Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-05-27
One HURT IN FIGHT
over LIQUOR MONEY;
STILL IS CAPTURED
Morgan Co. Authorities Make
Raid And Arrest Two.

Berkeley Springs, May 26.-Mor-
gan county state officers, in charge
of Magistrate Sharon, of Paw Paw,
assisted by Sheriff Dyche, of Berke-
ley Springs, and dozen deputies,
swooped down On barn at Magno-
liza yesterday where there had been
freefor-all fight over the distri-
button of profits, it is alleged from
the sale OF liquor, arrested Ed Mills
OF near Clearspring, Md, and James
Smith, of Morgan county, who are
now in jail here pending a hearing
before U. S. Commissioner Siler,
seized ten-gallon copper still
which was in perfect condition and
had been in recent operation and
found a quart OF distilled liquor
Today they are hunting for Cecil
Barnhart. He escaped from the
house, it is alleged, and the reports
were that he was on his way to the
City Hospital to get treatment for
wounds received in the brawl.
The fight is alleged TO have been
a general one. The place has been
under suspicion for some time as a
source of Illicit traffic in whiskey.
Yesterday the men, according to the
reports, quarreled over their share
of money from the liquor, then they
fought, and in the fighting Barnhart
was injured. When the report
reached them that the officers were
on their trail 1t is alleged they set
fire to the barn In which the still
was located and then attempted to
escape. Barnhart was in this barn,
it is said. when it was fired, lying
there suffering from injuries receiv-
ed in the fight He was able to
crawl out, however. before the
flames reached him. The loss in
the building, it is said is about ST.
500. 1t was the property of a real
estate and improvement company
with offices in Martinsburg.
Think Barnhart Dead.
Officials in this section, who have
been securing the mountains for
Barnhart, admit the possibility of his
death.
From information that was avail
able last night at Hancock, it was
said that the authorities there had
been searching for hours and that
they would not be surprised to find
Barnhart's body somewhere along
the river near where he is reported
to have crossed into Washington
county, Md. When last seen, he
was barely able to stagger from the
home OF friend, where he was CIV
EN- first aid, and 1t was learned that
his condition was then very SER
ious.
1t was In sawmill OF a lumber
company located near Magnolia, that
Barnhart is alleged to have been
attacked following the quarrel over
the distribution of money received
for moonshine whiskey, which. it is
alleged, the three had been manu-
featuring In the mountains just
above the sawmill and which the
authorities learned was being sold
along the Western Maryland as far
cast as Hancock
Barnhart. it was learned, had been
beaten over the head with a bottle
and fell over unconscious with num-
er0us wounds. Thinking that they
had killed him, Smith and Mills
fled after setting fire to the sawmill
in order to cover up their crime. AS
the fire began to envelop the build
ing, Barnhart regained conscious
ness and dragging himself from the
building, staggered to the home OF
a woman nearby. where his injuries
were dressed. News OF the fight
spread rapidly and posse, thinking
that Barnhart's body was in the
burning building. set out in search
of the other two men, Nine citi
zens OF Paw Paw were deputized
and began the search.
Finally after searching for sew
eral hours. Mills. who appeared to
be under the influence of lidUor and
Smith were rounded up in the barn
OF ]. P. Hovermale. near Paw Paw.
They had the copper still with them
and this was also taken by the posse
and turned over to the authorities
at Paw Paw, and later brought here,
where they weer lodged in Jail.
A. the City Hospital here this
morning it was said "BarnharC' was
unknown except through an inquiry
which had been made this morning
ny Sheriff Dyche, Of Morgan county,
as to whether he was a patient.
MIkI n lIQC