The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-07
One or the Inieit Stil. Di.co~errd by the
Late Deputy Marshal bird.

LEXINGTON. Ky. Feb. William A. Bird,
the deputy United States Marshal who was
murdered IN BreAth!tt county last month. was
q native OF Wolfe county. where he was born
about THIRTY seven years ago. lie was about
six feet two inches tall and weighed about 100
pounds. He was considered one OF the Eamest
men In eastern Kentucky. and was probably tho
best pistol shot in his revenue district. II Is
said that no could hit a man at 800 yards three
times out o. Ave. using n forty-four Colts re-
volver with an elght-inch barrel.
United States Marshal blackburn appointed
Bird a deputy Marshal nearly four years ago.
and Bird gained such a reputation in catching
moonshiners that an organization was for med
by the Illicit d'still-rs TO drive hin outot their
country. This band was bound together by Sc.
cret oaths and the members called themselves
Jayhawkers. Last summer Bird was making n
raid IN Magofin county when he was surprised
by the Jnybawkers and came near being killed.
Strange TO say they did not use their pistols on
him. but tried to beat his brains out with stones.
He was a BADLY battered man when they left
him for dead. and II was several weeks before
he could STE out of mis- right eye. After hts re-
covery lie hunted down his asssilants and sent
four Of them To the penitentiAry. This r'Rde
him more hated than ever. aud his murder was
the result OF n plan 10 get linn out OF the way.
One OF the most remarkable nuoonshine raids
made by Bird was on Lost Greek. In the upper
edge Of Breathitt. Reuben Farler WAS appnr.
entity u pro- porous mountain farmer. His mouse
was situated on the side 81 the mountain about
one hundred yards from Lost Greek. Bird had
whIsKoy was being sold by farler. bnt It was
not known where he got H. Bird went to Far
lrr's house ami remained there for several days.
bat could find no trace OF n still, II was
early IN October and the weather was not
cold enough to make fire, necessary except for
cooking purposes. One day Bird happened To
notice smoke coming out Of tho Chimneys.
Knowing II was too early, for the women TO he
getting dinner he hurried to the house and was
surprised to see that there was no fre IN the
fireplace. He looRed around the house. but
could see no place from which tho smoke could
come, Unlike other mountain CHDins, the
chimney end ~ the house WAS oul!t against tho
Bird left the house and strolled down to the
creek. IA watkins along the stream he noticed
SSms.h'9E S Mes Sp tho to 6 sns SgT'S fSr o,1n The
minutes, aud then going down the stream
caught some or ths stun that nOated down
from the point where the bubbles were seen.
over the subject he went lack 10 Jackson, cot
u strong posse and returned 10 Farlcy's house.
alongside the chimney, aud they wore rewarded
hy finding one OF tho largest logs loose. They
took II out, aud Bird crawIe ed through the open-
ing. back OF which WAS "A pas-aGrwhy. HIS
men followrd him. and within a few minutes
they wer" standing IN n room about sixteen
feet square, which had been cut In the mountain
his men had LEFT before the officers arrived. The
ttill was located on the side OF the room next To
the house, and u stovcntpc had heen run thr"uGh
Into the chimney, The officers destroyed She
still and all the wli-key ard beer they could
fnd. Bra said that had there been fire in the
fireplace when he saw the smoke coming from
Farler's chimney that October day the stiil
might have renamed undiscovered to this day,
Bird atierward learned That y had been IN
Gpsra,i1G n 70, man %n5y iSa ,n, dh est si''i c s,.p was nsd run y,
the smoke was conveyed into the household
chimney the revenue men had passed the place
hundred Of times without discovering tho still