The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-08-27
AN INFORMER'S DEATH.
THE TRAGIC END OF GEORGE
KELLY. OF KENTUCKY.
First Moonshiner and Then q Govern
ment spy-Driven Out OF Illicit
Shilling and Turning to In
forming.

llRuter Vi nedTL WHEN no ucdTu idtoiy
OF the tragic death OF George Kelly
says Louisville special TO the Phila-
delphia Times Kelly was govern
ment informer and his taking of re-
moved from life one OF the most pro-
foundry hated residents OF Kentucky.
and furnishes another example OF the
revengeful spirit OF the hardy noun
taineer He was a typical mountain
eer OF medium height raw-boned
but muscular he was as strong as an
OK. A shaggy crop Of jet black hair
covered his head. and partially con-
cealed pair OF glittering black eyes
In which were plainly read determine
tion. revenge and fearlessness. His
attire suggested the moro the noun
taineer. Habtually he wore the
black, Hat-topped SLOUGH hat cow
hide boots perennially covered with
yellow mud. and flannel shirt the
top OF which was always open exposing
weather-beaten heavy-corded neck.
Some ten or twelve years ago Kelly
lived in the rocky regions OF Green
county. Like SO many OF his neigh
bors he devoted his time 10 making
illicit WHISKY in the Businesses OF the
mountains he carried on his bust
ness uninterrupted for some time. but
one day band OF government officers
swooped down upon his rude still
house, and after destroying his APP
paratus whisky and corn brought him
to Louisville. He was convicted at
his trial and served three months in
Jail. Returning to his mountain home.
Kelly resumed operations just as
nearly all the other moonshiners do.
Two or three other raids, arrests and
convictions followed. Finally Kelly
discovered that the members
OF a faction with which he
had been at outs had been
informing on him. After that he
made no more whisky. He spent his
time spying upon the actions OF his
enemies At the term OF court fol-
lowing his last release from Jail he
was a witness for the government
against half dozen of his neighbors.
He derived great satisfaction from
visiting the jail and viewing his enc
mics through the bars after convic-
ton. Kelly also discovered that in
forming was q source OF revenue.
His witness fees of So per day and the
mileage allowed by the government
amounted to sum which appeared
enormous to him. who had before
known nothing but hardship poverty
and impecuniosity.
Kelly did not cease to harrass his
enemies Time after time he led tho
officers to their stills and as often his
testimony convicted them In the
course OF two or three years the love
OF informing had grown upon him to
such an entent that he devoted his
entire time to it. He extended his
operations to adjoining counties. and
eventually the entire mountain region
became his scene OF action. He was
shrewness itself Frequently he
worked in moonshine distilleries for
weeks ut a mere pittance per day in
order to gather information to be
used in the contemplated prosecution.
Whenever he became well
known in one quarter he re-
moved to another. He had no family
ties and no home and all his time
was spent in wandering Every reve-
nue. officer in the service knew him
and relied on his Information. He led
moro raids than probably any one
living man. Occasionally he spent
days and nights in the saddle. direct
ing the journeys OF the officers. Fear
was entirely foreign to him When.
as 1t frequently happened, fight ac-
companied raid. he was always In
the van and his knife and pistols did
fearful execution. After a still was
taken Kelly was the first to grab the
axe and smash the worm. the still and
the barrels to smithereens
The informer had many hair
breadth escapes from assassination.
About five years ago he was sur
rounded by moonshiners in Larue
county. He was shot in several places
though not seriously wounded. Two
OF his assailants never lived TO make
another quart OF liquor. Kelly man
aged to escape in the woodS That
night a posse OF fifty or more searched
for him The place where he was
thought to be secreted was sur.
rounded. For two days he was with
out food and water. Finally he man.
aged to escape. This experience did
not deter Kelly from operating fur.
ther in the vicinity. At the following
term OF court some OF the very crowd
which harassed him in the woods were
tried and convicted on his information.
A short time ago the body Of the in
former was found In a shallow creek
In Taylor county. His skull was
crushed In and from appearances some
revengeful moonshiner had slipped up
from behind and struck him with u
rock. His body lies buried in the
creek bank. uncoffined and un-
marked There were no mourners at
his funeral no prayer was offered or
passage OF scripture read. No monu-
ment marks his grave, but 1t is COW
cred by the yellow rocks that roll
down from the hill