Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-10-15
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SLAIN IN AMBUSH.


Tennessee Moonshi crs-Two Killed and
Ono wounded.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. s.-Moon-
sinners led party of revenue officers
into an ambush near Flintville Friday.
). ID. Mather, deputy collector, who
lived at Belvidere, was killed. G. s.
Cardwell, general deputy collector,
who lived IN this city, was fatally
wounded and died soon after. j. L.
Spurrier, general deputy collector of
Nashville, was wounded so that it is
hardly possible he can recover. Even
if he should he may never be able to
walk again, as he was shot between
the shoulder blades and is partially
paralyzed
Col. ID. A. Num-, collector of internal
revenue for the middle district of Ten
nessee, with headquarters in this city,
received telegram early in the day
from Z. $. Robinson, deputy United
States marshal for the third division,
telling the story of the tragedy. The
telegram received by Col. Num- gave
no particulars until the arrival of the
train bearing Mr.. Spurrier and the
body Of Mr.. Cardwell.
Some days ago Mr.. Spurrier, who has
been connected with the internal rev.
enue service in the middle Tennessee
district for twelve years, and whose
territory covers the entire district, re-
ceived an anonymous letter con-
cerning some crooked" brandy,
| which, the letter stated, was
, concealed near Flintville. Spurrier,
who showed the letter to other
revenue officers, said that there were
about twenty barrels of the brandy
and that it was located 10 miles from
Flintville, Lincoln county. The letter
he received not only stated the point of
concealment but also told how the
| officer should go in order to find it.
Mr.. Spurrier went to Lincoln county,
| and, accompanied by Messrs. Mather
and Cardwell and E. S Robinson. j. E.
! Pulver and Mr.. Harris, all connected
with the revenue service, started early
Friday morning in search of the
| brandy, and also an illicit distillery.
| They rode along unconscious of dam
ger, and had reached and passed some
| bushes at "A point 4 miles from
| Flintville when the reports of
several guns rang out and Mr..
| Mather fell lifeless. Twelve buckshot
had entered the back of his head. Mr..
| Cardwell was shot in the back under
the right arm. Mr.. Spurrier received q
| bullet wound in the back. The other
mem mbcrs of the party escaped unhurt.
| They at once returned the fire and a
| bullet from Mr.. Robinson's gun killed
! a man named Patrick, the leader of the
Als. Il.
men in the party who fled have not
been ascertained.
Messrs. Robinson, Pulver and Harris
at once turned their attention to their
fallen comrades. Mr.. Mather was be-
yond all aid. Messrs. Cardwell and
Spurrier were suffering greatly, but
were conscious. A courier was quick
ly sent to Flintville with the
news and soon a party of Off
| GERS and citizens left for the scene
of the assassination. Cardwell and
Spurrier and the body of Mr.. Mather
We're removed to Fllntville, that place
being reached about $50 o'clock Mr.
| Cardwell died half an hour later. He
was conscious to the last and gave
jewelry and other articles to friend
to be taken to his family. He also
gave tender messages to be con
veyed to his loved ones at home
and with almost his last breath
prayed that God would forgive hi.
slayer.
Mather, Cardwell, and Spurrier were
men of tried and unquestioned bravery
and had unimpeachable records fol
efficiency.