Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-20
Search of Squirrels Spur for
Aliens Is FruitIeSS.
NO TRACE OF OUTLAWS
Trail Leading to Chestnut Ridge
Proves Wrong Scent.
TWO SUSPECTS ARE ARRESTED
Men Held at Pilot Mountain Deny
They Are Friel Allen and
Wesley Edwards.

HlLLSNlLLE, Va. March aO-It was
another false scent that drew into the
mountains last night nearly every man o.
; this section that could ride a horse and
carry gun The location of the Allen
gang is still a mystery
A part of the posse returned TO this
village today weary and discouraged, and
reported that the gang had not been
found at Chestnut ridge. where 1t was be-
lieved to have been trailed yesterday.
News Received Differently.
The returning posse found gathered
on the courthouse green, anxiously
awaiting news from the night sortie,
practically every woman and child
nho had been left behind by the man.
hunters. 1t was with mingled feelings
of disappointment and relief that the
families Of the lawful members of the
| community learned that the outlaws
had not been encountered or located.
Dawn today found Virginia detectives
and possemen surrounding and preparing
| TO assault the mountain stronghold in
which the Carroll courthouse murderers
! We're believed to be at bay Chestnut
Ridge, a spur of the Blue Ridge noun
! tains. just five miles from the home OF
Floyd Allen, was supposed 10 be the hid
ing place of the outlawed clanSmen this
=! time. Gathered there today were the
posses who had been guarding the roads,
| reinforced by every available man from
| Hillsville. just arrived after a hard all
! night ride.
! The leaders expected to attempt to take
| the fuSitives just soon as their exact
position has been determined.
Galloped to Squirrels Spur.
News that the Aliens had slipped out
1 n lei discovered rafnu
Spur and reached Chestnut Ridge was
brought to HillsvilIe last night by
mounted messenger. Immediately after
ward Detective Felts. leader of the
searchers. galloped off for Chesnut Ridge
at the head OF a band, which included
! even the men who had been in the saddle
! all day.
ssidna Allen was said to nave been seen
yesterday afternoon, making his way
down the trail from Squirrels Spur. and
it was believed he reached the wild Chest
nut Ridge section with the rest of the
wanted men. People here think that but
| for their refusal TO desert Sidna, whose
wounds prevent him from undertaking u
i journey of any length, the younger men,
bers of the gang before this would nave
made their way through the hills anu
started west.
Two Suspects Arrested.
| ROANOKE, Va. March 20.-A telephone
message from Mount Airy, n. c., says
that two men answering the description
of Friel Allen and Wesley Edwards.
members of the Carroll county outlaw
gang, We're seen this morning hurrying
along the railway tracks toward Pilot
! mountain, in the direction of Winston
| Salem. Detective Joe Funk of the Bald
| Wl;ls Is at Mount AIRY and confirmed the
| information
Later Sheriff ]. L. Smith. at Pilot Noun
tain, in telephone conversation, said he
| has arrested the Two men thought to be
| Friel Allen and Wesley Edwards, and is
| holding them.
They deny that they are the men
wanted and give the names of Swayne
| and Lineback They claim to be from
WInston-SaleIn and Swayne is wearing a
police badge. Sheriff Smith will not re-
| lease them until he is convinced they are
not members of the Allen gang.