Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-16
CITY ON THE DAN
THE sEMI-AvNUAL INPOURING
FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
The Moonsbiner and His Character
istics-Probnbiy the smaiIest-Two
noId Opcrntors-Given the Limit OF
the Lav--Bricfs.
the Lavv-Bricfs.


The semi-annual invasion OF the city by
the people OF the contiguous mountain
counties has impaired a degree OF bustle
| and liveincss TO the community that Is
really refreshing and in the ivy" nun
dred or more attendants upon the United
States District Court the observing citi-
zen finds the representative types OF
unioue phass of Virginia civilization. For
the Virginia moonshiner stands In class
that IS peculiarly his own, and to wnich
he invites no outsider. Hard-featured'
careless Of appearances, and utterly obli-
vious of the commonest conventionah-
ties. he makes no pretensions, ana mos
his chief pleasure in defyng the United
States Government In some respects
his imperious sovereignty forces admra-
ton from his more effete and often less
independent critics. His high-handed
acts and courage. so frequently exemph-
fed in sanguinary combat with the con-
traband distnler's sworn enemy, the
United States revenue agent, invests TINS
Virginia product with touches OF that
romantic glamor that ones childhood
fancy wove about the glorious personality
of an impossible sea pirate
Occasionally one finds genuine freak
At this term of the court there Is in at
tendance from the mountain Businesses
Of Franklin county the diminutiVe Hutts
Dodson. who probably boasts that he Is
the Tom Thumb alleged mOOnshner OF
the United States. He reaches 4 feet
and inches towards Heaven, weighs %
pounds and is firmly convinced OF the
beneficial effects Of matrmony, for, says
he. when he married at the age OF -
years be could do no better IMAM UP
the scales at so pounds. Ihat was
eighteen years ago, and in the mean Tune
the midget has reared family OF three
bows. two of whom look down upon their
father, both being stalwart, wel-srown
youths. 1t is related of Hutts that at a
previous session of court he was libe-
rated without trial for the offence alleged
against him, the Judge remarhng That
che was too small 10 handle 1t may
be that the little man has presumed upon
his size 10 again secure his release. His
case has not yet been tried.
THEIR SHREWDNESS.
An illustration Of the b oft-remarked
shrewdness of these mountaineers was
afforded about 1 o'clock this morning
when a two-horse wagon load of CONTRA
band liquor was seized in the lot OF
one of the city warehouses, the two men
accompanying it having arrived last
night from Patrick county The holiness
of this act can be appreciated when 1t
is remembered that the government ma |
hinery and army of agents al the very |
moment are actively dispensing justice |
in the Federal building. Calculating on !
official relaxation during the court SEES /
sion. they probably anticipated the tuc- |
cessfu execution of q coup. But While |
the court slept one of the sheriifs Stun
bed on the candidates for prison. Their /
arrest followed. although the Patrick
prisoners who gave their names as Now
lin and Hall. made a show of resistance
and artillery"
Two cases, somewhat out OF the ordi-
nary. interested a court-roomful Of spec
tators this morning Tom Jenkins and
Frank Clark. suspected Of numerous
burglaries in Southwest Virginia. were
arraigned on the charge of breaking into
the post-ofiice a Broad Ford. Smyth coun-
~. They were defended by Judge y.
II. Hairston, Of Henry county, and
Beverley Davis, Of Franklin county, who
made strong though unsuccessful. fight
TO have the cases continued to the March
e-m of court, at Lynchburg. After this
reverse the prisoners entered a plea of
guilty, and Judge Paul gave them the
I
who hail from Chicago or Cincinnati, 10
five years each at hard labor The
Judge, in passing sentence, expressed his
egret that the statute governing The
offence did not allow a heavier penalty.
THE USUAL ONES.
From present indications court will re-
main in session until Tuesday or Wednes-
ay. The rest Of the cases. with one ex-
option, are the usual ones Of violations
f the internal revenue laws. The excep-
ion is the charge Of pOst-ofiice robbery
gainst Isham Miles, of Wise county, who
vas arrested in Kentucky and brought
ere yesterday.
The local temperance adherents. 1t is
will make an effort early in
he spring TO close up the Saloons though
he nature of the effort has not been def
itely settled. The foremost agitator in
ormed the Dispatch representative yes
erday that two courses are open TO reach
he desired end one, he contends is
through the City Council, which has the
over to instruct the Judge of the Cor
Grafton Court to refuse TO grant or re-
ew licenses for the year commencing in
lay. This action the Council could base
n the contention that the saloons are
espOnsible for a greater police expense
nan the revenues derived from license.
is not probable, however that the
ouncil will take such steps, even If it
ave the power. as the gentleman con-
ended. The other means towards the
oppression Of the saloons is the old one
{ petition for an election on the ques- T
on which has not been voted on for :
)me years in this community. There is \
healthy temperance sentiment here. but =
MS is also favorite mart for contra (,
and corn Oscillations.