Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-04
UNIQUE STILL CAPTURED
1T BAKED BREAD AND MADE "MOON-
SHINE"
The Owner Escaped the Detectives
Other Items of Interest From
Cumberland.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
CUMBERLAND. Nd. January 4, 1901
A unique still that was known to have
been in operation in the Alleghenies near
Garrett, forty miles above here, was de-
molished yesterday by revenue officers.
This still was in a district always sus-
pected but seldom invaded by revenue Of
ficers. The man spotted is George Shaw
ley. Revenue Officer w. J. Dickson, who,
in company with County Detective AleXan-
der McBeth, captured the famous "Bill''
Pritts, was the leading spirit in the raid.
He was accompanied by r. NJ. Smith, dep
uty collector.
The two officers succeeded in getting
through the mountain settlements with
out, as they thought attracting particular
quietly taken note Of their journey and
given Shawley the tip When the officers
came to the Shawley house there were EVIL
dences that Shawley had made a hasty
fight. The officers thought they had a
glimpse Of him getting away through the
bushes. but on giving chase lost trace Of
the fugitive.
They then returned to the house Out in
the yard Of the Shawley home was what
appeared to be a common oven. 1t was
partly shielded from view, but the very
holiness of the position and the makeup
Of this unique still were what SO long de-
ceived the revenue officers and gave Shaw
ley his mountain license" Inside this
crude oven there was an inner compart-
ment, and into this fitted a copper still.
1t was so adjusted that Shawley could
take this law-breaking device out Of the
oven at will and replace 1t when he DE-
sired. He would make his brews in the
dead OF the night and in the day would
bake bread in the oven or let it stand cold.
In an outshed the officers found five gall
Ions Of excellent moonshine whisky. They
took the worm Of the still and the five
VI ThnN ntt Chnxr
ley's trail. Shawley is said to be desper-
ate character. He served seven years in
the penitentiary for stealing seven hogs
owned by as many neighbors.
Ground has been broken here for a second
Independent tin-plate mill, to be erected in
South Cumberland by the N. & G. Taylor
Company of Philadelphia, who for a year,
have been operating q large mill here The
rev plant will be complete in itself. and
will be built at once. 1t will increase the
pay roll OF the company here 100000 an
nually. Plans are being drawn for third
mill and for separate bar mill of 5000 tons
monthly capacity. The plants, when complet-
ed, will make Cumberland the largest tin
manufacturing center in the United States.
The mill arleady in operation here en-
ploys nearly 800 people.
Wood Shifiett. Company G, 43d Infantry.
United States Volunteers, writing to a
friend at Elkins, w. Va, under date of
October 8, from Maasin, Leyte Island,
Philippine Islands, says:
Il witnessed the biggest parade last night
"a church parade) l have seen yet. 1t was
a most gorgeous affair." and the streets were
packed for a half mile and at least 49,
coo people. mostly women, witnessed it. The
women in the parade were dressed in black.
with white veil. In front was carried a
banner. Three children followed the
women, one Of which carried crucifix. Be
hind them came the Massn band, followed
by a band of women singing. Next came
a carriage drawn by men. The carriage
was a gorgeous affair covered with lamps,
until at a distance it looked like a bail Of
fire The carriage was cone-shaped and
had, perhaps, 200 lamps on it. On top was
an image Of the Virgin dressed in silks.
trimmed in gold and brlliants carrying a
rosary Of gold and diamonds. Behind came
a mass Of people singing and carrying
candles. The singing was superb. The pro-
cession marched around the town and then
into the church by the Plaza. 1t was the
grandest sight 1 have ever seen. The
church was a dream of loneliness. 1t was
draped in rich tapestries and filled with
gorgeous plants and flowers and brilliantly
lighted. 1t was a scene long to be remem-
bered and one not easily forgotten by me.
There were at least 1900 people in the
town today. They came from towns for a
radius of TWENTY-FIVE miles.