65 YEAR OLD SURPRISED AT BEING CAUGHT OPERATING ILLEGAL STILL
Richmond, Virginia (JFK+50) On June 8, 1922, state Prohibition Commissioner H.B. Smith received a report on the arrest of 65 year old J.D. Spencer of Lunenburg County* who was caught operating a 60 gallon copper still.
According to the Associated Press, the gentleman "seemed surprised at being caught in his old age." He had been operating his still on and off over a forty year period "without molestation."
Although calm and obedient after his arrest, Mr. Spencer would not promise to "give up his...occupation." He said it depended on "the extent to which his thirst led him."
And he added..."(I am) very fond of liquid fire."
Unfortunately for this senior citizen, his still and liquid fire were confiscated by authorities.
*Lunenburg County, founded in 1746, is located in South Central Virginia. It was named for the Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg in Germany. Just prior to the Civil War the county threatened to break away from Virginia if the state did not join the Confederacy.
SOURCE
"Made Liquor 40 Years, According To Thirst; Refuses To Quit At 65," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 8, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
