New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-08
FRITZ HAD a PRIVATE STILL.
1T WAS MADE FROM A MILK CAN AND A
TIN PAIL.
HE HAD BEEN MAKING FRUIT BRANDY AND
wHIsKEY. AND IS UNDER THE CARE OF TIE
REVENUE orFTCER-How TO GET FLAT
HOUSES ON A SMALL. SALARY


REVENUE orFTCER-How TO GET FLAT
HOUSES ON A SMALL. SALARY.
One OF the most peculiar whlskey stills Of tho
portable kind ever found in this city was discovered
by Deputy Revenue Collector Mckinney yesterday
In a Williamsburg fathouae. 1t consists OF an
ordinary milk OF four gallons capacity. To the
top OF this fitted movable copper-bubed top.
20 which Is attached a block OF tin tube The tube
in its turn. connects with worm fitted TO the
bottom OF tin mk-pa!l OF five gallons capacity.
which acts as the condenser. The worm projects
from the lower side OF the pail! and through II runs
tho distilled whiskey into a convenient receptacle.
On the upper side Of the pail are two tubes OF
which Is connected by rubber tube TO a
yeniont faucet. The other is short. and acts q
overflow. Although crude In construction. II is
exceedingly ingenious contrivance. and altogether
an amazing foe to Uncle Sans tax collectors. An
industrious in days boiling produce
probably fifteen gallons OF Illicit whiskey or fruit
brandy. the brandy being favori,e side issue with
many 'moonshiners'' In this part OF the county.
The man responsible for the stil Is German.
whom the Government officers for the present call
Fritz lie Is an empoye OF one OF the big breweries
In New-York. II is significant fact In FritZs con-
nection with the captured still that he owns tho
double fathouse In which he lives. In Flushing
ave-. near Nostrand. and appears 10 be prosperous
young fellow. a salary not calculated 20 be con-
sstent with the ownership OF a fathouse. When
Deputy Mckinney. with two other deputies. visited
the house yesterday morning. he found Frtz's wife
In the cellar making up chow-chow. In the COM
partment where she at work were five barrels
Of grapejuce two barrels OF beer. several cases OF
beer and a OF settler water. On shelf were
bottles Of spirits evidently sample OF q recent
distlatIon. Mrs. Fritz became greatly excited
when the officers appeared. did you make thisT
asked Mr.. Mckinney. referring to the grapejuice.
YAH" said the woman, In broken English hat
We not a right TO make wein?"
You made thisT said Mr.. Mckinney. pointing 10
the whiskey.
"oh, nein ncn! My husband. he bought it, ex-
claimed the woman. I'VE haf notings TO make II
Mr. Mckinney ordered OF his to search
the fat upstairs. The woman became more ex-
cited than ever and protested that the fiat con-
tanned nothing. The deputy searched 1t. and In
closet discovered the still
'My husband he keep it for a frient." explained
Mrs Fritz. He meier use It,"
The officers took It away. with the two bottles OF
whsAey. and took tho outfit to Collector KelIey's
Late yesterday afternoon Fritz who had been
summoned from the brewery, tried hard to con:
vince Deputy Mckinley that he was prosecuted
man. II use II once" said he at vas no good"
Fritz became too excited to talk coherently. and
made one two unlucky admissions, showing his
acquaintance with whiskey distiliing
Where is the man who made the still7' asked
Fiitz said he was m Germany. and them in an
angry tone OF voice. declared that Williamsburg
cigarnakcr had reported him to the officers.
Fritzs excitement became SO marked at this
point that or two men edged toward him. rear
Ing he might do some rash act. but he mopped his
forehead instead. -,
Il can arrest you now" said Mr. Mckinney but
Won may 20 home until we send for you TO appear
before the United States Commissioner"
AIN Inc the Worst scared man Who was ever sum
moned 10 the Federal Building
stsfns Commissioner T,r Morle tomorrow to explain
about his STILL In the mean time he Is under sur
rhe brewer. whose name not divulged yester-
day. will also Investigate his empioye as he Goes
MOI see how Fritz can own double nathouse Oh the
salary he has been getting Altogether, there APP
Bears TO be trouble In store for the German