Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-19
AMONG The MooNsHINERs.


Of late to the moonshine district Of
York and Cherokee counties, and the
reporter a few days ago had tall
with a highly respectable and influ'
ential citizen Of the neighborhood, wht
is not only thoroughly conversant with
the situation; but who would be very
glad to see an improvement Of condi'
tions that have existed in this section
almost time out Of mind.
This section" the gentleman re.
marked, Lies in the northwestern par
of York, the northeastern part Of Cher
okee and extends beyond the Nortf
Carolina line. 1t includes King:
Mountain battle-ground, and the nature
of the country is such that it has new
er teen looked upon with much favor
for agricultural purposes. 1t is rough
broken and rocky.
There are some prosperous well-to
do farmers living on the border Of the
section described, and there are also 6
few in the heart of It; but generally
the inhabitants are people withou
much ambition to amount to anything
who do not like the idea Of har'
work, who have always been engaged
in whisky making and who will con.
tinue to follow that pursuit until there
is a we'll organized and determined ef'
fort to enforce the laws.
Some few years ago there were
dozen or more stills in this locality
and moonshine whisky was always
more or less plentiful at very low
price; but things have gotten some
what better Of late. There Is still
some whisky making going on-s
great deal more than suits the law.
abiding citizens Of the neighborhood
but not nearly so much as there onc'
was.
II saw in the paper recently where
the constables had cut up a still W
in this section. This was somewha
Of a surprise to me, as I had reason
to believe that there was no longer
real still to be found in that Who'll,
section. The latter day moonshinel
does not need more than 81 worth o
copper for his outfit, and he can ge
along pretty we'll without any. II h
has a sheet Of copper, he-tacks 4
over the bottom Of box or barre
framework, arranges his furnace 81
as not to burn the wood, uses an ole
lard can or any other. tin bucket fol
a cap, piece of black pipe for a worn
and goes down to business. 1t for
merly required several days to make
a run Of whisky; but by the use o.
yeast and other new wrinkles, the!
can get whisky from the meal within
twenty-four hours. The distiller'
never stay long in one place and 4
Is difficult to catch them.
."And they are pretty systematic
about their operations too. I learned
not long ago, that they have begun
adding to their outfit a man or bo!
to watch for officers. They pay hin
from rs cents to 81 a day and place
him at some point where he can giv'
an alarm of the approach Of suspi'
cious strangers. The stills can b'
moved in a short time, and even II 4
1t is captured the moonshiners arr
not hurt much so they themselves art
not taken into custody.
But this idea about there being
any danger in those fellows is all
mistake. They are not trained tt
fight; but to run and they know how
to do 1t. II the authorities really wan
to break up this mess and make thii
whole section more respectable, al
they have to do is place good Officer
In the neighborhood, and let him stay
a while. I am not looking for the jol
at all. as you very we'll know, being
busy with other things; but II the au'
thorities can't find anybody else to pu
stop to this business. you may giv'
them my name and tell them that Il
they will just give me a reasonable
amount Of assistance, I will soon pu
an end to the whole business"