The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-06-16
WOMAN OUTWITS SHERIFF
AND OUTRUNS DEPUTIES
Mrs. Nelson Wilt, of Bear Hill
Section, Escapes After Liquor
Raid Made At Her Home

After assuring Sheriff William D.
Casteel that she would appear before
the nearest magistrate Monday and
there furnish bond for her appearance
in court in answer to the charge of
having moonshine whiskey in her
home, Mrs. Nelson Wilt, resident of
the Bear Hill section of Garrett coun-
ty, refuted her contract, for as the
sheriff and his deputies were leaving
the neighborhood she appeared on the
brow OF distant hill and told them in
strident tones that she had changed
her mind and that if they wanted her
to "come and git me-"
finger and has long been the strong
hold of "shiners"-men and women.
The woman's intimacy with the lay of
the country coupled with the fact that
she is fleet of foot, gave her an advan-
tage, according to Sheriff Casteel, and
it was impossible to overtake her. The
woman was without shoes, but that
fact did not appear to handicap her in
travelling over the stony ground and
through the bush.
First Violation Under New Law.
This was first known violation of
the new public local law prohibiting
the manufacture of liquor which went
into effect on June LIST. The law is
applicable to Garrett county only and
its penalties are severe.
Section l of the law provides chat
it shall be unlawful for any person,
association or corporation to manu-
facture any spirituous or fermented
liquors within the limits of Garrett
county, Maryland" and provides a
penalty Of a fine and confinement in
the House of Correction.
Following information received, the
Sheriff and his deputies called at the
home of the Wilt family early on last
Sunday morning. The Sheriff had a
warrant for Wilt, who is charged with
being only one of the many moonshin-
ers Of the Bear Hill section.
The Wilt family had not yet risen
when the officers approached the house
but their loud knocking at the door
aroused Mrs. Wilt, who for a time re-
fused them entrance. Upon gaining
admission, after considerable parley
with the woman, search was made
for Wilt. They were unable to find
him. However, in going through the
dwelling they discovered eight gallons
of alleged moonshine, which was con-
tanned in fruit jars.
Mrs. Wilt Protests.
Following the uncovering of the
contraband, Mrs. Wilt was placed I'M
der arrest, but protested against be-
ing taken into custody, saying that
she had no shoes and could not walk
the mile or more from her place to
the point where the Sheriff had left
HIS Cal. DIG - tiiSO Sdlu ~ nave lidu
the care of very young child.
Upon her promise to appear at the
Office of the nearest magistrate on
Monday morning and furnish bond
the officer permitted her to remain at
her home. Sometime later, stated the
Sheriff, Mrs. Wilt appeared barefoot
on the top of hill and called to him
declaring that she had changed her
mind and would not appear on Mon
day as promised.
She was ordered to be taken into
custody but the woman fled and the
men following were unable to over
take her. Due to the roughness of
the ground and the apparent agility OF
the barefoot woman, the officers were
therefore compelled to return to Oak
land with only jar of "shine" as ev-
idence.