The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-03-23
Rum-Raid Extraordinary.

Hiram Atkins, through his paper, the
argus and PATRIOT has long been the arch
opponent Of temperance in this state and
the obstructor Of the enforcement of laws
for the suppression Of illegitimate traffic in
liquor. Last week he advanced from the
attitude of indirect to direct, overt and per-
sonal obstruction, ii the reports of the Off
GERS OF the law are true and If appearances
are what they seem
Thursday afternoon Deputy Sheriffs Jones,
Cook and Camp started from the court
house to raid the saloon Of William Miller
on Main street, just above the office Of the
ArguS and PATRIOT Officer Camp went by
way of Elm street and Officers Jones and
Cook by way of State. AS the latter left
the vicinity OF the courthouse, they noticed
/" kid " who seemed to be watching their
movements. The lad passed the officers on
their way to Miler's, and from his move
ments 1t was suspected that he was vidette
of the saloons and was on the way to
give the alarm. Officer Jones called to
the boy as he appeared to be turning
into Miller's, and began to increase his own
pace. At that moment Mr.. Atkins was
coming down Main street and was between
Miller's and the argus office. Seeing the
officers, and apparently taking in the stu-
alton, he suddenly turned about and has
tened back to Miller's. When Officer Jones
arrived at the door he found the way barred
and INSTRUCTED by the burly form of the
democratic autocrat With legs astride
and swelling to his amplest dimensions, no
room was left for the entrance of the officer
although the portal to "Billy's" convivial
abode is not of the strait and narrow"
kind To the officers representations of the
nature of his mission and his urgent ex-
postulations, Mr.. Atkins, as he is reported,
replied brusquely, " You won't get by me
in hurry" repeating the words second
time. These things transpired somewhat
quicker than they can be told, but delay
enough had been caused, the Tip" had
been given, Billy had made for his dump"
the bottles were busted, ammonia was loose
in the WELL" its pungent fumes baffled
the officers, and the jig was up. This is
the officer story. If it is true, Mr.. Atkins
is guilty of the offense Of impeding an Off
Ger in the performance of his duty.
But this is Mr.. Atkins statement: CT
was on my way to the office, in response to
a telephone message. | wished to see ohm
| H.Senter at once on important business, and,
| knowing that he frequently stopped in at
Miller's for bowl Of oysters in preference
to going home to dinner, / opened the door
to Miller's place and looked in. Mr.. Senter
was not there. At that moment Mr.. Jones
grabbed hold of me. L held to the door and
expostulated: See here, Mr.. Jones,
don't like to be handled like this Jones
whirled me one side, and went into the
store. l went to my office. l had no
| thought or intention of impeding Mr..
Jones'"
All the same, although it may be I'M
charitable, honest people have no doubt, in
view of his record and all the circumstances
OF the case, that Mr.. Atkins real purpose in
turning about when he sighted the officers
and in hurrying back to Miller's was to warn
him; and the officers being close on his
heels, that he Intentionally barred the en-
trance of Deputy Jones till Miller could
spring the dump and tumble the tell-tale
bottles into the "well." Current comment
on the street at the time among men who
were up to the " ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain,'' sustain this view of
the matter. The WATCHMAN publishes the
statements made on both sides, and the
public has the showmans option without
money and without price, as to which they
will choose to believe, merely remarking by
way of conclusion that Mr.. Atkins will
have to do some uncommonly hard swear
ing to obtain credit for his specious yarn.
By the way, these dumps" are curl
osity of ingenuity in bad cause. AS de
scribed by the officers, Miller's is situated in
back room the entrance to which is from
behind the counter 1t is a platform some
thirty inches square, hinged to swing down
ward, aud fitted with a contrivance fol
springing in the event of a surprise. UpoI
this platform when in position, few bot
ties of liquor are kept for immediate use
Below the platform and of corresponding
dimensions is arranged the " well, " extend
, ing in this case several feet below the cellar
floor. AT the bottom of the well heavy iron
rods are arranged ina " crss-cross - fashion
Upon these when the dump" is sprung
the bottles strike, are supposed to be broker
and thus destroy legal proof of infraction OF
the laws. A bottle of ammonia seems now
to be added to the assortment of other fire
waters placed on the dump, to impede by
its puugent fumes too persistent search
for the contraband. Now there is ingenu
ity and contrivance worthy of a bette
cause!