The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-14
ETHICS OF "GETrING THE DROP"
A Bit of Romance in the Every Day
Life of the MOonshfncrs.

Bit of Romance in the Every Day
Life of the MOonshfncrs.
Birmingham. Ala, April Fin the
mountain and hill regions of the Southern
States where there are feuds. moon
sinners" and county wars. there is a code
Of ethics which governs fighting. and this
code is the only civil force respected and
obeyed. 1t is a law of custom that when
a man gets 'the drop on another fair
~ he must not shoot, unless they are en-
gagged in a feud that is to be fought TO the
death without quarter and that the man
caught at a disadvantage In such meet
ing must frankly admit defeat and offer
to settle their quarrel without a night
The prestige of feud leader or a minor
fighter is greatly enhanced among his
friends and foes If he is abe TO boast that
no one ever "got the drop on him. Get
ting the drop is to draw a gun or pistol
In the open and aim IL at an adversary
before the latter can get his own weapon
ready for action. 1t is a movement re-
curing quickness and steady nerves. In
those sections where so many petty quar-
rels end in bioodshed or feuds costing
many hives it happens often that peace is
established by the fact that some bold
leader or fighter in a moment of careless
ness is caught by an adversary who, fol-
lowing their crude code of honor, offers
at the muzz.e Of his rife future immunity
from harm In return for a full and frank
acknowledg cement OF the drop"
in the mountains of Walker county.
Alabama, there lived near the town OF
Jasper, an old "moonshiner" of the name
Of Calvin Harvey. He had fought pitched
battles with revenue officers and had
II L. al de
He lived in a small cabin well up on the
side of a steep hill with a daughter, his
only child Mary Harvey was twenty
years old and was considered q beauty
in love with Bob" Burgin, a brave and
good looking youth, who owned a small
farm near by. Harvey was much attach
ed to his daughter and hated Burgin be-
cause, many years before, he had killed
the young mans uncle in a feud. When
informed Of the contemplated marriage
his rage was terrible and he threatened
TO exterrninate the entire Burgin family
Mary, like a duuful daughter. promised
her father that she would not marry
without his consent.
month passed and the subject Of mar
rage had not again been mentioned by
father or daughter Coming home from
his "still one day Harvey saw his
daughter standing Ia the door OF the ca
bin. As he entered che yard he could see
that the girls face was pale and that
Fhe seemed a trigc nervous
Harvey stu carried his rife on bis
shoulder when he spoke 20 Mary asking:
What Is the matter little ginT'
Without a word IN repg, Mary Jumped
our inio The yard snd 70 one side Of the
path. Immediately behind her came her
sweetheart. Bob Burgin The young man
kept BIS arms % his sioe until be- mad sd-
yanced three steps towards Harvey. Then
~ quick - lightning b. drew . pistol and
ieysled n o. me breast 81 me old noon
sinner before the sitter could lake BE
Hne from be shoulder
~ have me 0rgp ~ you. Mr. Harvey
Eurgir nsi1 Without show ~ apEer.
"fie osuRhf 500 fa'T fhnf time, ~
Nov give ~" taq Mary aa che B4Fsne-
~ ~ fhe ffe ~ hff .oYef
Tho 90 moonfhinff f9T moment fiqfnl
frat Al fla aaug1feF flfn ~ kprFin ~
nnf f1ecehlfal Wifh raEe ar0 c1fffin.
orneifg 49, .eeth snq aigE.1G ~ ife.s