Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-18
CLOSING IN ON
DEVILS DEN
Outlaw Gang Entrenched and Ready
to Add Other Murders to Record
OF Crime.
DRY WEATHER AIDS PURSUIT.
Mountain Experts at Work---Tw"
Stills Wrecked and "COrR Juice" In
Various Stages Seized.

Hillsville, Va, March 1S-Moun
taineers arriving in town this after
noon brought a rumor that Sidna Ed
wards. nephew Of Sidna Allen, leader
of the outlaw gang responsible FOL
the courtroom tragedy of Wednes'
day. had been captured by detectives.
II was reported that part of the posse
was returning 10 Town with him.
Hillsville. Va. March lS-tp ir
the western end OF Fancy Gap. two
score detectives today began closing
in toward Devils Den where il is be-
lieved Sid Allen and the members
of his outlaw gang are entrenched,
ready 10 add further murder TO their
record of crime that eliminated We'd
nesday i'm Judge Massie's courtroom.
Under detective Felts, the posse
in pursuing Sid Edwards, nephew
of the Allen brothers. and believed
to be one OF the gang that shot up the
courtroom. The mountaineer is
fleeing as fast badly burned foot
will permit. Surprised By the ap-
proach of detectives Saturday. he
stepped accidentally in Il big caldron
Of hot mash. at his "moonshine still
and being barefoot. was severely
burned. He left in such a precipi-
tate haste that the posse found his
revolver hanging in its holster on the
walls Of his mountain cabin. His
Winchester. however, was missing
from its accustomed peg.
Hot dry weather today did much
to aid in the pursuit OF the murderers
by drying M the mountain passes,
which have almost been impossible
because Of the mud. More detec-
livcs Joined in the man hunt. form
ing a ring about the mountain strong
holds OF the outlaws--a ring that is
steadily growing smaller and small
er.
All Of the federal government s
mountain experts S'-inlernal reve-
nue. agents. familiar with almost
every foot Of the Blue Ridge and
long enimies Of the mountain folk
today joined in the search. Officially
they are under orders TO run down
the Allen gang, because word brought
hack 10 town today was that posses
at Sid Aliens home and Sid Ed
wards home found large quantities
of white" liquor-'co'n Juice" in
the mountain yerancular-in various
processes Of manufacture.
Twenty gallons of moonshine was
sieZed at Edwards cabin. and his
TWO stills wrecked. At Floyd Allen S
home. Il similar amount of mountain
dew was unearthed. This liquor
will be brought back 10 HillSville
and guarded until L. S. Deputy Mar
shall. Steve Faddis can be notified TO
take charge of il. He is now in the
mountains.
From the very fact that almost no
news came from down the mountain
sides Today. the usual mysterious
mountain wireless" being stilied
townspeople here believe that the
posses have practically succeeded in
surrounding Sid Allen and his gang.
The scene OF operations has now been
shifted nearly twelve miles distant
from the town--in region almost
desolate in its panorama of craSs
and dense valley forests. and prm-
eval in its inaccessability.
A meeting of the local bar mas
endorsed w. 3. Tompkins OF HIS
vile, to fill the place left vacant by
Judge NIassie's assassination. He
indicated today that he will accept
if the place is offered him.
Tompkins' enforcement indicates
the anti-Allen sentiment Of the town
ship. He has for years beiiterly op-
posed the outlaws, and at one time
when L. S. Commissioner was threat
ened with death because of his actlv-
itv against the Aliens in the counter
feiting and purjury cases.
Word was brought to Detective
Felts today that Jack Allen has
threatened that his gang will not sur
render until they have finished their
job by killing James Early. Tomp-
kins, Clerk Dexter Goad, and Deputy
Sheriff George Edwards. Most OF
these men assisted in Floyd Allen
prosecution under the purjury charge
At the hearing Tompkins swore ne
would not believe Sidna Allen under
oath.