Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-15
KNOWS ALLEN GANG
Revenue Agent Perkins Fought
the Moonshiners.
HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS
Federal Officer, Now in Baltimore,
Speaks in Highest Terms of
Judge Massie.

Revenue Agent l.. D. Perkins of Balti-
more, and formerly of Washington
who for five years harrassed and
captured "moonshiners" Of Carroll. Floyd
and Patrick counties. Virginia, was shock
ed when he heard of the murder of Judge
Massie and the deadly attack on the Of
hcialS In the courtroom at Hillsville, Va,
where he himself years ago brought
members of the Allen gang to trial.
Mr.. Perkins is one of the detail of rev.
enue officers who made the famous raids
in the moonshine country of southwest
Virginia five years ago. He knew Judge
Massie well and Dexter Goad, clerk
Of the circuit court of Carroll coun-
ty, wis his friend. Mr.. Perkins is
a native of Washington county, which
lies west of Carroll county, Va. 1t
was his efficient work in the moonshine
country that won for him his spurs in
Der of raids in the Carroll county terri
tory in 1908 stopped for a while Illicit
distilling.
Judge Massie Beloved.
Judge Massie was as fine a man as
ever met declared Mr. Perkins He
was affable, of kindly disposition and
his ability as lawyer and judge was
well known. He was loved by the people
of his circuit
Sixteen miles from Hillsville are the
lands of the Aliens. Not far from these
lands Is stream known as Shooting
creek. 1t is in the heart of the moon
shining country, and, il l am not mis-
taken, the very creek has taken its name
from the number of revenue officers who
have been shot down near it's banks. l
know Jack Allen and the whole Allen
gang. They're as bad a set of moon
sinners as you will find in the United
States.
1.-The fight of the state of Virginia
against the desperadoes will be serious
one." declared Mr.. Perkins. THE moon
sinners of the Carroll county territory
are the worst in the United States. 1
have been within an inch of death and
have been searched by these fellows, and
l know their attitude in a time like this.
1t is now a fight to the death. Moon
sinners know that when they shoot
federal officer the government sends ten
men In his place, men who know the
mountains. This time the state officials
are confronted with critical situation,
which may cost many lives. If Virginia
the men can keep the trail. 1t is like an
Indian campaign. The moonshiners
know every foot of the mountains and
the secret haunts of the hills
Last Raid Four Years Ago.
1.-The last big raid made in the Carroll
district occurred about four years ago.
Sixteen revenue officers were to assemble
at Floyd Courthouse by different routes.
On the way over my hack was held up
and / was searched by 'moonshining
pickets, but the driver told them that
was a post office inspector, and / man.
aged to escape.
ION that raid we made nearly a score
of arrests and destroyed dozen stills.
do not believe that any member of the
Allen gang was caught in the raid.
The home Of the Allen gang is six
teen miles from Hillsville toward the
south. A narrow road leads toward North
Carolina by winding routes. and three
miles from the road is the home of the
Allen family. Jack Allen has a reputa-
ton Of retailing 'moonshine ! attended
one of the trials where Jack Allen was
charged with selling moonshine.' This
was in the courtroom where the triple
murder was done today. Jack Allen
and other members of the gang are typi-
cal mountaineers. They are over six feet
well built and capable of travelling many
miles afoot. In the saddle of a noun
tain pony they can ride fifty miles day.
From what ] have learned the attack
in court was planned with one of the
Aliens as leader. And that leader,
believe, was Floyd Allen. who was about
to be sentenced. His brothers and friends
were at advantageous points. The pass
ing Of sentence on Floyd Allen, l think,
was the signal, for each official from the
judge to the sheriff. was a target for the
deadly fire. 1t was not done on the i'm
pulse Of the moment. 1t was the result
Of plot to assaSsinate the officials of
the county.
1.-THE desperadoes simply had every one
at their mercy. They had their horses
tied outside. and while the people in the
courtroom were sawe-stricken the MUIR
derers galloped away.
Kind to Children.
1.-The Aliens are a bad gang. 1 remem-
Der one occasion, six or seven years ago,
when Jack Allen was caught with
'moonshine in his possession. He was
keeping a little store and he did not
deny selling the stuff. He told the Judge
at Hillsville that he was selling moon
shine to buy clothing for his little chill
dren
Those people are very kind to chill
dren and have high regard for women.
| revenue officers they regard as their
natural enemies.
I only the most determined attack on
| the gang will result in their capture
dead or alive. The men composing such
gangs usually are married or have older
| persons depending upon them for sup
port. When beaten to a last stand, they
will barricade themselves and fight until
their ammunition Is exhausted"
Maj Samuel D. Hooten, United States
postal inspector for the Maryland dis.
trict. also expressed the opinion that the
shooting was plot Matched out by the
prisoner and his friends.