Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1894 — MOONSHINERS CAPTURED. [ARTICLE]

MOONSHINERS CAPTURED.

Largest Haul Ever Made in Kentucky— Men. Women and Boys. The largest gang of moonshiners that ever left the Big Sandy Valley passed through Ashland, Ky , Monday en route to Louisville, where they will be given early heavings in the United States Court. The crowd was in charge of United States Marshal “Kid ’Greer, cf Johnson County, assisted by a score of deputies, and represented the hauls of two months pa t. In the past six months Greer and his deputies have destroyed thirty-seven separate stills and thousands of gallons of their product, commonly designated “moonshine. ” They have arrested abotit J 25 offenders and spotted numerous others, who will be taken as soon as the opportunity offers. In the capture of the vari us gangs some thrilling work has been done, <wd some narrow escapes experienced. TSevenof Greer s officers are now laid up for repairs at different towns in Floyd and Johnson Counties, while anout" twenty of the moonshiners are also regaining their strength in various up-Sandy jails. These latter will follow their more fortunate lellows to Louisville and to the penitentiary as soon as their condition will permit of a change of quarters. ' In the gang Monday were 106 offenders. Their ages ranged from 15 to 50', and in the degree of their crime the: e was an equal variance. Some of the men have grown old and gray in the business, some had followed it Hut a short while, others had retailed the spirits for the makers, and others had boldly labeled it sorghum, and brought it out by the barrel in push boats. The boys were usually the sons of the old operators, who were Freed into tho work from childhood and literally know nothing else. Several women were also among the lot.