The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-26
ALLEN UNDER BONDS
Moonshining Case in Jersey
City Develops Some
Queer Facts.
HEARING BY COMMISSIONER ROWE
Whisky Still Was Directly Com
nected With Boiler in Ma
chine Shop Overhead.

Richard Joseph Allen of No. 90 Jewett
avenue, was held by United States COM
missioner Rowe this morning in 81 600
bail to appear before the United States
Grand Jury as a witness against John
Miller, who was caught in an Illicit
whiskey still located in the basement of
Aliens machine shop, at Paramount ave-
nue. and Florence street, on June IL last.
The story of the raid by the internal
revenue officers has been fully published
In this paper, and the hearing this morn
ing before Commissioner Rowe was for
the very purpose of ascertaining from
Mr.. Allen what he knew about the moon
shining business carried on in his cell
lar The Government was represented
by District Attorney J. Kearny Rice and
Assistant District Attorney Il. J. OBrien.
The first witness called was Special
Gauger Garner. who detailed the raid.
He said the officers found a complete dis
tilling apparatus, and there was mash
tub filled and in process of fermentation.
Allen was the next witness. He was
examined by Mr.. O,Brien. He said that
in May last he rented the cellar for SIS
month to man named G. Smith, of No.
67S Third avenue, New York, who wanted
to manufacture witch hazel or a substi-
tute for it. There was an understanding
that if Smith wanted steam Allen was to
supply it. He, the witness, never saw
Smith before. Miller, who was caught
In the building, was not in his, Aliens
employ, but was engaged by Smith.
Did you do any work for Smith?',
asked Mr. O'Brien.
Allen replied that he made a coil or
worm for him, put in sewer connections
and built fence around the building at
Smiths request. He noticed, he said.
yats in the cellar, but did not know what
tney were for. He was only in the place
rev times, and didn't ask any questions
because he felt it was none of his busi-
ness.
Nv What did you see Miller doing?" asked
reply. % s'''
Mr.; o'Brien here put in a series Of
sklilfuI questions and succeeded in con-
iqSing Allen. who at length said he saw
Miller hxing something but what that
was he didn't know. His son, Richard ].
Ai1eh, aIein ia fo witness. admitted did some
Commissioner Rowe asked ALLEN since
ne was machinist how was IL when he
saw the distilling apparatus that he
didn't ask questions from Smith las TO the
nature of his business, but Allen fell, back
on the reply that he had never seen
distilllng is, apparatus before and it was not
i
that didn't concern him.
so you rented your cellar to ansentire
stranger without asking for reference,
put IN sewer connections, made q worm
Tor him, built a high board fence for him
and and never charaed him anything. for all
asked the Commissioner
YES said Allen
revenue Omcers Tahen and Moore told
| told what they saw in the still and the
latter officer produced a. sketch OF the
plant which he made on the premises.
IL showed an elaborate arrangement OF
vats and pipes, one of which was cpn-
nected with Aliens boiler upstairs. This
! fact made District Attorney Rice take a
hand in the examination and he told
| Moore to go to the still today and make
| a drawing of the steam boiler connection
| and also procure a photograph of the
| fence.
You better go at once" sald the Dis
l trtct Attorney, because thereyis plenty of
| time to disturb that connection between
now and Monday and 1t is a matter OF
| the gravest Importance that the govern
ment should have positive proof that
| there was direct communication with the
| still and Aliens boiler overhead
| The prisoner was asked if he had any
| thing to say and Stammered out Sorne-
\ thing about not knowing anything about
! it. Then Mr.. OBrfen moved that Allen
i be held in $1,000 as witness and the
| Commissioner granted this and COM
| mitted Miller for the Grand Jury in s1,500
| bail. James McLane. saloonkeeper, OF
4 Paramount avenue, offered bail for Allen,
/ but it was refused because his property
/ was jointly owned by himself and wife.
| Allen will give bail on Monday
Deputy Collector Joseph Farmer is maxi
| ing strong case against Miller and will
have some startling evidence to present
| to the Grand Jury.