The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-11-09
REVIEWER BIDS
SERVICE ADIEU.
7. Burkett Wins, Daring Of
flcer. Sings Swan Song
to Uncle Sam.
tsY HAYS cLARK.l

T, Burkett WINS, one OF Tennessee'a
most daring revenue OFFICERS and ono
faithful servants has rendered his resig-
nation as prohibition officer and will.
after several months rest, enter the
automobile business In Etowah. Mr..
WINS tenders his resignation on &C.
count OF an injury he received In 1914
which physicians say may result seri-
ously II exposure II INDUCED In. He
was nj the time OF the raid shot through
his right lung and the wound has never
yet healed satisfactorily. He stated
Tuesday morning that he may become
an applicant for sergeant-at-arms OF
the house Of representatives OF Tennes-
see. In the event he does he will have
many friends who will offer him loyal
support. Mr.. WINS Ia the son OF the
late Sam p. WINS, one OF Tennessees
most distinguished editors. and ut the
time OF his death secretary 10 Congress-
man John A, Moon and secretary OF the
postoffice and post roads committee In
the lower house Of congressman.
The news that Burkett WINS has
sung the swan song to the revenue serv.
ice and has laid aside the toga OF
Uncle Sans raiding machine. VIII 20
greeted with JOY among the noonshin.
ers In East Tennessee for his name for
years has been a terror to Thorn and
n price had been placed on his head
by the mountain law violators. Being
fearless and daring In the discharge OF
his duty. the moonshlners had SUM-
from the mountain tops that Burkets
wins would die with his boots on. ana
they would lay and wait for him day
and night. This message OF death
seemed 10 spur en- the young OFFICER iii-
stead OF causing him fear. and the very
places from which the messages came
ware the very places he next raided.
In the dischsrge Of his duty and for
the protection OF his own life Mr., Iyina
has been forced to use his own gun
frequently and several times, with
deadly effect. The men, however. whom
he killed were desperate and dangerous
and wero Illegally engaged IN moonshln-
ing and when surrounded and in fear
and desperation attempted to shoot their
way to liberty.
Burkett wins has been IA the revenue
service since 1912 when he entered as
n deputy marshal. Serving year IN
this capacity he was made special
agent and later deputy collector. he
served In the latter capacity until the
then became prohibition officer, which
position he has held until his resigna-
ton. During his career In the service
OF the government his records show
he has destroyed in the neighborhood OF
1000 monshine stills ana snS has capturea
During the past month, his last In the
service. Mr.. WINS together with Deputy
Marshal Tom Grow, has destroyed nine
stills and captured TIER operators.
Mr.. WINS Ia here attending. the federal
court as n witness against Jim PIKE, on
trial for moonshining. She stated that
pike was one OF the worst men In the
mountains OF East Tennessee. Pike IS
being tried for operating. still, which
was raided In 1914 by Mr.. WINS and
Mr.. Grow. Pike made his getaway. and
until last month was never heard OF.
However, the officers learning OF his
whereabouts went to the scene and ar
. rested him. During his career as an
officer Mr.. WINS has been shot three
times, once through the right lung,
once in the side Of his head and once
| through the lower lip.
In retiring Mr.. Wins pays high tribute
10 the efficiency OF District Attorney
| w. r. Kennerly, saying that during
Gen. Kennerly's reign that he had Sc
cured more convictions than during the
4 naturalization OF any other district at
torney under whom he has served.