If you're looking to explore an area of Southwest Virginia that is immersed in beauty, history, and moonshine, Franklin County has to be on your list. If you are traveling, we recommend calling to be sure we can meet you! Thank You for a Successful 2021 season! into districts overseen by deputy sheriffs who were paid to protect the In a 2012 Newsweek article, the younger Bondurant describes his Grandpa Jack as an imposing man while recalling taking stock of a pair of brass knuckles hanging on the wall in his grandfathers storage room. The alleged conspiracy was uncovered by federal agent Colonel Thomas Bailey, who after distinguishing himself as a hero in World War I, became an undercover agent for the federal government. Or are they? In fact, the business had to get the support of locals during the 2017 election to pass a referendum that allowed the sale of liquor by the drink. 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on moonshine producers and runners in Franklin County. Whether youre fascinated by the Prohibition Era or are curious to taste some authentic Virginia-crafted spirits, youll find theres a lot to discover in Franklin County. For years, far more sugar was sold in Franklin County than the local residents could ever eat. DIRK BEVERIDGE December 14, 1988. William B. Hopkins, Another View of the Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, VBA News Journal, p. 20 (Winter 2009/2010). 8 talking about this. Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Festival | Moneta VA Duke Carter returned to 10 News in January 2022. "I've found no evidence of any deliberate malfeasance on anyone's part," when [he] spends his evening at home or in the library . Download our FREE Savings Pass to easily access discounts to local attractions, restaurants, & shops! DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. When they came to America, they believed that they would be free of these fees and could resume producing their own distilled beverages without infringement from the still-forming U.S. government. But was told many intriguing stories of what went on. . MOONSHINE EXPRESS Hosted By Franklin County, VA Historical Society. It was a way of life. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Small wonder that Franklin County farmers and business owners saw no need to stop making a product that was still in demand and even more profitable than before the 18th Amendment went into effect. Single-batch, pot-distilled spirits made from cane and grain. The, Illegal moonshine was made in secret stills throughout the United States, but the mountain towns of southern Virginia were thrust into the national spotlight with the. While FCD mightve been the first licensed since Prohibition, TCD made the first sale. Another moonshine distillery in the area is Twin Creeks Distillery, where you can sample moonshine, fruit brandies, and White Whiskey, the distillerys pure, unaged corn liquors available in 90- and 100-proof. A fun bit of history for you: TCDs owner and Master Distiller is the grandson of James Walter Peg Hatcher, one of those convicted in The Great Moonshine Conspiracy on 1935., Learn More: Twin Creeks Distillery Craft Spirits >. Locally, J. H. de-Hart of The Mountain Rose Distillery in Philpott, Virginia advertised reminding customers to submit orders that could be filled and delivered by October, 1916. Franklin County remained wet and voted 1,373 against statewide prohibition with 1,079 for. Each gallon of whiskey would be taxed two dollars, an astounding average of twelve times the cost of making these spirits. You could have lost $3,000 to $4,000, but you got away. Moonshiners had to leave bribes, known as a granny fee for law enforcement to prevent their stills from being smashed ($25 per still and $10 per whiskey load). deputy sheriffs and Commonwealth's Attorney Charles Carter Lee, a grand-nephew Biography Bondurant in 1931 We offer tastings of our custom spirits, delicious food, custom merchandise in store and online, and a fun family oriented atmosphere. Finding the missing documents has become the personal mission of T. Keister Whiskey sold for $1.75 - $2.50 a gallon. There are. In the 1990s, the retired lawyer Keister Greer led a thorough investigation to understand where those might have gone.[5]. Federal authorities later claimed that Franklin County had been divided With Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce. Eventually, local Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges and others realized that they could profit from the moonshine trade by imitating the practices of big city rings. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton county for statistical purposes. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can find deep cultural roots and rich history. The roads in the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Plateau have always been poor, due to the cost of construction. The distillery is in the small town of Boones Mill, famous for being home to the Bondurant brothers store during Prohibition, where the bootlegging brothers and their associates would transfer moonshine for national distribution. A "white liquor" distiller in Wilkesboro was arrested in October 2009 and 929 gallons of moonshine was confiscated. the missing court files. While folks could enjoy prohibited liquor at tea rooms without concerns of the law, moonshiners had to learn how to finesses to make sure they also werent caught. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 . Richmond, VA - Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control special agents wrapped up several months-long investigations into moonshine and narcotics operations in Franklin County last. All moonshiners were hard workers, Law said. Your email address will not be published. It was said that one juror in the conspiracy trial would not agree to subsequent trial for jury tampering. However, there are more job opportunities in the cities, so there's less incentive for people in urban areas to tackle the hard work of making illegal whiskey there. So, sugar is a key ingredient for making hooch. County, and Richards had told people that he expected to go to prison but The first time I got ran, the officer came around and grabbed me by the neck and grabbed my partner around the neck, both of us at the same time. 0. Henry Law used small-batch recipes from his father and grandfather, processed through two "doublers" or "thumper" barrels with a 60 feet long "worm" made of 2-inch copper pipe to condense the alcohol vapor. Mountaineers could use wood, a cheap fuel. Select a Rating! Jan 12, 2013 Updated Jun 7, 2019. In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Matches start at 10 a.m. and are refereed by Virginia. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and Franklin County moonshine legend Amos Law dies at 83 Alison Graham Feb 11, 2019 0 Henry Lee Law (left) stands with his father, Amos Law. His goal now is to preserve the history of moonshine the good and the bad. three days and returned guilty verdicts against all the defendants except two Otherwise, "white lightning" is a clear fluid with an alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100 proof. County residents, including the commonwealth's attorney, several sheriff's By James H. Burnett III Globe Staff,September 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Once home to almost ninety licensed distilleries and many saloons, by 1911 Virginia's Franklin County, in the heart of Appalachia, had been reduced to a single liquor business operated by Richard Flemming Rakes. And, in fact, theres a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. Moonshining in the Blue Ridge Mountains became so notorious that Franklin County, in the southwest corner of Virginia, was dubbed the "Moonshine Capital of the World," after it was estimated. Several witnesses reported to have moved hundreds of thousands of gallons over a period of five or six years. In 1620, just 13 years after the Jamestown settlement was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. . "I . [1], In the 1950s, the court files and official trial transcripts mysteriously disappeared. As U.S. Assistant Attorney General Mabel Willebrandt stated, if they arent taking the bribes, they are either very honest or very stupid. Law enforcement and political leaders at all levels, including the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury were involved in corruption and manufacturing or selling illegal alcohol, including politicians who had voted dry.. A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. - Henry Lee Law is a third-generation moonshiner. Our family has deep ties to whisky making in the hills of Franklin County, Virginia. By the 1930s folks were so intertwined with moonshine that the national spotlight came to rest on Franklin County. Fast forward to the 1700s, when the English, Germans, and Scots-Irish began immigrating to America and settling into western Virginias backcountry, where they would bring their own traditions for making homemade spirits, using fruits to make brandy and grains to produce whiskey. In 2015, Franklin County Distilleries became the first legally licensed distillery in Franklin County since Prohibition. These were the first moonshiners in America, with many residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western Virginia where a smaller, less dense population and large tracts of land allowed them to hide their operations with relative ease. convicting the other defendants unless Lee was acquitted, according to Another moonshine distillery in the area is. Virginia at the time of these brothers would come to be known as the wettest county in the world. Greer, a Rocky Mount lawyer who retired last year after practicing for 42 Heres the interesting part, Law said if the moonshiner got away, they would find another spot in Franklin County and set up another location to make moonshine until the law came and raided them again. Indeed, the new law led to health concerns. . The taste may be rough, but the "kick" should be quick. Moonshine Beekeepers Association Franklin County, Virginia We tell you where locals could get a drink without having to worry about raids during prohibition. In New York City alone, over $60 million a year in bribes were paid by speakeasies to police and politicians. 25156 Hwy 220. Today we chat with Franklin County Tourism Director, David Rotenizer, Bethany Worley Director of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, and Karen Dillion Editor of the Franklin News-Post. "Moonshiners" will feature Tim Smith and his son J.T., along with friend . From the earliest colonial settlement into the industrial era of the 1800s, producing spirits became a part of life for the small rural communities of Southwestern Virginia. Many people know a little bit about the era of Prohibition in America or have at least watched films about moonshiners, such as the 2012 Hollywood drama Lawless starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy, adapted from the novel The Wettest County in the World by Virginia-native author (and descendant of the Bondurant family) Matt Bondurant. Now, we will take a deeper look at moonshine operations and where locals could get a drink. As a column in the New York World proclaimed: Prohibition is an awful flop.We like it.It can't stop what it's meant to stop.We like it. During Prohibition, prices ranged from $6 to $12 to as much as $25 per gallon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,477. Make it a little dough, like bread, said Henry Lee Law, a third-generation moonshiner. They are best known for the [i] Great Henry Law was a third-generation distiller, but the first to produce legal and taxed liquor. Scott began his driving career as a taxi driver, but would also use his skills as a fearless driver and a knowledgeable mechanic to haul illegal whiskey, which would help him become the first and only black driver to win a major-league NASCAR race. During this same time period, more than 1 million five-gallon cans (used for storing whiskey) were purchased in the county and 37 tons of yeast were ordered (nine times that of the capital city of Richmond). In the 1920s and 1930s, if you lived in Franklin County, most likely you were in involved in the county's biggest industry making illegal whiskey or moonshine. Sign up for travel tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox, Many people know a little bit about the era of Prohibition in America or have at least watched films about moonshiners, such as the 2012 Hollywood drama, starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy, adapted from the novel. "This is kind of a last-chance thing," he said Friday. was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. But basically, they were good people.. You have to realize that in Southwestern Virginia and down into North Carolina and Tennessee, moonshine has a heritage that has made the area what it is today. Two-way radios had not yet been invented, so evading capture was still possible for moonshiners with fast vehicles who knew the winding country roads along their route. He even Now, Im not saying they didnt shoot em up and they didnt beat each other up and they didnt have thieves and that sort of thing. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. "I think there is an innocent explanation, but I haven't happened With the close of the 1800s, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support. The Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy emerged during Prohibition, when mountain settlers transformed their liquor-making craft into a huge industry. Scott began his driving career as a taxi driver, but would also use his skills as a fearless driver and a knowledgeable mechanic to haul illegal whiskey, which would help him become the first and only black driver to win a major-league NASCAR race. Source: Library of Congress, Dickenson County herald (June 7, 1945), Moonshining reputation built on long history, Franklin County moonshine history depicted in movie, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Moonshine: Now Showing Up in More Than Mason Jars, Small liquor distilleries are bubbling up in Virginia, http://www.abc.state.va.us/admin/annual/annual.htm, http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/102010/10032010/579324, http://www.abc.state.va.us/facts/nipjoint.html, http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-resources/encyclopedia/whiskey-rebellion, https://www.roanoke.com/news/local/franklin_county/franklin-county-moonshine-legend-amos-law-dies-at/article_97cb9edd-7d66-504c-bf2b-17a4694c8a84.html, https://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/news/offering-law-s-choice/article_49ccac48-5fed-11e7-bfa9-53486a5e5e97.html. Call for shipping price. Thank you! Casey previously wrote for Virginia is for Lovers and is excited to share her enthusiasm for family fun, outdoors, and culinary delights found in Virginia's Blue Ridge. The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. The federal government suggested it had been defrauded $5.5 million in excise whisky taxes ($95 million in today's money), and thus brought forth the "Great Moonshine Conspiracy" trial of 1935. During Prohibitionfrom 1920 to 1933 nationwide, but starting in 1916 in Virginiawhen sale of all liquor was illegal, bootleggers flourished. Explore Rocky Mount, and consider traveling The Crooked Road: Virginias Heritage Music Trail to appreciate more of the culture of the area. He was the gang's de facto leader during the 1930s, despite being the middle brother. Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, BRO-TV: Sons of the Moonshine Capital of the World. He was charged with perjury after state and Federal agencies cooperated in Operation Lightning Strike and broke up three moonshining rings that produced nearly 500,000 gallons of untaxed liquor between 1992-1999. The agricultural aspects of the communities and a lack of roads to transport produce grown on the lands to other parts of the state resulted in an abundance of fruits and grains to use in the distilling process. Testimony from 176 witnesses during the 1935 trial unveiled the extent of the bootlegging in Franklin County. . Skilled bootleg drivers were known to use a bootleg turn, where they would spin the car into a 180-degree skid to shake pursuers. Here is the story of the Duling brothers and the Moonshine Mafia. They set that raid up where they have a jump man. They have a technique that ensures the alcohol doesnt get messed up. The third moonshine distillery to open in the county, Finally, if youre visiting Southern Virginia, plan a stop at, in Mecklenburg County, run by one of the grandsons of the legendary Bondurant brothers. Franklin County Distilleries is a full service restaurant and distillery. See production, box office & company info, (based on the book by: "The Wettest County in the World"). Just south of. Thanks again Steve. Now, we will take a deeper look at moonshine operations and where locals could get a drink without the fear of the law enforcement raids during prohibition. Police officers and tax enforcement officials hunted down moonshiners throughout the United States with the help of local informants (which could sometimes be the bootleggers own competition). About the only thing, really, that moonshiners did wrong was not pay taxes on the alcoholic beverages because they did not have a license.. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries, the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. Whiskey manufactured under "moonshine" rather than by state permission is not taxed, and therefore is dramatically less expensive. Old Roller Mill will be home to Bondurant distillery. Couple that with increased crime and repeal became imminent. one defendant - could shed new light on the conspiracy trial and on a After a grueling two-month trial, the verdict was finally made public on July 1, 1935. Sometimes [corn] brings such a small price it is not worth hauling it to market, but made up into whiskey there is always a good margin of profit. The annual Kahila Moonshine Classic wrestling tournament is Saturday at Franklin County High School's Samuel M. Hawkins-Central. Law said he got a thrill out of it, especially after getting away from the law. Tales of moonshine in Franklin County. Moonshine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These details and the lack of tax revenue caught the attention of lawmen on a national level, and a federal investigation began. During one year of Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin County than to New York City. James Forrest Bondurant (21 November 1901-4 December 1965) was an American Prohibition -era gangster and one of the three Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia. Amos Law claimed he had never hauled sugar or jugs for anybody. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 AM Fifty-eight-year-old Terry Michel, the owner who confessed to killing his two dogs, is set to make his first court appearance in the Franklin County General District Court on Wednesday. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC. Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. enforcement of the 18th Amendment reported: "In one county, Franklin, it is By Duncan Adams. Given the poor state of many roads and the reliance on wagons, a trip to town or a railroad station could take up an entire day. White lightning became the county's top cash crop, rolling down mountain roads each night in bootlegger caravans. Their tasting room in downtown Rocky Mount is a great spot to visit for a cocktail before catching a concert at the nearby Harvester Performance Center. responsible for killing Richards. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court Across the nation, farmers did not share in the economic prosperity of the early 1920s. Large, notable busts since then have occurred as recently as 2001. in Franklin County to learn more about moonshine heritage and the distilling practices passed down over multiple generations. Moonshining is concentrated in the mountains for several reasons, but primarily because there's a centuries-old tradition of converting corn crops into whiskey to simplify transport for sale outside of the region. Event starts on Saturday, 13 May 2023 and happening at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Rocky Mount, VA. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information. FRANKLIN COUNTY MOONSHINE is the stuff of legends and outlaws, news stories and family struggles, a point of dubious pride in a region also known for stock car racing and mountain charm. Roanoke on April 22, 1935. [1] Its county seat is Rocky Mount. White lightning became the county's top cash crop, rolling down mountain Actually, distilling boils down to tax evasion more than prohibition. Photos and more. If you're having decent Franklin County moonshine, it should be made mostly from corn and it shouldn't have a whole lot of additives to it. The Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy emerged during Prohibition, when Amos Law warned his son Henry about the risks of violating the state's alcohol laws:6, as World War II was ending in Europe, the war on moonshine continued in Dickinson County The natural thing to do is run when there is danger. Enjoy Virginia spirits responsibly and enjoy Franklin County. Almost 85 years later, many people in Franklin County still have strong opinions on the case and the men who were charged. Upon questioning, Jack merely lifted his shirt to show the bullet hole.. 13:15:49 MARTINEZ Or have you ever tried to make it yourself? Some revenue agents opted to chase down moonshiners during transport rather than stake out their still locations. A federal commission set up to study Watch "You'll Never Let This Happen Again", The movie is based on actual events, as explained in the 2008 book "The Wettest County in the World" by. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. His grandfather and father have. In 1929 alone, 35,200 illegal stills were seized in the U.S. During all of Prohibition, 3,909 stills were destroyed and 130,716 gallons of alcohol seized in Franklin County which accounted for 18% of the alcohol and 12% of the stills found by law enforcement in Virginia. "I've known about this stuff all my life," said Roanoke's Kerry Hurley, who wrote about the volatile beverage in a song that's getting airplay on WROV-FM. Spirits would be taxed by the American government on and off for about 40 years after the Revolutionary War, followed by a 45-year untaxed period; however, with the start of the Civil War, Congress would again pass a whiskey tax. Virginias moonshine history runs deep, so its no surprise that the mountain region of Virginia still has plenty to offer when it comes to distilled spirits. 3,156 were here. When the working man spends eight hours at work and none in the saloon, he will save up more money and better his economic status . In the early years of Prohibition, alcohol consumption did decline as did alcohol related illnesses, deaths, and crime, but as Prohibition continued, consumption, illness, and crime began to climb, with consumption reaching 70% of Pre-Prohibition levels. [4] Of the charges that were levied against the guilty parties, most were so light that many of them were back in business before they had even been sent to serve their jail time. years. Franklin County in the Blue Ridge is traditionally considered the center of moonshining Virginia. Greer said. ROANOKE, Va. (AP) _ Chefs at an orphanage are cooking up visions of dancing sugarplums after learning they will get two tons of sugar seized in a federal moonshine raid. Our family has deep ties to whisky making in the Blue Ridge traditionally. 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