The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-10-18
TRUE
by Vance "s cpuolle Ledger
The Man Who Hit the
Bulls Eye

was made to the Constitution of the
United States.
Twenty years ago 1t was carried on
In the mountains of West Virginia on
a scale that made the government au-
thorlties gasp for breath.
The general Impression Of the moon
sinner Is that OF poor white man
who Is willing to take big chances In
order to make little illegal money.
This is true of some sections, but
at the time mentioned there we're bold
and unscrupulous distillers who car
rled 1t on as business In big way
and who made fortunes by the opera
ton.
Wayne Gooch was one OF these men.
He was called sthe King of the
Moonshiners," and there Is no reason
to doubt that he was entitled to the
distinction.
The scandals grew to such proper
lions that the commissioner of Inter-
nal revenue at Washington deter
mined 1t would have to be stopped at
all hazards.
The man he assigned to the Job was
a fearless agent named Tom Kennedy.
He had several advantages. One
was that he knew the mountains OF
West Virginia.
Another was that he was a crack
shot
These things were important, be-
cause the moonshiners placed small
value ON human life.
Most OF them boasted that they
would not be taken alive, and by the
same token they would kill anyone
who attempted to interfere with their
business.
Kennedy determined to confront the
lion In his den.
He made up his mind to go to the
Gooch stamping grounds In the gulse
OF a government forester
Merely to be known as a person
| who was connected with the govern
ment In any capacity WAS taking big
chance. but Kennedy was man who
had been taking chances all his life,
and one additional chance meant little
| to him.
| He had two capable assistants with
/ him, and he went direct to the cabin
where the king Of the moonshlners
| made his headquarters.
He introduced himself by his real
name, and he wanted to know what
/ the authorities could do to help the
| cultivation of trees In that part OF
| the country. Gooch. who was big,
hiuff fellow. received him cordially
enough. even though he kept his
weather eye on this curious stranger
He said the soil In that part OF
West Virginia was not particularly
adapted to forestry, but he cheer,
fully offered to escort Kennedy about
the country.
It was just what the revenue agent
wanted.
He kept his eyes and his ears open
and at the end OF "a hours was forced
TO confess that there was not even the
sign Of still In operation.
During that time the king enter
tanned the agent In royal fashion.
| One day they had shooting match
with a big target set up near thu
cabin. Kennedy participated. and Il
the great delight and admiration o
the king the visitor hit the bulls eye
nine times out OF ten.
Gooch said that was the best record
ever made In that locality.
| He parted with his guest with ap
parent reluctance.
Kennedy had played his cards 81
well that he was not even suspected
BY the king OF the moonshiners.
They parted one night with expires
sIons of mutual esteem. Kennedy hat
no misronception Of his man.
He knew that If his true characte
had become known he would hav'
been shot down like dog.
This thought keyed him up to tn
game he was about to play.
He left the cabin and the vicinity
hut he had proof that distilllng wa
going on on great scale.
He discovered that the stuff wa
sent to the depot In truck at abou
midnight each night.
So he lay In wait with his two me
and when the team arrived at Gel
tain part OF the road he appeared !
the highway with loaded and prime
revolver.
The driver and his assistant. take
unawares. surrendered.
In the meantime. Kennedy sent 70
re-enforcements and before anothe
day had gone by the king OF the moor
sinners and his men had been take
Into custody.
WNu Service