Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-04-27
NOTORIOUS M00NSHINER.
The Most Feared Desperate In all the
wiIds OF West virginia Is Captured.

The Most Feared Despcraao IN al the
wnds OF West virginia Is Captured.
Sam Self, the most noted and des-
perate moonshiner known in West
Virginia, has been captured at last.
A few nights ago Sheriff O. M.
Smith of Grant County, learned
through spies that Self was up in the
Smoky Holes near the Pendleton
County line, running one of his num-
erous stills. The still had been To-
Gated by scout, who kept it until he
became assured that Self himself was
present, when the scout sent word TO
the Sheriff, who was more than anx-
ious to arrest the man who had de-
fed not only the State but the entire
Government for more than ten years.
The Sheriff, aware that the under
taking was most dangerous one,
selected strong posse of brave men,
many of whom Self had threatned
to kill on sight, and one dark night,
led by the scout and spy who had To-
Gated Self, he went down into the
wilderness into what is called the
Smoky Holes, near the Pendleton
County line.
About o'clock in the morning they
surrounded the loopnold and barrlcad-
ed log cabin in which the outlaw was
supposed to be asleep.
Knowing well that if Self should
awaken before they could get in and
overpowder 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 over
come the desperate man.
They found long, heavy piece, of
timber, which all of the men except
two, picked up. These two stood
silently by the doorside, with a revol-
yer in each hand ready to rush in and
overcome the sinner when the
door fell.
The plan succeeded, for when the
battering ram, rushed by a dozen
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 it's fastenings, aroused
the moonshiner, the ten armed men
stood over him with pistols covering
his head. When they had handcuffed
their prisoner the men looked around
and found that the cabin was literally
an arsenal for not less than ten Win
chister rifles were found with every
magazine filled with A balls.
Sells cabin was strong fort. Its
walls 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
derisiyely jeered his captors as cow
ards, who were, afraid to attack a
single man with less than fifteen or
twenty men.
Sam Self is remarkable character.
The records of the United States
courts and the deputy marshals tell
many interesting stories of this mans
wonderful immunity from capture.
His knowledge of the woods from the
Eastern Panhandle, along the Allie
ghenies 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, Self has been
running Illicit stills in the depths of
the forest. How many he had no one
except Self and his adherants really
know but he has been accused by
deputy United States Marshals with
having at least one in every mountain
county.
No officer or posse ever succeeded
in capturing him, although attempts
nave Deeu COnsihutly hduc iOi many
years. He has been seen and surround
ed time and again in the wilds, but
in some mysterious manner he has
succeeded in stealing through the
lines and getting away.
The people in the Eneighborhood of
the distillerieS were, as a 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 ven
geance at the first opportunity.
Loss OF Appetite.
A person that has lost appetite has
lost comathiny bpsidas--vitalitv vip-