A.M. Whitesides Calls Police When He Finds Still on His Own Farm, June 25, 1921

Found Big Still Running on His Own Farm

Gastonia, June 25—A large blockade still operating at full blast was discovered yesterday morning by Mr. A.M. Whitesides and his son, while walking over his farm in the upper part of York count in Kings Mountain township, just across the South Carolina line. It was a copper still of 40-gallon capacity and was well concealed in a thicket. The still with a few gallons of whiskey and from 50 to 75 gallons of beer was captured by officers from Clover but the operators escaped.

Mr. Whitesides and son had started to look over their farm and woodland in Kings Mountain township and were walking along a blind path near an old road when he happened to look to one side and saw the fire of the still which was operating in full blast not more than 15 or 20 feet from him. He called his son, who was a short distance away picking blackberries, and the two walked up to examine the still.

While they were standing there looking over the still a rock of about the size of a man’s fist whizzed by Mr. Whitesides from the top of the hill, nearly striking him. He rushed up to the top of the hill and fired the gun which he happened to have with him in the direction which the missile came but could see no one. Until this incident, Mr. Whitesides had intended going about his business and reporting the still after finishing looking over his farm, but aroused by the attempt at injury, they hastened to their car, which was about a mile away, and drove to Bethany where they telephone to officers at Clover.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921