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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FOR THE WEEK ENDING TUESDAY. MAY 15, 1S77.No. 47, Vol. IX! THE WRY MEN’S WRINGItiu: tbdbbaz. mabavdbbs isJOB GEO 1H1IA MOVSTAtSa.I. leva «lolbral allk Authority Dilita! lb« People toLa Ida upon Uflplm Oil•mmlulantii, Drpalln, end C botM Laajrn la Cellnaloa l« Bl««d Timid lt;anulrjruien.A People Driven to tbe Terse of Dea perailen. Kebbrd. iBanlUd and Npnt I poo.be H«ut bj wbleb Ciena. Blache bbrridu, lt;2e«dwin. end Otbera Enrich Tbentaelrea and LUf'M* Ibe Dot.owing tbe Itnbai'a Service of Oeorgla to be more Unprincipled tban Ibe Baabl-Baaonrka or Bulgaria.be W.ep.Be purl or Col. 8am Williams Co teraor on tbe Faeta Couaw ted wltb Ibe Death or Lleat.Delaljre.Atlanta, Ga., April, 1877.His Excellency Allred H. ColquiU, Governor, ilc., AtloiUa, Go.:Sia- Pursuant to jrour app- intmenf, and in compliance with a resolution of the general assembly of this state, approved February 23. 1877, authorizing you to “send to tbe counties of Gilmer, Fannin and neighboring counties, a auitabe perron to examine into the state of affairs that gave rise to the arrest of citizens there, by the officers of the United States government,” I left Atlanta on the 27lh day of February ultimo, and proceeded with as little delay as possible-,via Canton and EUi jay, Li Morganton, Ga., in the county of Fannin. c .At that point 1 began to make Bach inquiries as would soonest put me in possession of tbe facts necessary to enable me to inform you correctly and fully as to the true state of affairs in that and adjoining counties.I soon found it would be necessary _r me to inquire as to all that had taken place there for several years past, (as a large majority of arrests made there recently were on old warrants running back one or iwo years), in order to comply folly with tne requirements of the resolution under which 1 acting. In doing this, I followed as nearly as I could the movements of those who made the arrests, and give such information ar I gathered in doing so, in the different localities I visited. These localities, as far aa I could learn, are known as Frog Mountain, Fighting Town, B«ard Town Creek, Noon Toot ley and Ticanetlley creeks, in Fannin county; the ccntraLsouthern and southeastern parts of Gilmer county, and portions of Pickens, or sbout the 1st of February. 1877, ap;rty of deputy United Wales marshals, with a deputy collector and a body of United States trcops. left Cartersville, in Bartow county, and making Ellijav, in Gi mer county, their objective point, proceeded after reaching there, and making that place a base of operations, to visit tbe different localities I have mentioned.I proceeded directly to Frog mountain; first visited tbe house of Ayers Jones, in which a lieutenant of the Uuited States .armv recently lost his life, having been killed by a party or parties, who op to the present writing are unknown. This house I found to be a rude log cabin, built of rongh unhewn oak logs, and was entirely deserted. A more full aud minute de-cription of it, with its surroundings, I will give before I close mv report.1 went from that place to tbe bouse of John H- Jones, tbe father of Ayres Jones, and to o the is in the same locality.Tbe statements of tho60 I found there I will now give, as well as those I received elsewhereduring my absence, txfore noticing anything that came under my own'observation—or before making any comments thereon. owned the bouse, and who wasthe only grown person in it when it was visited, says:STATEMENT Nlt;“ That on or about tbe 10th day of February,1877, there came to mv bouse, about one or two o’clock in the morning, a party of men, aud without being asked to come in, pushed open the door, entered, and asked me if I had heard of the revenue officers. I told them I had beard of them two days be-before, aud had also heard that they nad returned to E lijsy. The party, I have since learned, was cor p sed cf Blacker, Anglin, Ralston, lieutenant and a soldier. Thev asked who live i there, and when told Ayers Jones, and that he was not at home, they ligbied a candle—inspected house, and asked if there was any whiskv there. I told them tbeie was not. They then lighted a lamp aud p.oceeded to inspect the premises— going around the bouse. Tuey returned, and again asked where my husband was. I told them I did not know. Blacker told me I was a liar, and that he was at tbe still house.I told him that might be so. They closed both doors, Blacker taking his seat by oue door and Anglin on tne other aide of the same. One of the soldiers proposed to them to leave and not bother the woman and little children anv more- (I wonld state here that they asked me before why I was up when thev came. 1 told them 1 was np attending to my sick children.) He was answ ered by the man called Blacker, with an oath, stating that he would stay there as loug as he pleased, and do as be pleased while there. The soldier said thai the men with the horses would get cold. Blacker said he did not care; that be had sent three men for the still, and that he would remain nntil they had brought it. The moet of this conversation was carried on with oaths. Again when I asked them to leave, and not bother me and my little children more, they swore they would stay until they were readvy to go. I had seven children in the house under eleven . sans of age. I asked them several more times to leave, and was each time answered by cursing,and the assurance that they would not leave until theyere ready.“Durirg this talk, or rather cursing and swearing, some one hailed at the door, and some firing took place. 1 took my children to get them ont of the way, and they tried to force me to go and open the door that they themselves had opened and closed after they had gotten in.“The.only thing 1 know after the flr-ing began, and np to soon after it closed, was some one groaning in tbe back yard outside, as if Lney were dying.“About toll an hoar after the shooting and that oois* bad ceased, 1 beard the cracking of brush, and a man leaving. Then everything became quiet, and I beard no more nntil some bailed at the door, just before sun rise, and asked if I were asleep.not know. Just then Blscker and asked me tbe same question again.I answered the same thing. He cursed me and told me I was a liar. He asked me who bad been there since they left.I told him no one but myself aud little children. He c«lled me a liar again. They then left, and did not return til the afternoon.“Alter they left in the morning,! discovered the dead body fo*- the first time, and immediately sent to my nearest neighbors to ask them to come and take charge of it. I watched and protected it until some parties came and took it away.“When tbey returned for tbe body, they said they bad come for revenp and that thev intended to bum t_ bouse and everybody in ItV They knocked down the door abutter, and then I took my children and left the house. The man called Biacker followed me until I stopped. He began to curse me, and after asking me some questions, and being answered, replied that they intended to bum every house on the mountain in less than three weeks, as some one.was coming with a regiment He left cursing me, and saying that we would melt heii in less than three weeks. I have seen none of them since.“When Blacker ent »red my house, he came with bis pistol cocked.STATEMENT HO. 2.Mrs. Emeline Walker states: “I lived short time since near the house of Avers Jones. On or about the 10th day of February, about two o’clock in the morning, there came to my house three men calling themselves Bobbie, Ware, and another that I did not know. They asked who lived there, aud on my telling them my name, and that I was a widow, they pushed aside a table in front of the door and entered, and proceeded to search the house, looking, as they eaid, for some man. After finding none, they aaked me where the still house was. I told them I did not know. Tbe man called Robbie cursed me, and told me I ‘damned liar.’ They still insisted that I knew wfrere tbe stFl house was; and asked the children. Thev offered me twenty-five dollars to tell theml They never showed me any warrant or told me they bad one to search my house. After asking me directions as to which was up and which was down the branch, and being told, they left.“The next afternoon I was at Ayres Jones’ house, and there came a number of men for the body of the officer who bad been killed there the night before, “Robbie came to the door and asked for the body. Mrs. Jones told him behind tbe house. After getting it tbey came to the d oor and said that they bad come for revenge; that tbey intended to bum tbe house and all who were in it. Immediately they began to fire their arms; and I told Mrs. Jones that we must take the children and leave—which we did. We were followed by a man called Blacker, who after asking some questions, and being answered truly, rallied every time by saying that we were damned liars; that he wonld burn the house before sundown, and that he would give as all hell directly. He then left, and I saw them no more until about two weeks afterward at Tom Jones* bouae, when they returned with a large number of soldiers. Tbe house wis entered by Robbie and others. Robbie bad bis gun cocked in bis band, and after looking in and around the house, and in the loft, asked where tbe men were who ran from tbe door. After being told that no men ran from tbe door, be said that he saw them, and that when I aaid thay did not I told a damned lie every time I told it. He then told me,— cursing and swearing, — that I was the woman he was looking for—that be knew my face— that I.knew who killed LieutenantMn“ He drew his hand cuffs, nn'ocked' them, and told me he was going to pu* them on me. and drawing bis gun, told me he would put them on me, or kill“ The cursing was continued until Mrs. Tom Jones, who a few days before bad given birth to a child, was so much frightened as to have to be put to bed. They then made me go and show where the still house was. I went with Robbie and Goodwin, who, cursing me, told me if there -a as a gun fired on the opposite side, they would shoot me into inch pieces. I showed them the still house, to which they went, that five hogs, and returned.*‘ Soon afterwards they left, and in a little time Goodwin and Robbie returned, and told me they wanted me to go where the captain and the judge were. After going with them to the still house and returning, they told me I wonld have to go on with them. They never, at any time, showed me a warrant, nor told me what I was arrested for. From home I was carried to Atlanta and put jail.“ My treatment «u each that I w and have been sick ever since I returned.”STATEMENT HO. 3 Nancy Jones, wife of J. H. Jones, aged 53 years, s«ya: “ There came to my boose, on or about the 231 day of February, 1877, some United States revenue officers, and I was asked by ibem tbe whereabouts of my husband, and other men folks. I answered them truly that I did not know. They replied to me with curses, stating that I waa lying to them, and that 1 had bet-tell the truth.In about one hour my husband turned and was arrested by them, afterganton, twenty or twenty-five miles distant. I had not even a jacket, and when I again appealed to them to allow me to getony clothing, I was answered by curses and told to take the road.I was walked most of the way from Morganton to Cartersville. abut eighty miles, suffering the first day for both food and water.“I was given no committing trial at Cartersville—kept in jail there one week, carried to Atlanta and kept in jail ten days. I waa then tried, acquitted and released.”During this whole time I waa never shown a warrant for my arrest, and not even tokl why I had been arrested. While in tbe hands of these officers, my treatment was such as to break down my health, and to leave me In doubt aa to whether I willever recover— STATEMENT NO. 6.Sarah Ann Davenport, wife of John F. Dare*port, says: ‘‘On tbe return of the revenue officers fiom tbe mountains, they stopped at my house. A man bvlhe name of Goodwin, on entering, behaved in a, most insulting manner. He accused all in tbe houee of being a parcel of damned thieves and regies. The only provocation he bad walghe had lost his saddle blanket, and whin I told him that some of t his own me* bad taken it, he replied by saying that 1 was a ‘damned liar.’ He afterwards found bis blanket, and he found tty/l had stated.“Thfiyune man Goodwin, with others, slept on the floor in my bouse or pallets made for them in the best way possibK He brought in with him, and slept on, or under, a fine piece of bed clothing, which I recognized as belong; ing to old Mrs. Jones. The next morning I pat it away, aud it has since been returned to her. !w—no .*“My house has but one room, and my husband,a mysqlf and all my children occupy it.”STATEMENT MO. 7.John F. Davenport says: “I Ain thirty’-aix yeara old. On or about the -73rd'day of February, 1877, there came my house a Captain Dagget, and asked to camp some troops on my place. I told him to camp them anywhere he might choose.“H# put them in my meadow, and remained until next day. I did all in my power to render them comfortable, even to going into the neighborhood and purchasing supplies for them. They remained at my hoose that night, and the next morning a man named Goodwin asked me the Way lo Tom Jones’ house. 1 told him 1 did not wish to mix myself np with anything—that he had a man with him (Fiel a Chapman) who could tell him as w»¥l as I could.“Tuey said we expect we will have to carry you out with us when we return to prevent them from killing you.They left, aud on the next dav as they returned, a man called Robbie came to my door, and calling me out, said- ‘I have oiders to arrest you.’ I said I would like to know what it was for. He said: ‘Mr. Davenport, I don’t know any more what it is for tban you do. He carried me to Captain Goodwin, and asked him what to do with we. Without telling me what I was arrested for, he told Robbie to put me with tbe rest of the prisoners. They carried me to jail in Morgantown,* tx there to Cartersville, where I re-ned in jail for one week. I was there givt □ no committing tri .1. but was cent to Atlanta and there kept in jail about ten days, and notwithstanding I asked them, thev never showed me a warrant for my arrest, or told me why I was arrested', or gave me a chance to summons witnesses, although I was over one hundred and twenty miles fr m home. I was placed on trial, acqurtted,* *• ‘-'••Jv treatment was snch from the ■ r\,' Wm or mv arrest, that I suffered both for want of food aud lrom exposure. 1 am still suffering from the effects of the arrest. .-1STATEMENT HO. 8.B.M. Watson says: “1 am thirty-three years old, ana a citizen of Fannin connty. On or about the 23d day of February, 1877, there came to me, at the house of Mr. Davenport, some men calling themselves Deputy U. S. Mar shals, and told me to consider myself under arrest. I asked them by what authority; and tbey said they had the papers, but withont showing any. carried me to a guard tent, aud placed me with others that bad been arrested.“ From there I waa carried to Morganton, and from there to Cartersville, where I remained in jail about one week—was given no committing trial, but was carried to Atlanta, kept in jail ten days, was then tried and acquitted. “Up to thia time, although over one ,;indred and thirty miles from home, _ji a mountain country, I was never shown a warrant for my arreti,■ ever told why I was arrested.From the time of my arrest until my discharge, my treatment was snch as to cause me to suffer both from hungerme put outthe way. leased.they bad told him that tftey had heard nothing but good reports of bim. He was carried away without being allowed time to prepare bis clothing. He is about seventy-four or seventy-five years of age.“ I offered to show recommendations from various parties as to my husband’ past character. fluey said they bad come for revenge, not for recommendations. They siol: and carried awayDot. He said “peace, and tsked me to open tbe door. I told bim to t push open tbe door, and come in. He be-1 came in and asked me where the wounded man was. I told him I didSTATEMENT HO. 4.E izabeth Jones, wife ot T. M. Jones, says: “About sixty or seventy mcu came to my home on or about tbe 23d day of F« bruary, 1877. Several entered at once. One addressed a Mrs. Walker, who was with me, saying she wa damned b—b who had killed that referring to Lieut. McIntyre, and when she deniand allow her to rot there. They asked her for her husband, and were told that she had had none since the this time I was so affected by fright that I had to be put to bed. I had riven birth to a child only a few days before. After I was a little restored, I told him where tbe dill house was as soon I was asked, and said 11could show hem if I were able. Mrs. Walks' showed them tbe still bouse. They killed five hogt and then left, carrying Mrs. Walker, and leaving her tbree children.STATEMENTH Jihn H. Jones, aged seventy-fjarruary, 1877, there came to my house party of Unittd States deputy marshals, soldiers.de.“At tbe time of their arrival I w absent, la king abont some sheep, found the marshals and soldiers when I returned to my house. I was out to the fence by one Pat Sheridan, be had me now, and that p tor ten years. I asked for hisaulbority for arresting“He answered by cursing ar: ing, and saving I wonld see it time enough. He said be had the authority, and tnai if tep years would not do, that twenty years would settle me. A man by tbe name of Robbie tblt; ’ ‘curse me, and called me ac a b—h 1 aaked bim why I was amoled, and be told me 1 woukl see soon enough- An officer threatened to ] him under guard if be enrsed me a more. 1 was placed by Goodwin charge cf Sheridan, who ordered me to take tbe road, carried off without allowing me to pat on proper clothing—not even to pat on:poeure.I brought butter to camp, whenaaked to do so, and after setting it some o! them, through a negro said to be waiting on Captain Cook, for 12|c. per pound, was cursed by this same negro, and told that thb butter was ;ea with tallow. When told that it i not, he said I was a G—d d—d liar.The result was, I got little or nothing for my butter.”STATEMENT HO. 9.Mr. Elijah Johnson, who lives within three or fonr miles of Mr. Davenport and Mr. Watson, statea almost identically the same with regard to his arrest —being refused a warrant, was tried and acquitted as they have stated; but, in addition, says tbat tbe result of the treatment he received after arrest waa such aa to cause him much Buffem g, from which he has not yet recovered, and which will cause him the loss ol some of his toe nails.”STATEMENT NO. 10.Mrs. Johnson, the wife of Elijah Johnson, says I accompanied mv husband when he was arrested. I was approached inCartersville by a man by the name of A. J. Glenn, of Pickens county, who told me be bad staved all night the night before at Marshal Goodwin’s house, and that for the sum of $200 be could have my husband released, and tbat he 6bould return home. I told bim I did n lt;t have tbe money; but even if I bad, I preferred that he should stand his trial, as I knew that he was not guilty.”STATEMENT HO. 1LI told him I would still not agree to his propoeition, but that I would give him my note for seventy-five dollars to make the settlement. To this he agreed, and I gave him my note for tbe amount—he promising in consideration of that snm to free me of all charge*, in that court, against me. On the next day my case was called, and aa I was leaving the iati Jfr. Goodwin shook me by the hand and said, “Jones von will come clear, there is no proof arreag.nat too.“I was taken before Commissioner Collins, tried and acquitted, and discharged.”“In my agreement with Mr. Day, he was to take charge of my case in the committing court, and carry it through the court in Atlanta. I was to give bim ten dollars tor legal services.STATEMENT HO 12.William Crisp says, under oath: “There came to me in thia, Fannin county, on or about the 21st day of February, of this year, as I was passing through a field near my house, in the company of ladies and children, members of my family, two men representing themselves to be officers of the Uuited States revenue department, one of whom was Robbie.“After asking my name, they told me to consider myself under arrest. Ou asking for what, 1 waa told tbat it did not matter, that I must go to cam p. On my way to that place, I was met by a man ot their party who told me to go about my business. The two baring ms in charge, however, carried me on, and into the presence of Mr. Goodwin,_______ ho I toldihatl had been arrested, and asked him to tell ms on what grounds it was done. Hp answered by telling me that “ none of, my business, and order-_ to a tent where I was placed under guard.“From there I was taken to Morganton—thence to Cartersville, in all, eighty miles, where, alter having been in arre.-t about twelve days, I was tried before 4 committing court, and aa nothing was proven against me, 1 wai discharged.' “From the day of my arrest, until the time of my discharge, no warrant was“I asked Mr. Blacker, a deputy marshal, at Morganton as to my arrest. He asked me where I lived, and when I told him, he said he had no record of my arretLThe treatment I received from the timeof my arrest until my release was rough and unkind.”STATEMENT NO. 13.Bam. Houston Green, nnder oath, sajs: “I was approached on or abont the 5th day of February, 1877, Dy a Mr. Goodwin, a United States revenue officer, at the forks of the road, near James Jones’ house, who told me he had a warrant for mo, and wanted me to go with lifm. I asked him to show me the warrant. He told me he would i in Ellijay. and that that would be enough. He then ordered me off my horse. This was about nineteen mi’es from Ellijay, to which place I walked. I was carried from Ellijay to Cartersville, where. In a day or two, Mr. Day, a lawyer of Pickens county, came to me and told me that for ten dollars he wcold clear me. I refused to pay it, aa I knew there was nothing against me. He came to me again day or two afterwards, and told he had seen the warrant id the names of tbe witnesses agalrst e, and as they irere not there, he conld clear me as 'slick at a whittle.’‘We still tonld not agree. He came again, and told me the witnesses - rrived, but dill be could clear me. ‘Finally I agreed to pay him fifteen dollars to defend both my brother and myself before the commissioners court, and. if necessary, before the court in Atlanta.During this entire time I never saw the warrant against me, nor knew the charge on which 1 wan to be tried.“lily brother and myself were tried, acquitted and discharged. On my way one Broaden told me ne would give me or any one else twenty-five dollars to swear enough against Tuomas Trammell to convict hun.”STATEMENT HO. 14 James M. Patterson under oath says: a citizen of Fannin county, Ga. about the 7tti day of November, there came to my house a min calling himself Mountavel Manchester, who claimed 10 be an United States revenue official, aud said he was from Murphv, in state ot North Carolina. He told be had a warrant for my arrest, but refused to ehow me the same, saying he had the power, and was going to arrest me. He had others with him.never saw the warrant. He took from me one still, two haud saws, one drawing knife, one augur, one keg of singlings. They then carried me to the other side of the river, into tte state of Tennessee. He told me if I would pay him twenty-five dollars he would release me. This I refused to do, but payment of ten dollars—all I had,James M. Jones, of Fannin county, says, under oath: “On or about the 4th day of February of thia year there come to my house some men calling them-■elves United States revenue officer* Among them was a man named Goodwin, and one named John Ralston, who entered my house and inquired as to my whereabouts. On being told that wis in mv bed, he approached me saying tbat he, Goodwin, had a wairant for me. I asked to see the warrant. He said be did not have it with him, but would show it to me at Eitij »y, at which place be promised that I should have a committing triaLI was carried to Ellijay. where I waa kept for two days, and from there was taken to Cartersville, where I waa kept in jail for ten days before I waa given a triaL While in Ellijay 1 waa approached by A. J. Glenn, of Pickens ooonty. who asked me if I wished counsel, and suggested W. T. Day, lawyer of Pickens county, who came to see me in tbe jail at Cartersville a a Thursday morning and aaked me if knew the charges contained in tb warrant against me. I told him I did not; that I had never seen the warrant, or beard it read. He went — telling me he woul-1 see it, acd it dlately told me that he had also tbecamejof tbe witnesses against Bie, and that my case wonld 'sour* right there in case l could not pay monay ; that for one hundred and fifty dollars be could settle the case, aud asked bow much money 1 bad. aitd whs would do. I told him I bad oaly twelve or fifteen dollars, Pul tbat in“ A short time after this I _______tbe road by A. J. Glenn, a citizen Pickens county, (and not a lawyer), who told me I was' the very man he wanted to see; that he bad seen Blscker in Ellijay that morning, and that everything waa all right. He told me to go home and stay; then I should not he interrupted by Blacker. ‘You can/ he said, ‘get out now by paying one hundred dollars, and appearing at court m Cartersville for trial; eayingat the same time that the names on the warrant against me would be erased, and that 1 would be allowed to select any one, or more, as I might choose, to be substituted in their stead. In consideration * this I was to pay him one hundred dollars.“He went to Ellijay, and returned with a list of witnesses who were to appear against me. Those named I saw wonld convict me. I gave him other names of my own selection as witnesses. I paid Glenn the one hundred dollara.‘We then separated-Glenn telliDg i toco home and remain there; that hen I was wanted Blacker would let know. In a few days Blacker notified me in person to appear at Ozr.ers-ville. I went there, and was tried before Commissioner Collins. Only the who were selected by myself! appeared against me, and I was acquitted aud discharged. Deputy Marshall Goodwin, who tcat at my houee, my still and Other things dedroyed, preterit and in the room at the time of my acquittal. When Blacker came to notify me to appear at Cartersville for trial, ■nd just as he was leaving, he called me to bim, and asked the amount I teat to pay Glenn. I told him one hundred dollars.‘About one year from the date of the first visit to my house by these officials, James Findley, a deputy marshal,catne to my house, aud saying that he had a warrant for my arrest, arrested me,and carried me to Dablonega, where wai ving trial, I waa carried to Atlanta, tried before the United Statea diattibt court, plead guilty and waa sentenced to five months imprisonment, and to pay a fine of one hundred dollars. I complied with the sentence of the court.The offense to which I plead guilty, was tame for which I wo* tried at Cartersville, and on which I was acquitted.‘Jack Glenn told me if I ever was convicted, or brought up ou any offense behind the one charge^ in tbe first warrant, he.would give me my money back, and as much' more. He* also at this time—which waa at Cartersville alter my first afcquittal—took another man and my Belt to one side, and told us tbat if we wished to do so, we could return home and continue to distill spirits, on the condition that we wonld pay Blacker and himself ten cents per gallon on all we made; that he had talked with Blacker about it, and that he eaid we would not be disturbed. L never distilled any more.“A few moments after this conversion with (Glenn, we met Blacker, and asked Jhim about it He said we could go on distilling if we wanted to do so; that we should not be disturbed by him or any of hit crowd, as he conld control Atkinson, but that he (Atkinson) rar.ked him. He stated that he had control of Pickens, Gilmer and Fauuiu counties, and that no other officer under his control had the right to make any arrests in these counties.”BTATEMEHT »». 17.Miles Davis, nnder oath, says: “1 am citizen of Gilmer connty, in the state f Georgia. 1 have resided here about for about forty years.“There came to my hoise, abont one year ago lost August, two calling themselves Goodwin Whitmore, claiming to be United Statea revenue officials, and said they had a warrant for my arrest. They proceeded to arrest me and carried me far as Martin Teem’s on the road to II jay. There I left them and return-to my home. A few days afterwards, I was informed by Mr. Jack Glenn, of Pickens connty, tbat my case could be setiled. He informed me that if 1 would go to Cartersville with Milton Holt and others, he could range with Blacker, a deputy marshal, for a settlement of my paying seventy dollars.*T PAID GLENN THE MONEY AT UIBiiodse, and proceeded to Cartersville. Another condition on my payment of the money was that if ever I was brought up for any offense against the revenue laws, committed before that time, the money waa to be returned to“On my arrival in Cartersville, I was tried before Commissioner Collins,. was acquitted I returned home. “About the 28th day of last August, was arrested again by a party, of which James Findley, a deputy United States marshal, was in charge.be released me, telliog’me to appear at Mr. Dickey’s, in Fannin county, for triaL Before the day arrived, he sent me a verbal message by Pleas Ray and others that I need not appear for trial, lie was sick, and tbat 1 need bother more about it. This man was ac-__mpanied by Pleas Ray, Arch Stewart, Bill Stewart, and a man named Rhodes, all of whom, to tbe best of my knowl edge, were not residents of this state. Up to this time I have heard of my case.At the same time these parties visit-m v bouse, they went to the house of my brother-in-law, and in my pres-took from him a yoke ol steers, one wagon, one still, nine bushels of’ set of trace chains. At the______1 paid, I saw him pay themthirty dollars in money. Tbe payment of tbe money was also witnessed by J.*hn Rogers, a citizen of Tennessee. Nothing was afterwards brought up against bim.”STATEMENTJoseph Garrett a*vs: “I am a citizen of Fannin county, Ga., aged 58 years. On or about the last Monday in Febru* ary, 1877, there came to my house ibout one o’clock in the night, a party if men calling themselves revenue officers, and o'dered me out of bed instantly. I asked what it meant. They sa:d tnev had a warraut againt me. I asked what for. They said they did not know, and again ordered me to get ont of bed. I told them tbat I was unable, but they said there was no i who had such a face as I bad, but able to walk. I again asked to feethe warrant, and know what it was for.“Tbey said they supposed it was for illicit distilling. 1 then told them that the doctor said the sore on my leg was a carbuncle. I was then informed tbat since arriving at my house they had learned X was all right.“They arrested a Mr. Wells at my bouse, and carried him off withoutr showingallowing him to get his hat him a warrant.“I ser»ed on the United States court jury two years since, and told them I bad never had anything to do with making whisky in my life.”STATEMENT HO. 16.Milton Holt, under oath, says: *carried to Dahlonega, waived trial and was earned to Atlanta, where I was placed in jail. On the day after my arrival 1 was tried before the United States district court, sentenced to four uonths’ imprisonment and to pay fine of one nundred dollars.“I complied with tbe sentence of the court. The offense for which J wat committed to jail was committed prior to the time of my trial at Cartersville, the tame for which I had paid.STATEMENT NO. 18.A. J. Cole, of Gilmer county, *ays 'About tbe 10th day of November, 1876, ifter being summoned aa a witress before the commissioner’s court at Carters vi lie, and after giving my testimony, a man called C. B. Blacker, and who professed to be a deputy Uuited Bute* marshal, approached me and said be had a warrant for my arrest for violating toe United State- revenue lawa. I told bim I was ready to meet it. I was then app oacbed byT. F. Greer, an attorney at law, wHo asked me what it meant. 1 told bim I was willing to do as others had done, and pay something to get out ot the trouble. He then left the room, and I mu bim talking to Blacker. Me returned, and I gave bim thirty dollars. In a little time I was called in for trial before Commissioner Collin*. I was tried and acquitted. Since that time i have bevn approached tor more money for the Bame tiling, but did not give it.“The money I paid.it waa distinctly understood, waa for the settlement of my ise, and not aa an attorney's fee.” STATEMENT HO. 19.Wm. Bradley, of Pickens county, saya: “In 1873 Iwas informed that there was a warrant against me for violating the internal revenue laws, and that said warrant was in the hands of A. W. Huffman, a Deputy U. IS. Mar-haLHuffman sent me word tbat he held warrant against me, and that for ten dollara ha would destroy it. I sent him tbe money by Samuel Hood, and Hood told me that he saw Huffman destroy the warrantBTATEMEHT HO. 20.Glenn Cowart, of Pickens county, says: “Some time in tbe vear 1873 or 1874, A. W. Hoffman was acting United Statea deputy marshal. He informed me that a nnmber ot warrants against my friends were in his possession, and desired me to see them, and tell them .amountsparties in my county, and that if I would see them and tell them that if they would come and pay five dollars each he would destroy the warrants before turning them over. I saw several parties; they paid five dollars each, and the warren's we-e destroyed.“On retaining lrom Atlanta,Huffman aaid he had succeeded in holding his office, aud that the parties who had failed to pay the fire dollars would now have t o pay hi fly dollars to get their casts sealed. Jasper Fowler paid five dollars;Isaac BurU son paid teienty /tie dollars.and Wheeler paid Jifty dollars.*’STATEMENT NO. 21.John R. Reece, of Pickens county, says: “In the year 18731 was informed that there were warrants againat me and William Akins for violating the United States revenue law in the hands of A. W. Huffman. Huffman sent us word that for twentv-flve dollars each he would settle' onr cases. I went and saw him mvself, and tried to get bim to cat it down some lower. He would not do so, and we sent the money to him by A. W.Davis; we never heard of the warrants any more. I saw him frequently afterwards, but he never eaid anything about holdihg any warrants againstSTATEMENT NO. 22.Sylveatus Harmontree, of Pickens county, saya: “In the year 1874 I was inforned that there was a warrant against me for violating the' U. S. revenue laws, In the hands of A. W.Huffman, as U. 8:‘deputy maislial. I informed by B. M. and Glenn Cowart that for forty dollars I could pick mv witness** and have a trial before Commissioner W. T. Day. I had to sell my steers to B. M. Cowart to raise the money, and ho paid it to W. H. Pinions to pay to Huffman.I then selected my witnesses, had my trial before W. 7. Day, and came clear. I have not heard of the warrant since.”statement no. 23.:Thomas Taylor,' of1 Pickens county, says: “Thera was a varrant againbt me for violating the internal revenue laws ol the United Bute* in the hands of a Mr. Harris, who was said to be an United Statea deputy marshal. I paid, or caused to be paid, the sum of $25 aa a compromise or settlement of the charge, with the express understanding that I was not to be convict-* ~ the charge.”statement no. 24.Samuel L. Taylor, of Pickens coun-aays: “I was charged with a violation of the United States -revenue laws, by a warraut in the hands ef Mi.Whitmore, who was said to be an United States revenue official. I paid, or earned to be paid, the sum of fifiy dollara ou a compromise or settlement of the charges against me, with the diBiiact understanding that I was not be convicted on the charge.“ On Christmas day, 1874,1 met A.Glenn in the road near my residence, and he informed me that there was a warrant against me for the violation of the revenue laws of the Uuited States. He said that CapL Whitmore 1 ad the wareamt,and ihai' I WOUld PAY FIFTY DOLLARS TO HIM,(Glenn) he would pay it over to Whitmore, who would destroy the warrant, and that would end the case.’ refused to do so.”“Several weeks afterwards, Captain Whitmore, aud Captain Huffman came to A. J. Glenn, and Glenn came to Bee me, and told me that they intended to have me if I staid in the land, if I did not pay over the fifty dollara. I then oave Glenn fifty dollars to pay Whitmore. He went to Jasper that day, and met Whitmore there. I did not go. Glenn came and told me he bad paid the money to Whitmore, who said I was now all right and could still if I wanted to.”“I thought I was all right and ri ill a while, but got uneasy about it,■ told Glenn I was going to quit. He told me I bad better pay Captain Blacker so ne more money, and He told me to make five gallous c ky, and send it to bis house for Blacker : tbat then pay Blacker about fiftydollars, and I could run on. 1 sent the j,om Turner, against whom there W^J’ reluscd to ??one.y- a warrant, rhe wagon contained two, 1 «“ H-eonoon .rmltdbr Deputy o£ hi,ky. G. Brough.Man-hal Findley, and earned to Atlao* , deputy UoiteJ Stole, nuurftal, ty. I plead guilty, aud peryed out my h»d it in chirge. Thi. nun Tnmer, time. After I ««s erroited. Gleen othem. purnned Bronghton end hie“• “» Atlanta, .nd roul he h.d ,od wrested the wegon endpaid Findley one hundred and fonr hutST from him. They were tried and dollars for me to get ont. bound over, except Turner. I knowstatement no. 25. nothing of the result of their final triaLB. M. Cowart, of Pickens countv, “ Except this. I know of no instance says: “In tho month of August or recently where there has been any re-Septembtr, 1873, A. W. Huffman was sisUnce to any officer in the execution an United States deputy marshal, and of a warrant, or in the discharge of his he told me he had a good many war- duty. I know of no reason, except rants against parties in mv county— what I have stated, for troops being that he had warrants against tbree of sent to the counties of Gilmer, Fannin, tho Harmontree; that if thev wonld and Pickens.get him np forty dollars, and manage “ I issue warrants npon tho applies-through some friend to have the money tion of a collector, his deputies, or his paid to him, he would destroy the agent, on their subscribing to the pre-irrants, and that would bo au end to acribed oath in such cases provided.-■------ • “ —11 ---’— ’-inally have men, when____ w____ ugbt before me, madehimself, 6ut would take it, though, it known to me that they had not seen second hand, through some friend. their warrants. I never ask any man ‘ He requested roe to receive the if be has seen the warrant against him, money for him. I refused to do so, but have asked theui if they knew what and told him I would have nothing to they were charged with. I have heard do with it. I learned afterwards from W. L. Goodwin instruct his special the parties themselves tLat tbey did detuties nkvehto show a ny warrants, pay the money, and that their cases but to tell the,1-0pn Qi.fflo.l ■'dollars.“Mr. Collins, the United States commissioner in Cartersville, has sold me stills. I think three at one time. I sold one to W. N. Ledford, and one to J. J. Harris, of this connty, and one to Mr. Frix, now living in Pickons.” statement Ho. 28.ireorge B. Chamberlin says “I am an internal revenue agontof the United States government.“My ideas of the causes ofjthe recent arrests made in the county of Gilmer, is that parties in' that county, and ia the counties of Pickens ami Fannin, in this state, have violated the United States revenue laws. The cause of troops being sent there recently was that reports had been made to the department at Washington, that the violations of the law were on the increase, rather than on the decrease. Representations were also made that it was impossible for the civil officers to execute the law in that locality, without protection ot _ the military.These representations were made by me on information given me by officers charged with tbe execution of the law, and trom my own personal observations.“Just prior to sending troops to Gilmer a deputy marahal by tbe name of Goodwin had bis prisoners taken from him by 4 posse of citizens, his own life threatened, and his horse shot. 1 think this occurred in the locality where the troops were sent I do not know of any other direct resistance of officers of tho government, since the killing of Emory. But 1 have been frequently informed by various persons, some of tnem residing in that locality, that it was useless to attempt to make arrests there without the aid of the military.rant for the arrevtof a violator qi the revenue law is for an official to Bwear it out on his own knowledge, or by. in-formatlou given by another. The warrant, aftar being sworn ont, is delivered by the U. 8. ccunmisfeioner to the marahal. who is charged with the execution of the same.“The usual instructions gives are that the warrant shall be tliown, or read, to the man arrestee, unless it is where a man is caught in the act of violating the law. Except the McIntyre case, I know inf no instance where any person has openly resisted authority, other than the oue already mentioned.“There is no way of seining any case, after an arrest has been raade, except by an examination before the prescribed courts, or by compromise on an order from tho secretary of tho treasury.“Any marshal, or deputy, receiving any money or other compensation to settle a esse, or to release a prisoner, before or after a trial, is a violator of tbe law, and subject to a criminal prosecution therefor.“There are so circumstances where any U. 8. official has the right to sell a etiU to anv one, except it be that it has been forfeited to the government, destroyed, and ordered by tho proper authority to be sold as old copper. From ray own observation I believe that the increase in the number of violators of tbe revenue laws has been caused by the prevailing opinion among the masses of the people (in the localities where such violations have taken place) that there would be a change of the administration, and that the law would be repealed, or a pardon would be giveu to the offenders?’ STATEMENT NO. 29.Aaron Collins says: “ I am circuit court commissioner for the northern district of Georgia.“I know nothing to have caused the arrest of citizens in my district recently, except that they hail violated the revenue laws of the United States.“I do not know of any citizen* having resisted the authorities who were arresting them, except in the case of Memory Turner aud others, about two months since. This occurred in Cherokee county, where a wagon taken from some depu- _________thev conld see themwhen they arrived at court in Carters-villr. This was done after some war-Marimon Mo». ot Piokeo, coont,. ot hi.“!■= ''I“ jit7*. Iheaftl -flSSt-B-i procoOor. inrl thi mv court is, to announce order, aak theparties it they ar. ready tor trial, aad United Statre. Afterwards I was in- ,hen call ou the inxrahal for witneBM* formed that I could settle my care with “e“ “TWh.1t. case ia oilo.1, mtd the wit-State? marahal. I then paid to A. P. neeSes azainst the party are examined, Mulleux .fifteen dollara, to be paid to nt! tmtimnnu anSnat'■' ‘ sve ne\______,____ ___. ,I do not know until this day er there was lme omot I never saw it before me recently from Gilmer andotatemeat no. 27. Fannin counties, I do not rememberA. J Glenn wnn dnly qnahded, and now. nny mm askinn to send forwit-0n“lBma‘S;«m ot Picken. connty- “1 know ot no wav of compromising amaboot aixty yeara 01 aue. Bypro- a taae except throogh the proper dmn-icrsion, I am a Jarmer. 1 have never nelaat Waahlngtonctty.State, official, who ia connected with violation of tbe revenue laws of the -- [Tv - - -Ui'i’ed State, government. cUlia, without farther mvcligauoa m‘•I am acquainted with Commiiwioner regard to tbe law. I know of no cases Collins, Deputy Marshals Blacker and of compromise except those made Goodwin. I have never m de any ar- through the channel before mentioned, rangements with the aforesaid officers 1 .^no7 I] .^xn’ for the reliose of anv citizens who have connty. I sold him three stills. I do been arrested for violating the laws. I not knowwho hauled them from my have been paid money by citizens of P-ace* There stills were sold by this and other countiea, to assist them tLe proner revenue officials, after seix-in getting out ot trouble when arreted ure and detraction, a. unlit tor r-for violating the laws. This ia a~ ~ ~'_ answer as I can give for receiving *thirty yeara old; clt;nnty. On or abont one year ago last Augu-1 a party of men, in charge of two men calling themselves Goodwin and Whitmore,claiming to be United States r* venue officials, came to my houee about daylight in the morning, knocked at the door, and it waa opened by * young man who was employed by n on my place. Tbey immediately arrested him and proceeded to the house f a neighbor of mine. On their return they proceeded to my still house acd returned to my bouse again and broke op a number of new barrels «hicb had never contained whisky, rbey procured an ax and went again to mv still bouse, cut up the still, etc. The man arrested was named Ammons, and had never bad anything to with dietiiliog. He was arrested me, and notwithstanding be gaveHer in iHtrternviiie tewuuj. auu iajiu her 1 had staid all night with Goodwin the night before. I did not, to my collection, tell her that for any hud would get her husband released.“I have also received money from Miles Davis and from Fayette Southern.w ^ m ....____________ ______ ______ _________ ___________11 have received money from a Mr.Bur-put on until I reached the jail at Mor- ( could have the witnesses agaiaai | ned to Carteraville, tried and of office; that he held warrants against nett, now deceased; I think about fiftycate would I give more than fifty dol- J right name, (and that they were told lars to make a settlement. He told me1-* *•« t»*«tbat if they would pay certain aitof money, he would settle th. ir .and requested me to receive tbe money from them ou settlement. I did not know what authority he had for settling the cases, bat interested for my friends, I went to them and told them what Huffman had said. One of them came to me, and I went to see Huffman, who told me he could have his care settled frr seventy-five dollars. This was agreed to. Forty dollars * left in i sentt) by him.1“A note for thirty-five dollars was given to Huffman for the balance. The party was to have his trial before W. F. Day, (then an United States com-miaeioner) and to have the privilege of selecting his own witnesses, who could not prove anything against bim. He had bu trial and came clear. Sometime after thia Huffmanbought by me. and afterwards ! sold as above.“The reason I try a man before his itnesaes have been re. from arrest. I hive told men that if would have to hold s number of wvt-they were convicted, I would refund nesses at tbe expense of the govern-tbe money, but I never told any man ment, in care I ,that 1 would refund the money if he *• samziionod land Iwere ever bronght up afterwards for the ,ake down tho tretimony of the name offense government witnesses in writing. I“I know a man by the n me of Mil- testimony »PJe»« to meton Holt, in Gilmer county. I met him sufficient to convict.) commit the P*rty on the road. I don’t recollect that I tried, wi to the privilege of gi ving bond told him I bad ever seen Blacker at *or bta appearance at some fixed tune any time. I never showed bim tbe wben his witoearea will have time to names of any witnesses againat him. wrive. .He never gave me toe names of any statement no. 30.witnesses to be put on the warrant W. L. Goodwin says: “1 am a deputy against him, as I recollect. Layette United States marshal for tbe northern Southern waa with Holt when 1 met district cf Georgia. The cause of the him. Mr. Holt paid me one hundred arrests of cit-zens of this state, recently dollars, to be returned if he did not mgde in the counties of Ljtnnin and come dear. I don't know whether I Gilmer, are, that warrants were placed told him that Blacker wonld call for him in my possession, charging them with when they wanted him at conn or not violating the United States revenue He went to Cartersville with or about The majority of the warrantsthe same tim* as others from whom 1 on wbich I made, or had arrests made, received money on the same conditions dated from, or abont the term of 1875; as from Holt. They were all tried and September, or the March term of 1876. acquitted. I know Mrs. Johnson, wife “Most of the arrests were made inthe night time. I had in . , sion warrants for about four hundred persons in the counties of Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens before the recent arrests were made.“Aoout the month of October or November a man by tbe name of Anglin,
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Atlanta Weekly Constitution
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Tue, May 15, 1877
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USA 03 Mar 2025
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