The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-02-27

VI ihc ncCItL etIflct ufdhtu VI AAS 6ON-
ernment 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 a supervisor.
These supervisors had individual stats
OF operatives and on their shoulders
devolved the work Of arresting moon
sinners.
Moonshining was a 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 iuries 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
tained a pretty good look out" in St.
Louis that tipped on all offenders. The
culprlts generally lived down in the
interior Of Missouri and Arkansas and
when the secret service men arrived,
''the bird had flown" and the warrant
would be returned non est inventus--
not found.
Jim Fleishman. a native Of North
Carolina. but an active Arkansas
moonshlners was one Of the most fla
grant offenders Numerous warrants
had been issued for his arrest but not
an officer had been able 70 bring him
in. Judge Treat, presiding Judge Of the
federal district court sitting in st.
Louis, was grea. stlckler for action
IN his court; when q warrant was is
sued he wanted II served; It was a
United States warrant. and II one Of
flcer 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 Fieishman. It 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. Fleish-
man would appear down In southern
Missouri OF northern Arkansas. II
was told he even played poker with ar
officer on a Mississippi river boat whils
that dlgnitary was on his way TO arres
him (Flelshman).
Gen. John W. Noble, afterwards II
Harrisons cabinet. and at that tim'
United States district attorney foi
Missouri. also was greatly exasperate'
over the secret services inability q
land Flelshman. Judge Treat and Gen
Noble had a consultation one day AM
zen. for Capt Jacob Morgan. actin
United States marshal, 10 come int
court. aud when be arrived the iudg
raked him over the Goals In goo
shape. In substance his honor said:
This court does not propose 10 b
trifed with any longer. Warrant
have been Issued time and again fc
the arrest of jim Tlelshman. but nevs
served. Now want one served" "
The courl was informed that diligef
Efforts had been made % land Fieisl
man: money had been spent freely az
men killed N ne attempt The inaEf
admitted that an this mirht he tru
but the fact remained Fielshman "
still at large defying the goYernmel
and bringing the courts into aisr
pute. ~Get more men, spend mo
money; caii in the army If necessart
get Fleinhman." said the Judge.
don't care how you DO Il; Just
him"
Capt. Morgan was a gallant old *
dIes. not afraid Of man, beast Or deyI
the judges words stung him and
resolved ID get Fleishman or quit J
place. He assembled his stan and Sc
fer Capt Val Pnltt, deputy Unit
States marshal at Poplar Bluff. ne
the Arkansas line.
Val Pruitt had been ''forty-nine
q bull-whacker. scout. shotgun M
Eenger for Wells-Fargo, and was abs
iugely without fear. When the cl
war broke out Pruitt came east, enli
ed IN the First Missouri cavalry, sery
four years honorahly and had m'
distinguished record for gallantry
was known rs "the silent man. on
count Of his extreme reticence.
When Pruitt reached St Louis
pow WOW was held in Capt. Morga
Office and plans devised to capt
Fieiehman.
"can you get him, Pruitt2" ash
Morgan
yep: If he doesn't kill me-, lacon
ally replica Pruitt.
"Well. 60 ahead and get him. HeI
your warrant. Use sour own meth'
as to men and money; don't be l
gardly, only get him. snapped N
gan, remembering Judge Treats ha
admonition.
Wont take many men Or m
money said Pruitt, glancing aro'
the room. His eye III on Jack Cher
'I'll take Cheney. there; thath
enough.
Don't be a damned fool, Prnltt,
piled Morgan. 'It'il take more {
two men.
eDidnt you tell me to use my
methods as to men and meansl Y
I'll take Cheney and get Fleishn
unless Cheney doesn't want the j