The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-25
How Illicit Whiskey IS Made in the
Hills Of West Virginia.
SOME WEIRD SCENES AT NIGHT.
A Trusiy Drummer, Pilotcd TO the
Moonshiner's Abode. Ii Kindly Re-
ceived by the Mountaincers and
Assists In Maxim. "Dcw."

Ofilfr Was ltlu OF 10 hOIt NdiuS NheNi'
that Of a SQUIRREL" asked the travelling
man Of the smokng-room company on
the north-bOund train.
Nobody had although one man admit
ted making a try at IT the last time his
business took him South. Then the
travelling man, who was young and good
looking, and talked with the twang Pc
culiar 10 Kentuckians, resumed:
1--WE been three years building up a
trade back tn the West Virginia noun
tains. and on my first trip | made an
effort to get out among the moonshiners,
Just for the experience. | failed dismal
IS, and every effort after that was in
vain up to two weeks ago. when, through
the friendship Of "A mountain storekeep-
err, who Is himself up TO the neck in the
Illicit distilling business, | managed TO
get ont among those people for a night
and it was an experience, although 1t may
sound somewhat commonplace In the tell
ing.
There are parts OF West Virginia
where the people are scarcely civilized,
but they wear clothes, which was the
thing that took me out among them.
II generally takes me from three 10 five
weeks 20 make my round Of this country
and on my first trip l was regarded with
suspicion everywhere. ] knew that Illicit
distilling was the chief industry of the
region. and ] knew that the arrival Of a
stranger in any part of it was known
everywhere as fast az messengers could
carry the news 50 | went straight about
my business, sold few bills Of goods,
suggested 10 a stOrekceper that he show
me how whisky was made, only TO be
met with the solemn declaration that
none was made I'm that vicinity and
worked out the rest Of my trip without
incident.
Eight months later / went over this
same ground. and met with a more corr
dial reception. You see the goods that
/ had sold had been delivered promptly,
and this fact had gone a long way 10
convince the natives that | was a busi-
ness man and not revnue spy. My
friend. the storekeeper whom | have al
ready mentioned. actually shook hands
with me when / dropped I'm on him. but
he froze up the minute | mentioned the
subject of a visit 10 a 'still.'
ADVICE FROM A NATIVE.
See here, young man. he said. don't
be burned fool. Don't you know that
men who poke their noses into what
don't concern them sometimes get into
trouble?'
81 replied that I supposed this TO be
true but that IL was only the experience
1 sought. / was not a spy, I said, and
could be trusted Well. the upshot Of IL
was that he promised me I should have
a drink OF moonshine whisky. and that
afternoon he took me out two miles into
the woods where we came 20 a small
opening. with a tree stump in the center.
re laid a 25-cent piece on the stump. and
then walked me a hundred yards back
IN the woods We waited there five min
utes. and then returned 10 the opening.
The silver coin had disappeared. and I'm
its place on the stump was tin cup half
fun Of whisky. / drank il. and right here
want 70 give you all tip never 20
touch moonshine whisky unless there's
plenty Of water at hand. IL nearly burn
ed the lining out of my stomach. II was
so strong. You see it's the absolutely
pure product but 1t made me a firm be-
lever In the adulteratlon Of spirits.
This little experience only made me
more curious TO observe the workings Of
"A stll. but my friend. the storekeeper
was obdurate. and all my entreaties fall
ed TO move him. So once more left this
interesting region without having had a
chance to study its principal industry.
well. five weeks ago l started out on
ny A--11hfA1 up AtffcifNfA ~ EN~ p+iN -
these stills or bust. ! reached the store
of my friend two weeks ago, and went
at him hammer and tonss. There was
a rough-looking crowd Of men around his
place. all armed with Winchester rifles,
and they looked at me curiously when !
walked in and asked my host If he hadn't
changed his mind about showing me a
still lie gave me "A hard look and q
little later when the rest had gone away,
told me that If / valued a whole skin ia
better not talk about stills before
/ didn't again. but kept at
him until he finally promised To take me
jut the next night, If he could arrange
Il. How he arranged IL / don't know 20
this day but / made my visit and this
Is what happened:
STILL-HUNTTNCi EXCURSION.
AT about 5 o'clock in the evening
while l was sorting out my samples. the
stOrckeeper came into my room attired
IN what seemed 70 be a hunting outfit.
He set his rifle I'm a corner Of the ROOM
sat down on the edge OF my bed. and
said: I'm agoin ter take you out to see
he boys tonight. You needn't act any
lifierent when you meet them than YOU
10 usually but remember I'm responsible
or you. and what you sec Is for your
yes alone. ! on underestimate
ut was one of the blacklist nights |
lave ever seen. It seemed TO me that we
jeat around the side Of that mountain.
'utting our way through the underbrush,
or an hour. ] suspected at the time that
here was motive in my guides difficulty
n finding his way 10 the still. and I'm
ret Of the same opinion. But We finally
stopped and, pointing TO tree, my
ricnd suggested that 7 retire 90 "A point
~ the side Of it Then walking about a
hundred feet ahead he threw down his
lie. put his hands 10 his mouth: and
ave a Ions drawn-out can that ( cannot
ken TO anything ] over heard before
L. did IL three times, then picked up his
-un and walked over To M. Just rs be
cached me a soft voice that sounded
ight in nay ear. said: AN right. Zcd'
{ seems 10 me now that ! jumped a foot
D the afr. the voice startled me so. !
urncd around and saw a young fellow |
landing behind me. lie had a knife in |
is belt. a pistol in his hip pocket. and a /
ihe over his shoulder. He must have |
zen trailing us. and ! had a dim idea |
hat my friend knew he was behind US |!
u the time
There was scarcely a worI between I
~ companion and the young moon /
hincr. They started away mp the noun
ain at once and | followed Twice we |
'ere halted by men dressed and armed |
Ike the young fellow. but word from
he latter and the guards disappeared in |
be ni.,ht leaving ~ 10 proceed on our |
'ay. We finally came 10 place where
he underground was so thick that IL
,okcd impenetrable. The young fellow
,und an opening however, couldn't
nd it myself il | was led up 10 II IN
road daylight-and we went along "A
arrow path that led down the mountain
bout a sixteenth Of a mile.
HIDING PLACE.