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The People Who Lived on the Land that is Now Redstone Arsenal, page 412

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MOONSHINE The researcher talked with Tom Kenny, editor of the Old Huntsville magazine in September of 2005. Kenny explained that back in the 1920's, hundreds of gallons of moonshine were made every week. Men in Huntsville (White) would set people up to make moonshine for them. They would have the stills made by a local blacksmith, and they would bring the sugar from Atlanta. Kenny said one way people were caught was that they were observed buying a large quantity of sugar. He said, “Blacks were favored for making whiskey because they wouldn't tell on each other.” He added that all the whiskey men paid off the law. If one of the kingpin's whiskey makers got too obvious or messed up, the kingpin called the law, and the whiskey maker got busted. Kenny also stated that every gallon of whiskey was sold in a narrow, glass Coca Cola jug. The jugs were purchased at the local Coca Cola bottling works. He said they were sold “off the books.” The Coca Cola Bottling Works in Huntsville. Source: Business Men's League of Huntsville, Alabama 1908. While everyone seemed to buy jugs and barrels at the Coca Cola Bottling Works in Huntsville, whether it be for storing molasses or for whiskey, it seems not everyone had a “sponsored” still. As Arthur Jordan said during his interview, “People were making moonshine. Every time the police went out, they would tear up the still they found. They would go in shooting.” He said most of the stills were “in the thick woods.” Other people who were interviewed also mentioned the presence of stills in the pre-arsenal communities. In two cases, locations were mentioned, one on Kirby property in Pond Beat and another at Horton's Ford. 412 - (4445)    

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