Mugshots of Moonshiners
Mugshots of Southern moonshiners, from Life Magazine (Jan 1, 1940):
During 1939, agents working out of Atlanta destroyed $423946-worth of illicit distilling apparatus. But this comparatively small figure represented 4325 stills, with a total estimated capacity of 650000 gallons per day.
Of the convicted moonshiners above, most famous is Theressa Brown (fourth row, center). Known to agents as "Queen of the Bootleggers," she has been arrested 22 times, mostly for liquor-law violation, but once for arson, once for shooting her husband.
Of the convicted moonshiners above, most famous is Theressa Brown (fourth row, center). Known to agents as "Queen of the Bootleggers," she has been arrested 22 times, mostly for liquor-law violation, but once for arson, once for shooting her husband.
Comments
Paul, they're in B&W;of course.
All this over some tax money!
All this over some tax money!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/26/09 at 10:39 AM
@Paul in Athens,
Some things are timeless
Some things are timeless
Posted by Matt in Florida on 03/26/09 at 10:41 AM
Does Life have mugs of Chatanooga prostitutes from the 1930's?
Posted by Matt in Florida on 03/26/09 at 10:43 AM
Paul, I'd have to say that no one is smiling or wearing a shirt that says "I moonshine".
Posted by Madd Maxx on 03/26/09 at 11:17 AM
And no incriminating tattoo's on their faces or necks either
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 03/26/09 at 12:15 PM
You fail to point out that these bootleggers are from the F-State. The bootleggers from Atlanta actually all look very similar to Clark Gable or Ava Gardner. Their mug shots are pleasant enough to be framed and hung over your mantle. I realize the F-State borders Georgia, but even in the 30's the differences between F-Statians and Georgians, like myself, were visibly apparent.
Posted by Pablo on 03/26/09 at 12:21 PM
Everything north of Ocala is considered to be "south Georgia" anyhow.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/26/09 at 12:33 PM
Why is the Queen of the Bootleggers crying? Surely she'd be used to this after her 20th arrest or so.
Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 03/26/09 at 12:49 PM
Theressa Brown isn't crying in the above picture. She was actually blinded after drinking a bad batch of moonshine her brother/uncle made. Legend has it she navigated moonlit roads by sense of smell enhanced in lieu of her lost eyesight.
This could also be why she was captured so many times.
This could also be why she was captured so many times.
Posted by Pablo on 03/26/09 at 01:03 PM
As the saying goes "Well-behaved women rarely make history"
Posted by DownCrisis on 03/26/09 at 01:59 PM
I think a good many of us will remember you Patty! 😉
Posted by DownCrisis on 03/26/09 at 10:34 PM
Call me ignorant, but I didn't understand why making your own liquor should be illegal. I mean, they destroyed "$423946-worth of illicit distilling apparatus." Why?
So I went and googled "why is moonshine illegal" and got the best answer: because the government does not get any tax revenue.
Say no more.
So I went and googled "why is moonshine illegal" and got the best answer: because the government does not get any tax revenue.
Say no more.
Posted by Nethie on 03/26/09 at 11:06 PM
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Category: Crime | Inebriation and Intoxicants | 1940s