The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-09-27
BANJO SOOTHED MOONSHINERS.
Saved q Government Ceoogist From Sus-
picion Of Being ''Ievenoo.''
Boone, n. G., Special to the New York Times

People hercbouts are discussing q
remarkable and picturesque incident
IN which government geologist and
hie banjo were the principal figures.
The banjo really played the most i'm
portant part, for it saved the geologist
from the anger Of the brawny noun
taineers, who distill illicit whiskcy in
great abundance throughout this re-
gion. As it is, both man and banjo
are safe, and the former is free to 70
wherever he pleases without fear or
injury.
"Dolph' Mangum, we'll known
throughout North and South Carolina
as an expert athlete and musician,
Joined the United States geological
survey not long ago. He was as
signed to the photographic depart
ment, and his duty is to 60 through
the western part of this State, sound
the depth Of streams, calculate th,
force of their currents, and return re-
ports thereof to Washington.
The mountaineers regard all stran-
gers with suspicion, but any sort Of
United States government employe
is particularly obnoxious to them.
They consider that it is their privi-
'lege to make as much whiskey as their
supply Of corn will permit, and that
nobody has any right to interfere
with them.
When "Dolph" Mangum arrived
here and began his excursions about
the surrounding country many curl.
GUS eyes peered at him from behind
balsam trees and fingera twitched ner.
vously at the triggers of long Win
chesters. Serene and unsuspectipg,
he went about his business. The
more the. natives looked at him the
more suspicious they grew. To them
there is only one kind Of government
cGcer-and that is q revenue officer.
Film they know we'll, and they waste
no love in his direction. The chains
and measuring instruments carried by
the stranger they knew nothing about.
When he dropped them into the creeks
and rivers and did other equally mys-
terions tricks they thought he was
only trying to deceive them as to his
true purpose.
THo days ago Mapgum had to change
his headquarters from here to neigh
boring town, stopping on the way to
/. take measurements. He left his
trunk to follow later, and started out
with his small satchel ard his banjo.
The banjo is his constant travelling
oompanion, and he would rather think
Of proceeding without his Aas or shoes
than Of leAvingit behind.
About 3 O'clock ia the afternoon he
dismissed the rattle.trap buggy with.
in mile Of the farmhouse where he
intended to stop over night, and
alighted with his satchel and banjo
There was a creek near by that he
wanted TO sound, and he looked
around fora path leading TO it. Just
as soon as the buggy had disappeared
around curve q tall, solemn man
with arife almost as long as himself
stepped out into the road, apparently
from nowhere, and faced the hydro,
J. grapher. II +: 81
,'"What you looking forJin them
] woods2" he inquired calmly. The
4 question was, harmless enough, but
i Mangum didn't fancy the affection
y the mans fingers displayed for the
Winchester rife. NJ .;iss
~. Looking for the creek, g replied
MangnIn, who is not too strong OF
final g's himself. "Where is The
!; path down 70 it?" II !:
5S S What do you, want With ,h.
4 creek 2 The tall man with the ride
d did not notice Mangum's question
s. Before the Silluminatipg exchange .ol
questions could proceed further three
+ more men, & anailys tall and solemn