The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-01
REVENUE MEN TELL
OF FLOYD CAPTURE
Handsome Jim" Had Long De-
fed Officers
UNIQUE RUSE IS WORKED
Floyd in His Bold Dash for Liberty
Was Shot in Leg-Chief Deputy
Ashley Describes the
Encounter.

Chief Deputy Marshal H. G. Ashley
returned to Birmingham Sunday night
from Admission after one of the most
sensational bouts with the moonshiners
which has ever been pulled off in the
mountains around Hefiin. There was
more of the old-time adventurous climb
ing ito the wilds than is connected with
the usual still hunt. and at the marshars
office it is pointed out the bringing down
of the handsome giant of Turkey noun
tain, jim Floyd, is a feat which would
be feather in any officers cap.
Handsome Jim, according to the Of
ficers, is one of the few remaining wild
caters who strobe the hills with rifle
over his shoulder, backed by a dozen
henchmen and defed the Revenues" to
do their worst He was man who feared
nothing, and would shoot on the least
provocation. He is one of the finest
looking young fellows I ever saw said
Mr.. Ashley, with build like a deer.
He was able to hold out so long because
of his magnetic personality and great
daring"
To hear the story of the deputies is like
reading a Diamond Dick or seeing
some wild melodrama. On the twenty
fourth Deputy Marshal King and Deputy
Collector Fowler left Admission and drove
out from Hehin in search of Jim Floyd
and his aecomplices. They had procured
guide perfectly acquainted with the
neighborhood, and in close touch with
the wildcatters. After travelling 10 miles
over rough roads they approached the
sacred ground, hitched their horse and
slipping through the woods came upon
the still in full operation with Jim Floyd,
viii Floyd and Bob Allen operating it.
Rushing in they captured one prisoner
each, but the leader made an easy es-
cape.
The officers destroyed the still and re-
turned to the buggy with the prisoners
handcuffed together. In the meantime
Jim had quickly gathered his confeder-
ates, and while the officers were unhitch-
! ing their horses, the band swooped down
| and opened fire from ambush. The driver
was picked off with painful wound in
the leg. Then the horses were shot, and
went boiling off down the ravine, earring
the handcuffed prisoners to safety. They
were surrounded by their friends and
| carried off up the mountain.
Then Marshal Pope Long sent Chief
| Deputy Ashley and Deputies Coker and
Willis to Helm where they were Joined
by Revenue Agent Knox Booth and with
Officers King and Fowler formed a posse
and returned to the mountains, led by the
same faithful guide.
They flushed a small covey of Aliens
in the first house along the road, and
used them as a blind Having driven up
to the headquarters, a house at the head
of the ravine, owned by John Smith, they
set out watchmen openly. Long after
dark the prisoners were gathered up, and
in charge of two deputies, clattered off
! down the hill toward Hehin, while the
rest of the posse spread around the Smith
house. The Floyds heard the horses
leaving, and thought the raid had been
given up. Then, with his careless stride,
Jim Floyd appeared in the trail coming
down regardless of danger, to see that
| everything was right He entered the
yard, and Deputy Ashley drew in his
men, He entered the house, leaving the
door open and stood before the bright fire.
light, where the deputies could easily
recognize his features. He was only
| there a minute when dog, one of the vici-
Gus ours of the foot hills detected the
deputies and rushed out barking. Mr.
! Ashley hit him with rock which sent hin
bowling in the other direction. Their
l Floyd jumped like a cannon ball into
the middle of the yard, fired through
the darkness in the direction of the fee
ing dog, and the next minute the deputies
cracked down. To their amazement he
did not fall but rushed around the house
and off through the woods. After search
| ing the woods for his body, Mr. Ashley's
party waited until morning, and ther
| traced out the fugitive's rout by trai
| of blood. He was found seriously
wounded with buckshot in his legs at 6
neighboring house, and finally ready t.
give up
No sooner was the chief down than al
the others gave up. Bob Allen, VIII AL
len, Henry Allen, Joe Allen, John Smith
Ty Perkins and Mack Perkins were made
prisoners VIII Floyd, Jim'S brother, was
caught in a peculiar manner He was
sleeping wrapped up in two quilts on q
bluff which looks right down over his
house. Here he was ready with his
gun to defy any one who approached
in 'front.' but before he was aw are the
deputies came up from behind and caught
him easily.
The party then removed the prisoners
to Admission, where they were given g
hearing before Commissioner Randolph
and Jim Floyd was taken to a hospital.
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