The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-30

I seem to be about as popularity honor
cd i'll the breach here as are the anti
smuggling laws In the port of New
York. 1t is regarded by many in this
Virginia mountain section AS clever to
dupe the inspectors, Just as
many men and women of unquestioned
standing in the north do not hesitate
to fool a customs inspector if they can
do SO at the Cunard. White Star or
Observation-Disclosures piers.
Tried for Countcrfciting.
Although Sidna Allen does not stand
convicted today as a c~ountcrfeitcr. he
was actually tried in Il federal court
on tho charge of systematically operat-
ing a plant for the coinage of $40 and
$50 gold pieces. In the lower court
both Sidna and n Of his tenants
!. were convicted Of the crime. The ten
ant is now serving his sentence, and
most of Sidna's neighbors accepted
the original verdict of guilty IN his
case, and regarded the counterfeiting
plant in connection with the moon
shine" whisky stills as sufficiently en-
planning his sources of wealth. On
appeal to the higher court. however.
Sidna's conviction was set aside, OF the
ground tina it Svas not warranted by
the evidence. n only a few days ago
the charge against him was dismiss
cd.
1t is ono Of the remarkable features
of the story of this strange man hat
when he fled to the mountains after
leading in the boldest crime against a
court of law ever committed in the
Virginia commonwealth. he did not
know that the court OF appeals had
wiped out the charge of Counterfeiting
that stood against him. His friends
say that wherever he may be hiding
to save his forfeited life, he probably
does Tot yct know of the closing OF
that particular chapter in his shadow
ed career.
Sidna Allen, unlike most of his
neighbors, has not been IL stay-at-
homo His adventurous life has
included a trip to the Klondikc gold
camps and a visit to Honolulu. Hills.
willie men say that he returned from
both with his con.
siderably strengthened, but theil
knowledge seems to be vague as tc
just what those ventures involved
Like a famous New York police in
spector who testified before h LeHow
committee of certain city lots in Tokyo
as adding to his wealth. Allen reported
that he had met with some success
in real estate speculation"
Seize Aliens Property.
One of the cherished possessions in
the stables attached to his home up in
the mountains was a handsome pair
of mares. He used them as carriage
horses. n is said to have refused not
long ago an offer of $1,000 for the pair
Sidna Aliens wife Was particularly
fond Of these pets. and Of another
saddle horse. Since the murder o!
Judge Massie and his courtroom as
sociates attachments have been issu.
ed in the interest Of damage suits be-
gun by the heirs Of the murdered mar
and the woman witness who was kill.
ed, and also by friends of the other
victims.
Sidna Aliens property has all been
seized and levied upon by process of
law. His store has been closed. his
home attached, and his horses taken.
Vile last Tuesday, was reduced to. the
extremity of riding a farm mule. Her
especial mission to the county seat
was to enter the plea that the pet
horses We're her own personal property
and not that of the fugitive spouse.
She is a woman of considerable edu-
cation n refinement. Her husband
an outlaw. her home broker up. she
has returned to her father at Mount
Airy, n. c.
Her escort on the occasion of her
visit here was her brother-in-law.
Jascpr Allen. better known among his
kin and friends as Jack" Jack
also WAS astridc a farm mule. the
scouting posse having ndecrcd
all the better riding stock in the Allen
stables to aid them in hunting down
their quondam owners.
One of the most serious obstacles
the scouting party has encountered is
the lack of "A sufficient number of
few days of the nan hunt there was
no lack of farmers who willingly
loaned their horses to members of the
posse, but the fine spring weather last
week has forced the farmers to do
their ploWing. and all their livestock
is now needed on the farms.
HarmlcSs.L Looking Man.
Jack Allen. who is an older broth
or of Sidna, does not look like "A war
ike person. His appearance is that
OF a comfortable, we'll fed country
storckceper, with a bent for anecdote
around the stove IN winter nights. He
seems like q man who would not
knowingly hurt a house fly. and when
he ak to o he smiles blandly. But
men who have known the record of
the Allen stock for three generations
shake their heads n tell you: THE
Aliens smile when they are most dam
gerous."
Then. il you chance to have won
the confidence of a loquacious neigh
Dor. he will delight YOU with the story
Of how this same Jack Allen. some
wears ago. fell out over a question in
volving "moonshino" whisky with his
brother Floyd. the wounded prisoner,
VINO is now awaiting arrangement for
the murder of Sheriff Webb and Mr..
roster. the commemorative attorney.
Jack Allen was something If a
gunrnan himself in those days. As the
story goes. Jack and his brother Floyd
met. and undertook to arbitrate their
grievances with six-shooters. Jack
got him in the first shots, and Floyd
fell to the ground with half a dozen
wounds. PROSTATE as he was. how
ever. Floyd managed to fire from the
ground point blank at his brothers
head. The bullet struck Jack square
~ in the forehead, but instead of
piercing h skull it glanced. blowing a
furrow that parted his scalp nearly
back to the crown Of his head. where
the missile emerged.
Friel Allen. a son of Jack, seems to
have inherited the family trait for
gunwork. Friel. though a mere boy
of 1S years. and the youngest of the
party OF hunted outlaws. is supposed
to have been the member Of the band