Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-25
HAD TO LEAVE HOME
FARMER DERN's SAD STORY OF
pERsECuTIONs ny MOONsHINERs.
He md His wife BADLY Beaten, His
Property Destroyed, and He Feif
Obliged TO Flee for snfct!-No" W
the AImshousc.
the AIn,shousc.

Among the many interesting stories
which the members Of companies A. H.
and c, recently stationed at Lunenburs
| to protect the persons charged with the
murder of Mrs. Pollard from mob Vio-
lence. brought back TO the city, is a
tale Of woe, oppression. and persecution
the narrowing details Of which are oniy
relieved by the alkali Of romance when
attaches to an elopement.
When the First Regiment boys arrived
in Lunenburg the air was thick with ru-
mors that moonshiners were endeavoring
10 oust q poor but honest and hardwork-
ing German settler in that county, named
John Dern, who knew more OF ther
business than was deemed desirable.
To this end the moonshiners organized
systematic method OF persecution, ,on
one occasion entering Dern's house and
beating him until he lost consciousness.
DURING the progress Of the Pollard trial
the old man ana his family were at the
courthouse 10 appear before rhe grand
Jury, which subsequently indicted the
men who had committed the outrages.
Love levels all things, hOweve9 and
the niece Of the unfortunate farmer
who had lived with him nearly all her
life. eIoped with one of her uncles per-
secutors.
DERN COMES TO RICHMOND.
The plot was thickened considerably.
and on Tuesday MIR. Dern arrived in this
city. accompanied by his wife and three
children, with the avowed purpose OF APP
plying 10 the consuls Of Germany and
Austro-Huneary for redress.
In his version Of his grievances-which
he tells I'm a plain. straightforward man
ner-Mr Dern states that some years ago
ne was induced by a northern land-agent
to invest his savings IN a small plot OF
land forty acres, in Lunenburg county,
for farming purposes. The investment
turned out 20 be fairly profitable one,
and by degrees he built up a very COM
Portable home Later, he was approach
ed by some men, whom he AYERS
TO be moonshiners. with a proposition
that he should aid them in the manufac-
ture Of whiskey lie Indignantly repu-
dated the suggestion. and thenceforward
he was made the unhappy victim Of
systematic persecution. Upon the Goth
day Of June last. the men who had made
the offer TO him. entered his house and
severely chastised both bern and his
WIFE He caused the arrest of the men.
but they were subsequently released by
the magistrate. whom. Dern says. was in
toXicated az the time the case was brought
before him. and a further assault
was committed upon him as he was
leaving the courthouse. bern appealed
10 the Commemorative Attorney OF Lu-
nenburg, and three Of the alleged leaders
were indicted by the grand jury. and
bailel for their appearance later.
BROKE Up HIS FURNITURE.
on the 1lth instant the men entered
his house during his absence and de-
molshed all his household goods. stole
his money, and took all the clothing they
could find away with them. For several
nights prior 10 this climax A1r. bern
states that he and his family were ter
rorzed by the men who surrounded his
house at night. and kept up a constant