The New York herald., 1922-04-23

elusive Of the tnoonshiners in the entire
practice until shortly after Christmas,
when one evening about dusk two Of
ficers stopped Neff on the road between
Pulaski and Abingdon. He was headed
in the direction of his stills, having
disposed OF his supply, SO he was not
greatly concerned when the officers be-
gan without delay an examination Of
the under part of his machine.
What's this contraption under
here?" one exclaimed.
That" rejoined Neff
contemptuously. That's
one of them new tangled
B gas tanks. Amt you-all
never seen one of them be
fore?" He laughed easily.
An inspection found it
was empty.
You'd better be careful
I'%'' about using that thing
again." one of the deputies
warned him, as they turned
away. YOU'RE plumb lucky this time."
Neff stood in the road watching the off,
GERS get iEto their car. His nonchalant
bearing ha& vanished. and there was
serious glinS in his watery blue eyes.
Say" he began, II amt tryin' to bribe
you. understand. but I'd give fifty dollars
to know who told you."
There was vague report-but plaus-
ible one-tseveral weeks ago that runners
had evolved new scheme for getting
whisky frbm the Blue Ridge Mountains to
Washington and that Blue Ridge corn"
had become the favorite of many thirsty
folk in the national capital. According to
the storyl the plan succeeded admirably for
many months and might still be succeeding.
Some mponshiner with long head figured
that officers would not suspect anything
wrong and would not get curious about an
automobile on the front seat of which were
sitting a man and woman in tourist at
tire. SO it was that the rather expensive
car with smartly clad young couple on
the front seat managed to run hundreds
of gallons into Washington. The car. is
said to still be making regular trips.
The daily and hourly activities of the ,
revenue officers have been told of in con-
siderable detail. There are happenings in
the mountains day by day that are more
interesting than the sheerest and most I'm
agimative fiction written. There are bases
tori tremendous stories behind thousands
of incidents involving officers and moon
SINNERS.
Boy Reveals Location of
Long Sought big Still"
Not long ago, after investigating dozen
hollows without finding a trace of a still,
Ia party of riders composed. of Federal
lAgents r. L. Elliott and David Dettor and
| Sheriff John M Litton and Deputy Sheriff
L. King came to mountain cabin on
the side of a spur of White Top Mountain
near Alvaredo in the southeastern part Of
Washington County, Va.
youth of about 13 years Of age watched
with deep interest as the officers climbed
the little rising hill in front of the cabin.
"Howdy,' he said cordially when they
we're within hearing distance.
Hello, son." Litton responded, "can you
tell us where we can find some water to
drink?"
yep; follow me down t'spring. Best
water in the world thar"
At the spring, short distance from the
cabin, the four officers slaked their thirst
while the lad stood by carefully studying
every movement they made He wore
faded overalls, torn, brown coat, cap
with earmuffs, and cheap. heavy soled,
clay caked shoes. In keeping with COM
mon and almost invariable characteristic
Of the mountaneer, he stood with his
hands thrust under the bib of his overalls.
HE looks like a bright little fellow"
said Litton to Elliott II believe I'll ask
him IL he knows anything about any stills
around here.
boy, are there any stills in this part Of
the country"
The child's interest quickened percep-
tibly. BE you-all revenuers7" he asked
with considerable show of excitement
why. yes; in a way" Litton answered,
not knowing what the lads reaction would
be. Were looking for stills In this neigh
borhood."
Continued on Page Elevea.