Friday, September 20, 2019

Big Raids Against Moonshiners in Catawba County, Sept. 20, 1919

From The Hickory Daily Record, Sept. 20, 1919

Big Raids Pulled Off in County

Sheriff Isenhower and his deputies this week have been making progress in the destruction of blockade stills, thanks to considerable help from law-abiding citizens of the county. Including the big outfit Deputy Collector Jones, Deputy Sheriff Kennedy and Chief of Police Lentz destroyed below Newton four rather large outfits have been rooted out by the officers.

The last raid last night when Sheriff Isenhower, Deputy Sheriff J.O. Gilbert, Policeman Tom Gilbert of Newton, and Mr. C.R. Brady of Conover paid a visit to the Catfish neighborhood near John Huffman’s, and returned with a 75-gallon copper still, 1 ½ gallons of liquor, and the complete still outfit, and poured out 250 gallons of beer. Three men were found at the still and they took to their heels, the officers after them. Shots were fired at the moonshiners, but they escaped. It was stated today that these three operators are known and will be arrested.

On Tuesday night Deputy Sheriffs J.O. Gilbert and Hub Sigmon made a raid five miles above Hickory and destroyed 500 gallons of beer, together with the still.

Thursday at noon Sheriff Isenhower and Deputies Sigmon and Gilbert again went on the still path and poured up a 75-gallon outfit and poured out 250 gallons of beer. The operators had departed.

The people of Catawba county have in their power the sheriff said today to eliminate every blockading outfit and to keep the community free of moonshining. All is required is assistance. Most people know when anything is wrong in their neighborhoods and if they will communicate with the officers there will be action.

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