Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-02-03
A DISTILLERY DEN.
Making Wild Cat whisky in the Gave of
North Alabama Mountain-The Story

| |
| One of the most interesting localities
in North Alabama is the mountain re-
gions of Marshall and De Kalb Coun-
ties. It has become SO on account OF
the character of the citizens. Of this
section the most notorious and best
known locality is the Sand Mountain IL
De Kalb County. The people in this
section are far behind the happy ele-
ments of civilization which surround
their neighbours. Here the women do
most of the work, while the men MAKE
all the illicit whisky they can. A
stranger is looked on as natural enc
my and oneis eyed with suspicion. IN
this vicinity of the mountain some
farm, but the height of a mans amhl-
ton is to secure a calf. This animal
he buys for one dollar The calf is fed
on salt and what ferns he can eat on
the mountain side. When old enough
he is sold for six dollars. This in
creases his stock until he has enough
for market. He sells out and ends it
in a spree. The sand-splitter hog Is
another popular animal of this local.
ty. 1t is the toughest specimen of the
pork tribe.
The visit to an illicit still was under
an oath characteristic Of the mountain
eer, which was sacred and binding. 1t
was about two miles in the mountains,
away from any settlement. The
distance was travelled on the back of
q mountain colt. After following q
narrow beaten track through bushes,
over rocks, down hillsides, across
ravines and through mountain passes,
q point of a precipice was reached.
My companions pointed to the depths
below and told me to watch certain
spot. A blue curl of smoke arose
going to visit. Then down the narrow
mountain slide we rode, guided by the
sensible animals. Ii a slip of foot
was made, eternity would have been
our doom. Soon point was reached
about two hundred yards from the
still. One of my companions took
from his pocket a whistle, made of 81
piece of reed, and gave two shrill
whistles which were answered. The
animals were tied, and one of the men
said to the other, "Jim, his peppers
are too good; [ guess we had better
cover them" With these words the
two men proceeded to bind a cloth over
my eyes. After walking around and
about cave was entered.
When the door was thrown back,
my eyes were freed and scene of in
terest was pictured. The room was a
cavern dug out of sy coal deposit,
about twenty by sixteen feet, in which
was arranged the worms and barrels
with piles of corn and dried fruit.
Hanging about on the side wall were
guns and pistols, near which was a
slide made to open and close at q
moments notice. The interior was
suggestive of the wild nature Of the
mountains. The men inside were
dressed in clothing of coarse material
made at home Their arms were bare
and grizzly with hair. Their faces
caused them to have the appearance OF
demons. In a corner of the cavern
was man busily engaged in pouring
wildcat whisky in funnel, which was
conveyed off through a pipe made of
mountain cane.
Where does that go to-" was
asked.
"You can't know all, stranger;
whar that runs to you nor no other
man will know, but it is taken care of
you can bet on it"
Behind tub of sour mash was g.
little ragged nine-year- old child, who
had a stick stirring the contents.
The little thing was covered with dirt
and half clad in coarse homespun.
"Chunk it up, Mag, and come here
and see the stranger"
The child half frightened and cow
cred approached me, but her timidity
overcome her and she stopped.
"Come here, you little hell-cat, and
sing" was spoken by one of the men.
The child began to sing in voice as
plaintive as a dove, and before she had
| finished the tears were streaming down
her cheeks.
"What Is the child's name?" was
asked.
eve call her Mag for short. That
child has a history as long as your
arm, but she will never tell it. She
knows she will get the strap"
| Poor little pitlful object to be in the
hands of such demons. But how did
she get there?
Her dark blue, childish eyes looked
up moistened with tears, and pleaded
to be spared the lash. Her story was
strange one, and was calculated to
touch the chords of hardened heart.
One cold morning six years before, q
man was seen slowly riding along the
mountain road with a little child in
front on the saddle. The snow was
falling and he tenderly clasped her
| wraps around her.
Up the mountain higher were two
men who have been introduced, and
they were gazing at the sight below.
''Take the glass and see if you are
sure he is spy
Soon the sharp ping of rifle was
heard, and the traveller dropped lifeless
from his saddle and the child was
taken to the cave of the moonshiners.
The child has been there ever since.
The duty of the child is to mix sour
mash and keep her mouth closed,
which she performs faithfully. The
| question was asked of these men:
care you not afraid of tn, revenue