Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-06-19
TRY TO SEIZE STILLS.
Former Owners Attempt to Take
Possession of the ShufeIdt
Pi2 nj

Chicago, Ill, June 1.-THE apprehend-
ed attack on the Shufeldt distillery, one
of the plants of the whisky trust, oc-
Cured at l o'clock this morning, when an
armed party of a dozen men attempted
ito take possession of the distillery. The
attacking party was met by the deputy
marshals who had been placed on guard
by Receiver McNulta of the trust, and
after harmless exchange of twenty-five or
thirty shots the men retreated.
Trouble has been expected at the trusts
dlStllle1eS since the recent decision of the
Illinois Supreme court declaring the whis-
Ky trust illegal. Several former owners
der the decision the plants reverted to
them. Receiver McNulta promptly ap-
piled to the United States marshal for
assistance and for several days each Of
the distilleries has been closely guarded
by armed United States marShals.
Floated Down the River.
The Shufeldt plant, where last nights
trouble occurred, is located at Chica go
avenue and the river. The attacking
party secured a large scow, and when
first seen by the guards were gliding 81
lently across the river. The deputy mar
shals were quietly punched at the landing
and when the scow neared the shore the
men aboard We're commanded to surren
der. They replied with a volley of re-
volver shots and the deputies promptly
opened fire. Under the hot volley the
men quickly dropped down the river and,
reaching a landing, disappeared.
The force at the plant was doubled to-
day in apprehension of further trouble.
Who is responsible for the attack the
distillery was sold TO the Whisky trust
by the millionaire Lynch family. One of
the Lynch brothers. Thomas Lynch. Jr,
had been reported to have declared his
intention Of regaining possession of the
distillery and his name was frequently
nights raid. The officials of the trust
and the government authorities, however,
refused to discuss the possible connection
Of Mr.. Lynch with the affair.
Troops Ready to Respond.
That serious trouble at the Shufeldt
or Calumet distilleries was feared by the
authorities was evident from the warlke
preparations made during the day. Re-
ceiver McNulta had arranged. it was said.
for immediate help from the United
States troops at Fort Sheridan in case of
need, and q large additional force of
deputies was placed on guard. 1t was
stated at the receivers Office that troops
at Fort Sheridan were practically under
orders to move at any time, but the in
formation could not be confirmed at army
headquarters
was that in the event of a determined at
tack on either of the distilleries. serious
trouble would be caused by idle spec
tatorS, many of whom were likely to
join in the attack. The possibility of a
mob turned loose on a well-stocked dis
tllery was not q pleasant one to the
authorities, and the police as we'll as the
government officers were OF the alert all
day.
Lynch Denies ParticiDatiOu
John D. Lynch, one of the former own-
ers of the Shufeldt distillery. was seen
at his office today. L know absolutely
nothing of this affair."" said he. Il would
not take the distillery as gift and I
certainly would not make an effort to
want. AS for my brother Thomas, [ can
say nothing. My other brother is in
Europe"
United States Marshal Arnold said:
Thomas Lynch has threatened to seize
the Shufeldt by violence and l think
the attack last night was a real attempt
TO gain possession of the plant"
Legal Proceedings Postponed.
At the request of Attorney Walker the
Whisky trust proceedings in Judge Sho-
walters court today were postponed until
tomorrow. Attorneys for the reorganiza-
ton committee, Judge Moran and Levy
Mayer. asked that a date be set for the
hearing of a petition for the judicial sale
of the property. Attorney Buckley, in
behalf Of the Cincinnati lessons, said that
they would ask Judge Taft Of the South
ern district of Ohio to sit with Judge
Showalter while the petition was being
heard for the reason that an auxiliary
bill would come up in Judge Taft's court.
The idea of another Judge coming into
the case was not relished by Mr. Mayer,
who suggested that Mr. Buckeyes eli
ents could wait until the auxiliary bill
came up. This. however, Mr. Buckley
said he wished to avoid and would enter
his clients appearance. The petition for
q sale will be taken up tomorrow after
the Central Trust company's bill is out