The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-18
The Nhiskcy Insurrcction Of 1904.

ih' ul~'oiN VI 'Ht NHlShtN
rection' in Pennsylvania in 1874 is inter-
estng AT this time, although it differed
very greatly from the coal rioting in
Pennsylvania
During the sessi ion of 1871 an excise
tax on spirits had been laid by Congress
at the inst ance Of ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
Secretary of the Treasury. Although
very unpopular, this tax was collected
readily in all parts of the country ex-
cept western Pennsylvania. To aid the
collection there new act was passed.
under which indictments we're found
against distllers who had not obeyed
the excise law to register their stills.
Warrants for the arrest of many of these
persons we're delivered TO the United
States Marshal for service. He served
all but one when proceeding to serve
his final warrant. he and Gen NEVILLE.
the inspector OF the district, were inter-
cepted by a body of armed men and COM
PEELED 10 fly to Pttsburg for safety.
This was on July Is, 1894 The next
morning NEvILLE's house near Pitts
burg was attacked by mob, five mem
beers of which were wounded by the
inmates, one fatally. Magistrates and
militia officers refused To protect the
inspector who finally obtained a small
guard from Fort Pitt
On July IL the rioters reappeared in
force. under former officer of the Con-
tinental Army, and. after removing the
wopen, set fire tn NEvIIIE'S house and
its outbuildings compelling the garrison
TO surrender, The mob leader was killed
and three Of the defenders wounded.
NEVILLE and the Marshal DAVID LENoX,
were ordered to resign end deliver up
the unserved warrants, but instead es-
capped by sailing up the Ohio to Marietta
and plunging through the wilderness to
Philadelphia, the capital.
The anti-excse feeling spread 4
public meeting was held on July 90 at
Mingo Creek, when a convention was
called to meet at Parkinson's Ferry
on the Monongahea, on Aug. a. On
July % the leader Of the insurgents.
DAVID BRADFORD, at the time he Prose-
cutting Attorney of Washington county.
caused he mail from Pittsburg TO Phila-
delphia TO be seized and inspected. In
il were found letters describing the
events Of the previous days, intended for
the Government officials al the capital
BRADFORD at once sent a circular to
the militia officers of the district. who
called out their men and met at Brad
docks Field on Aug / TO the number
of more than 1000 armed men.
BRADFORD assumed command Of this
force and expelled all the excise Off
GERS in western Pennsylvania. Some Of
these men were treated cruelty; the
houses of many were burned
When WAsHlNGToN learned Of the
instruction he proposed to order out
the militia at once. but waited for a
time TO let the Governor Of Pennsylvania
act Governor MIFFLIN, however, re-
fused 20 act. He expressed appre-
tensions that a resort TO force might
infame and augment the existing oppo-
sition. might produce such an excite
ment as to make II necessary to call in
aid from the ncghboring States. He
.
call, for whatever might be the case
with the Federal judiciary. il did not
vet appear that the ordinary course Of
the State law was not able to punish
the rioters and restore order" He.
however, sent letter TO the State officers
in the west expressing his indignation
at recent events and directing these
persons to suppress the tumults
On Aug. I, WASHINGTON, tired of watt
ing for MIPFLIN to act, issued a proca-
nation directing the rioters to disperse.
and at the same time calling on the
Governors OF Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Virginia and Maryland for 1900 militia,
to march on Sept. TO enforce the laws.
Meantime q joint commission ap-
pointed by the President and the Gov
ernor attended the convention at Parkin-
sons Ferry on Aug. ~. The proclama-
ton and the news Of the coming of the
militia had a powerful effect on the
members Of the convention; and though
| resolutions to call forth the resources
OF the western country to repel any
hostile attempts against the citizens
were offered, they were not put to vote.
A committee was appointed, instead,
to meet the joint commission on Aug
81; and conciliatory measures we're
agreed upon, although there was rioting
in some towns against the insurgent
leaders who were trying to carry out
these measures.
But the insurrection was fading away
before the coming Of the troops, led by
Governor LEE Of Virginia, with Gen. Mon.
GAN a. chief assistant. Even Governor
MIFPLIN had seen a great light, and To
make up for his former hesitation, had
called for volunteers. and led his State &
quota in person. DAVID BRADFORD, the
ringleader, promptly fed to New Orleans,
then French territory; a new convention
was held at Parkinson's Ferry, which
| passed resolutions Of submit ssion to The