tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349428160142078931.post1301731939912108025..comments2023-11-24T10:11:57.020-05:00Comments on Musings Over a Barrel: The Wettest County in the WorldDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006015336607998634noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349428160142078931.post-38308520792434712302008-11-13T14:57:00.000-05:002008-11-13T14:57:00.000-05:00While I was in college in Franklin Co. back in 76/...While I was in college in Franklin Co. back in 76/77 we did occasionally sample some of the local wares. The county was allegedly dry on Sunday because it gave a day for the shiners to sell their products. I recall the school having a meeting the very first day we arrived and the administration warning us of venturing off into the woods as they had even found stills on the school property. And they regaled us with stories of local judges having been known to have a still within sight of the courthouse in Rocky Mount. We were told to beware the barking dogs in the woods as they were left tied in the distilling area and would bark to alert the owner of the still if anyone approached. We were told of people who went hiking in the local mountains and woods whom never returned. I also recall being involved with a search party looking for the body of a drowned student when we came across an abandoned still on Philpott Lake. It was huge in comparison with the supposed "largest still ever taken out of the mountains" which they displayed at the local folk life festival every year. While I did not enjoy my two semesters in that place, I did enjoy the local “squeezins” on occasion. <BR/><BR/>Chuck TriplettAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349428160142078931.post-33494774347188607902008-11-12T03:10:00.000-05:002008-11-12T03:10:00.000-05:00A noble experiment indeed. It's hard to believe a ...A noble experiment indeed. <BR/><BR/>It's hard to believe a prohibitionist party can still exist today, even on the margins.Dan Kachurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089439567241077226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349428160142078931.post-85396803007409988882008-11-11T08:41:00.000-05:002008-11-11T08:41:00.000-05:00Hi David,I worked down in that area for twelve yea...Hi David,<BR/>I worked down in that area for twelve years, 1973 to 1985, and can attest to that moonshine culture. Some was dreadful but some was nothing short of terrific. I have a very fond memory of an Emory & Henry College football game where a pear based bottle of homemade spirits was shared. I was every bit as good as a French l'ead d'vie - a cross between a calvados and a poire williams. The bottle came from Franklin County.<BR/>Thanks for sharing the notes about the book. I may see about getting a copy for the library.<BR/>Best,<BR/>RoyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15925387098406407084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349428160142078931.post-77482220120950198492008-11-11T08:33:00.000-05:002008-11-11T08:33:00.000-05:00And I was about to comment that Dublin, Ireland mu...And I was about to comment that Dublin, Ireland must get more rain than anywhere (with the exception of Münster, where I live now)!<BR/><BR/>Sounds like a good book, and some lessons from history that shouldn't be forgotten. Draconian limiting of access to alcohol has never cured problems. But then, it is the doom of men that they forgetBarry Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367655129107699025noreply@blogger.com