The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-04-13

I ffe1ndschoft. or moonshinerS' relationship
but he never said he bad belonged 10 IL HI
always seemed to me to run bis stills inds
pendent Of the Others, and knew Of hi
Masking whisky for good many years ID
told me there were some p or % member
ofthe organization, and they held thei
meetings at William c. Nilier's house
They took an oath invoking many pen
aiiies, TO stand By each other and 10 hgh
the revenue officers 10 the death rather thar
to allow any of their numbers to be taken
New members took this oath standing be
fore the others, ranged in semi-circles. tbsiE
rifles pointed at the candidates hearts. AT
ter It was administered Miller baptized them
in whisky and administered 8 special oath
to be true to him, as general. and declaring
their lives forfeited and their souls damned
If they broke it. This they called the Black
Oath The frs; was the White Oath
located all the stills which were to have
been captured las; winter, and If We had go
all our men my uncle's life would not have
been lost. Af:er the raids bad been made
and the revenue officers were still here, re-
eeiyed threatening letter, which I showed
20 Marshal Harrah and secured his psrnis-
sion to carry weapons. Being unmarried
would have lived with my relatives. but
knew that my presence meant danger to
them. So lived alone in a cabin, and new
er ventured abroad unless armed to the
teeth.
"on one occasion was tracked for over
three miles by men whom could not rec
ognize, but whom saw from turns in the
read, carefully tracing the path had come
over. II they had seen me then they would
have shot me. Since the murder they have
had spies surrounding the houses Of myself
and relatives. stayed with the relatives Of
Uncle Jonathan Monday night. but received
word from Uncle Jacob, who has friend in
the gang, that they were watching The house
for chance TO kill me. lel il then, be
cause II they had come upon and cred il
the others could have come out in safety
while would have been shot down ike a
dog. As soon as this large body Of men
leaves here the leaders will come out Of theiE
hiding places and burn everything ] leave
behind, perhaps the houses Of all the rela'
tiyes Of the old man whom they have slain.
Uncle Jacob did not venture oEt Of doors to
feed his stock on Friday night"
SUSPICION OF The NooSsHTSEEs.
For years past every stra niger whose busi-
ness compelled him to psss through the
nooashine country learned almost as soon
as be bad gotten mile beyond Trent that
his steps we're being dogged by unknown
parties. Frequently horseman would fol
low ibe stranger, always managing 10 keep
in sight and never coming up with him.
The report Of a gun shordy after he had
passed one of the rndely built houses By the
10 ads;de would invariably bring 5 response
from a point a mile ahead. Inquiries al any
of;he houses as to the road or distance were
always unsatisfactory. The women and
children were apparently dumb as oysters
and would only grunt in response 10 qGes-
tons. Il IS said that they have messengers
who on foot can beat any person TO a given
point by means Of short cuts through the
woods. It's not an anusual occurrence TO
pass man on the road and to find that be
has arrived at house four or i've miles
ahead before you. one Of the most interest
ing stories told in regard 70 the precautions
taken TO avoid an unexpected visit from a
detective was told 10 HERALD reporter one
day reoeatly.
A Somerset furniture de1ier was on his
way to visit relatives in Westmorelaudc coun-
ty, and soon after leaving Trent be discovered
that be vas being followed BY 3 man on horse
back. lie whipped up his horses, but his pur-
suer would not permit him to escape from his
sight. Finally becoming alarmed st his
pursEers constant presence the furniture
dealer stopped at farm house. The WON
an who met him at the door recognized him
as gentleman from whom she had made s
purchase few days before. He told her OF
the siTsnge conduct of the man following
him. The woman smiled and putting her
hand to her mouth cried st the top Of her
voice This man is a furniture dealer from
Somerset"
The furniture dealer vas permitted to go
on his way sfter this without being further
annoyed oy the man who bad followed him
for several hours.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
There is good foundation for General
Seigle's" allegation that Hochsteiler had or
gaaized band ofoutlaws three or four years
ago.
About two-and a-hslf years ago enc ofthe
best known school teachers Of Milford town
ship was tramping over the mountain back
Of Trent The day was hot and the teacher
sal down or log by the road side TO rest
Suddenly he was seized from behind By two
men. a struggle followed. Finally freting
himself from the grasp of the raseals the
teacher struck one of them, knocking hin
down, bat in return received stab in the
arm and another that cut through his coat
ard vest but failed to reach his body from q
knife in the hands ofthesecond man. Find
ing that be was unequally matched the
teacher fed When be stopped running he
found that his pantaloon pockets had been
turned wrong side out and bad been re
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