed into .
brown, crumbly band by the traffic, but on
either side and at the heaped up edges Of
the footpsths it still lay as white as when
It fell The gray pavement had been
cleaned and scraped, but was still danger
ously slippery, so that there were fewer
foot passengers than usual Indeed, from
the direction of the Metropolitan station
no one was coming save the simple gentle
man whose eccentric conduct had drawn
my attention.
He was a man about 80, tall, portly, and
imposing. with massive, strongly marked
face and . commanding figure. He was
frock coat, shining hat, neat brown gaiters,
and well cut pearl-gray trousers Yet his
actions were in absurd contrast to the
dignity of his dress and features for he was
running hard, with occasional little springs,
such as q weary man gives who is little &C.
customed to set any tax upon his legs. As
he ran he jerked his hands up and down,
waggled his head, and writhed his face into
the most extraordinary contortiona
"What on earth can be the matter with
him?" I asked. ''He is looking up at the
numbers of<he houses"
IT believe that he Is coming here" said
Holmes, rubbing his hands
''Yes, rather fancy that he is coming to
recognize the symptoms Hal did not tell
you?" As he spoke, the man, putting and
blowing, rushed at our door and pulled at
our bell until the whole house resounded
with the changing.
A few moments later he was in our room,
still putting, still gesticulating, but with 50
fixed look of grief and despair in his eyes
that our smiles were turned in an instant to
horror and pity. For q while he could not
get his words out, but swayed his body and
plucked at his hair like one who has been
driven to the extreme limits of his reason.
Then suddenly springlng to his feet he beat
his head against the wall with such force
that we both rushed upon him and tore him
away to the center of the room. Sherlock
Holmes pushed him down into the easy
chair, and sitting beside him patted his
hand and chatted with him in the easy,
soothing tones which he knew 50 well how
to employ.
'You have come to tell me your story,
have you not?" said he. "You are fatigued
with your haste. Pray wait until you have
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

Young Rochstsler. or less lawful oper-
ations He came from Washington county,
on the border of West Virginia, where the
practice of making white whisky without
going through the formality of consulting
the Revenue Department was one which
had the approval OF precedent and antiquity,
If not of the Revised Statutes
The Laurel Hill moonshine district is not
located entirely in Somerset, but as nearly
as possible upon the corner where that
county joins Fayette and WestmoreIand.
The actual area embraced is estimated not
TO exceed 25 or 80 square miles-but such q
country. The rough mountain is inter
sected by hundreds of roads and paths,
Transforming it into veritable maze, the
secret of which is known only to those who
for years have traversed the winding ways
A Region of Deer and Wildcats.
The smaller varieties of game abound,
and even the deer is by no means an ex-
tinct animal, while wildcats are numerous
Trout are plentiful in the streams, though
It is stated that the inhabitants seldom or
never disturbed them, and the only lines
cast were those of ambitious sportsmen who
occasionally ventured into the wild region.
The natives had another occupation which
demanded their attention, to the exclusion
of such mild pursuits as fishing.
only once before tnls year were the moon
sinners treated to visit of any importance
from the Government agents About nine
years ago, when Congressmen Scull was
Collector of Internal Revenue, a raid was
made which resulted in the capture of
Miller and Hochstetler, the principal and
the victim in the recent deed of blood.
Miller entered a plea of guilty to the charge
of illicit distilling, while Hochstetler stood
trial and was acquitted. This difference of
results originated the Misunderstanding be-
tween the former associates, that had such
q fatal elimination.
The Golden Age OF Moonshining.
Strange to say, though, this raid was fol-
lowed by what might be termed the
golden age of moonshining. Two and three
years after that event the mountaineers were
so prosperous and confident that they wou Id
come boldly to Somerset and have their
grain chopped and buy strap iron for the
hoops of their casks in the very shadow of
the Court House and Jail in broad daylight.
A prominent resident of the county, more
familiar than perhaps any other outsider
with the secret operations, was questioned
concerning their extent. He said, in reply
to queries:
There were about 20 plants in the Laurel
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

Hill district, producing each from four gal
Ions TO half-barrel day. The average
was about six gallons. Very few people in
Somerset county, excepting those who visit
the licensed bars, drank any liquor with q
revenue flavor Aside from the cheapness
of the other article, its taste is preferred by
the initiated, and there is no question as to
the purity of the liquid"
"But how could the product be sold and
distributed throughout such an extent Of
territory" was asked
The Whole County in the Secret
Nobody in the county thought of mo-
Testing the sinners, and there were regular
agencies at various points. The stories told
of leaving dollar and a jug at q particular
SPOT, and returning an hour later to find the
receptacle considerably heavier, are strictly
true. am personally we'll acquainted with
a certain stump about a mile west of Som.
erset which never knew TO fail to produce
the white beverage when the proper cere.
monies were gone through. OF course, in
the remote districts the operations were even
simpler, as there the fiery article was de-
liyered to the honest farmer directly, or the
more trusted ones were allowed to visit the
stills and carry their supplies home with
them.
"The moonshiner has few or no facilities
for storing his product, and must find a
market as speedily as possible. 1t is seldom
that any of the stuff 10 kept longer than 80
days. The business became so extensive
that Metzler, who has a regular distillery
about four miles from the scene of the
illicit operations, found his trade seriously
affected and sent in most vigorous com
plant to the department He could not
sell the fresh whisky to the neighboring
farmers for less than twice the price asked
by his competitors
The Stills Easily Transported.
''The plants used BY the Laurel Hill
mooushiners are of the most simple discrip-
ton, and easily transported They are
moved frequently, and to this feature
much of the immunity enjoyed for years was
due. Once, however, they got hold of reg
ular plant A mountaineer named Fletcher,
3 brother of the one now in Jail, opened
lawful distillery. paid the tax and rejoiced
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

former" was Immediately and emphatically
entered, and as'the accusers aud the self.
installed Judges were the same individuals
it did not take them long to arrive at Q
unanimous verdict. Their decision was
that as matter of self-protection and for
the good of the community the peddler
must disappear forever, and the only ques-
ton under discussion was a. to the best
method of making him one of the miss
ing. The method had about been fixed
upon and was summarily to be
put in execution when the younger
daughter put in her appearance upon the
scene, having been aroused by the sounds
of the struggle. The tale does not 60 into
details a. to whether the fair one clasped her
arms around the captive's neck in exact
imitation Of Pocahontas, but she In some
manner entered Q most vigorous protest.
The peddler added his pleas Of innocence to
hers for mercy, and to increase the con-
fusion the other feminine members Of the
family were aroused and took part in the
proceedings
Tho Decision Of the Mountaineer.
Finally the old mountaineer commanded
silence, and after some minutes Of delibera-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH
By CON- AN DOYLE-

recovered yourself, and then I shall be most
happy to look into any little problem
which you may submit to me-"
The man sat for Q minute or more with .
heaying chest, fighting against his emotion.
Then he passed his handkerchief over his
brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face
toward us
''No doubt you think me mad, said he.
81 see that you have had some great
trouble" responded Holmes.
"God knows havei A trouble which il
enough to unseat my reason, so sudden and
20 terrible is it Public disgrace I might
have faced, although am q man whose
character has never yet borne a stain. Pri-
vate af1iction also is the lot of every man,
but the two coming together and in 50
fhghtful form have been enough to shake
my very soul Besidesit is not alone; the
very noblest in the land may suffer unless
some way be found sut Of this horrible az
fair"
''Pray compose yourself, SIR" said
Holmes, ''and let me have clear account
Of who You are and what it is that has be-
fallen you"
"My name" answered our visitor, 'fs
probably familiar to your ears I am
Alexander Holder, of the banking firm Of
Holder & Stevenson, Of Threadneedls
street"
The name was indeed well known to us,
as belonging to the senior partner in the
second largest private banking concern in
the city of London. What could have hap
pened then to bring one of the foremost
citizens of London to this most pitiablo
pass We waited, all curiosity, until with
another effort he braced himself to tell his
story.
'T feel that time is of value" said he,
fthof ia ubv baofopo1 hare ubon
Police Inspector suggested that should
secure your cooperation. came to Baker
street by the the underground, and hurried
from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly
through the snow. That is why I was so
out of breath, for I am man who takes very
little exercise. feel better now, and will
put the facts before you as shortly and yet
as clearly as can.
"It is, of course, well known to you that
in successful banking business as much de-
pends upon our being able to find remunera-
tive investments for our funds as upon our
increasing our connection and the number
of our depositors. One of our most lucra-
tive means of laying out money is in the
shape of loans, where the security is unin-
peachable. We have done good deal in
this direction during the last few years, and
there are many noble families to whom we
have advanced large sums upon the security
of their pictures, Libraries, or plate.
Yesterday morning was seated In my
Office at the bank when a card was brought
in to me by one of the clerks I started
when saw the name, for it was that Of
none other than-well, perhaps even to you
had better say no more than that it was a
name which is household word all over the
earth-one of the highest, noblest, most
exalted names in England. I was over
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17
THE MooNsHNE CABIN OF PRIrrA

ton announced his decision. It was to the
effect that the young peddler could make q
choice between an erasure from this earth
and marrying his fair rescuer and settling
down in the. heart of the moonshine country.
It did not take long for the captive to make
up his mind; as soon as he understood the
proposition, he signifed an emphatic pre-
ference for q wedding. Here the young
moonshiner who had supposed himself the
objections, but the old man was determined,
and announced to the kicker that he could
take the other aud elder daughter or do
without any,
The story runs that the ceremony fol-
lowed in short order, and that the newly
welded pair settled in cabin in the very
widest portion Of the region, where the