Madison, July 17—His pugnacious desire to shoot it out with officers when surprised at a still near Sandy Ridge Thursday morning almost cost Sam Wilkins, well known Stokes county man, his life; for in the gun battle thus started, Wilkins was shot in the head, face and shoulders by some of the officers, who used a shot gun, according to reports brought here by the officers themselves.
Federal Deputies Hendrix and Kennedy and Rockingham county Deputies Joyce and Farrar composed the raiding party and had found and surrounded the still when the shooting started, it is said. Two men with Wilkins, it is reported, took to their heels and made their escape when the officers approached but Wilkins opened fire with a big 38 caliber pistol and was making it hot for the raiders when suddenly stopped by a well aimed shot from one of the officers.
Even after being wounded, Wilkins, it is said, retained his pugnacity refusing to lay down his gun until one of the officers threatened to shoot him again. The blockader is said ot have fired at several of the officers in succession from behind a big poplar tree and to have been shooting at Officer Hendrix when wounded.
Wilkins was brought here after the shooting for medical attention and then carried to a Greensboro hospital. His wounds are not expected to prove fatal. He is said to have had a record as a violator of the prohibition laws.
From the front page of the Danbury Reporter, Wednesday, July 22, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068291/1925-07-22/ed-1/seq-1/
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