William Murray Moonshiner

The Atlanta Constitution, April 17, 1886.

The Moonshiners Turn Loose Their Artillery

Deputy Collector Chisholm Makes a Narrow Escape in Banks County-He is Fired Upon by an Old-Time Moonshiner-A Wild Night of the Collector

Deputy Collector J. P. Chisholm came near losing his life in Banks county Thursday night.

An old-time moonshiner emptied the contents of his shotgun at him.

Mr. Chisholm left Atlanta Thursday morning to make a raid in Banks county, where he had information that several illegal gin mills were running in that part of the country, and he wanted to lope in and pull in the violators. Upon reaching Gainesville Mr. Chisholm was joined by Deputy Marshal Cape and Strong.

Mr. Cape was with Deputy Marshal Merritt when he was murdered by John Coffee at Lulu [Lula]. The three officers rode horseback to the neighborhood where the stills were reported to be located, one of them being near the home of William Murray. The place was found without much trouble, and the men began to nose around for the still, after having tied their horses in the woods on the hill. Mr. Chisholm found a path and followed it down to a large spring, a few yards from the house of Murray. Looking around carefully the officer discovered a door in the side of the hill by the spring, and he began to open it. While engaged at this he was suddenly stopped by a load of shot falling around him and the report of a gun. Wheeling around he saw the faintest outlines of a man in the door of the house just a little way up the hill.

' Fall back and fire again!' yelled the officer as he made a home run up the hill in the direction of the house.

' Don' t come up here,' commanded the man in the door.

' I just guess I am,' replied the officer, quickening his pace.

In an instant the door closed, just as the officer reached the house. After a time he succeeded in getting the door open, and stepped inside, telling the moonshiner to be careful of there would be shooting from another quarter. ' Now, where' s your liquor?' asked the officer, as the old man placed his gun in the rack over the door.

' Haven' t got any,' was the reply.

' You haven' t?'

' No, I haven' t.'

' Then I will just hunt around here and see if there is any liquor here. I want it. But here, put on your clothes. I don' t like to see men in such airy garments. Where is the liquor?'

' Haven' t got it.'

' I' ll see,' and the officer began a search, but before hustling long, a woman hopped out of bed, and crawling under the bed, drew forth a gallon jug, handed it to him and said;

' By gosh, if yer determined to have the liquor, here it is. Drink your fool head off.'

' That is less than five gallons, and you can keep it. Where did you get it?'

' In town.'

' Who runs that still at the spring?'

' What still?'

' You know what still!'

' Me and the old woman make a little spirits occasionally. Just enough for our own use.'

' What did you want to shoot at me for?'

' Mister, take er drink?'

Mr. Chisholm took Murray and lead him to the spring. With the assistance of his men he managed to open the door, and upon entering found a good still house in the cave. Everything was in working order, but when the officers came out there was little left.

Murray was carried before Commissioner Gaston at Gainesville and gave bond.

The other places were visited and three men arrested.

Mr. Chisholm was in tight quarters but came out all right.

Submitted by: Jacqueline King

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