The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-09
DEPUTY JONES WAS SHOT
RTT THE WOUNDS WERE ONLY
SKIN DEEP.
THE MooNsHlNfRS WERE ROUTED
There Was Perfect fusillade For a Short
Time, But 80 Shots Being Exchanged
The Raid Was Successful The
Posse Returned Safely.

.leputv Collector j.. Wiley Jones and
nosse had an exciting time with moon
sinners in Johnston county yesterday
morning after Il successful raid on IN
Illicit distilery. They were ambushed
and fired upon and Deputy Jones suffered
several slight wounds i'll the face and
hand from birdshot. These only pene-
tratcd the skin, doing no serious injury.
The fire of the mOonshiners was prompt
" returned and the dastardly wretches
were routed by the officers.
Information of this Illicit corn juicery
was given to Collector Duncan here on
tuesday, and Deputy Jones accompan-
led by Mr.. VIM. Ledbetter, of this city
took the Southern train for Smithfeld.
At that point they secured teams and
posse was organized by the addition Of
posseman Dupree, Smith and Barnes.
They left Smithfield after supper and
drove II miles north Of that town TO
the still. which was situated in Bulah
township. Johnston county. There were
two of these illicit enterprises. The
first one that the officers raided contain
ed only several barrels of beer, the still
having been pulled two or three days pre-
vious. This beer was destroyed and the
tourney continued to the next location.
At this location the officers found a cop
per still fixtures and beer all of which
was promptly destroyed.
This was about , o'clock in the morn
ing. and the officers who were in cano-
ny top double-seated phaeton started on
their return to Smithfield. Mr.. Dupree
was in n buggy and in advance of the
phaeton. When they had proceeded
about n quarter of a mile, and were
passing through dense woods, there
was flash in the woods about thirty
yards distant and a load of birdshot rat
tied through the carriage with the re-
suit above stated
Ihe revenue officers We're not in the
least Disconnected and the GOODNESS and
bravery of Deputy Jones and Ledbetter
was displayed by their immediate return
Of the fire of the moonshiners by the
discharge of their guns, loaded with
buckshot. At this important juncture,
the negro driver precipitated a castrophe,
which came near being more disastrous
than the attack of the moonshiners He
dropped the reins of the frightened
horses and jumped headlong from the
wagon and burned the wind mp the
road as fast as his legs could carry him.
The horses being thus free plunged for
ward in a mad gallop but fortunately
ran into clump of trees on the roadside
entangling and stopping the conveyance.
The horses plunged and in their wild Of
forts broke the harness in pieces aud
dashed on up the road and on to Selma
The officers Immediately jumped from
the wagon and reopened fire on the
ambushers who responded at the same
time. and for a few seconds there was
Il perfect 1'usilade between the two par
ties. at least 30 shots being exchanged.
The coolness and bravery of the of
ficers were again displayed and at the
command of Deputy Jones they charged
in the woods and completely routed the
infamous gang who were supposed TO
number six or seven. The officers could
not make out the men but heard them
as they crashed through the bushes in
their flight They chased and fred in
the direction of the retreating noise.
The officers then returned to the road
and made their way TO q farm house
about a quarter of mile mp the road,
where they remained for the night, as
the departure of the horses left them
completely in the lurch. Mr.. Dupree
rode to Selma in his buggy where he Sc
cured team and returned for the posse
who reached Selma with their stranded
| vehicle in tow.
The locality is desperate one and
| these violators of the law have circulated
threats against the officers for daring
| to disturb their Internal, nocturnal occu-
patton. Deputy Jones, however, has
needed them not and has repeatedly put
the devil into their Illicit copper.
| Deputy Jones and Mr. Iadhettar ar
rived on the $3.50 train yesterday after
noon and were warmly greeted by the
| revenue force here and their friends on
| their lucky escape and their brave ac-
tons.