Appalachias Moonshine King

Appalachias Moonshine King The True Story of Major Lewis Redmond as told by The Appalachian Storyteller. #majorlewisredmond #lewisredmond #appalachia #appalachianhistory #moonshinehistory #moonshiner #moonshine #appalachiantrail #moonshineking
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Video from The Appalachian Storyteller
Story written by The Appalachian Storyteller
This video represents history and is uploaded for educational purposes and critique and commentary on the topic.
Photos from paid subscription to Newspapers.com and Shutterstock.com and public domain from the Library of Congress

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Support this channel by LIKING and COMMENTING. If you would like to donate to this channel , click the JOIN or THANKS buttons, thanks so much!

[@DanaWallace-i4k]

Another great story. Thanks JD for taking the time to research and write these stories, and help us remember our legacy, and give the flat landers and city folk a chance to wish they could claim to be from the tough stock that settled the Appalachians.

[@semigoth299]

Thanks for listing the music l was raised on good music like this bluegrass/country ones that you put with the stories

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yes sir!@@semigoth299

[@nightlife7231]

Been a while remember me ?? Keep up the good work !!!

[@icantcook9998]

👍

[@beehungry6190]

America used to be so tough and rugged. Amazing stories and heritage.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

well said

[@TheProcecution]

gyus invented american history in hollywood

[@timesthree5757]

Alot of us still are

[@Fishallnight475]

Still is.

[@cattywampusmcdoogle]

and then we let women vote, communist live, and a government move to a debt currency....

[@charliepc56]

Hollywood made the Wild West famous, but Appalachia was a much wilder place. Great story! Thanks JD!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

you said it Charlie, and those outlaws in the Wild West came from Appalachia.

[@ricksrealpitbbq]

As a relatively new resident of Appalachia I thoroughly enjoy these stories. I’ve met many old timers who have shared their stories and history. This place embodies everything I believe in. My only regret is I wasn’t born and raised here. But I’ll surely live my last days among those who live free.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Welcome Rick, some are born here, some are lucky enough to make their way here, it is a way of life, a way of thinking, and a state of mind. Glad you are here brother.

[@JenAmazed42]

Welcome home, sir.

[@P_RO_]

Glad to have you. You'll find us old-fashioned folks stick together and help each other like you will not find anywhere else. We may not have much but we're glad to share what we got.

[@jeffreyfreeborn6879]

same here!

[@sevenspecie592]

What a nice comment, Rick! Something about it just warmed my heart & maybe b/c I was born & raised on a mountain in WV...lol❤️🕊❤️

[@madcrabber1113]

Need more people like him now.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You got that right this world needs more people who will stand up and fight for what’s right

[@Last_Chance.]

Amen brother

[@mountainjam27]

Damn right

[@survive323]

Absolutely!

[@ericjohnson8571]

Having grown up in south eastern Kentucky, these stories bring back memories of stories I heard as a child in the early 1960’s where moonshine was still the most important part of the local economy. The schools I attended had outhouses and were heated by pot bellied stoves. My friend’s fathers plowed their garden and tobacco fields with a mule because often it was too steep for a tractor.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thanks for sharing that memory!

[@EuleneWages4644]

Yes even in the 70s and 80s there were still alotta corn liquor and bootleggers across southeastern Kentucky.I was becoming a teen by this time and they began to make alotta cities legal to sell.But yet several did not and so the bootleggers remained.💯

[@marilynamy3823]

Another great story. I loved how he outran the Marshalls and helped the poor with their taxes. Sounds like Redmond was a kind and amazing man. Thank You for this history story. Loved it.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@davidgraham7325]

Another Robin Hood not some greedy ass politicians 🙄 the hard working country people are what makes this world

[@terrancemitchell3420]

I understand the hard times and all that, but this discloses illegal activity and that is not something to be celebrated. My family was deep in the trade and I am not proud of that. There were ways to make a living. Not get rich but make a living.

[@davidbrooks799]

Oh yes. Another Robin Hood. Said he respected the authorities until he shot the poor hard working deputy in the throat. Typical story embellishing the scoundrel and disparaging government. Most folks have good in them, but the truly mean bastard is ready to stab you in the back. This dude was a scoundrel not some Saint whiskey of poor hill folk.

[@laura6796]

A true Robin Hood. Great story!

[@ajarrell3919]

I was born in the blue ridge. Had my first white lightening at 6. Granpaw and 12 uncles ran shine throughout the hills. They used the lightening to boost the cars horsepower in the 50's & 60s. Grandpa was a hate filled Dutchman. He froze high in the mountains, sitting in his chair in a camper holding his shine in a Mason jar. Buster Wardon. Meanest man I ever saw alive. Check my facts, lol. There are two Bluefields in the Appalachia. I was born in one of them. Thanks for this story.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Wow, what year did he freeze?

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

It was their corn! They should've been able to do what they wanted to do with their crops! I suppose I've never agreed with the feds, still hate the tyranny of the IRS. I have absolutely no respect, given what is going on even now. Thank you for this wonderful story. I feel so strongly about taxes and the wars our money is going for, instead of helping our people. God Bless you for telling the stories of what could very well be my ancestors.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much for sharing that, lots of good points

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Popcorn Sutton said: I paid tax on that copper, sugar and so on, so I don’t reckon I owe them any tax on what I am making. Think about it, you go through all that trouble and someone comes along wanting a cut of what you have done. That is some mafia stuff right there.

[@BuntingClipClop]

"I just couldn't get my mind right, knowing that $100 was layin in that lawman's pocket". What beautiful writing. Your whole narrative captures the era and the personalities. It's quite wonderful. Also, the production value is so high, with those precious vintage photos plus sound fx. You're far from a simple mountain man yourself, sir.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you for that! My father told me a million times when I was a boy “you gotta get cha mind right” that line was a tribute to his memory. Thank you for noticing ❤️

[@BuntingClipClop]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Oh, that's wonderful! The wisdom of each dad is so distinctive and unique. I'm in Sydney, Australia, and I have to say, listening to your vernacular in that accent of yours transports every single time. Your pacing, dialogue and descriptions are as smooth as silk. What with the music, animations, photos...please tell me you have a team working on each episode and you're not just that bloody gifted!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I wish I had a team, but every aspect of these stories are from my own creation. @@BuntingClipClop

[@jillianmunday7640]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller wow, that's amazing. How long does it take to produce an episode? Even the research must take weeks and weeks.

[@nancybode6159]

I did an internet search and apparently you can purchase Lewis Redmond Bourbon Whiskey from a distillery in South Carolina. I wonder if it's as good as the original recipe!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yes you can purchase it, I didn't mention it in the video. Maybe I should have offered a sponsorship with them. 🤔

[@jamesdeen3011]

Stories of the underdog prevailing against all odds has always been my favorite. It strikes me that when the government passes a law against a particular thing like shine, gambling {lottery} that they would pass another law making it legal as long as they get thier cut. This feels like something organized crime would do you know, a shake down. No wonder everybody hates the government.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

That’s exactly what it is James!

[@thegrey8643]

It is organized crime. But when you write the “laws” theft and ransom are called “taxes”.

[@ravenzyblack]

It IS organized crime. That is WHY they wanted to get rid of the competition.

[@dehypnotizebroadcast14]

It is organized crime. The government is run by the tiny hat mafia. They invented usury...

[@richardwhitten531]

Exactly

[@breebarry4422]

I'm so glad people like you have a platform on KZbin, instead of having to vie for airtime or documentary movie screens. You redeem this place🎉

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I really appreciate that

[@pinkywilliams8063]

A great story JD. That hit close to my heart for my step father who was born and raised in the mtns of NC made his money as a teenager delivering shine mid 40's. His story was that's how he learn to drive like a bat out of hell. He taught me to drive on those mtn roads, scared the crap out of me but thru out my life I have avoided danger's on the road. I thank him every time. God rest his soul. He's buried up there in NC in a memorial cemetery Thanks for sharing JD...❤✌🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for sharing your fathers story Pinky. Terrible how generations of men were persecuted by imaginary laws and now its legal...

[@jujumulligan43]

Great story to tell! I hope so much that we can hold on to these stories and the history of The Appalachian mountains! We are from Western North Carolina too! I love it here. And unfortunately so many people are moving to the area. We have always cherished the beauty of the mountains and the quiet of a life, away from the big cities! Hang on to your heritage!

[@jujumulligan43]

I love this documentary about the beautiful mountains of my home here in Western North Carolina! Thank you for presenting this video. It's a time now past, in many ways, but a time worth memorializing. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. Much obligated.

[@gamingandmore8252]

My papaw Williams and great grandpa Williams and 2nd grandpa Williams were all moonshiners in NC/TN Mountains. They ran through Blount county and Monroe county Tennessee into yellow Creek Graham NC. My 2nd great grandpa Onley was also a preacher.

[@donnahays1534]

I love your account of history and love and admire the spirt of community of these people.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much for that Donna! I do my best to bring the stories to life

[@randallbreason8322]

That was an INCREDIBLE story. I loved it!!! R.I.P Major Lewis Redmond!!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much, my friend major Redmond was a heckuva man

[@Hasselhoff25816]

God bless that man and his people. And God bless America!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Amen

[@meltcmelinda4012]

Thank you for sharing that glorious story about Major Lewis Redmond. What a life he lived. Hats off to all the Moonshiners. Thank You

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

He was a legend!

[@scott236]

Finally, a lewis redmond video!!! He's one of my top favorite.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Its a heck of a story!

[@scott236]

​@@TheAppalachianStorytellerI didn't know his mother was part Indian. I know his fathers line was irish, I believe.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I got the info about his mother being part Indian from an interview with Lewis Redmond in a newspaper back in the 1880s@@scott236

[@algentry1]

Some of my Uncles ran moonshine in South Carolina. Most of 'em finally grew up. They were hard men, and I still love 'em even though they're dead and gone. They taught me how to be, so I'm forever grateful. They used to put heavy springs in the back of the car so the cops wouldn't see it sagging under the load. But, they would see it raised up when it was empty, and keep an eye out for the car. Nobody had a spare car then. My Uncle Lander had a kerosene smoke screen rigged up to use when he was almost home, so they couldn't see where he went. There was already a dust cloud behind him, so the smoke, even though it ruined the engine kept him free. My Mother told me the stories but they never talked about it in front on the little kids. I'm 76 years old, so it was a long time ago. Chester County, S.C. Strike a blow for Liberty. Scots Irish Whiskey and Branch Water.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for sharing those memories

[@piratepete1961]

never heard of this man but being someone who likes to make his own shine i love it

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Have a sip for Major Lewis tonight

[@TroyFutureExpat]

Good Saturday morning to you JD. That was a awesome tale. He was the most famous outlaw I never heard of, but he's now one of my favorites. Listening on my lunch break doing the night shift. Take care JD.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much Troy!

[@donnahays1534]

Never heard of this outlaw before but I think I will remember this history now. Enjoy the freedom that us like minded Canadian's no longer have under the most demonic sell out of a leader.

[@CassandraFay]

Another good one! My grandpa ran moonshine in the 50’a from northwest Arkansas Ozarks into southwest Missouri.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Awesome!

[@torsandmore]

WOW WOW WOW WHAT A LEGEND!! Brilliant tale!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much!

[@reneenicholson9089]

He most definitely was one of the baddest!!!!moon shining king one tough SON OF A GUN.....LOVED IT.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Renee!

[@D-A-1776]

Great story, glad i came across it. Love the old moonshiner stories i grew up and lived in the Appalachian mountains my whole life in east Tennessee

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Greetings from Anderson Co. TN

[@D-A-1776]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller . Greetings, I've been through Anderson County. I'm from Sullivan County but live in sevier now.

[@sandrae4515]

Yes Sir! This is a GREAT Story. Yes Sir! ONE of the BEST! Keep um coming JD.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@teereetina]

Love this guy, we need a few more Like him around today

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

amen, well said

[@ezekielmoorejr3145]

Another great story of our colorful history, thanks for sharing Major Lewis R. Redmond story! May he R.I.P.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yes sir, im gonna take a sip or two in his honor tonight

[@lisalayne4335]

I love stories like this. Lots of history. Feels like you’re there.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for that Lisa! I try to bring them to life

[@rebeccasblingingboutique4762]

Wonderful story. My husband is a direct desendant of general. Robert E Lee ❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@tracicomstock3489]

This story fills my chest with a pride for my roots, my Country and Freedom!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Traci!

[@jae6335]

Your heartwarming stories are true celebrations of the strength of the human spirit! Thank you!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You are so kind :)

[@jae6335]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller ❤️⚘️

[@janeyhazelwood9894]

Sure do love all your stories. I never miss one. Thank you for these stories of where my kin came from.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Janey!

[@richardliles4415]

Oh, that is one heck of a story, so glad you told it. Thanks, JD.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you Richard, hope all is well with you as we head into the cold fall nights. Thank you so much for your support the last couple years!

[@rubypayton4539]

This has got to be one of the best stories I've ever heard. The ending cracked me up. Thank you for my morning giggle.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Im happy you enjoyed it Ruby!

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

This is a Great Story. I have never heard anything like it before. Thank you.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, I do my best to bring them to life

[@laserbeam002]

I'm from South Carolina and have lived here all my live...over 60 years. Never heard this story. Thank you for posting.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Glad you enjoyed

[@Thoreau-e4l]

What county?

[@michaelcribb7205]

Me either i was born and raised in charleston south Carolina this is my first time hearing about him i live in camden now

[@laserbeam002]

@@Thoreau-e4l spartanburg

[@riverbender9898]

Another great story, with fine pictures! Thank you.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much!

[@rachelrichards2999]

Great story enjoyed a lot so much history in your stories . Thanks for the hard work you do in getting these story God bless have a great weekend

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Rachel, I do work to make these stories the best I am able to. Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@jamtraveler1]

This is the best story that I have watched....Thanks

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much for that my friend

[@pamhoosier8592]

Another great story! You just draw me in with these stories!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I do my best to bring them to life and make the listener feel like they are there

[@pamhoosier8592]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller you sure do. And they're excellent stories! I love true stuff. I will always listen to your stories.

[@dlkline27]

What a surprise ending. I sure didn't expect that! I love these stories. Thank you!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@jeffreybunch3959]

I live here in Raleigh West Virginia , I love these stories. 👍 Popcorn here.A good men.👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@pam190]

I love love these stories with such good endings.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You watched a lot is stories today

[@timknotts4752]

I absolutely love this story.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much!

[@musicsavessouls]

When Leo makes this into a movie, Everyone is gonna be making shine🥳

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yup

[@musicsavessouls]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Recently subscribed! Really great content in every way! Just Awesome!!

[@chrisullery3386]

We still make shine 😂

[@debralee1401]

Awesome story, and history lesson! Love the music!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much Debra!

[@mitologijaiokultizam7608]

Greetings. You, my good sir, are one of the best storytellers I've ever heard. I'm a historian and an anthropologist, and even that I'm living on the other side of the world, literally, I have always been fascinated with the history of the US. North Carolina's, and mountain history, people, and customs especially. And again, as an historian and anthropologist, I'm amazed how vividly and with how much spirit you are telling each and every one of your stories. My bow and respect to you sir, and all the best wishes from Serbia, southeast Europe. Igor🙏😇🇷🇸❤️🇺🇸🍻🌄

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Greetings from the mountains of East Tennessee. Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! Im so glad you found your way here, stay tuned, many more stories on the way!

[@mitologijaiokultizam7608]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thank you so much, from my whole heart, my good sir. I will certainly do that. Truth to be told, I was searching some historical information about North Carolinian history, and among the you tube suggestions was your channel. And after I listened to just one story, I knew that I'm not going anywhere. And until now, I watched more than half of your videos. But I'm truly looking forward for your wonderful new stories my friend. Thank you once again, for bringing the amazing history of the Appalachian Mountains, and it's wonderful people and customs to the world, to all of us who enjoy it so much. I'm planning a trip to North Carolina for some time now, and after hearing your stories, I'm looking forward for it more then ever. Much love, respect, and the warmest greetings for you my brother, and all good people of US, North Carolina and East Tennessee from Serbia.🇷🇸❤️🇺🇸🍻😇🙏🌄

[@melissavancleave8686]

Good morning JD. You did it again with your fine writing skills. Major was just a hard working good man. Everyone feels the same about those taxes. If they left him alone, they wouldn't have been embarrassed. Your video with all the shots and smoke was really exciting and made story come alive. Thanks for all the hard work.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Melissa! And thanks for noticing the shots and smoke and such! There is so much work to those little things, but it helps bring the story to life. You're right about everyone feeling the same about taxes... as I wrote that section, the words came to me very easily!

[@etiennejager8701]

Your channel is a gem. I love listening to your stories as i drift off to sleep

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, glad to have you here

[@KathysTube]

I have to admit I liked his attitude (not the killing, but...🤫) especially how he helped his neighbors. Great story JD 😎👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Kathy, he just wanted to be left alone, and the government just wanted his money or he would have to fight for his freedom and his life to keep it. Crazy how taxes work.

[@KathysTube]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I think it's beyond crazy and into the realms of criminal 😁👍

[@EverettJames]

Thanks man. Appalachia's Moonshine King made me smile and laugh more than once, I love the history, and I paused on those old photos of the cabins and the people and just studied them, because it takes me back in time. You truly are The Appalachian Story Teller.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much for that my friend! Preciate your kindness!

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

Wow. Another amazing story. Glad to see the stories are longer. It’s like when I am listening to your stories I don’t want them to end.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks brother

[@EricHeffner]

This has been my favorite today. The Harper brothers come in at a close second thank you for everything you do.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much!

[@deletalunstrum86]

WONDERFUL STORY!!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much!

[@hrhqueene]

This is one of your best! Transports me right back to the coal country of WV, where I was born & grew up. We would’ve loved Major Redmond!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much my friend. This is a powerful story.

[@janetconnors3113]

Another great storytelling, I think a lot of people would sympathize with him during these times. Thank you

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Janet!

[@juliefoord262]

OMG! I loved this story! Why hasnt a movie been made about major Lewis?! It should be! A modern day robin hood, to be sure! Keep the stories comin - i cant get enough of them!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Julie!

[@johnsmith7676]

Hollywood is cancer.

[@tommygulley2260]

What an awesome story of a moonshiner.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes sir!

[@davidsavage2650]

Love it. These are the stories Hollywood should be making movies from. Instead of recycling the same stuff over and over. P.S. The music is awesome. Keep it up and thank you.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Hey, I appreciate that, especially them music comments, I work just as hard on that as I do the story

[@davidsavage2650]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Well it shows for sure! Is there a place where we could hear the full song?

[@karenroot450]

Wow what a turn of events for the ‘notorious’ outlaw! This was a riveting story JD! I love the stories. I really loved how Redmond paid his neighbors back taxes! He was a slippery criminal then hired to take over a legal distillery! I hope he lived a long prosperous life after this turn of events! Thank you JD! Love all your stories!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much Karen, he never fully recovered 100% from those 6 bullets he received, had to use a cane after that and he struggled with his health, but he had a house full of young'uns and a loving wife. That's as good a life as any.

[@karenroot450]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I’m glad he had a family!

[@karenroot450]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I’m glad he had a family!

[@davidgraham7325]

But I and many other people don't consider 😕 him criminal he was just doing what it took to survive in the wild country and to take care of the family and friends which many would not have survived without his kind heart

[@davidbrooks799]

Nobody is a hero in this story. Robin Hood is a scoundrel just like any criminal that would shoot somebody in the throat. He was a lying scoundrel.

[@StuartAnderson-xl4bo]

Another beautifully narrated great story sir thankyou

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much Stuart! preciate you watching and commenting. Hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods

[@arohacecil5235]

A true hero. Love it❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

He really was

[@lindabriggs5118]

Great story! I live in the Appalachian's near many of the places Redmond lived. It's wonderful to hear about the old timers and what they got up to. But you're correct, I'd never heard of Major Lewis Redmond. Maybe because he and his band were east of the Mississippi and not part of the west. He was a "Robin Hood" of the Southwestern Appalachian's. Thank you for the history and I love the background music you play. ❤️

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Linda! Lots of folks don't know it, but im a lifelong musician, I put a "major" (pun intended) emphasis on music in these stories :)

[@lindabriggs5118]

@TheAppalachianStoryteller I'm a history buff. In high school I remember having to write a paper of a significant time in the Civil War. I wrote about the Battle of Shiloh. You should do a video about the last skirmish of the Civil War. It's a bit humorous, as the Confederate forces in the area around Sylva, NC had not heard of the recent surrender of the Confederacy and encountered a group of Union Soldiers and fought them. What makes it humorous, is not that their skirmish was after the surrender, it was the the Confederats actually WON the battle! 😁 Oh, I should mention, I don't know about others, but I would love for you to do a full video playing some of the music of the Appalachian's with possible back stories. Such as Celtic origins or religious.

[@ruthrecord8196]

Puppies woke me again at 3:00 am. Thankfully for your stories in the dark hours of morning ❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@janellejanjan]

I sent this to daddy for him to listen. When he was young but could drive he was a runner ;)

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

love this!

[@RunIt615]

The outlaw spirit from that region will always stay alive. Thanks for the story

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes indeed

[@Autobodyscotty]

That was an EXCELLENT STORY !.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@philm7017]

TRUTH can't be beat ! , Thanks! , Phil James Manley, Seneca, South Carolina !!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

👍🏼 ❤️

[@DD-mp9ok]

YES! Nothing makes my day any better than when "David slays Goliath" LOL. Hat tip to Major Redmond! Another awesome story, JD!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Id gonna have a sip or two in Major Redmonds honor this evening

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Thank you for sharing 🏆⭐🤗🇺🇸🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@msbeth420]

Loved the story

[@bettyfeliciano7322]

What an awesome story! I love hearing your narration of these amazing stories of the Appalachian people! Blessings always! ❤️✝️

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 🙏!

[@bettyfeliciano7322]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I absolutely love your voice and I have never seen the Appalachian mountains except in videos from Donnie Laws. What a beautiful place! God’s handiwork abounds!

[@deecooper1567]

WOOOHOOOO Mr. Redmond 👍👍. The tables sure turned in this one 🤪🤪🤪🥃👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes they did

[@carolet17]

Loved the narration, felt like I was there

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, I do my best to bring the stories to life!

[@bigiron8831]

Good morning JD, man that was a great story to start off my Saturday. Makes me wish my grandpa was still alive so he could share his moonshine history with me. Y'all stay safe my friends 🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks big iron, the ole timers sure could tell em, I miss those days

[@JenAmazed42]

My ancestors were from a little place called Shelton Laurel in Western North Carolina. I'm just over the mountain in upper east Tennessee. Many of my ancestors had to rely on shine to eek out a living on that rocky soil. You did a great job of explaining how it came to that for many families. None of them willfully wanted to be on the wrong side of the law. Many, especially the wives, didnt thinking drinking to get drunk was the Christian thing to do. They just did what they had to do to get by and put bread on the table.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

well said Jen, btw... I replied to your other comment about your story recommendation, id be grateful if you could email it to me at [e-mail] For some reason, once I reply to a comment here on KZbin, I can never find it again as it gets buried in the comment section.

[@davidgraham7325]

Sensible people are what keeps this country alive and together ❤️

[@Highlander9740]

Good to hear Shelton Laurel mentioned in the comments.

[@JenAmazed42]

@@Highlander9740 are you from there? If so, we're likely kin

[@WNCBlueRidgeBlondie1]

@@JenAmazed42 I think everyone from Madison county was related. 😉

[@jonni1960]

loved it, he sounded like a Robin Hood!!! thanks again JD!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Jonni! Have a blessed day my friend

[@stonereaper1157]

Great man with an amazing life

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Back when men had absolute honor

[@stonereaper1157]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller yes sir

[@cwavt8849]

I have never as I am too young, I'm a woman and I don't like the taste of shinny. But I staunchly support the right of any man to turn the crops that he grows on his own, and by the sweat of his own brow into whatever form he chooses and sells them however he wants. God bless moonshiners

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

agreed

[@frostyfrances4700]

Loved that one too, JD. Fascinating days but so glad I wasn't born until 1946.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Frosty! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods! JD

[@frostyfrances4700]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller - Hope I haven't said this too many times before, JD; but my best friend, a mere lass of 60, has been researching her family tree a lot lately and found out her own great-granddad ran shine in TN, and that his business ran a long ways up north - into the southern reaches of my own great-grandad's similar business. We might well have an earlier connection than we could've guessed.

[@frostyfrances4700]

BTW, I still make my own wine in a glass jar with fruit juice, sugar, and yeast inside and a balloon for a stopper. Simplest thing in the world. When the baloon starts to swell, the brew's working. When it deflates, the wine's done although it doesn't hurt to leave it there a little longer too. At least when you make your own, you know what's in it.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

what a simple method! wow@@frostyfrances4700

[@jaynaswenson6570]

I randomly found you and have to say HAPPY that i did! Ur voice is what sold me , as i normally just listen and not watch but...I love the old photographs used for these! So educational , KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, so glad you found your way here!

[@scottdavis2530]

Heard this from my grandma,she was 1/2 Cherokee and she was proud of it. She was a Norton from Marshall N.C. and was a little woman, but mean as fire lmao. Great stuff, thanks JD just a old Marines opinion.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Scott, id have love to have heard that story from her!

[@justanotheralmaroad1923]

Makes me think of my dad back in early 60s. To earn a little money to go with his work wages he got the idea to make some. He made a small still that was portable. When making it I remember him pouring some on a piece of wood and setting it on fire. Maybe that was a way of testing it. It was bottled up and then we would hide it. Up in the head of the holler a hole would be dug ,a pint would be put in and then covered over. This was in various places.1-2 would be placed on a secret shelf dad installed up under the top of a table that a water bucket ,dipper and wash pan sit on. This was in the kitchen. Also one hid in the flour sifter of a hoosier cabinet. And one in a cardboard barrel that held dirty clothes. One day I was at school my brother home and mom and dad away the revenuers came and searched. But they never found anything.lol Ah sweet memories for this old girl.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

What a cool story!

[@justanotheralmaroad1923]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller thank you

[@davidhall-yq8rr]

That's a good one JD, Milton Higgins used to put on a play called The prince of dark corners about Redmond

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

How bout that, I didn’t know that

[@rowankeith]

I wondered if anyone was going to mention this. Also, most definitely worth mentioning, is that it was written by Sylva, North Carolina's own folklorist, storyteller and playwright Gary Carden.

[@rowankeith]

Also, the play was recorded as a film version for PBS and used to run quite a bit. These days it can be found on KZbin as well as segments of Gary Carden talking about his research on Redmond prior to writing the play.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thanks for sharing this! Ive never seen it!@@rowankeith

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Ill definately look into it, ive never heard of it! Thanks for sharing everyone!@@rowankeith

[@begbieyabass]

Brilliant . I love how you tell the story I felt that I was there watching from the side.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much!

[@jcmass41]

Great job, JD. It seems the more things change, the more they remain the same. Hats off to these men who’s vision remained clear, despite the unwelcome changes and encroachments of powers that be

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

absolutely well said!

[@james9347]

very good story and cool kept me on the edge of my seat

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much James! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amypaparone55]

Okay this made it into my top ten favorite videos of yours! If only people today stood together against the powers that be!! They were a lot smarter and more trustworthy towards each other back then. I’ll never understand why so many people want a government telling them what to do on every little thing!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You got that right!

[@MichaelSmith-990]

Im born and raised in WV my daddy was a coal miner 43 years and I love the south anywhere below the mason dixon line is fine with me great Story JD

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Michael, there's no other place id rather be

[@jbgibson2026]

Incredible work, sir. My momma would've rightly enjoyed your storytelling. Much like I do.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

That means a lot to me, thank you for that ❤️

[@jaaches]

A wonderful story told by a real storyteller! Fantastic!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Glad you enjoyed it, Happy Thanksgiving!

[@StMiBll]

This may be my favorite story so far-or, if not, it’s the other one. I am rather ashamed I do not know Major Lewis R Redmond but I will be looking up some literature presently. Thank you for telling this hero’s story! Great work as always!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much, his story deserves to not only be remembered, but told again and again.

[@StMiBll]

@@TheAppalachianStorytellerthat is the truth. Freedom is the greatest tradition of all Americans for sure! But none have exercised freedom so fully as the Appalachian people. They are an example to all.

[@nicholasmonahan7102]

What an awesome story demonstrating the perseverance of the Appalachian people and their will to survive and fight for what they believe in.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much!

[@GlamGam1964]

Wow, that was a riveting story. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you!

[@janleslie7163]

Wow talk about a great movie, I can't believe I've never heard about him .I live in the hills of east Tennessee .Rip Major Redmond

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

A remarkable mans life story almost lost to time

[@denisestrickland2976]

When you first started your story, I started thinking, this man or his family had to be victims of The Second War of Independence. Aka Yankees would go one to call it The Civil War. Sure enough, I was correct. The federal government was taxing the heck out of Southerners. Major Lewis in my opinion was a good man. I loved how he’d help his neighbors by paying their taxes, etc and helping people out. He was pretty smart. I was so upset when I thought they finally killed him. But Thank the LORD, a good granny doctored him up, he recovered! Yippee! Thank goodness for the President that pardoned him. He was running his shine pretty close to where I live. What a man! Here’s a bit of history about that Second War of Independence, the Union was so scared that that CSA was going to get up into these mountains, regroup and they’d come out a fighting, guerrilla warfare, they’d never be able to get them once they were in these mountains. Great story JD👍. I’m sure glad it had a happy ending. Someone should do a movie about Major Lewis. This sure started my Saturday off right.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Denise for your insightful thoughts on Major Redmonds story and the circumstances that this story took place in. I always find it interesting when I find a story like this, that has nearly been lost to time. Im always reminded that that the folks who write history books only share the history they want an obedient population to know about, and they simply hope stories like Redmonds defiance to be forgotten, lest someone dare to stand up to government tyranny again.

[@denisestrickland2976]

JD have you ever read the book “The South Was Right”, byJames Ronald Kennedy & Walter Donald Kennedy. It’s not racist, it just tells the thought differences of Southerners and Northerners, etc. I haven’t finished it, but so far very interesting. Of course it’s not what we’d been taught in history class. I did really enjoy this story. President Chester Arthur knew this man wasn’t really a crazed outlaw. He was surviving, plus he made mighty fine liquor. 😄​@@TheAppalachianStoryteller

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I haven't read it, but I will look into it! Thanks!@@denisestrickland2976

[@pamelabradford4728]

I love these stories. I love learning new information no matter what the content.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Glad to have you here!

[@jay34ever54]

Awesome story! I was think of some others but he sounded like a badass!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I really did my best to immerse myself in his struggle and see these events thru his eyes, to think of what happened to his father, and his mother, at the hands of the government and taxes, the way he gave his own money away to help others, and his courage to never back down from a fight from the law even til the end. I did my best to do "justice" to his nearly forgotten story and tell it in a way that has never been done before. You are not forgotten Major Lewis.

[@jay34ever54]

@TheAppalachianStoryteller Job done well, Sir!