The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-26
Ainle KInlike Mutual Mining Agency nj } y.
go NEW YORK. 81
JAMES GROW, WHISKY MAKER.
Man Who Reduced DistiIling TO q
Science in Kentucky I'm b Thirties

lV an ~ no HkE0uCf0 ~ =
Science in Kentucky I'm she Thirtiea
Beneath the blue grass sod of q
country burying ground near the lit
tie hamlet of Millville, in Woodford
county sleeps James Grow, who near
ly three-fourths of a century ago original
ed the process of distiling whisky in a
scientific manner, says the Sun in a
Versailles, KY, despatch. To him, more
than to any other man, is due the interna-
tional reputation that Kentucky whiskey
enjoys, and the vast distilling interests OF
the country are largely the result of his
discoveries.
Back in the thirties James Crow was a
celebrated character in the West. He was
educated for a physician, being a graduate
of the College of Medicine and Surgery in
Edinburgh. Scotland, and was a philos-
opher, wit and man of letters. In relig-
ion he was a Presbyterian of the John
Knox type.
Crow was a native of Scotland, a mar OF
herculean build, broad, Intellectual fore
head, smooth-shaven face, with the deer
t~eristic of his race. He emigrated to
America about 1922, and engaged in mer-
c~handizing in Philadelphia. He became
bankrupt in a year. and then came West,
lOta ia ~ a.
County, KY, where several small and
Very rude whisky distilleries were IN OPP
Grafton.
AT that time distilling was not accom-
plished by any regularly defined rule, but
James Crow possessed (and it constituted
his entire worldly estate) what was sald
to be the most extensive library IN Ken
lucky at that period, and also some cosby
chemical apparatus. For many weeks, IN
a log cabin, he experimental and studied,
until he at last reached the nice proper
lions that were destined 10 revolutlonlze
whisky making. and establish the fame
of Crow whisky throughout the word.
Jim Crow whisky was soon being
shipped to Washington, New York, Bos-
ton. and TO England. Scotland, and other
foreign countries. 1t became the favor
lite beverage of not a few of Americas
most eminent statesmen; For many
years there was treasure req M ae y 1rsa rlss
to his friend Crow ordering a barrel of
his wonderful elixir to a to Washing
ton with him to lubricate the wheels of
Government Daniel Webster. it is said,
was never without a demijohn of Grow"
in his closet.
An old citizen of this town who passed
his youth in Crows time. and who has
drunk whisky all his life attributes all
the drunkenness of today to the greed of
the distillers.
''In the days of Crow" said he, I'VE had
pure whisky, for then it was made for
quality, and not for quantity. Every gen.
tleman took his grog fifty years ago, and
a drunken man was never heard of. The
pure liquor stimulated Vol without be-
fuddling your brain. Why, in those days
the farmer was as careful to lay in his
barrel of Crow as his barrel of sugar
or sack of coffee. 1t was deemed indis-
pensable in every Well regulated family.
The courts of justice would not proceed
without it. l can recall instances where
Kentucky courts lave been adjourned,
while life or the property of some poor
litigant was held in suspense. that the
jury. Judge and bar might quench their
thirst. The records will show that BUSH
ness in those days was dispatched prompt
~. Who ever heard then of a hung jury,
or even an appealed case? Even the
clergy. St. Paul-like. took a little for the
stomach's sake The only perceptihle
difference before and after taking was a
more erect carriage"
After a time Crow emove to a point on
Glenn's Creek, near which he is buried.
His last run was made in 1883. He drop
ped dead in the harness one morning
while at work in the distillery. As is
often the case, the fruits of his scientific
discoveries were more valuable to others
than to him.. and he died penniless, leav-
ing his widow and daughter to the care
of friends. Many stories have come down
of Crows kindness of heart, how he used
to practice medicine for the poor alone, re-
fusing all fees. and how he would some
leave his distillery and walk miles
to bleed a sufferer.