The Sept. 11, 1879 Glasgow Times had a more complete version of the shootout with moonshiners. This occurred near Bewleytown, at a spring branch of Dry Creek. Jim Ashford was from Allen county, but Willie Carver was a native of the Tracy area. PISTOL AGAINST SHOTGUN ------------------ Jim Ashford and Willie Carver Killed by J. A. Ray Our issue of last week contained but a meagre account of the terrible fight in Tracey precinct, between United States officers and moonshiners. This was unavoidable on account of the late arrival of the news and the thousand-and-one conflicting reports in circulation. The following, as near as we are able to gather, are the correct particulars. For some time past there has been much complaints from citizens of the neighborhood where the killing occurred concerning the distilling of whisky in their midst. It was a source of great annoyance and trouble, as even some of the boys were beginning to drink heavily. In this state of affairs, complaint was made, and this complaint reached the ears of Mr. J. A. Ray, Deputy Internal Revenue Collector stationed at Burksville, who thereupon determined on its suppression. Tuesday of last week, Mr. Ray, accompanied by two other men, went down into the Tracey country, and began a look-out for the moonshine. When near the place where the still was supposed to be situated they came upon a negro cabin, and fearing some one might leave the house and give the alarm, one of the men was left to guard the cabin and the horses, while Mr. Ray and by the name of Brannun prosecuted their search. Just after they had dismounted and gone forward, the man in charge of the horses says ! that he saw a fellow with a large, bushy beard skulking in the bushes, who, immediately on finding himself discovered; slipped off. It is supposed he carried the news of the officers' approach to the moonshiners, as a man answering this description was seen by Mr. Ray at the still. In the meantime, Mr. Ray and Mr. Brannun pushed on through the woods, and very suddenly came up in front of a cleared spot of ground, beyond which the still was situated. When they arrived at this point, there were several - a half-dozen or more - men standing around the door of the distillery. The two government men proceeded across the clearing, to a fence on the other side, near which the moonshiners were standing. As they approached a sullen silence was maintained, until clambering the fence, when Brannun called out, "Good evening, gentlemen." The second after, Jim Ashford, one of the owners of still, was seen bringing a shot gun to bear on the fence, when Ray and Brannun drew their pistols j! ust as Ashford fired. The muzzle of his gun was thrust almost against the forms of his antagonists, and the smoke of the discharge blackened their faces, but strange to say neither of the two men was hurt, although several shots passed through Ray's clothes. Mr. Ray fired almost at the same time, the ball from his pistol striking Ashford in the right side. Ashford sprang behind a tree, and exposed his left side as he leaned around the tree again taking aim at Mr. Ray, who thereupon shot him in the left side, sending the bullet almost squarely through his heart. Ashford fell forward - dead. Another man, who afterwards proved to be Willie Carver, had also opened fire on the officers, which Mr. Ray returned, shooting Carver twice, and mortally wounding him by a shot in the bowels. While all this was going on, Brannun was exchanging shots with another man, but owing to his pistol being of the old powder and cap kind, it hung fire and neither he nor the moonshiner had been hurt. Mr. Ray's attention being at last unengaged, he turned to Brannun's re! lief, when the man at whom they both fired, dropped his gun and fled. It is thought he was slightly wound in the leg. After the field was thus cleared, the officers hastily gathered together the guns of the moonshiners who had fallen and fled, and fearing that they would be attacked in overwhelming numbers, left. As they were riding off, they caught sight of the third fellow shot, lying in a fence corner, but as pursuit was anticipated, it was determined best not to encumber themselves by the arrest of wounded man. Jim Ashford, who was first killed, was regarded by all who knew him, as an utterly unprincipled, reckless sort of a man, more of bully, however, than a man of courage. He has figured very extensively, in government circles during the past year or two, as an informer and piloter of the U. S. officers and a witness against moonshiners in the Federal Court, and on his testimony several have been convicted. He has been in the illicit distilling business for some time past, and, it is said, had announced his intention of never being taken by the officers. Willie Carver was a young man of family above the average, and is spoken of as a good hearted, clever fellow, who paid the penalty of his only fault with his life. He was led off by Ashford, and gradually worked into the moonshine business. He died, on Wednesday of last week, the next day after being shot. Strange to say, nothing has ever been heard of the third man shot, although the officers are very certain three were wounded. It is probable that he got only a flesh wound, and is but too glad to conceal the part which he took in the affair. Ashford's body lay upon the ground where he was killed until next day, when he was hauled off and buried. Immediately after his body was removed, the fires were again lighted and the still put in operation, continuing to run until Constable Beam levied on it for some of the debts of Ashford. Nothing has since been done regarding the affair, not even an investigating trial being held. There is a very strong impression here that the officers acted only in self-defense - that it was kill or be killed. Mr. Ray, who is brought forward so prominently by this fight, is spoken of a cool, quiet, but fearless man, not in the least inclined to shirk his duty, whatever the consequences may be. He has behaved himself in a manner entirely different from the bullying conduct of the Deputy Marshals who were here some year or two ago, and is represented by those who have known him longest and best as a gentleman. He came into town after the killing, and declared himself ready for any sort of investigation which might be made. He then left for his home in Burksville, stating that at the first legal steps taken in the matter he would return and stand his trial. The whole affair was very unfortunate and much to be regretted, but in the light of testimony from both sides, seems to have been a battle for life, in which the quickest trigger and the surest aim won. >From the Glasgow Weekly Times, Sep. 11, 1879 ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx