The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-10
AWAKENING Of J

the Washington Post taking from three
to i've solid columns Of telegraphed re-
ports each day.
AT that time, a blockader was a man
who ran a still either licensed by the
government and paying only part of
tax or running surreptitiously without
ficense. Judge Boyd stood by the dis
trict attornei In all this long fight for
law and order. and before the end of
the litigation Wilkes county was COM
pIetely rid OF the stigma OF being the
most lawiess county In the state.
was related Mt the trials thai Rev.
Perduc had heen publicly denouncing
conditions all ever the county long
time before any official notice was
taken. That on one occasion he de-
cfared on the court square in Wilkes
boro that he could see smoke arising
from steam distilleries from where he
stood. ard called attention TO two dep
uty revenue officers who were stand
ing by. jeerins to the smoke and named
who the stills belonged to.
Defendants were defended by the big
gest lawyers In the state, and every
inch of the way was desperately fought.
One of the lawyers appearing for them
was FIX Governor c. B. Aycock
He tried one case, the officers indicted
were promptly convicted and he never
would appear in the United States court
here again. 1t was an awful state of
official corruption and collision with
blockaders in cheating the government
that was disclosed by District Attorney
Holton in these prosecutions. He and
Judge Boyd were both denounced In
different ways by hired or Interested
representatives OF. the whiskey fraud
combine. Both being republicans. 1t
was declared they would break up the
ps rfy- Than n nationai1y
One of the wittiest lawyers and ahl-
est republicans OF the state, who at
one time represented the district OF
which Wilkes was part in congress in
waggish way declared publicly in
hotel lobby. that Ii Boyd and Holton
kept on, the republican party in that
section would have to hold It's next
convention In the Atlanta penitentiary.
Every effort In the world was made to
FrereHt-thA fe-appaintmsnt- OF District
Attorney Holton. under the Taft admin
as punishment for his pros
ecuting SO sincerely and effectually
these frauds. but it had no effect at
Washington. President Taft, naming
him for his third appointment
as United States District Attorney, and
his whole career as such Official fully
Justified this renewed confidence.
But the party was not hurt. 1t was
helped. wilkes county. was prspored
for state wide prohibition when II came
and for years had been coming forward
to lead In the whole state for schools,
fine farms new manufacturing enter
prise. commercial Importance OF its
towns and trading centers. and good
roads.
It has been a wonderful record OF
about face from the days when whiskey
was chief article Of commerce with
~
from perjured and bride taking Off
ciais to members Of the church running
mills day and night to supply block
aders with meal out of which Illicit
whiskey was made.
But like other communities. It
seems that Wilkes good people. con-
sidering prohibition a fixed fact, had
ceased their organized activities in
regard to liquor law enforcement.
until within the past year or two.
with any kind OF stun selling at $40
gallon, the old reformed moon
sinners in the coves and mountain
passes. simply got busy again. and
behold before wilkes knew It. things
had gotten beyond bounds. again.
This explanation makes more un-
dersta ndabie the following letter DID,
rector G. Fl. Mebane received 1t head
quarters here today. from one OF the
active helpers in the campaign be-
! ing conducted from here for world
wide prohibition and home law en-
forcement, and for contribution OF
800, 900 Al North Carolina's quota to
the national fund of $4,000, 600.
Dear Mr. Mehane. We are all
truly grateful to your organization
for having opened the eyes OF The
State OF Wilkes through your litera-
ture and pieces in the newspapers as
to conditions not only here but else
where in the state, and your efforts
to get us to "cut out the moonshine."
We had no idea It was needed so
badly until we began to consider the
situation and to wonder how II had
become so bad here. and we not rea-
lie it. am sure you will be glad to
know that wilkes Is now we'll organ-
ICED for the movement. really be-
lieve when you see what has been
! done, you will grant wilkes = place
| near the top IL not at the head
of the honor roll OF counties tor