The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-03-02

OF Inc secret StINlCC VI eA~ o.
eminent had been at times far from
satisfactory. The district of Kentucky,
Arkansas and Missouri was in charge
of a general superintendent, who in
turn divided his district into smaller
ones each in charge of supervisor
These supervisors had individual STAINS
of operatives and on their shoulders
deyolved the work of arresting moon
sinners.
Moonshining was crime against
federal law and as such was punish
able by United States courts. In the
summer of II the federal court sitting
at st. Louis was especially active In
Investigations; grand juries worked
daily and many indictments were re-
turned and warrants issued. The serv-
ing of these warrants was no easy mat
ter because the moonshiners main
tanned a pretty good look out" In st.
Louis that tipped off all offenders. The
culprits generally lived down in the
interior of Missouri and Arkansas and
when the secret service men arrived,
~the bird had flown" and the warrant
WOulu UC ICbut ACu Nun CSs IL '~ANNS
not found.
Jim Fleishman, native of North
Carolina, but an active Arkansas
moonshiner, was one of the most fia-
grant offenders. Numerous warrants
had been issued for his arrest, but not
an officer had been able to bring him
in. Judge Treat, presiding Judge OF the
II -sx
Louis, was great stickler for action
in his court; when warrant was is
sued he wanted it served; it was a
United States warrant, and If one Of
ficer could not serve it-"get two, get
three; II necessary, get troops" were
his commands. Particularly wroth
was the Judge over the failure to Sc
cure Mr.. Jim Fleishman. 1t was
rumored Fleishman had been in St.
Louis and had made sighting re-
marks about the United States author
tiles In general and Judge Treats
court in particular. Again Mr.. Flesh
man would appear down in southern
Missouri or northern Arkansas. 1t
was told he even played poker with an
officer on Mississippi river boat while
that diguitary was on his way to arrest
him (Fleishman).
Gen. John w. Noble, afterwards In
Harrison's cabinet. and at that time
United States district attorney for
Missouri, also was greatly exasperated
over the secret services inability to
land Freshman. Judge Treat and Cen.
Nnh1n haA nj
sent for Capt. Jacob Morgan, acting
United States marshal, to come into
court, and when he arrived the judge
raked him over the Goals in good
shape. In substance bis honor said:
This court does not propose to be
trified with any longer. Warrants
have been issued time and again for
the arrest of Jim Freshman, but never
served. Now want one served"
The court was informed that diligent
efforts had been made to land Fleish-
man; money had been spent freely and
men killed in the attempt. The judges
admitted that all this might be true,
but the fact remained Fleishman was
still at large defying the government
and bringing the courts into disre-
pute. Get more men: spend more
money; call in the army If necessary;
get Freshman" said the judge. 81
don't care how you do it; just get
him"
Capt. Morgan was a gallant old SOL
der. not afraid of man. beast or devil;
the judges words stung him and he
resolved to get Freshman or quit his
place. He assembled his staff and sent
for Capt Val Pruitt, deputy United
States marshal at Poplar Bluff, near
the Arkansas line.
Val Pruitt had been a forty miner"
a bull-whacker, scout, shotgun mes
senger for Wells-Fargo, and was abso-
Intely without fear. When the civil
war broke out Pruitt came east, enlist
ed in the First Missouri cavalry, served
four years honorably and had most
distinguished record for gallantry. He
was known as "the silent man" on ac-
count of his extreme reticence.
When Pruitt reached St. Louis a
pow wow was held in Capt Morgan's
Office and plans devised to capture
Freshman.
Can you get him, Pruitt?" asked
Morgan.
'Yep; If he doesn't kill me-" laconic-
ally replied Pruitt
'Well. go ahead and get him. Here's
your warrant Use your own methods
as to men and money; don't be mig
gardly, only get him." snapped Nor
gan, remembering Judge Treats harsh
admonition.
won't take many men or much
money" said Pruitt, glancing around
the room. His eye lit on Jack Cheney.
sT'll take Cheney, there; thatll be