The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-14
ABOUT JERSEY LIGHTNING.
Curious Manner in Which the Famous
Juice of the Apple Got Its Name.
From the St. Louis Globe-DemOcrat.


From the ST. Louis Globe Democrat
Deckertown, N. j., Dec. 20--One doesn't
hear so much as formerly about Jersey
lightning" This isn't because apple-jack
is not made any more. Quite the con-
trary. The local name has departed, be-
cause the juice of the apple, which,
distilled by the farmers of the northern
part of the state. produced the lightning
effects, is now known throughout the
country. Jersey apple-jack, or apple
whisky or brandy as 1t is called in some
of the fashionable city hotels and bar
rooms, is now among the brands on hand
in every well-regulated cafe.
1t is curious how apple-jack got its pop
ularity. Originally it was strictly local
in its manufacture and use. The farmers
of Sussex and Warren counties were the
sole producers and sole consumers. They
knew the mellow effect of the distillation
Thew knew how, with a lump or two of
sugar and touch of water, to make it
palatable. The instant effects upon the
brain and then upon the tongue were dis
covered half a century ago. The perme-
ating effect and the mellowing tenden-
cies increase with age Consequently
every hospitable farmer in these parts
kept his demijohn of 10 or 15-year-old
"apple," as the case might be.
Farmers sons emigrated to Newark
and other parts of the state. Many of
them went to New York, and some to
Philadelphia. Others started in business
in New England or out west. They all
sent home for apple-jack, and sounded it's
praises. Friends sampled the golden
hued liquor and relished it. Gradually
the stimulant that humorists styled Jer-
sey lightning ceased its local features,
and became more and more universal
Iaxy va naf IarcnV oY,Y,lo 10
something labeled that way, in the prom
inent cafes in any of the larger cities.
The city sojourner in Northern New
Jersey during the summer months also
helped, the distribution and increased the
popularity of the beverage. He came to
farmhouses or country hotels and was in
itiated. All the hostelries around Lake
Hopateong keep it, and it Is generally
pure and good. Budd's lake and
Schooley's mountain supplied growing
demand. Many city man went home
with gallon or two of the juice when
summer was over. Members of congress
from the upper districts of New Jersey
introduced it in Washington. 1t is
mighty well patronized at the national
capital, and is among the products of
"cold tea in the Senate restaurant.
The lover of Jersey apple-jack wants
to be careful this winter about getting
the genuine article. The supply is linn
ited and lots of spurious stuff is on the
market. The short harvest Of apples is
the cause of this. Not more than half
of the usual amount has been distilled.
The apple crop was nearly ruined by the
late spring and the severe storms that
followed 1t was one of the worst APP
pie seasons on record. Ordinarily good
apples are now retailing right here among
the orchards at from $3 TO S. barrel
These, moreover are not the grades of
apple that go into the cider-presses
OF course, the short supply has tempted
the distillers to doctor" the product.
Plenty of so-called apple jack is for sale
But much of it is made up of all sorts of
ingredients. 1t is fiery enough to upset
the brain, and will intoxicate all too rap
idly, but the delicate favor of the real
article is missing, and the man familiar
with the taste will not take a second
drink. Blended apple jack, at the ad-
vanced market price, will be disposed of
In preference to the loss of profit that
must otherwise follow
City dealers have had their agents all
through this section of the state recently.
They have been buying all the good apple
jack they could find and paying high
prices. How much poor stuff was put of
on them is matter of conjecture. The
rural distiller understands his business.
If he can catch the shrewd city dealer he
will chuckle to himself. This is the time
of year when apple jack is especially en-
evidence. 1t is holiday tipple. 1t is a
great drink for cold weather, owing to
its warming qualities and its great stay
ING powers