If you are traveling, we recommend calling to be sure we can meet you! By 1914, Virginia voted to ban alcohol completely and the Commonwealth was completely dry of legal liquor. Old Roller Mill will be home to Bondurant distillery. In this 1979 photograph, Morris Stephenson poses with portions of the 'cemetery still . VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC. Few People Realize That The Moonshine Capital Of The World Is In Franklin County, Virginia Moonshine has a fascinating and complicated history. Moonshine is legal now and Laws signature drink is sold at ABC stores across Virginia. A Virginia distillery located in the Moonshine Capital of the World. In 1935, a federal grand jury sitting in Harrisonburg indicted 34 Franklin It was a cycle and Law said to avoid getting caught, he learned some techniques. Converting apples, peaches, and corn to alcohol before transporting the product by wagon to town meant fewer trips and more money. During one year of Prohibition more sugar was shipped by rail to Boones Mill and Franklin County than to New York City. During this era, the Blackwater River was used . Lee was acquitted. About the only thing, really, that moonshiners did wrong was not pay taxes on the alcoholic beverages because they did not have a license.. See production, box office & company info, (based on the book by: "The Wettest County in the World"). One such moonshiner in Franklin County bought an airplane so that his son could fly over their land and make sure their stills werent visible from above. 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. According to members of the Bondurant family, the Bondurant Boys Forrest, Howard, and Jack - bucked the idea of paying additional protection money and were thus involved in a 1930 shoot-out with police at Maggodee Creek Bridge. Bloomery Plantation Distillery. His goal now is to preserve the history of moonshine the good and the bad. But did you know that Franklin County, located in the mountains of Virginia, came to be known as the Moonshine Capital of the World due to the regions heavy involvement in the illegal moonshine industry that occurred during Prohibition? At that point, the rebellion dissolved and pardons were quickly issued for most participants.4. The proliferation of stills prompted then-Deputy Prohibition Commissioner N.C. Alexander to note that of the 30,000 people . Greer declined to describe theories he is pursuing, saying it was too early In 1946, a federal grand jury indicted 24 people on charges of tampering accounts. 3,156 were here. 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. We wrestled around for a few seconds. Note the bags of sugar. Ironically, Prohibition led to an increase in moonshining and to less money and fewer agents to enforce the regulations. ("200 proof" is 100% alcohol.). Good moonshine can "hold a bead" so a bubble at the surface stays intact, due to surface tension and indicating a high percentage of alcohol rather than watered-down product. The prosecution summoned 176 witnesses, most of which (if not all) were convicted criminals, versus the defense's 69, taking roughly 10 weeks for the entirety of the testimonies to be heard. Fascinating account . Required fields are marked *. convicted. 13:15:52 Or are they? 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. I think we got it. The case is the second longest in Virginias history and eventually resulted in 20 convictions, including several officers of the law and government officials.[1]. Of 23 defendants, 20 were convicted. 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 . Get more stories delivered right to your email. But likker makin' still goes on. Race car drivers now circling around NASCAR tracks can trace the heritage of that sport to drivers carrying moonshine from mountain stills to market, using cars souped up to outrun government revenue agents. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Some moonshine might be shared with friends, families, and trusted customers near where it is manufactured. With the sugar, the . You can read more about moonshine on Wikipedia there is also a lot of information on the distilling of moonshine here. Farmers in the mountains might raise more than enough corn to feed families and livestock, but the cost of transporting the surplus to a market was too expensive. What I figured out early in the game was to go back around the way the jump man came, Law said. 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 same occurred on a national level. Seven defendants pleaded guilty, including Sheriff D. Wilson Hodges, and Franklin County Distilleries | 25156 Highway 220, Franklin County, VA 24065 | 540.334.1610 | info@fcdmoonshine.com, Restaurant & ABC: Mon, Wed, Thurs 11AM9PM | Tuesday Closed | Friday 11AM12AM | Saturday 11AM12AM | Sunday 11AM7PM| Closed Christmas Day, Merchandise NOW AVAILABLE Online! demonstration of moonshine making at Richmond Folk Festival, 2013. one defendant - could shed new light on the conspiracy trial and on a MOONSHINE EXPRESS happening at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 225 Middle School Rd,Rocky Mount,VA,United States, Rocky Mount, United States on Sat May 13 2023 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm "I think there is an innocent explanation, but I haven't happened deputies and a former member of the General Assembly. notation that the document was wired to the clerk of the U.S. District Court Franklin County hosts a Moonshine Heritage Month annually and invites the public to learn more about the culture. This was the first time moonshine was made by colonists in America, although the indigenous peoples had been producing their own alcoholic beverages from corn and other native plants prior to the arrival of colonists. Gymnasium. 3. Posing as a small-scale moonshine buyer, Bailey went undercover in Franklin County beginning in 1934. Even noted author and heavy drinker Jack London voted for womens suffrage in 1911 because women would vote for Prohibition, which would make him stop drinking. The Afternoon Tea At This British-Themed Tearoom In Virginia Will Transport Your Taste Buds Across The Pond, Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Virginia Hotel For Decades, This Rustic Barn Restaurant In Virginia Serves Up Heaping Helpings Of Delicious Cooking, The Incredible Place In Virginia That Was Once Part Of The Underground Railroad, Virginias 5 Spookiest Old Asylums Still Standing Today, Youll Want To Spend More Time In This Historic Crabbing Town In Virginia, 17 Tiny Towns In Virginia Where HUGE Things Happened, The Historic Christ Church In Alexandria, Virginia Is Older Than The Declaration Of Independence, Franklin County is considered the moonshine capital of the world. Watch 10 News for the latest local, statewide and national news, as well as the forecast from Your Local Weather Authority. Whiskey sold for $1.75 - $2.50 a gallon. Learn More: Franklin County Distilleries Heritage Spirits >, In a veritable race to be first, Twin Creeks Distillery also launched in 2015. Finally, if youre visiting Southern Virginia, plan a stop at Bondurant Brothers Distillery in Mecklenburg County, run by one of the grandsons of the legendary Bondurant brothers. Congress voted in favor of repeal on February 20, 1933, the Virginia General Assembly concurred on October 3, 1933, and the 21st Amendment was ratified December 5, 1933. And, in fact, theres a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. Instead, the connection lay in the local garages, where mechanics used their skills to modify engines to increase speeds and suspensions to ensure better handling on the roads. In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, you can find deep cultural roots and rich history. The Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy emerged during Prohibition, when mountain settlers transformed their liquor-making craft into a huge industry. was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. However, many people may not realize that it has strong roots in Virginia. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. But if you wanted something a little bit stronger, you winked at the waitress and you went in the back, Stanley said. By James H. Burnett III Globe Staff,September 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. 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. I broke loose. Otherwise, "white lightning" is a clear fluid with an alcohol content comparable to grain alcohol, often above 100 proof. It was said that one juror in the conspiracy trial would not agree to After such a bust, one might think the hammer had effectively been dropped on moonshining in Virginias Blue Ridge, but that would be a foolish thought. Although Prohibition was no longer in effect, illegal moonshine was still a thriving industry, as moonshiners went to great lengths to avoid paying taxes on their products. Matt Bondurant, the author of Lawless, on which John Hillcoat's film was based, says his family's role in the moonshine business only came to light in recent years Matt Bondurant Sat 25 Aug 2012 . Make it a little dough, like bread, said Henry Lee Law, a third-generation moonshiner. And an air of mystery continues to surround the case, as part of the trial records disappeared from the Franklin County Courthouse files. Despite the low salary of $1,800 a year ($24,227 in 2021), there were more applications for Prohibition agents than there were jobs open. Forrest (Tom Hardy), Howard (Jason Clarke), and Jack (Shia LaBeouf) Bondurant successfully run moonshine out of the mountains and into Chicago, until the law gets involved--and not in the way you might initially think. Head to the. Feb 18, 2013 Updated May 14, 2019. . Eventually, 34 people would be indicted in the case, including 19 bootleggers, one corporation, and nine government employees, but when the trial finally drew to a close, the resulting convictions and punishments were surprisingly light for the crimes; jail sentences were two years or less, fines were shockingly low, and thirteen of the 34 would only receive probation. | Stop in TODAY! 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. The federal government suggested it had been defrauded $5.5 million in excise whisky taxes ($95 million in todays money), and thus brought forth the Great Moonshine Conspiracy trial of 1935. 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 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. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Before World War I the Bondurants made a good living selling moonshine, but now Prohibition has arrived and there are new problems on the horizon for those in that business. Local moonshining legends kept the attention of readers, who loved tales of individuals like Mrs. Willie Carter Sharpe, who was known as the queen of Roanoke rum runners.. There are. because roads in the mountains are bad, corn is concentrated into whiskey for transport. Cuisine: American, Bar Food. . in the 1950s. In the decade of 1954 to 1964 more than 72,000 stills were destroyed by federal agents in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Image Courtesy of The Library of Virginia, But the Revolutionary War was at hand and the country needed money to pay for the care and supplies for American troops, so the government imposed a tax on alcohol. 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. Rather than produce high-proof liquor and then dilute it with water, he mixed the lower=alcohol whiskey that was first to condense with the higher-alcohol last part of the run to get the 90-proof product he desired. Moonshining reputation built on long history Oct 9, 2007 1 Franklin County wasn't labeled the "Moonshine Capital of the World" for its special brand of the illegal whiskey. "I've found no evidence of any deliberate malfeasance on anyone's part," Rather, illegal drinking and the making of such drink skyrocketed. 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. His goal was to catch you at the steel site or run you down away from him. After an examination of the evidence, County Commonwealth's Attorney and grand-nephew of Robert E. Lee, Charles Carter Lee, along with two others, were acquitted with the other 30 defendants found guilty. With the close of the 1800s, Americas stance against alcohol was gaining support. Women and children did suffer both physical violence and poverty due to wages spent on alcohol and gambling instead of groceries and rent. . One reason for "moonshining" at night, in moonlight, was to hide the smoke from the eyes of informers and tax agents - but today, propane tanks offer a smoke-free alternative. If you want to sample authentic Virginia moonshine in its legal form, visit Franklin County Distilleries, the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. It was lengthy in both duration and defendants. 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 >. Greer, 69, has written to the survivors of the attorneys involved in the , the first legal distillery founded in Franklin County. DUNCAN ADAMS,The Roanoke Times. The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail. Whiskey manufactured under "moonshine" rather than by state permission is not taxed, and therefore is dramatically less expensive. The jury stayed out Good people looking to have a good time when moonshine was prohibited in Southwest Virginia. [1], In the 1950s, the court files and official trial transcripts mysteriously disappeared. These 3 men bootlegged gallons and gallons of moonshine all over the state of Virginia and were some of the best at it. There are distilleries in almost every region of the Commonwealth making legal moonshine, allowing you to get an authentic taste of Virginias moonshine history during your visit! They continued selling illegal, untaxed spirits after Prohibition ended, and some still do today. 1 of 6. 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. We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. In truth, however, the Governor of Virginia had directed law enforcement to take fines from whiskey makers wherever possible in order to relieve congestion in both the courts and jails in the Commonwealth. Between the Civil War and Prohibition, excise taxes on alcohol provided between 20% - 40% of all federal revenue, and the Treasury Departments revenue agents (revenuers) arrested moonshiners for not paying taxes. While rumors of continued moonshining in the mountains persist, no arrests for. Moonshine is not aged in oak casts - it's sold as fast as it is made, and has a raw burning flavor. Instead of wasting the fruits and grains that they were unable to sell, the farmers used a homemade copper still and wooden barrels to mix the mash and store resulting spirits for years to come. convicting the other defendants unless Lee was acquitted, according to Hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Thursday & Sunday (540) 483-1890 fchistorical@yahoo.com. Thanks again Steve. Moonshine. In Virginias mountains, a few bootleggers were quite wealthy, earning tens of thousands of dollars in cash while the Great Depression was in full swing. Franklin County hosts an annual Moonshine Heritage Month to commemorate the history and cultural aspects of moonshine with tours, special events, and costumed interpreters. Franklin County also acts as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, 'Round the Mountain Artisan Trails, and is of course the . We've got Law-theme t-shirts and hats ($18 each). 9 seconds of gory violence were removed for an R rating in the US. Want to know more about Virginias lesser-known history? But the Revolutionary War was at hand and the country needed money to pay for the care and supplies for American troops, so the government imposed a tax on alcohol. During Prohibition, prices ranged from $6 to $12 to as much as $25 per gallon. Greer said a review of the trial transcript - prepared for the appeal of We invite you to taste local history with Franklin County Distilleries. These rogue distillers would operate as illegal moonshiners, competing with the 77 legal distilleries that would open in Franklin County by 1894. Source: Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Law's Choice Wheat Whiskey. 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. Homegrown in the Moonshine Capital of the world, Franklin County Distilleries is built on the brand that moonshiners created, and offers a true taste of history in every bottle. Love learning more and more about Virginia where my Dad, Joe Bondurant was born and raised. Potatoes or other starch-rich foods can be fermented to produce alcohol. Ironically, drinking in public became socially acceptable for women in speakeasies and private clubs; whereas before, women would not enter a saloon, unless like Carrie Nation, it was to smash the liquor. Was the disappearance yet another conspiracy? As the Temperance movement made headway, local options allowed localities to prohibit alcohol (dry counties). Almost 85 years later, many people in Franklin County still have strong opinions on the case and the men who were charged. 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. Lawless is the story of the three Bondurant brothers from Franklin County, Virginia, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, and the runt of the litter Shia LaBoeuf. He set out to make the distillery a living history lesson, like stepping back in time. 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. 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. The name Law's Choice echoed a decision he made after first asking his father to teach him the moonshining business, which at one point landed him in jail. because court files and the official trial transcript inexplicably disappeared Have you visited Franklin County recently? The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935 [Greer, T. Keister] on Amazon.com. View Menu. 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. What's the moonshine capital of the United States? Biography Bondurant in 1931 . . Franklin County remained wet and voted 1,373 against statewide prohibition with 1,079 for. Check out our articles about Virginia Beach & the Historic Cavalier Hotel or Airlie & the Origins of Earth Day, and stay tuned for more But Did You Know history articles to learn about some of Virginias most amazing untold stories, Im told my great grandfather Charlie craft Martin was a deputy sheriff during this time and also was a bootlegger and he had shot killed a man I enjoyed watching the movie lawless as I still live in Virginia, My Grandfather Thomas Creed Cooper was a bootlegger who lived in Callaway Virginia. state-run liquor stores in Virginia now sell Laws Choice whiskey - and collect all required taxes Liquor legality has been off and on again like a bad relationship. And, in fact, there's a country right here in the Old Dominion that lays claim to being the Moonshine Capital of the World. The government posited authorities received protection money from still operators, and that Commonwealths Attorney Charles Carter Lee was the instigator. Photographed above, Franklin County Distilleries is most famous for its white corn whiskey. The writer of this article skip over some really important details in writing the article. In 1620, just 13 years after the Jamestown settlement was established, Virginia colonists were using corn to distill spirits along the James River. 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. The Bondurant Brothers: Franklin County, VA Moonshine Conspiracy. And in Franklin County, there is a deep history of moonshine. 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. [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. They merely had to develop ways to evade or work with law enforcement. [3] For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. Events Virginia man talks about lifelong moonshine making. We have multiple events at our facility throughout the year and have new specials every month. According to the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, The United States collected an excise tax on alcohol from 1791 to 1802 and then again from 1813 to 1817. In response, lots of citizens chose not to license their distilleries or pay taxes on the resulting liquors. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some government officials in Franklin County accepted bribes to look the other way and protect bootleggers from other lawmen and moonshine distillers; even the Sheriff of Franklin was in on the racket, overseeing a complex bribery system for the biggest moonshine producers in the region. The trial lasted 10 weeks. Franklin County is located in the Blue Ridge foothills of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 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 farmers of Western Pennsylvania rebelled in 1794 against a Federal tax on whiskey, imposed by Congress at Alexander Hamilton's suggestion. His grandfather and father have. After roughly a year, Bailey was allegedly able to uncover a complex system driven by bribery and extortion, in which distillers would supposedly pay local sheriffs for protection from federal law enforcement agencies. Visit www.virginia.gov a division of Graham Holdings born and raised find deep cultural roots and rich history often above proof! The cold mash moonshine produced at this distillery is a neutral spirit that makes for a perfectly balanced.! Is sold at ABC stores across Virginia Virginia and were some of the attorneys involved in the.... 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