The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-15
BEAVER DAM MEN
PUT UNDER ARREST
+. w. Harper, Distiller, and ]. II.
Barton, Storekecper-Gauger,
Brought to Richmond.
GOVERNMENT ALLEGES FRAUD
Distillcry Plant Seized by Oh
tlccrs and Conhscation Pro
ceedings Begun.

AS a direct result OF discoveries
made at the time OF the seizure OF the
bcaHer Dam D!stillery, in Mecklenhury
county, by United States Revenue
agent Chapman last week, j. IT. Bar
ton, the government storekceper and
gauger. and +. W. Harper. the owner
or the plant, were placed under ar
rest late Friday evening in Mecltlen-
burg by United states deputy mar
shai They We're brought Immediately
to Richmond and given hearing yes
terday before United states Commits
sioner Flegenhelmer. Harper was re-
leased on s1,500 bail for his appear
ance before the commissioner on We'd
ncsday for preliminary hearing. and
Barton was placed in the Hcnrico
County Jail and held not subject to
bail
According TO the assertions OF Col
onel Chapman and the revenue officers
who conducted the investigation of al
legged Irregularities. Harper was
guilty of fraudulen, practices to es-
cape the heavy Federal tax on spirits.
practices which were made possible
by the alleged connivancc of Barton,
the governments agent at the distil-
lcry. After making the arrests. Col
onel Chapman turned over to United
States District Attorney Groner com
plete report of the Investigations. and
Mr.. Groner will institute civil pro
ccedings m once to connscate the dis
tinery and other properties.
Linble to Prison Terms.
1t is expected that both men will
waive preliminary hearing Wcdnes-
day before The United States Commits
sioner. and postpone any defense until
brought before the Federal grand Jury
for indictment II is possible that ba II
Will be allowed Barton following the
hearing Wednesday, but this is not
thought TO be the present intention Of
the Federal officials. II the charges
OF fraud against Harper arc sustained,
he will lose his dstillcry and be liable
to fine of from $500 to $500 and
Imprisonment OF from six months to
three years. Barton, who was ar
rested under the statute making II
criminal for storckccpcr gauger to
make opportunity for fraud or by
negligence to make fraud possible. -
Will be liable 10 fine Of from 81 OoD
to $4,000. and imprisonment OF from
six months 10 three years, in case of
conviction.
The specific criminal conditions
which Colonel Chapman alleges to have
found at Beaver Dam Distillcry con-
sist In Barton having left the distil-
lerv and gone to his home without
closing the locks on the plant, Harper.
in his absence. distillinC and removing
barrels OF spirits upon which no Fed
eral tax had been paid. Barton. in his
defense, declares that he went home
because he was sick. but offered no
acceptable excuse for his failure to
lock the plant.
COntrnbnnd Seized.
On June 6, revenue Officers Pierce
and Hansborough approached the plant
of the Beaver Dam Dist!llcry and saw
several barrels of spirits being moved
away In 4 wagon Upon examinations
the officers found that the government
stamp had not been affixed to the
barrels, and Immediately seized the
contraband liquor. They wired the
discovery to Colonel Chapman. who i'm
Continued On Second Page.)