The Washington times., 1905-01-01
LOCKED In A CELL
WITH MOONSHINERS S
District Attorney Arrested and Confined
With Men He Had Convicted.

Il became my duty some years ago, as
United States attorney for the Western
district OF Virginia. TO prosecute a num-
Der of niountaineers of the southwest
section of the State for various crimes
committed in connection with the cru
SADIE the Government was conducting
against the illicit liquor traffic in the
mountains of Virginia, Kentucky, ard
Tennessee.
They frequently killed the revenue Of
ficers, and as many of the murders were
OF the most dastardly sort, when viewed
from d civilized standpoint, it cost me
little effort to convict them before
jury. Some of them were hanged and
some were committed TO the penttentfary
at Richmond to serve life sentences
One night 1 was dining with friends at
Richmond. Leaving them after mid
night, 1 went to my hotel room Feel
ing wide awake 1 took up a Sunday
paper which contained histories Of sew
eral noted criminals and sat down to
read. So grIesome were some of the
stories that, horror-stricEen as 1 was. l
became deeply absorbed. AS read ex-
periences of my own with the mountain
eers came vividly before my eyes
In the midst of particularly harrow
ing story 1 was startled by hearing the
click of a latch at my elbow. I turned
and saw the chief of police of Richmond
and a sheriff from my part of the State
standing in the door.
That is the man." said the sheriff
pointing at me.
You are under arrest" said the chief
of police, quietly.
Come in, gentlemen, and have a
drink, I said. II was SO absorbed in
my paper I did not hear you knock
With that got up and started toward
the bureau to get out bottle I kept
there
Two Virginians Who Refused to Drink.
Don't move another step" said the
sheriff, sharply.
/ turned in surprise and found two re-
volvers leveled at my head, one In the
hand of the sheriff, the other in the
hand of the police officer.
What does this mean" 1 asked. in
dignantly. Thinking they had been
joking J was angry at their carrying
their hoax so far.
I'VE mean that you are under arrest
for having murdered Jim Larkin last
week. said the sheriff.
| Jim Larkin was a revenue officer well
| known to me-
| AS my face took on blank look the
sheriff explained the situation dryly.
! You and Jim rode out of town eight
days ago. You came back a day later
and left for Richmond Ut once You
told us that Jim had gone over into
Kentucky to join a raiding party, and
we beneved you. Jim was found dead
five miles from town the day before yes
! terday. You were the last man with
! him That Mclean crowd was after
! him, and everyone knows how friendly
you have always been 70 the McLeans
j have a warrant for your arrest and
now you can come along with US"
! They took me out, securely handcuffeC
: and put me in a patrol wagon they had
| waiting in front of the hotel.
! Took Him to the Penitentia-y.
The station houses are fulI," said the
j chief of police, 80 we will take hin
dowr TO the penitentiary He will Sc.
lots of his old friends there
SO to the penitentia-y we went
| was taken inside and searched II,
name, age, and every Identification
mark about me were jotted down on tn,
blotter l still viewed the matter as
mistake. but nothing 1 could say to m,