Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-06-14

1t, and surmounted by a cap from which
runs metal pipe, technically known as a
worm At the end Of the worm Is q keg
or other vessel into which the condensed
yapors are collected in the form Of moon
shine whisky.
"The shapes OF the mechanical devices
resorted to in the making of the mountain
dew are so varied that description Is i'm
possible. Some outfits are very small and
are made out of domestic cooking uten-
sils" Mr.. Kirkpatrick describes one IN
which the worm was improvised from the
barrels of a shotgun.
Floyd Murphy, who lives in the noun
tain Businesses which meet the horizon at
Mount Airy, in North Carolina, is typ
ical moonshiner. Erect and of powerful
build, he adds to his physical attributes an
intrcpidity of spirit which has gained for
him the title "the desperate Of North Car
olina, in which title he takes commend
able pride. The "desperado" is triae
more than feet in height, with sufficient
breadth and thickness to impart strength
and solidity without suggesting clumsi-
ness of motion. He wears IN ample dress
of hair which meets voluminous beard.
Floyd is moonshincr because he Is in
hercntly wicked In his eyes the making
of whisky is one of the inalienable rights
which 90 along with life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. His forcfathcrs
made whisky, he makes whisky, and his
children will make whisky after he has
gone. 1t is their destiny. The United
States government is strong, but what arc
the orders of tho internal revenue service
when compared with the incxoraDle de-
crccS Of fate? For generation of years
the struggle has gone on, blood has flowed,
there have been spyings by daylight and
unexpected desccnts at the unholy mid
night hour. The story of the struggle IS
filed with accounts of surprises and am
bushes, the fires in the still have been cx-
tinguiShcd time and again. but the worm
is not dead, and it never will be.
Mr.. kirkpatrick met Mr.. Murphy In
professional way ON several occasions. In
$780, while on raid in the mountains
near the desperado's home Mr. Kirkpat-
rick and his posse succeeded in locating
still, which they destroyed Leaving n
man at the scene of the ruin they had
wrought, the other members Of the posse
rode to q ncighboring hamlet. On their
return they found Murphy standing in the
mountain path with both hands elevated
above his head. The solitary member of
tho posse chad the drop" on the desperate
the first time such a thing had ever hap.
pened-and was holding it with two re-
volvcrs Floyd knew nothing of the raid
and had been taken completely unawareS
1t was not counted worth while to keep
him in custody, and he was released. The
posse went OH its way. AT nightfall stop
was made at lonely farmhouse to bait the
horses and get supper for the men. 1t was
intended to stay until morning, but as the
accommodations were poor, and it proved
gloriously bright night, the revenue off-
GERS decided to take the road. The horses
were accordingly saddlcd, and the posse
rode on Half an hour after nearly 5O
muuntaincerS formed circle around the
house, bent upon the annihilation of the
posse. Floyd Murphy, smarting under tho
humiliation of the afternoons meeting,
had gathered tho clans to avcnge the in
suit. But for the change in the programme
the scenes of the day would have had
tragic ending.
On one occasion the mOonshiners had
Mr. kirkpatrick hemmed in. He was III
cabin which was surrounded by the clan,