them with highway robbery, and ten men were sent in pursuit of the seizing party to serve these warrants, and when in sight fired on them, wounding the deputy marshal's horse. They then took into custody the seizing party and the property, but I hope to recover the property and have the parties engaged in this highhanded outrage punished, and to that end I have had warrants issued for every one engaged in it, and will have the parties now in arrest by State authorities released under writ of habeas corpus. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, ANDREW CLARK, Collector. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, SIR: I have the honor to report that a detachment sent out last night arrested fourteen distillers and destroyed five distilleries, with large quantities of material prepared for distillation. Since the 4th instant my forces have arrested 56 distillers, seized and destroyed 26 distilleries, and upwards of 25,000 gallons of beer, mash, low wines, &c,, and one pair mules and wagon. SIR: In addition to former reports, I have the honor to report the arrest of 12 more distillers, the destruction of 5 more distilleries, and the seizure of one pair horses and wagon, in Haralson County. Also the arrest of 14 more men and the destruction of 3 more distilleries in counties of Fannin and Gilmer. Since the 4th instant, the commencement of my present operations, 84 arrests have been made, 33 distilleries destroyed, and one pair of mules and one pair of horses and two wagons seized. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, GEO. B. CHAMBERLIN, Revenue Agent. Commissioner Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, DEAR SIR: I have just returned from Gilmer County, where I have been operating for the past ten days. We have done some effective service in Gilmer County, and if it were not for the unfortunate occurrence which resulted in the death of Lieutenant McIntyre I would regard the raid as being a great success. The detachment sent with me to Gilmer County have made seven seizures, destroyed 25 distilleries, and arrested 40 illicit distillers. I have also sworn out 131 additional warrants. The circumstances connected with the death of Lieutenant McIntyre are as follows: On the night of the 10th instant our party visited the locality known as the Frog Mountains, and at 2 o'clock a. m. Lieutenant McIntyre, one soldier, and three deputy marshals entered the house of one Jones, for the purpose of arresting him; not finding him in the house, they took seats in front of the fire to warm themselves, while the balance of the detachment were in the mountain looking after an illicit distillery. The house which Lieutenant McIntyre and party occupied was surrounded by about 30 illicit distillers, part of their force entering the house and commenced firing on the troops and government officers. The lieutenant was shot through the heart and fell dead instantly. Our men were then compelled to retreat to the mountains, leaving the body of Lieutenant McIntyre in possession of the attacking parties. Both parties remained within hearing distance of each other until daybreak, when a messenger was sent to Captain Cook, commanding the troops at Ellijay, for re-enforce ments. The re-enforcements arrived at about two o'clock, when a sharp firing commenced between the troops and illicit distillers. As soon as the illicit distillers withdrew from their position, we recovered the body of Lieutenant McIntyre; but found that he was robbed of his watch, pocket-book, and every thing of value that he had about him. His body was then sent to the post at Ellijay, where a coroner's inquest was held, and the jury rendered a verdict that the deceased had come to his death by a bullet fired from a gun in the hands of an unknown person. The remains of the lieutenant were then forwarded to his family at Atlanta, Ga. I sent a telegram to the office at Centreville, notifying you of his death. I also reported the facts to Collector Clark and Revenue Agent Chamberlin. I am now of the opinion that our force is not sufficient to suppress the illicit distilling in this district. I have but ten government horses with my detachment, and they are worn out, and must have three or four days' rest before we commence operations again. I am taking the best possible care of the stock and my detachment, but in order to capture stills it requires prompt action, as many of them are removed just before we get to the distillery. If we had twice the number of horses our work would be much more effective. I find that the illicit distillers receive most of their encouragement from the parties operating these small registered distilleries. They purchase all the blockade whisky they can get, and sell it as their own whisky, from a package in their retail room which is filled up from time to time with illicit whisky. I should like to have a personal interview with you in relation to the frauds in this district. I could better explain the existing troubles, and would no doubt be able to make some suggestions that would be of advantage to the service. Revenue Agent Chamberlain has ordered his detachment to Gilmer County, and he will leave for Ellijay to-morrow morning. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, THOS. J. GRIMESON, Revenue Agent. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, SIR: I have the honor to report that a small detachment sent out last night into Haralson County arrested five distillers and destroyed two distilleries. I shall now operate for a while in the counties of Murray, Cherokee, Gilmer, and Fannin, and after I clean out the murderers and distillers in that section will turn my attention to the counties bordering on Carolina. My first efforts will be to capture the murderers of Lieutenant McIntyre, which I hope to do within the next ten days. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. B. CHAMBERLIN, Revenue Agent. Commissioner Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Ga., March 6, 1877. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of my operations against the illicit distillers of Northeastern Georgia since the 2d instant, to wit: On Friday, March 2, at 1 o'clock p. m., left this place, accompanied by a detachment of fourteen mounted infantry, under command of Lieut. James Miller, of the Second Infantry, a deputy United States marshal, deputy collector, and guides. Arrived at Dawsonville, Dawson County, at 7 o'clock p. m., same day; there took supper, fed and rested stock for one hour, then proceeded to field of operations. Divided the forces and raided Dawson County in various directions during the night; arrested nine distillers and destroyed four distilleries, also found several distillery shelters from which stills had but recently been removed. Returned to Dawsonville at sunrise of the 3d, rested until 3 o'clock p. m., then saddled up and set out for a raid into Forsyth and Cherokee Counties. During Saturday night and Sunday morning arrested twenty distillers and destroyed ten distilleries; returned to Dawsonville on Sunday uight, after a long march of about 60 miles. One of the persons arrested in Forsyth County was the famous guerilla chief and bushwhacker Harrison Barker, who has for a long time been the terror of all civil officers of the government in this section. On Monday morning, March 5, we left Dawsonville, arriving here about 3 o'clock p. m., having been out for three days; traveled about 120 miles, arrested 30 persons for various violations of the revenue laws, and destroyed 15 distilleries, with large quantities of beer, mash, wort, &c. During my absence on above raid other scouting parties, operating from here in different directions, arrested 29 distillers and destroyed 6 distilleries. In addition to this work, 18 distillers, tired of being hunted down, and fearing arrest and punishment, voluntarily came to this place from a long distance and surrendered themselves to the deputy marshals. The opinion is spreading that it is useless to longer resist the enforcement of the United States laws; the vigorous operations now being prosecuted are having a wonderfully good effect, and if they are continued, as of course they must be, but little time will elapse before large numbers of registered distilleries will be in operation throughout this district, and the money now being expended for the suppression of illicit distillation will flow back into the Treasury tenfold. A few more telling blows, such as have already been struck, are all that is necessary to produce the desired result and add immensely to the revenue. Since I commenced operations here, on the 1st instant, 65 persons have been arrested, 21 distilleries and upwards of 30,000 gallons of beer and mash have been destroyed, and 18 distillers have voluntarily given themselves up. There will be no cessation in my operations. I propose to see that the laws are enforced. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. B. CHAMBERLIN, Revenue Agent. Commissioner Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Ga., March 8, 1877. SIR: I have the honor to report that since my report of the 6th instant 23 distillers have come in and voluntarily surrendered themselves, making a total of 83 distillers arrested and surrendered since I came here on the 1st instant. As no further arrests are to be made, I shall mount a full company of infantry and travel from county to county, destroying all stills wherever I discover them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. GEO. B. CHAMBERLIN, Revenue Agent. SIR: I inclose herewith the Constitution, a daily paper published in this city, containing some resolutions passed by the citizens of Fannin County; also a copy of a letter from me to the signers of these resolutions. I have determined to appoint the eight special deputies from among these people, regardless of their politics, first getting the recommendation of the representative men in the sections infested with illicit distillers. I have tried every other means in my power to get the support of the press and State officials, but have signally failed. I am well aware that it would go far towards breaking up illicit distilling if the press and State officers would plainly tell these law-breakers that henceforth no apologies would be made for their violations of law, and that if they were arrested the law abiding citizens would not go upon their bonds in order to relieve them, but on the contrary the government would be fully sustained in enforcing the law. I shall continue, as in the past, to use my regular deputies to obtain information, which will be sent to these extra deputies, they at the same time receiving in every way possible my full support. I shall call upon the county and State officials to give the promised support when asked so to do by the deputy collectors. I have the promise of leading men connected with temperance organizations to furnish me with information against illicit distillers, as well as men appointed to enforce the laws. I will, as soon as possible, report the names of the eight extra deputies; but I find that the "good citizens" are inclined to differ as to who should be appointed. In conclusion, I wish to say that all charges, either direct or implied, against my deputies are utterly groundless. I have, without a single exception, sober, honest men, who are above reproach in their respective communities; and if the extra deputies do not prove to be good men, I shall remove them at once. But, on the other hand, should the people give me the promised support, and these deputies prove equal to the emergency, I shall frankly admit it. Very truly and respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. In March, 1877, through the efforts of prominent citizens of Georgia, who gave assurances that if executive clemency should be extended to persons complained of for illicit distillation, they would thereafter desist from their illicit practices, and obey and respect the revenue laws, President Grant granted amnesty for past offenses to all such illicit distillers in the judicial district of Georgia who should come into court and plead guilty to the offense charged. Under this act of executive indulgence 792 persons charged with illicit distilling and other violations of internal-revenue law were discharged by the court. It soon became apparent that the evil was not remedied, and that stills were being operated illicitly throughout the district, notwithstanding the assurances given and the clemency extended by the government. During the months of April, May, and June, 1877, 26 stills were seized. The resistance to the enforcement of the laws continued as before. About this time I understand it was urged, I know it was hoped, that concession of the appointment of a Democratic United States marshal would mitigate the opposition to the observance and the enforcement of the laws. Illicit distillers, however, when put to the test, resisted, bushwhacked, and shot Democratic and Republican officers with rigid impartiality. Their opposition to a whisky tax was too deep-seated, and had been encouraged by too much political discussion condemning this tax, to give way to the presence of a Democratic marshal and his deputies. The resistance to the marshal's force in Georgia has been quite as persistent since 1877 as before, and but recently, on the 20th instant, Deputy Marshal Bolton, in attempting to arrest an illicit distiller named Norton, in Milton County, was forcibly resisted by Norton and several of his companions, who fired upon the deputy marshal's party. A desperate fight ensued, and the arrest of Norton was not effected until one of the assailants was shot and Norton knocked down. I give the following extracts from reports received at this office from the collector of the second district of Georgia of resistance to marshal's force during the term of office of the present marshal: In Campbell County, in the latter part of January, 1877, the marshal's posse were assaulted in the public highway by illicit distillers, two horses were killed, and a guide badly wounded. In February, 1878, a deputy marshal who had made some arrests in Pickens County was attacked in a house in which he had stopped over night, and forced to release the prisoners who were then in his custody. In September, 1878, Deputy Marshal Lumsden and posse, while attempting to arrest illicit distillers named Ennis, in Hancock County, were assaulted, one of the posse was killed, and another dangerously wounded. In December, 1879, Deputy Marshal Robinson's posse was attacked by a body of armed illicit distillers in the High Tower Mountains, and were forced to release an illicit distiller named Berong whom he had arrested on a warrant. The following correspondence will give information as to the operation of this bureau touching the enforcement of the internal-revenue laws since March, 1877, in said district: 1877. Synopsis of correspondence. December 28. Collector Clark reports condition of affairs in his district in respect to illicit distillation. December 29. Collector Clark reports seizure of stills and armed resistance by illicit distillers. 1878. January 7. Collector Clark reports determined resistance by illicit distillers; states that his officers have been fired upon. January 28. Collector Clark reports rescue from the marshal's force of one of his guides and the shooting of him by illicit distillers. February 5. Letter from Commissioner of Internal Revenue to Collector Clark, directing him to take measures to overcome all resistance to his officers. February 18. Collector Clark reports that his officers have been attacked by illicit distillers. April 26. Collector Clark reports the rescue of property seized, by armed men in Franklin County. April June July 1879. 30. Letter from Commissioner of Internal Revenue to Collector Clark, directing him to take measures to recover property forcibly taken from officers and to enforce the law at all hazards. 3. Report of Collector Clark of illicit distilleries seized and persons arrested. 13. Letter from Commissioner of Internal Revenue to Collector Clark, instructing him to encourage the establishment of legal registered distilleries with a view to suppressing illicit distillation. January 20. Collector Clark reports acts of resistance to his officers by armed bodies of men in his district. January 25. Letter from Commissioner of Internal Revenue to Collector Clark, informing him that an appropriation is expected to be made which will enable him to resume operations in his district. January 29. Collector Clark reports attack upon his force by armed men in Cherokee County and the shooting of three of his officers. February 15. Collector Clark reports the arrest upon State warrant and persecution of a person who had guided his officers to illicit distilleries. February 21. Collector Clark reports seizures of stills during the month and a fight with the illicit distillers in Rabun County. March 6. Letter of Commissioner of Internal Revenue to Collector Clark, as to plan of operations for the suppression of illicit distillation in his district. March June July 12. Collector Clark reports the shooting of one of his guides in Rabun County. 13. Collector Clark sends report of persons killed and wounded and outrages committed against internal-revenue officers and employés while in the performance of their duty. 18. Collector Clark reports an attack upon a citizen in Pickens County by illicit distillers who supposed he had given information against them. |