The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-18
fspecial from United Press.l

HiIlsville, Va, March 1S-MOuntaln- eers arriving in town tonight brought a rumor that Sidna Edwards, nephew of Sidna Allen, leader of the outlaw gang responsible for the courtroom tragedy of Wednesday. had been cap tured by detectives. It was reported that part of the posse was returning to town with him and that the pris. oner was slightly wounded.
 United States Deputy Marshal Steve Faddis said today that he would take a posse of federal agents into the mountains, to conffscate the moon shine found by the detectives at the home of the Aliens.
 Efillsville, Va, March 1S-Up in the western end of Fancy Gap, two score men began closing in on Devils Den, where it is believed the Allen gang of outlaws are entrencheds ready to add further murder to their record or crime which eliminated in the shoot ing up of Judge Massie's courtroom.
 Clear, warm weather today did much to aid the posse in drying up the mountain passes which have been almost impossible because of the mud More detectives joined in the man hunt, forming a ring about the mountain strongholds of the outlaws "a ring that is steadily growing smaller and smaller.
 All of the federal governments S mountain experts'-internal revenue agents familiar with almost every foot of the Blue Ridge and long enc mics of the mountain folk-today join ed in the search. Officially, they are under orders to run down the Allen gang because word brought back to the town today was that the posses at Sidna Aliens and Sidna Edwards homes found large quantities of white liquor-"corn juice" in the mountain verr acular-in various pro- cesses of manufacture.
 Twenty gallons of moonshine was seized at Edws rds' cabin and his two lens home, a similar amount of noun tain dew was unearthed. This liquor will be brought back to HillSville and guarded until the United States Dep uty Marshal. Steve Faddis, can be no tified to take charge of it. He is now in the mountains.
 From the very fact that almost no news came from down the mountin- sides today the usual mysterious mountain wireless" being stilled, townspeople here believe that the posses have practically succeeded in surrounding Sid Allen and his gang. The scene of operations has now shifted nearly 12 miles distant from the town, in a region deSolate in it's panorama of craigS and wilderness, and famed for its inaccessibility. The or,ly word regarding the man hunt comes from messengers sent back to town for supplies or to act as guides for endorsements.
 When detectives descended upon Floyd Aliens home, late last evening, Mrs Allen swore she knew nothing about the tragedy
 .-Floyd promised me he'd take his punishment like a man," the woman declared. Hes never deceived me before and I can't believe there was any plot to shoot up the court"
 Officials of the Citizens bank of Carroll, in which nearly all of the All lens have deposits, were notified to- day by the authorities not to honor checks or bills of sale drawn against any of the Aliens. This step was taken with the idea that it may crap pie the gang financially.
 Five deaths have already marked the courtroom attack and physicians fear sixth. Juror c. c. Cane, shot in the groin, is very weak and may die.
 ADD THE ALIENS
 A meeting of the local bar has en- dorsed W. B. Tompkins, of Hillsville to fill the place made vacant by Judge Nassie's assassination. Tompkins says he will accept.
 Tompkins' endorsement indicates the anti-Allen sentiment of the town ship. He mas TOT years Dltterly Op. posed the outlaws and at one time when United States Commissioner was threatened with death because o1 his activity against the Aliens in counterfeiting and perjury cases.
 Word was brought Detective F'elts today that the Allen gang will not surrender until they have finished the job. by killing James Early, Tomp- kins, Clerk Dexter Goad and Deputy Sheriff Joe Edwards. Most of these men assisted in Floyd Aliens prescott ton under the perjury charge. Al The hearing, Tompkins swOre he would