University of South Carolina Libraries
' * .* ?} . ' ifiK ^ ~-x'' "1 AMONG THE MOONSHINERS OF THE "DARK CORNER" ? # J. Stewart Price in New? and Courier. Behind the snow-capped mountains of the pretty Blue Ridge, not so many miles to the northwest of Greenville, lives the genuine "moonshiner" of whom so much has been read by the public and sn in private life. There, o: t .hose stately hills, 1 live men woo .... ..licit whiskey and just as much of it as those on the other side. Perhaps the most interesting part of the life of these people is not , the kind of,whiskey they make, how mey mane it, wnen tney niaKe. it, out their frankness and openness to every man or woman who cares to "tote fair" with them. No better evidence of the traits of these ruddy mountaineers can "be had than at this time when the snow is on the ground. A stranger going through that land will be watched with an eagle's eye, but if he proves that he is a man ?that is, a man in the true sense of the word?he will be welcomed to their homes for shelter until the roads are fit for him to continue his journey. The other day in the "Dark Corner," when the snow was falling in solid Bheets, a strange^ was seen driving through that part of the country in a buggy- The storm grew severe, exceptionally severe for this part of the country, but knowing that he was a stranger and having heard so much about the "hatred" of the mountain people for "spies," and thinking that they might suspect him of bring one, he attempted to drive on. It was desolately cold annd the traveller wanted shelter, but was afraid to let his wants be known. His hope, however, was realized. A big, burly man of the hills came riding down the mountain road on a mule with a sack of corn stretched across the animal's back, and asked the stranger, "What's yore destinashun?" Upon being informed by the lonely occupant of the buggy that he was bound for North Carolina. the mountaineer in all frankness, said: "Partner, it's tu cole for you to make their trip ter-night, and you had better go home with me, wher yu will be out of the cold and so yer hoss can be fed." Coming as it did, that frank and open i welcome completely" changed the stranger's view of the much criticised moonshiner and together they drove back down the road and across a small trail to the home nestling snugly in the thickness of the pines that the traveller , had just passed. A fire was burning in the big oldtime fireplace, and, after standing before it a few minutes, they went to the kitchen where a substantial supper was spread. "It's awful weether fur a stranger to tackle these bad roads; and 'specually whin its snowing so. Why, stranger, _yu would have gotten lost in these hills had you 'tempted to go on futher." With the plainness which the moonshiner liked, the stranger replied: "I had heard so much about the mountain people not liking strangers that I cared j to tackle it instead of stopping. I appreciate your kindness and will always feel differently toward you. You are kind and good and by this act of Pnnuir^iiro ion T o m nrvrt w<intv4\,&aviuu a am wumuu^uij vvjivinccd that the people of the "Dark Corner" are people whose traits are just as noble as those who have every advantage in the thickly populated sections of the country." It afterwards developed that the stranger was a newspaper man from . one of the big papers of the East, for the mountaineer received a copy of his paper with a long story about the life pf the moonshiner, much of which was devoted to the hospitality of the people living in the foothills. Not so very long ago a newspaper man of this city went on a raid with the revenue officers and State constables in the "Dark Corner." They were gone for three days, and returned ? to the city with four prisoners. These four men were mere youths, the sons of two families and their means of support. They were caught "in the mv ?, uo mc vmiiv vi r? any . uciui ui ni|^~ , ing them* to Greenville, the officers carried them to their homes to get changes of clothing. On arriving at the homesteads, their mothers, old and aged, broke down and cried. The tears were not from grief that their sons had committed some offence, but because they were to be carried away to the I city to face the laws of the United States Government. V bile the officers went off some dis- i tance to get their horses near the home ; of the last two; the other two men ' being brought on to this place, the newspaper man was left in charge of the prisoners. He felt a peculiar tingle at his heart, and the thought came to him, 4 4what have these people done to me?" Walking over to one of the men he ? said that his mission with the officers was not one of malice, but was for the purpose of learning something of the life of the moonshiners, and while the men were left in his charge, a small man, against four big six-footers, he was simply acting as a temporary , . >* - *. SUPP] m&rshall and that he had the kindest feeling in the world for them. The leader turning around and facing the newspaper man, said: "We we.a caught fair and we gave the officers our word that we were going to Greenville with them. If we cared to give trouble, it would be easy enough to | close the doors of the house and drive the raiders away at the point of those rifles over there in the corner. But we are going without any trouble. Turning he said to his mother: "Fix the ! gentleman something to eat, for he will get good and hungry before we reach Greenville." The good old lady I WAS rrrmo lint n four mlnnfoe announced that food was ready and the reporter ate to his heart's content. Later the men were tried in the United States Court here and convicted, paid their fines and went back to their homes. They visited the newspaper man while in the city and together they had quite a pleasant chat. In company with Special Police Hendrix Rectm, who lived in the mountains for years, State Constable Reuben Gosnell, in his day a "moonshiner" of the first class, and others from Greenville, the writer went on a big hunting trip not so many months ago. Using a big motor car, the '.rowd of seven left the city early one morning and reached the foothills about 8 o'clock. They had a great day, killing many rabbits and quail, and being treated royally by the people. While rambling over the hiils, the writer was shown by one of the mountaineers piloting the party the ruins of hundreds of illicit distilleries, where no doubt thousands of gallons of whiskey had been made. In talking with the people many pretty little stories of human interest came to light. One of the party of mountain people that joined the crowd from the city, told of an incident that occurred in the "Dark Corner" not many years ago, when an old man and his son were captured, being charged with making illicit whiskey. The evidence against the son was strong, but that against the father was circumstantial. The old man, thin and gray, had been to the spring near the distillery to get some water and the I raiders rushed in on the distillery. The son was first captured and as the father was near the plant, he was also arrested. But the old fellow was innocent of any wrongdoing, having given a promise years ago to quit making whiskey. The son spoke to the officers, and in a frank manner said: "Fa's got nothing to do with this place, for its mine and I am the one to take, not him." This was an admission on the part of the son of his own guilt, but showed the real devotion to his father. Had he not spoken in this way, perhaps the father would have been taken away, too, and tried for aiding and abetting in the making of illicit whiskey. But the prettiest story yet told about the moonshiners is one that came to light about three weeks ago, when the officers made a big raid in the "Dark Corner." It concerns three girls, maidens of some 18 years who Kept watch on the hill tops for the approach of the officers, insuring the safety of brothers and sweethearts at work at a big distillery on the branch below. For days this big distillery flourished and many gallons of whiskey were made. The officers hunted high and low for it, but could not find it. After days of diligent search it was located from the top of a hill by a little streak of smoke that could be seen curling up from the pines. Following this sign, the raiders worked their way across hills, over gulleys and through bushes to the outfit. Stationed nearby, however, were the girls, and as the raiders came through the stubble, an Alarming cry sounded from the crest of the hill and the "moonshiners" dashed off down into the valley below and disappeared hurriedly. The girls made their presance known to attract the officers' attention, and as soon as they were discovered there was a ruffle of skirts and away they darted through the woods. This is but an instance of the devotion or the mountain women to their fathers, hlishnndn hearts. As long as there is corn, "moonshine" will be made in the "Dark Corner" for the distillers believe that it is their Godgiven right to do what they please with their corn, and as the markets are so far away, anil the price [ of corn not sufficient to w arrant their hauling it so far, they figure that the only reasonable course is to turn the grain into whiskey which always bring good prices. r Touring Car $950? FORD AUTO] LEMENT TO THE FORT I HALLEY'S COMET. ! i Now that Halley's comet is rapidly ' approaching the earth, and is soon to 1 become an object of great popular interest, the public will desire to know . the leading facts concerning this fa- 1 mous celestial visitor, and to learn ' something of its eventful history. In jual nuav jrai t Ul UIC ucavcnt) It 13^ III ^ present, when and where it may be seen best, when it will be nearest the earth, and what danger, if any, is ! there of a collision with our globe, are 1 some of the questions that are natural- ' ly asked. It is not yet visible to the naked eye, and as it is approaching the sun, it will ' soon be lost in his rays till about April j 1, when it will reappear in the morning sky ahead of the sun. On March 24 ( it win be on the opposite side of the sun from us, and on April 20 it will pass its perihelion at a distance of 54,000,000 miles from the sun. From that time till May 15 it will be a glorious spectacle in the morning ' heavens. On May 18 it will pass di- 1 rectly between the earth and the sun, when it will be only 12,000,000 miles j from us. As it sweeps rapidly by us ' it will pass from the morning to the evening sky again, and after a few weeks it will bid us adieu for its long journey into the depths of space, not to return to us again in three-fourths of a century. As it rushes by us on May 18 it will pass directiy over the disc of the sun, and a fine opportunity will be afforded i to test by observation the size and " character of the nucleus. If it consists of solid particles of considerable size, or of dense aggregation, it will be projected as a dark mass against the bright face of the sun, but if it is composed of gas only, or of very small particles widely diffused, it will pass across the sun as an invisible mass. It iB not improbable that the earth at that time may become involved in the nebulosity of its tail, but the matter composing the tail is so extremely tenuous that the earth will in nil nmho. bility pass through it without any sensible effect. The transit of the comet across the face of the sun will take place during the night on the western hemisphere, and hence we could not see it anyway, but astronomers on the opposite side of the earth will doubt- i less observe this phenomenon with great care. j The possibilities of a collision of the earth and a comet, and the probable results of such an occurrence, have often been discussed, but owing to our ignorance of cometary masses, such discussions are little bettor than speculations, Thst such a collision is possible no one will deny, but the proba- i bility of it is extremely remote. If a comet of small size ana density should run full tilt against the earth, our atMade 41 Bali With Only < Read in our Farmers' Ye 1910 how a planter in Te made 41 bales of cotton record breaking yield, anc drought?the worst in yean $2,098.47 for this crop. Yo By U Virginia-! I ertil liberally,combined with carei cultivation, and a fair season, for a copy of this free book, sure you haul home only Virj SALES OV Richmond, Vn. Mail at this Coapon Norfolk, Vi, Vibginia Caholina Chemical Colombia, 8. Company. Durham, N. Please tend me a copr of your 1910 Winston-Sali Farmers' Year Book free of coat. Charleaton, I Baltimore, fc "loc Columbus, C _ Montgomery Memphis, T< I State Shreseport, 1 1 M -Fully Equipped. R MOBILES and ACCESSORIES. KLLL TIMES, MARCH 3, t ' mosphere would probably prevent seri>us damage. A brilliant meteoric jhower would doubtless be witnessed, but that would be all. But if a large meteor of great density should collide with the earth the results would doubtess be more serious. Aside from the mpact of the solid masses against the ;arth, the gasses suddenly diffused into our atmosphere might be fatal to life. Halley's comet received its name trom cximunct Halley, a distinguished English astronomer, who observed it in 1682 and who predicted its return in 1759. His prediction was based up)n the fact that its orbit in 1682 was learly identical with that of 1607 and 1531. He also found in history references to remarkable comets in 1456, 1301, 1145 and 1066. As the interval between the return of these comets was about 75 years, he concluded that they were one and the same body, and this conclusion proved to be correct. The history of Halley's comet, as it las been traced back through the ages ay its period of 75 years, is quite ?ventful. In 1066 it was regarded as the forerunner of the victory of William of Normandy. Its size then was equal to that of the full moon. In 1456 its tail reached from the horizon to the zenith, and the wildest excitement prevailed. Indeed, at every return of this remarkable comet the nations of the earth have looked upon it with awe. Its first recorded appearance was 130 B. C., when it was supposed to herald the birth of Mithridates. At this return the conditions will be very favorable for a magnificent view of this historic celestial visitor, and the impressions made upon the minds of those who behold it will doubtless remain through life. OVER Thinking oi Building? ; If so, let me figure with vou. I can I save you money. At any rate, let me furnish you estimates. I use the best grade of material at the lowest prices. No jobs too large, none too small. A. A. BRADFORD Builder and Contractor, Ft Mill. S. C. MITCHELL HOTEL, (Formerly Nicholson Hotel) CHESTER. - - S. C. Rates, $2 Per Day and Up. S W. Mitchell, Proprk.or. es of Cotton One Mule :ar Book or Almanac for rrell County, Georgia, l with only one plow, a I he had a nine weeks' ). His gross income was u can do it too sing Carolina izers ful seed selection, thorough A.I ' ? , /\sk your iertinzcr dealer or write us for one. Be ginia-Carolina Fertilizers TICKS AtUata, Ca. J?T?no?h, Ga. C. |dc* H^Chcm (cafj^l it, . ?* oadster $900?Fully Equipped. Syleec* 1910. I kj kJ jj Are You | IHonestY g With your land when for the ft sake of saving a few dollars U you use a fertilizer whose ft only recommendation is its U analysis. It requires no spe- ft cial knowledge to mix mate- U rials to analyses. The value M of a fertilizer lies in the ma- U terials used, so as not to H over feed the plant at one time and starve at another. U This is why Royster brands ir are so popular. Every ingredient has its particular work to do. Twenty-five years experience in making goods for Southern crops has enabled us to know what is required. See that trade mark is on every bag Q TDtnr uadk 5 -pftr 0 REGISTERED BB rj F. S. Royster Guano Co. n NORFOLK, VA. B~*H IfKAAND HIDES au*hs i m highest market pricb I B paid^for^raw^turs I WW^^jLiy WoolCommission. Writalor ^T^HREDIhiA. ^1 price-list mentioning this ad ESTABLISHED 1037 ^^assai^sslifip JOHN WHITE & CO.. Louisyiua Kx. ^Hunting Creek Corn Whiskey it the finest piece of goods that the science of distilling has ever produced, this SM Co*H is a very broad sutement but we are willing to back it by .fjU^vQR our reputation. It costs moremake HUNTING CREEK. CORN now than it did when we first began but, it was the best \^y| V qHEnp' that could be made then and so it is to-day?in spite of (pfl the increased cost. pF j| HUNTING CREEK CORN WHISKEY is very II ^ mild, mellow and palatable with a flavor all its own, which all imitators have failed to produce. Its unquestioned purity makes it, when needed, the doctors favorite prescription. ' * The same QUALITY ALWAYS?It never VARIES. PRICE-LIST IGal. 2 Gal. 3 G.I. 4G.1. 4 Qa. 6Qt. 12Qt>. Hunting Greek Corn $3.00 $5 60 $ 8 25 $10.00 $3/25 $5 00 $ 8 25 Coopers Laurel Valley Corn .... 3.25 6 25 9.00 12.00 3.50 5.25 10.00 Iredell Corn ZM 3.60 5.25 6.75 Old Tiroes Corn 3.75 7.10 10 50 12.75 4.00 6.35 12.00 Couch's Pride Cora 2.75 5.00 7.35 9.65 Cascade Rye 5.00 6.75 12.75 Macdon Rye 3.50 6 60 9.50 12.00 3.75 5.35 9.75 JaccoRye 3.00 5.00 8.25 10.00 3.25 4.75 8.75 Original Cascade. $12.00 per rase. Express prepaid?No charge for packing. Complete price-list sent free of cost Every thing in Wines and Liquors. Remit P. O. or Express Money Order. J. A. COUCH, Mgr. Ship. Dept. tin j. a. Mcdonough company, P. O. Box 718. RICHMOND, VA. ^HIG M PWICEDQUALITYy^^^^^^y 7\0 ,N A LOW PRICtD CAR Tourabout $950?Fully Equipped. \u Manufacturing Co. j Rock Hill, South Carolina. /#