[Telegram.] ANDREW CLARK, Collector, Atlanta, Ga: TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Washington, December 23, 1879 Letter of 19th received. I wish you and the marshal to enforce the laws with so much vigor in seizing illicit distilleries and arresting offenders and breaking up organized bands that these men will feel that the day of judgment has come. There must be no more suspension of sentences, and the court must be asked to inflict full punish ment. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, SECOND DISTRICT of Georgia, Atlanta, December 23, 1879. SIR: Referring to the subject-matter of my letter of 19th imstant, giving some account of armed resistance to my officers in Cherokee County on 16th instant, I desire to submit the following information since received from strictly reliable sources. It appears that after leaving Marietta, where they came to intimidate the liverystable keeper, and to search for guides, whom they proposed to murder if found, the outlaws proceeded to the residences of the witnesses of whom they were in pursuit. Stationing a part of their force in the road, with instructions to fire upon any one approaching without halting them, the others proceeded to ransack the homes of the witnesses, with pistols cocked and uttering oaths and threats of violence against the men. They thrust their pistols, cocked, with finger upon trigger, into the breasts of quiet, peaceable citizens, men and women alike, demanding the production of the witnesses, whom they swore "should never reach Atlanta alive to testify for the G-d d-n revenue department." Meanwhile the witnesses, aided by the darkness, eluded their would-be assassins and fled to a neighboring swamp, in which they are, at this writing, known to be concealed to save their lives. The outlaws are picketing the public roads and woods and watching every ferry to prevent the witnesses from obeying the summons of the United States court. In the mean time, the law-breakers have sworn out civil warrants on some trumpedup charge against these witnesses in order to improve their chances for obtaining possession of them before they reach Atlanta. I have been quietly and earnestly at work upon the matter, and on yesterday succeeded in obtaining warrants for thirteen of the outlaws, four of whom (ringleaders, too) are now in custody of the United States officials. This morning I dispatched my most trusted deputies to the scene of these outrages for the purpose of determining the steps best to be taken for the relief of the beseiged witnesses. Major Wagner is still here, and is aiding me materially in enforcing the law. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner, &c, Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. P. S. Since closing this letter the witnesses have arrived, in charge of an escort, having lain concealed eight days in the woods and swamps, surrounded and pursued by the illicit distillers. I shall be obliged to keep them employed and concealed in some other part of the district until they have an opportunity to give in their testimony.-A. C. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., December 31, 1979. Deputies report seizure of two illicit rum and four grain distilleries, two 1orses, Wagon, ten gallons spirits, and destruction of large quantities of beer, mash, and spirits material also. Affairs in district unchanged and outlaws still defiant. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, Atlanta, January 1, 1880. SIR: Two guides have returned from north of the mountains, but, I am sorry to say, they bring no information upon which to procure warrants. They report the lawbreakers as thoroughly organized, well armed, and determined to resist all efforts to suppress them. Both the marshal and United States assistant attorney Darnell agree with me that every means to obtain warrants should be exhausted before sending in a strong force to overcome the conspirators. If I can by any means get the same hold upon the outlaws in Towns, Union, and Rabun Counties which I now have upon the Cherokee conspirators, we can reasonably hope for permanent results. Otherwise, our efforts must soon prove comparatively futile. I am certain that nothing satisfactory could be accomplished by an armed movement at this particular juncture, as such a course would inevitably result in bloodshed and probably loss of life. And while a sound thrashing might convince the law-breakers of the potency of the government to enforce the law, these results on the one hand would not, in my judgment, compensate for the expense and very probable loss of life on the other. I have, therefore, concluded that it is my duty first to procure warrants, if possible, for all parties engaged in the recent outrages, and then furnish any number of armed and determined men to enable the marshal to serve them at all hazards, thus ridding the country of these pests at the same time we destroy their stills. Failing in this, it is my firm purpose to make a vigorous effort to overcome this flagrant defiance to law and order with armed force. The marshal has in his hands a few old warrants for persons residing in the lawless sections, but most of these were issued by United States Commissioner James P. Harrison, at Dahlonega (to whom I have referred in previous correspondence), on trivial charges which could not probably be sustained; and the marshal does not, therefore, deem it expedient to attempt an expedition with warrants of this class, but advises awaiting developments which may lead to the issuance of warrants for the conspirators as a whole. I will be thankful for any suggestions from you upon this subject. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner, &c., Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. P. S.-Revenue Agent Wagner is now in the mountains trying to procure information upon which to procure warrants, and I am giving these matters my undivided attention. A. C. [Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., January 3, 1880. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner of Internal Revenue: I have just seized three head of stock and wagon removing illicit whisky; two illicit distilleries; destroyed about 4,000 gallons of mash and beer; arrested operator of stills after meeting with armed resistance. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF INTERNAL Revenue, SIR: I have yours of the 1st instant, and have given the same personal consideration. I appreciate the difficulties of the situation in your district, and approve the caution manifested by you in your preparations against illicit distillers and resisters of officers. While it is necessary to have warrants before making an attempt to arrest those who have resisted our officers, if you find that you cannot procure the necessary evidence to identify the parties so as to enable you to have the proper affidavits made for warrants there will be no reason for the abandonment of operations against illicit distillers who are known to be engaged in running their stills, and if you have sufficient evidence to warrant the belief that any considerable number of illicit distilleries are now being operated, I think it advisable to organize a sufficient force to enable you, without the probability of resistance, to make all seizures and arrests, and obtain the services of deputy marshals to accompany you in the movement. I wish you to thoroughly police all the illicit distilling counties with a force sufficiently large to deter resistance, and seize all the illicit distilleries that are to be found, and arrest all the illicit distillers that are known to be guilty of frauds. While I fully concur with you in the opinion that you will not receive proper support from the district attorney, I am not willing that that fact shall paralyze the efforts of internal revenue officers. We must do our duty whether others perform theirs or not; and we must trust to the creation of a proper public sentiment by enforcing the laws honestly and faithfully and with moderation and courage; and if it is necessary to send out a hundred deputy collectors for this purpose, I am prepared to make you the necessary allowances to pay them. The laws and law officers must not be overborne and remain so, but we must go forward and collect the revenues and bring violators of the law to punishment. You are at liberty to show this letter to the marshal if you see proper to do so. Very respectfully, ANDREW CLARK, Collector, Atlanta, Ga. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, SECOND DISTRICT of Georgia, Atlanta, January 8, 1880. SIR: I inclose herewith copy of a letter from Deputy Collector Shepard, from which you will see that another mountain county has an armed organization to protect illicit distillers. Warrants have been procured for a large number of men in this county, and I have a strong force about ready to move to support the marshal in serving the warrants. I have found great difficulty in securing horses and such men as will perform the service satisfactorily, and I now believe that I shall be compelled to pay not less than $4 per day for good men, who will mount themselves and pay their own expenses. Again, I am compelled to employ my force at several different points entirely remote from the infested districts, as persons near by will neither hire stock nor work, much less fight, for me. It will take not less than forty picked men to do the work in contemplation, and the indications are that it will require about ten days in each of the counties of Rabun, Towns, and Union, exclusive of the time necessary to rendezvous the force and reach the work. It may also occur that after reaching the North Carolina line the passage of the mountains may be attended with greater difficulties and consume more time than I now expect. Under all these circumstances I feel assured that the funds on hand will be insufficient to meet the expenses of the trip, and I therefore ask that an additional allowance of $3,000 be made me in order that I may be able to meet any emergency. I regret very much feeling compelled to make such a request, but I feel that the step is fully warranted by the dreadful situation of affairs in my district. I earnestly desire to accomplish permanent results, and without unnecessary sacrifice of life or useless expenditure of money; and to do this I must employ strong and efficient force, and take plenty of time about the work. I remark, in conclusion, that the press notices regarding our movements which occasionally appear operate to the detriment of our plans, and we find it absolutely necessary, in order to succeed, that the strictest secrecy be observed. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner, &c., Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. P. S.-If there is a prospect of an additional allowance, please telegraph me so that I can act accordingly. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, DEPUTY COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, SIR: I have just received reliable information from Rabun County, as follows: In the forks of Tullulah and Chattorga Rivers a like organization exists, and they purchased, day before yesterday, twelve pounds of buckshot and six pounds of powder. We should act promptly. SIR: Referring to your letter of the 8th instant, in relation to operations against illicit distilleries in Rabun, Towns, and Union Counties, I have concluded to make this a co-operative movement on the part of Collectors Brayton, Mott, and yourself in the border counties of each district. You are authorized to expend a sum not exceeding $2,000 for this purpose. I have directed Collectors Brayton and Mott to send a force of ten or fifteen reliable men to such points as you may indicate in counties of their respective districts bordering upon yours, and at such time as you may fix. The parties in each district should arrange to communicate with each other before entering upon the work, and each party should support the other in the bordering counties. If necessary the deputies in charge of each party may be specially authorized to act in either district, and thus secure to the movement a combined force. You will at once communicate with Collectors Mott and Brayton, and arrange all the details, fix definitely the time and place where the parties are to rendezvous, and let there be no mistake about it. I wish the localities referred to to be thoroughly policed, and the movement to be so vigorous that all the illicit stills can be seized, and the force should be so strong as to overcome all resistance without bloodshed. Take every precaution possible to avoid failure. Respectfully, ANDREW CLARK, Esq., GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner. Collector Second District, Atlanta, Georgia. Use the telegraph in communicating with the other collectors, so as to expedite matters.-G. B. R., Commissioner. [Telegram.] TREASURY DEPARTMENT, ANDREW CLARK, Collector, Atlanta, Ga. : Letter of 8th received. Instructions sent you by mail. Await them before action. Two thousand dollars allowed. Have ordered Collectors Brayton and Mott to cooperate. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner. [Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., January 12, 1880. I have called on Collector Brayton to know how many mounted men he can send to Clayton, in Rabun County, and how long it will take them to reach Clayton, and from what point they will start. When I get this information I can make connection. In the mean time I will pass a force north of the Blue Ridge into Blairsville, Union County, to remain there until the force reaches Rabun County. I will telegraph Collector Mott, but think he is almost too far off to render immediate assistance, and I think I can, with Collector Brayton, succeed. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. [Telegram.] ANDREW CLARK, Collector, Atlanta, Ga.: TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Expenses of yourself and deputies can be paid only by an allowance. Render an accurate account of expenses incurred by yourself and each of your deputies during operations against illicit distillers, and I will act with liberality. Observe economy. Push operations vigorously. Collector Brayton's force at Walhalla yesterday, and ready to co-operate. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner. [Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., January 14, 1880. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: I have heard from Jillson, and to my surprise he says he cannot start from Walhalla until next Monday, on Collector Brayton's letter. I sent a force to Toccoa to-day, but I cannot use them successfully unless they start to-morrow in order to connect with the force that left Atlanta last night for north of the mountains. I now suggest that, as Jillson cannot make the time, I dismiss the men in Toccoa until next Monday, and then go into Rabun with Jillson. This will not disarrange the movements of the men that left Atlanta last night, as they can take care of their work. Answer at Toccoa at once. [Telegram.] ANDREW CLARK, Collector. ANDREW CLARK, TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Collector Internal Revenue, Toccoa City, Ga.: Telegram received. Dispose of your force and conduct your operations as you think best, but push your work vigorously. Secure the co-operation of other collectors if possible. Do not let the movement prove a failure, even if you are not supported by Brayton and Mott. You are on the spot and can best judge what to do. Go ahead. H. C. ROGERS, Acting Commissioner. ANDREW CLARK, [Telegram.] TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Collector Internal Revenue, Toccoa City, Ga.: Brayton is here. He has telegraphed Jillson to start whenever you desire it, and has directed him to so inform you by telegraph. You may be able now to carry ont original plans, but do as you think best. If further instructions in regard to Brayton's force are necessary, telegraph here. H. C. ROGERS, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: [Telegram.] Toccoa, GA., January 15, 1880. Your two telegrams received. I will go ahead. When Deputy Jillson telegraphed me from Seneca City I asked where I could communicate with him, but get no answer. I learn through operator he has gone twenty miles beyond and into the country, my tel |