The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-27
A LONG, LOW, RANSH CRAFT.
MANNED ny BEARDED PARDs
HEAVILY ARMED.

She II Alleged 10 SmuGgIe whisky
From savannah 10 the Suffering
Sea Islanders in south CaroIinm.
Never Lands, Hut Anchors ana
Throws n Pontoon 20 the shore.
Rushes "A Brisk Cash Trade.
Columbia, s. c.. May 25.-It Is pretty
well established that when people wish to
drink liquor and have the means of pay
ing for 1t, they are afforded opportunities
of obtaining 1t, laws and law officers TO
the contrary Now, since the establish
ment of the dIspensary system IN South
Carolina, dozens of methods have been
resorted to. by Illicit dealers, commonly
known as blind tigers" to import liquor
for sale. OF course, with from sixty TO
eighty Spies" constantly watching ports.
railroads and likely wagon roads Of entry.
the supplies of tigers have been irreg-
ular, and the losses from seizures at times
considerable. There is a vast coast area.
however, which has been completely cut
off from even these sources of obtaining
contra band liquor. The Inhabitants ara
too remote from the railroads, and be-
sides the negroes, who compose the popu.
lation I'm those parts, have not the means
of ordering their liquor from abroad. In
many cases. too, the dispensaries are be-
yond reach. But there Is no prohibition.
Along the greater part of the coast there
are densely populated islands. separated
from each other and the main land by a
perfect net work of navigable rivers and
creeks. and while the dspensary
authorities seem to have never made the
discovery, fast sloop. said TO hail from
Savannah. carrying pontoon bridge, aud
manned by four heavily armed and very
tough-looking customers-three whites
and one negro-regularly plies this coast.
The hold is lined with barrels OF whis-
ky.
The popularity about the navigation OF
this vessel Is that she never lands. When
she reaches a point where It is desired
to trade she Is anchored In the stream
Then the pontoon bridge, a couple OF feet
wide and supported by numerous small
boats, Is connected with land. The negro
goes on shore notifies customers, drums
for trade. and watches for spies.
Only few are permitted on the boat at
q time, and these are served IN any guam
titles they desire. And so the trade Il
kept up all night. when the sloop moves
of 70 another landing.
The customers keep the crew OF the
smugglcr Informed as 20 whether there
are any suspicious characters In the neigh
borhood, and the Illicit dealers have little
fear Of betrayal by egrocs;experience has
taught that for such trade they are most
reliable and safe 70 deal with But II the
constabulary Is aware OF the opera IONS OF
this smuggler, they are wise 20 overlook
u. because IL As doubtful whether the en-
tire force could effect her capture. II
dash was made over the pontoon bridge.
Il Is so narrow that they must 70 In single
ME. giving the repeating rifles or her de-
Tenders the greatest advantage. aud II u
came to the worst, the bridge could be cut
away. II she were attacked In boats the
men In the sloop would have an equally
great advantage. The whites never leave
this vessel ana n watch Is kept day and
night. When their supplies are exhaust
ed they return TO port In another state
and replenish. Tho boat has customers
and does lively trade along hundred
miles Of coast. and as this II cash prices
pretty high and whisky Of very low grade,
the profits must be immense. There II
practically no expense. az the crew aro
probably The proprietors OF boat aud car
70.