The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-29
TOOK A DESERTER
After Attempts by Others, Capt.
Garrison Took Him.
Maud Hilton Captured by Army
Captain and Sergt. Sipple.
III WAS HEROIC WORK
Result of Raid Deserter
Brought to Funston.
Capture Considered One of
: Nerviest in Army Annals.

That any attempt to evade the Sc
lective draft or to desert from he
United States army, is very unwise.
officers In the capture Of Maud Hill
tom a dese.ter from the national
army. who has held authorities of
Barry county. Missouri. at bay for
months He was captured early Sum
day morning by Capt. c. E. Garrison
OF Camp Funston in a spectacular
dash into the heart of the Ozark
mountain feud country, near Cass-
Vile. Mo.
Deserted From Field Artillery.
Hilton deserted from the 342 Field
artillery several months ago. Retir-
ing to his home in the Ozark hill and
armed to the teeth. he defied capture.
Twice unsuccessful attempts to arrest
him were made by the local authors
ties, who returned with the message
that battle to the death would be
the result OF any further attempt to
invade the mountainous region where
he and his supporters held forth.
Caused Much Unrest.
In the Ozark section, nearly every
family has Its representative in the
service and much dissatisfaction was
reported because of Hilton's appar-
| emily successful resistance. Several
other desertsr5 and draft registers
were following example.
Captain Garrison and Sergt. Earl
Supple were assigned to go to Barry
county and capture Hilton. Arriving
In Cassville some days ago, the real
purpose OF their visit was disguised
and arrangements for the raid made
quietly. Barry county was in state
of unrest because of the actiyNies of
Hilton and defis from the hills were
rumored on every hand.
I'll ne er be taken alive" he was
quoted as saying. A threat that even
II Hilton were captured his friends
the hills was also heard and the force
with him was variously estimated from
three to half a dozen, all armed with
rifles, shotguns and revolver5.
Left After Dark.
Leaving Cassville after dark on Sat-
urday night, party consisting of Cap
tain Garrison: Sergeant sipple. two
| from the Union Pacific Press bureau
at Funston started for the northeast
| portion OF the country. where Hilton
was reported living with his father
in-law, George Woodhouse. Leaving
their machine on the far side of a
ridge, the section was approached on
| foot. Wide detours were made to
avoid cabins of possible friends who
might spread the alarm. Telephone
wires were cut to prevent warning
House was Surrounded.
AT an early hour on Sunday morn.
ing the house was surrounded, each
man taking fixed post to prevent
not only escapes. but the arrival of
any reinforcements. Realizing that
anything but quick action would re.
suit in the threatened bloody clash.
Captain Garrison. ordering his men to
only shoot II necessary. in full uni
form ana q clear mark in the bril-
liant moonlight, walked a hundred
feet across the yard up to the door,
burst 1t open and called to Hilton to
surrender. He found nothing but the
women and children of the Two fami.
lies downstairs. Hilton, woodhouse
| and Jack Garner. q draft evader, being
barricaded above. woodhouse was the
first to appear. dashing down the
stairs armed with a repeating shot
gun.
Quick Work Wins.
Some one Is going to get killed" he
remarked. but was quickly covered and
disarmed by Garrison. Hilton. out,
gained and with every avenue of es.
cape covered by the guns of the party,
finally threw up his hands and came
down the stairs.
The prisoners were spirited out be.
fore daybreak by automobile before
the threatened attempt at rescue could
be made. the only stops taken being
several to surround and search other
| houses for another deserter reputed
| to be in the neighborhood
Hilton was brought to Camp Fun.
! ston Monday night by Captain CARR
son and Sergeant Sipple. and was
turned over to the military police to
await his trial.
Garner was turned over to the local
draft board OF Cassyilie for action, and
| general roundup of deserers ana
draft resisters hiding In the hills n
promised now that Hilton is out of the
way; Garner will be raken to Jeffer-