b'Moonshine continued from page 9they hid where they did. Prohibition in Arizona was popular at first. The state10 Acre Horse Property Hillside Home quickly ratified Prohibition on May 24, 1918. (Fed) The thought was that it would lower violence, protect young people and reduce domestic violence. Unfortunately, it did not accomplish a single one of those thingsquite the contrary.There were still many residents of Arizona who were not so willing to give Arizona, 1916 up their freedom to drink. The law was widely violated. The sheriff in one county alone reported that he had seized 152 stills. He had also arrested 183 people for federal alcohol violations and he had arrested 80 for state violations. This was all within three months in 1925. Unfortunately, it wasnt only the guilty moonshinersLocated Near Wickenburg, AZ$365,0003 Bed, 2 Bathwho were in the line of fire and who got hurt. Innocent people were often caught in the wayRemote home that is set into the hillside with spectacular views and a southeast of the ongoing illegal activities of moonshiners as well.More than that, there were even more serious problems caused by the illicit hooch itself. The beverages frequently had toxicexposure that blocks the hot afternoon summer sun. The property sits inside lead compounds from careless distillation. Some used creosote for color. Some even hadthe 88,700 acre Diamond S Ranch and borders BLM and State Grazing land. embalming fluid (or gunpowder) to get that desired extra kick. Sounds like nasty stuff!Adjoining 20 acres can be purchased.This 1680 SF Santa Fe style, split floorplan, Meriette Manufactured home has On top of all that, moonshiners and bootleggers typically had to bribe law enforcementnumerous upgrades including being green energy rated with solar panels that officers to operate their businesses. The breakdown in public morality led to widespreadare owned. There is an open kitchen, dining and great room with large windows disrespect for the law on every front. It became fashionable to flaunt the law. Women,giving you views of the Sonoran Desert Mountains. The horse facilities include for the first time, widely became imbibers. Not so surprisingly, Prohibition led not tocovered stalls, covered parking and tack up area. Water comes with a private a pattern of less frequent drinking but, rather, just the opposite. People didnt go towell and received a new pump motor in 2018. Motivated Seller! speakeasies to have a leisurely drink with their dinner. They went to guzzle alcohol whenever they had the chance. You can see how that just reinforces the old scenario of what happens when you tell people they cant do something . . . the situation becomesContact David Hartman for more informationworse than what it was when it started. 928-587-9250It didnt take long before residents, anddavid.hartman@harleyhendricks.comnot just Arizonans came to realize that Prohibition didnt do any of the goodHARLEYHENDRICKS.COMthings they had anticipated it would do. Prohibition in Arizona was a disaster and finally, Arizonans had suffered enough. Over three-quarters, (75%) of the population voted to repeal prohibition. There are controlling people in the Fed who still dont understand that you can govern a lot of things, but morality isnt one of them.Well back to our ride. We caravanned onServicing Arizona Apache Trail out to the First Water turnoff and headed back to where we parkedfor Over 30 Yearsthe trucks and trailers and unloaded the horses. Everybody was more than ready toSPECIALIZING IN:climb in the saddle and get this adventure down the trail to Hackberry Springs going. Arena & Washed SandsThere are a few treacherous spots alongThe common MINUSCompaction Material the way with drop-offs you dont want any parts of, but for the most part, the ride isdenominators of every ABCLeach Rockfun. As we crept on down the trail, theretown were the saloons, were a few instances when daydreaming River Rock- 3-8 And would slip in and I imagined I could seebawdy houses, and #57 Rockthose old-time moonshiners leading barrel laden burros up the trail destined for towngambling establishments. Decorative Stoneto sell their whiskey. There were generally& Rip Rap Boulders There is a legend that speaks of a largemore of those businesses (Surface & moonshine operation which successfully Shot Rock)operated during the entire prohibition tenurethan any others. Compost Materialand was never detected by revenuers. This still was located somewhere in the area of Upper Rough Canyon. The still was reported to Dirthave a hundred-gallon capacity and only operated eight months out of each year. The story More!says it produced the best Thunder Gods White Lightning ever distilled. Some claimed it was the smoothest whiskey they had ever consumed.I\'m certain the "Thunder God" is pleased. Perhaps our next excursion will take us to Whiskey Springs. . . .But for now, when we get to the bottom of the trail at Hackberry Springs Im going602-377-0094to climb down, loosen Maybes cinch, kick back, pop a cerveza and contemplate how "it doesn\'t get any better than this" on another gorgeous day spent in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.JAMESBONDECO@GMAIL.COMArizonaRealCountry.com March 2021 11'