Appalachian Writers Forum It is with a heavy heart, I br..

Appalachian moonshiner Popcorn Sutton was found dead today at his home in Tennesee.  He was 62 and was considered a piece of living history. He was born near Maggie Valley, NC and ran his likker for most all of his years.  There is documentary called The Last One and a book by Popcorn himself called Me and MY Likker. 

I had the pleasure of meeting him once, he chain smoked the whole time and had a look about him like a cat that just swallowed the canary, devilish but good natured.

His legend will no doubt live on.

Having had the chance to partake of actual down-home moonshine when I was in Emily's neck of the woods many years ago, this saddens me, as the death of any old-school moonshiner diminishes us all.

It is a shame to lose such real-life 'characters' as Mr. Sutton.

Naive as I am sometimes I thought that moon-shining must be pretty near extinction. Lord no, a co-worker told me one day, I know of three stills within a mile of my house, he said. The art is still alive and well. :)

Good moonshine is indeed a pleasure.