Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-04-25
a Notorious Moonshiner.
Sam Self, the most noted and des-

perat. moonshiner known In West Vlr-
GINA, has been captured at last.
A few nights ago Sheriff 0. NJ
Smith, of Grant county learned by spies
that Self was up in the Smoky Holes,
near the Pendleton county line, run
ming one of his numerous stills. The
still had been located by scout, who
kept it until he became assured tnat
Selfhimself was present, when the scout
sent word to the sheriff, who was more
than anxious to arrest the man who
had defed not only the State, but the
entire Government for more than ten
years.
The sheriff, aware that the under
taking wa. most dangerous one, Sc
lected strong posse Of brave men,
mapv of whom Self had threatened to
kill on sight, and one dark night led
by the scout and spy who had located
Self, he went down into the wilderness
into what is called the Smoky Holes,
near the Pendleton county line.
About l clock in the morning they
surrounded the loopholed and barri-
caded log cabin in which the outlaw
was supposed to be asleep.
Knowing well that if Self should
awaken before they could get in ard
overpower him he would put up
such desperate fight that it would
be almost impossible for them to take
him, they consulted and agreed that
there was only one way to overcome
the desperate man.
They found long, heavy piece OF
timber, which all of the men, except
two, picked up. These two stood ST.
lently by the doorside, with revol-
yer in each hand ready to rush in and
overcome the "shiner" when the door
fell
The plan succeeded, for when the
battering ram, rushed by dozen of
strong men, struck the heavy oak
door, it was driven half way across the
cabin and before the noise of the
blow and the crash of the door as it
was torn from its fastening., aroused
the moonshiner, the ten armed men
stood over him with pistols covering
his head. When they had handcufied
their prisoner the men looked around
and found that the cabin was literally
an arsenal, for not less than ten Win
chester rifles were found with every
magazine filled with Al balls.
Sells cabin was strong fort. Its
wall. were perforated with loOpholes
which covered the approaches from
every direction and had the noted
moonshiner been aware of the pres
ence Of the posse, he alone could have
whipped the whole crowd.
He cursed himself for his careless
ness in not having one Of his men at
least with him to keep guard and de-
risively jeered his captors as towards,
who were afraid to attack a single
man with less than fifteen or twenty
men.
Sam Self is a remarkable character.
The records of the United State, courts
and the deputy marshals tell many in
tere,ting storie. of this mans wonder
full immunity from capture. His knowl-
edge of the woods from the Eastern
Panhandle, along the Alleghenies down
to the headwaters of the Big Sandy is
perhaps greater than that Of any other
man in the State.
For over ten-some of the old ex-
officers say twenty years, Selfhas been
running illicit stills in the depths Of
the forest. How many be had no one
except Self and his adherents really
know, but he has been accused by dep
uty United States marshals with hav-
ing at least one in every mountain
county.
No officer or posse ever succeeded
in capturing him, although attempt,
have been constantly made for many
years. He has been seen and sur
rounded time and again in the wildI,
but in some mysterious manner he has
'ucceededin stealing through the lines
and getting away.
The people in the neighborhood Of
the distillerie, were, as general thing,
friends Of the sinner, and they would
not betray him. others, who for reward
might have done SO, were prevented
through fear Of Self, who they knew
would take summary vengeance at the
first opportunity.