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Moonshine still: Just Polk County history now

We visited the Polk County History Museum Saturday. It was relocated from Tryon to Columbus earlier this year.

Our favorite display was a moonshine still donated by Chester Hudson.

Chester's brother, Ray, is married to my wife's sister.

Ray, Chester and a dozen other Hudson siblings grew up on a farm in the Pea Ridge section of Polk County.

It was said in Polk County that as long as boys were born, corn grew and water flowed, there would be liquor made on Pea Ridge.

Ray recalls, when he was a small child, the sacks of sugar stacked up to the windowsills in his house. It didn't seem strange to him.

"I just thought we drank a low of sweet tea," he said.

Some folks were drinking something a mite stronger.

I reckon it's a good thing the still is just an artifact in a museum now, the Hudson family's contribution to Polk County lore.

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Posted by Doug Clark on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 9:01 am

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Connie Mack Jr

October 5, 2009 - 12:42 pm EDT

I reckon it's a good thing the still is just an artifact in a museum now, the Hudson family's contribution to Polk County lore. * Doug

Boy! You are not very smart or either you want the Hudson family lock up! I assume you are not up to speed that the ATF has started a new program to go after Stills using Museums as a front.....

Dogwood

October 5, 2009 - 2:30 pm EDT

Uncle Luther was fermenting tomatoes one summer. Grandpa found the mash and poured it into the hog trough. The hogs slopped it up, rolled over with all four legs in the air and squealed with delight for two days. Family lore (Guilford) is those drunk hogs got fat and tender and the sausage was excellent. Long live the NC Scots-Irish!

Doug

October 5, 2009 - 5:45 pm EDT

Yes, the Scots-Irish. Not known much for the culinary arts. They put all their passion into quenching the thirst.

Connie Mack Jr

October 5, 2009 - 7:18 pm EDT

Doug! It appears that you just miss the Big Moonshine event in South Carolina this weekend since it was only 10 miles from your safe secure North Carolina location

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