User:Wilson59604/Lewis Redmond

Lewis Richard Redmond (15 April 1854 - 5 April 1906), a Southern Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger, evaded Internal Revenue law enforcement (1876-1881) before being apprehended by Deputy Marshall K. S. Ray in April 1881.

Early life
Redmond was born 15 April 1854 in Rabun county, Georgia, to Richard and Malinda (née Reece) Redman. In 1856, the Redmonds relocated to western North Carolina and finally settled in Transylvania county, North Carolina.

Even though little is known of his childhood, by his own admission he worked on his father’s farm and learned to distill corn into whiskey, or "likker" in the vernacular of the mountains.

Though too young to fight in the Civil War, Redmond was known to spend most of his time at a nearby Confederate camp, where soldiers gave him the nom de guerre, “Major.” This moniker followed him throughout his life.

Redmond grew up in an environment where distilling was not only a way of life, an inalienable right, but a means of survival. Distilling corn into whiskey was more profitable than selling the corn at market. Despite several temperance movements and periods of prohibition, most locals had no problem with the mountain folk distilling, as long as it didn’t take food away from the locals.

In a 1878 interview, Redmond stated he “worked on the farm all day and the still at night to make a living for us.” Redmond gave up farming to focus on distilling and transporting whiskey.

When the US passed the Revenue Act of 1862 to collect taxes on everyday goods and services, Southerners saw the tax on alcohol as the government unjustly expanding its authority. Many stopped distilling. Redmond and other illicit distillers did not comply with paying taxes since they believed they had “the right to make a living unmolested” by the government. And they detested the federal officials who collected the taxes, many who used poor judgment, were incompetent or sometimes corrupt.

Redmond claimed the revenue agents were the cause of his parents death. In an 1878 interview, Redmond detailed that agents arrested his father and several other men. “My father… gave bail. My mother was badly frightened by it all and died in a few days afterwards. My father had to go to Asheville. The journey and exposures made him ill and he, too, died a few weeks later.”

Moonshining years
In 1876, Green Raum was appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and he launched a campaign to improve the reputation of the Bureau. By 1878, Baum implemented the legalization of small distilleries and a successful amnesty program, which was supported by the reformers in the area, as well as some moonshiners.

Redmond and his family were by no means the only illicit distillers in the south. In 1876, Baum estimated 2,000 illicit stills in the mountainous south. Based an agent testimonies to Congress in 1882, North Carolina had three main areas of illicit distilling: Brushy Mountain region (Wilkes county), South Mountain area (Burke and Rutherford counties) and the “Dark Corners” (Polk, Henderson and Transylvania counties). Redmond’s home turf for distilling was primarily Transylvania county and Pickens county, South Carolina.

Redmond’s status as folk hero, notorious outlaw and American’s most dangerous moonshiner was encouraged by local color writers in newspapers, magazines and a dime novel. Newspaper reporting reflected the beliefs of the media, where the northern media printed often slanderous articles and southern papers defended moonshiners and bootleggers. Southern newspapers that supported reconstruction and industrialization were also critical of moonshiners and bootleggers.

Duckworth killing (1876)
According to newspaper reports, on 28 February 1876, Deputy Marshall Alfred Duckworth and a friend by chance happened upon Redmond and another man in a wagon. Duckworth had a warrant from 1874 to arrest Redmond. Duckworth approached Redmond when Redmond fired his gun, striking Duckworth in the neck. Duckworth died a few days later. Redmond’s side of the story was that he’d grown up with “Alf” and that Duckworth had better sense than try to take him. Redmond also claimed that Duckworth did not have a warrant for him, that Deputy Marshall Frank Case had the warrant. After talking for an hour and a half, Duckworth was ready to arrest Redmond, who asked to see the warrant. Duckworth wouldn’t let anyone see the warrant, then returned to his horse for his pistols and came back. Redmond asked Duckworth several times to put away the gun as he didn’t want to fight. When Duckworth refused with his cocked pistol aimed at Redmond, but Redmond managed to draw his pistol that had been in the wagon driver’s pocket and fired. Redmond fled to Pickens County, South Carolina. In an interview two years after the incident with Duckworth, Redmond said he “would be perfectly willing to go there and surrender myself any day for trial if my case could be tried in the State Courts. I am not willing to stand a trial in a United States Court, where the revenue officers would have it all their own way and could swear what they please against me, or pay some one else to do it.”

Initially a $200 reward was posted for Redmond killing Duckworth. Later North Carolina Governor, Curtis Brogden, raised the reward to $300.

Though Redmond was still wanted for Duckworth’s murder as late as spring of 1879; by 1881, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Federal authorities in South Carolina had been unsuccessful in locating Redmond since his return to Pickens county. The South Carolina Collector of Internal Revenue, Cass Carpenter, issued a warrant for Redmond’s arrest in the fall of 1876.

Barton-Hendricks raid (1877)
According to Carpenter’s January 1877 report to Baum, an informant notified Deputy Marshal E. H. Barton of Redmond’s whereabouts in Liberty, South Carolina. Deputy Marshall Van B. Hendricks, William F. Gary and Charley White accompanied Barton to Redmond's location to arrest him.

Hendricks approached the house where Redmond and a friend were sleeping. He signaled for the others to approach. Redmond was then arrested by Barton. According to the report submitted to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Barton proceeded to tie the hands of Redmond and his friend. Lacking enough rope to tie their legs, as Barton returned to his horse for more rope, Redmond made his escape into the woods. According to newspaper reports, Barton struck and kicked Redmond after he was tied. While in the woods, Redmond managed to untie himself and obtained weapons from neighbors. He lay in wait about a half mile from the house and ambushed and shot at Barton and Hendricks. Hendricks was the only one seriously injured. Redmond fled back to North Carolina. The newspaper article continued with stating there was still a $500 reward for him in North Carolina.

The federal agents confiscated Redmond’s horses, wagon and 25 gallonsof whiskey.

Later that January, Redmond returned to Barton’s home to reclaim his horses and money. According to newspaper articles, Barton had deposited the money in a bank and secured the horses in a livery in Greenville, South Carolina. Barton gave Redmond two of his horses and a $100 check. Redmond proceeded with Mrs Barton to a bank to cash the check. After cashing the check, he sent Mrs Barton back home with one of the horses.

In Redmond’s side of the story, Van Hendricks was someone he had traded with in the past. Hendricks had wanted to “buy a quantity,” so they agreed to “meet at a certain house that night where [Redmond] was to deliver the whiskey and receive the money.” Redmond and Amos Ladd built a fire at the house and laid down to sleep. Hendricks and Jamison arrived around 12:30 AM. Redmond treated them to a sample of the whiskey. When Hendricks asked to hold both of Redmond’s guns, he became suspicious. Then “a crowd of men” rushed with guns drawn and surrounded Redmond and Ladd demanding they surrender. Ladd immediately said he surrendered. Redmond was thrown on the floor and his hands were tied by Barton and Gary. Redmond claims he was kicked for not getting up fast enough. He also claimed Barton took his pocketbook and the $186 dollars in it. Redmond then asked for his boots and when Barton went to retrieve them, Redmond knocked down the others at the door and ran out the door into the woods to a neighbor’s house. The neighbor gave Redmond a hat, coat, shoes, gun and ammunition. Redmond wanted to rescue Ladd, so he went back to the road he knew they would be traveling back to town. In the confusion of gunshots, Ladd was able to escape. Redmond thought he had shot Charley White. Later he found out from Ladd that he had shot Barton and Hendricks.

Redmond’s story continued with him sending word to Barton that if he would return the horses, wagon and money, he would “call it square between us and be done with it.” Barton refused. Redmond, along with 12 other men, went to Barton’s house. On the way, Redmond and his horse fell on a railroad cut. Since it was dark, Redmond wanted to wait til daylight to approach Barton’s house, even though the others wanted to continue on. Redmond said “no, let us wait until day and go like men; I am no robber or horse thief, and what I do I propose to do by day light. ‘They go in like dogs— don’t let us do like them!’”

The next morning they arrived at Barton’s, who was hiding under his house believing that Redmond’s intention was to kill him. Redmond said he only came for his property and money. Barton didn’t have them, so offered two of his own horses and a check for $100. They called a neighbor to come witness that Barton was freely giving the horses to Redmond, as Redmond did not want to be accused of taking them. Barton then offered whiskey to the crowd. Redmond refused the drink. Only a couple of men accepted Barton’s offer, the others drank Redmond’s whiskey. Redmond then rode to town with Mrs Barton to cash the check. He sent her back one of Barton’s horses.

Infantry search for Redmond (1877)
By the summer of 1877, LT John Anderson and 20 men of the 18th U.S. Infantry were sent to Pickens County to apprehend Redmond. The troops were supplied with two days of food and 40 rounds of ammunition. After two days of searching for Redmond and “150 his men,” LT Anderson determined it was too dangerous to enforce revenue laws without additional troops. Anderson reported that the locals sympathized with Redmond because of the common interest of illegal distilling and protected him by not giving away his locations. Anderson noted that Redmond was “notorious and a terror to that section.”

Jail break (1878)
Early 1878, U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Raum let it be known that he would not tolerate the “illegal manufacture and sale of spirits.” Knowing that people living in the region did not tolerate the military, Raum relied on civilian posses along with federal marshals to enforce the revenue laws.

By March 1878, Redmond was back on the radar of the federal government when he allegedly tried to rescue three moonshiners from the Pickens County jail. Based on newspaper accounts, on 9 March, a party of armed men, supposedly led by Redmond, entered the jail. Sheriff Mauldin was “politely asked” by the men to give them the keys. Mauldin intially refused, but then thought better of it and gave up the keys. Thomas Beasley, Milton Stansel and James Stansel who were charged with violating the internal revenue laws, were released. They left with the party and headed toward the mountains. Mauldin claimed he knew none of the men. Later, Redmond denied taking part in the in the attempt to rescue the three prisoners. Neither did he mention it in the interview later that summer.

Gary raid (1878)
A couple of days after the jail break, Redmond and 11 other men rode from northern Pickens County to Liberty (SC) with plans to visit William Gary. Gary had been working with the federal Marshals in searching for illicit distilleries and moonshiners and he had also been on the Barton-Hendricks raid in 1877. The initial intent of the visit was to recover a shawl and overcoat previously taken from Redmond by the revenue agents. They decided enroute, to also take any warrants and force Gary to resign.

When they discovered Gary wasn’t home, Redmond and his men proceeded to a local bar and bought whiskey. As they were leaving Redmond took two overcoats he believed belonged to revenue agents. Later he found out the coats did not belong to any agents and left them at a local store. One of his men rode back to retrieve the coats and caught up with Redmond. Redmond considered this insubordination, then sold one coat to the highest bidder and kept the other coat.

In Redmond’s side of the story, a moonshiner wanted to retaliate, not only because Gary had busted up his still, but had “behaved badly” toward him. The moonshiner collected a crowd to join him in raiding Gary’s place. When they asked Redmond to go, he refused. The only reason he finally agreed was because “they had gone with me when I needed them… [Gary] has done nothing to be killed for — this killing of a man won’t do, but I will go with you, if you wish me, to get satisfaction for cutting up the still.” Redmond was assured the moonshiner only wanted “to put the withe on him,(i.e., whip him).” They proceeded to Gary’s place, found he wasn’t home and left.

On the way home, several of the men said they had found Redmond’s overcoat at the Hendricks place and wanted to retrieve it. Redmond said it wasn’t his and wouldn’t take it. He only wanted what was his. Some of the men tried to take a horse blanket and other things, but Redmond kept them from taking them.

In the 1878 interview, Redmond said he was ashamed he participated in the raid and the only thing he condemned himself for doing over the past several years.

South Carolina search continues (1878)
On 13 March, “Deputy Jillson reports that Redmond, with thirty-five men, pursued the revenue force all day yesterday.” Jillson reported adding 100 men to the revenue force was for the pursuit and capture of Redmond and associates. They were unable to locate Redmond or any of the men and assumed they had dispersed back into the mountains toward North Carolina. The Governor offered a $200 reward for the capture of Redmond who would later be charged with robbery. The Stancels were recaptured on 17 March, “recommitted to jail and securely guarded.”

Amnesty for moonshiners (1878)
By 25 March, Judge Mackey promised amnesty to any of Redmond’s “gang” that would turn themselves in, “pay a bond of $100 to keep the peace and obey the laws.” However, he issued a warrant for Redmond’s arrest directing the Pickens County sheriff to summon a posse, which included federal law enforcement. Redmond claimed he was wanted dead or alive.

Redmond requests amnesty (1878)
Newspapers reported in April that Redmond was willing to surrender to the judge in Pickens County, pay a bond and promise “to keep the peace and obey the laws in the future.” His request was denied.

Redmond almost captured (1878)
In April 1878, newspapers reported Deputy Marshal William Durham and LeRoy Fisher located one of Redmond’s places of operations. They proceeded to capture Redmond, but not without firing shots at Redmond. As Redmond fled the area, he returned fire, injuring Fisher in the arm, but not Durham.

Capture and arrest (1881)
Redmond moved his family to Swain County, North Carolina, at least by early 1879. One newspaper claimed he was “farming, and ha[d] been a quiet, orderly, and law abiding citizen moving about freely in the mill, store, and other points in his neighborhood, and making no concealment of his identity.” However, an unnamed correspondent for The National Police Gazette wrote that Redmond let the people in the area know that he was “bullet proof” and there were "not enough men in Swain county to arrest” him. Regardless, he was still distilling whiskey and a wanted man. In mid March 1881, Deputy Marshal K. S. Ray led a posse who successfully captured Redmond in Swain County, but not without wounding him. Redmond received life threatening injuries from six bullets. Reports circulated that he died the day after being shot. Marshall Ray kept Redmond at home due to his injuries until the doctor decided it was safe to move him.

Created quite the excitement seeing him alive when weeks later he arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, to await trial in federal court.

When Redmond was interviewed in his cell in Asheville after his arrest, he claimed he had "been livin' peaceable and not botherin' nobody fur this is now gwyne on three years. I mostly stay at home and hardly ever leave my cabin 'cept to hunt a little and to work in my fields." When asked about his capture he claimed his dogs were barking, so he took his gun and went to see why they were barking, and that's when he saw six men waiting in the brush and when they saw him yelled "halt." He turned to go back to the house and they began shooting.

Trial and imprisonment (1881-1884)
Redmond was brought to trial in Greenville on 25 August 1881 on 11 charges where General A. C. Garlington of Greenville and Isaac M. Bryan, Esq. served as counsel. Judge G. S. Bryan was presiding judge and Samuel W. Melton was the District Attorney representing the prosecution. However, Redmond provided no defense and pled  nolle contendire, point in graticum regis. He was found guilty on ten of the eleven charges brought against him. He was sentenced to ten years in the Albany Penitentiary, in upstate New York, and fined $2600 (~$ in ). By November 1882, Redmond’s health was deteriorating due to his injuries and consumption. Requests were being made to transfer him from New York to South Carolina Penitentiary in Columbia, South Carolina.

In April 1884, Redmond returned to South Carolina to serve the remainder of his sentence at the state penitentiary. The attending physician at the penitentiary thought with Redmond’s numerous aliments, his days were numbered if he remained imprisoned. Thus began the effort to secure a pardon.

Pardon (1884)
In May 1884, Redmond received a pardon granted by President Chester A. Arthur.

People from Columbia, South Carolina, solicited contributions from the local community and managed to raise $60-70, clothing, books, toys and other gifts for his family. Senator Wade Hampton and Governor  Hugh S. Thompson, along with others from the local community met Redmond at the train station for his trip back to his family in Pickens.

Later life
In a letter dated 1 November 1884, Redmond wrote a letter to the News and Courier thanking them for “sending of friend McKinley to interview me when I was a ‘wild man’ in the mountains and styled an outlaw’ by the revenue clan… Thank God I am a free man to-day; out of prison, out of the clutches of the law, and out of the revenue or blockade business; at home with my wife and babies and surrounded by a host of true and tried friends! Breathing the pure mountain air, in the enjoyment of improving health, I desire to engage in some honorable, legitimate business for a support for myself and family.” Soon after this letter, Redmond moved his family to Anderson, South Carolina, to farm on a piece of rented farmland.

In 1886, Redmond moved his family to Oconee County, South Carolina. By May of 1886 he had been hired by Biemann’s government licensed distillery in Walhalla, South Carolina, to produce his famous corn whiskey for several years.

By 1890 he had left the distillery and was supplying timber to a local contractor in Oconee County. And thereafter was involved in the livestock trade. With the exception of one altercation in 1890, Redmond remained a law abiding citizen.

At the age of 51, Redmond died at home in April 1906. He was buried in Oconee County with the epitaph “He was the sunshine of our home” engraved on the tombstone.

Tributes and popular culture

 * In 1879, a Bishop Edward B. Crittenden of North Carolina published The Entwined Lives of Miss Gabrielle Austin, Daughter of the Late Rev. Ellis C. Austin and of Redmond, the Outlaw, Leader of the North Carolina "Moonshiners". Crittenden claimed it was a true narrative of Redmond’s life so far, when in fact it was a dime novel. With the exception of Redmond, none of the other characters were real or known to Redmond, nor were the events true. And neither did "Bishop Crittenden" exist. This dime novel “solidified Redmond’s reputation as the most dangerous man in southern Appalachia.”


 * In 1881, R. A. Cobb published The True Life of Maj. Redmond, the Notorious Outlaw and Moonshiner. Cobb, a deputy collector for the Internal Revenue in the 6th District, lived in Burke County, North Carolina. He published this account of Redmond’s life to rebut the Crittenden book, which he stated was ”a hoax, a fraudulent hoax.” Though this account was not without error either.


 * Gary Carden wrote a one man play Prince of Dark Corners in 2007. Numerous stage productions were performed in the region. Redmond was portrayed by Milton Higgins (1958-2021) a native of Burnsville, North Carolina. The play was filmed by Neal Hutcheson and aired on the regional PBS stations in 2009.


 * Neal Hutcheson also produced the film The Outlaw Lewis Redmond. Originally aired on PBS, the documentary was a 2008 Winner of the Carolina Film and Video Festival.


 * For nine years, Dark Corner Distillery in Greenville, South Carolina, produced an 86 proof corn whiskey with the label Lewis Redmond Carolina Bourbon Whiskey. Dark Corner Distillery closed in October 2020.