Family Tradition
My Grandfather was a genuine West Virginia Hill Billy. He grew up in the mountains, living in a log cabin, hunting for food (no sport involved) with a muzzle loader rifle. He took over operating the family still and selling the shine when his Father died. He was 10 years old when he took over. He told many a great story about shining, and running the shine into town. He eventually ended up for a short while on the early stock car circuit, having learned mechanical skills in hotting up the cars, as he put it.
By the time I knew him he was living in Texas - had left WVA as a result of a run in with a G man, a run in the G mand did not come off to well in, but Grandpa did have to make a new home elsewhere. (He never heard if the bones were ever found or not.) He was no longer cooking in Texas, but I did hear a lot about it, late at night sitting by the hunting fire.
Some years ago I was reading the first Fox Fire book and was fascinated by the section on stills. It was like having Grandpa back for a few minutes.
This being my first post, what I really wanted to say was THANK YOU for a great place to gather informationl
Much Obliged
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Butch50
- Swill Maker
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Much Obliged
Last edited by Butch50 on Mon May 19, 2008 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Banjos and Whisky, Down On The River Bank
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CoopsOz
- Distiller
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blanikdog
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Let us know how it goes, butch. Welcome to the forum, it's a great source of infomation.
blanik
blanik
Simple potstiller. Slow, single run.
(50 litre, propane heated pot still. Coil in bucket condenser - No thermometer, No carbon)
The Reading Lounge AND the Rules We Live By should be compulsory reading
Cumudgeon and loving it.
(50 litre, propane heated pot still. Coil in bucket condenser - No thermometer, No carbon)
The Reading Lounge AND the Rules We Live By should be compulsory reading
Cumudgeon and loving it.
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HookLine
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Butch50
- Swill Maker
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- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:20 am
- Location: Repbulic of Texas!
I remember some stray advice I got from Grandpa. He said if I was ever out hunting and heard a whistle that sounded like it come from a two legged animal, to simply turn around and go back the way I come. Not to look around or even act like I heard it at all.
It was a courtesy warning from shiners that whistle was, at least in his region. to non-revenuer types that they were accidentally getting too close to a still.
I assume revenuers didn't get that courtesy warning.
It was a courtesy warning from shiners that whistle was, at least in his region. to non-revenuer types that they were accidentally getting too close to a still.
I assume revenuers didn't get that courtesy warning.
Banjos and Whisky, Down On The River Bank