b"THE OLD STORYTELLERMoonshine MountainBy Hank Sheffer, The Old StorytellerA h yes . . . Arizonaone ofwhere were going to stay the night and then head back the last true bastions of thesometime tomorrow or the next daywell see. We can old west. And with thatstop at the store to pick up ice and beer and whatever comes one of the truest pleasuresother provisions we need on the way.of them allan early morning gathering of friends for a horsebackFolks on horseback, campouts, evening campfires, ride out which begins with our staging to trailer out to abeer, and storytelling have been going on for as long predetermined location to set up a weekend camp and riding. as I can remember and were all still hanging in there no worse for wear. Our Hackberry Springs in recent Crack out of the box is the wonderful aroma abrogatedtimes, with its beautiful mountain backdrop, has played on the nose of freshly brewed coffee. The largest cuphost to several western-style weddings. But even more possible does nicely for the first go-round to get the oleinteresting (and a little known piece of Americana) heart started.Next (with a cup in hand) its down to thewas that back in the early days of Arizona statehood, tack shed to get everything for the days activities. Okay, soHackberry Springs had played the role of a hideaway thats taken care of. for one of the many moonshine stills hidden in the Superstition Mountains before and during the rip-Then its back outside to greet my anxiously awaiting four- roaring Prohibition era.legged friend. Shes a little Appy named Maybe and she knows something is up. This little mare and I got alongIm getting ahead of myself here. The stills part was pretty well; however, I must admit that every once in a whiletrue but over the years I have to say that Arizona has the reasoning behind why she was christened Maybemanaged to get itself an unwarranted bad rap where comes to the forefront. Yeah, yeah, I have pretty much heardthat beer-drinking thing is concerned.It would seem every horror story ever told about Appysmost of thembecause we have so many more nice days and nights to twice. But I have to say this Appy was just fine (all except forenjoy the outside lifestyle that some folks think we were that every once in a while part). celebrating something or other all the time. Realistically,with the spirit world, and the acquisition of power. As you though, whether working on my property (on my own timecan see, not all the inherent abuse of alcohol can be laid Folks were already pulling in anxious to get on the road. I might add) or getting together with friends around a fire,at the feet of the European (white mans) influence. Every Their horses were already saddled and in their vans so I hadwe always seemed to have a beer or two around somewhere.aboriginal I have ever read about used some sort of mind-to get a move on. That didnt take much time as the truckThats just the way that is, but it wasnt all the time. altering substance to communicate with the spirit world. was hooked up just waiting for me to load Maybe. We allOut here peyote comes to mind.talked briefly about the ride ahead of us for a few minutes.Ironically, in the overall scheme of things, Arizonans dont This was not a new adventure by any means as most of usfare well at all in that beer-consumption category whenArizona became a wonderland very early on as more and had visited this destination on previous occasions. We werecompared to a whole bunch of other states. We are meremore explorers from all over the world descended on what going to go to Hackberry Springs, which was nestled downpikers compared to some of the others. We rank way downwould become Arizona to seek new lands and riches. It in a peaceful pocket of nature with shade trees and activethe list at number 25 . . . and not even a very heavy-dutywas not but a few short centuries before big-city people spring. The spring was a year-round outlet for clear, cool,number 25 at that! Now, I really cant speak for way-back- from the east coast began to migrate in droves to the West fresh water any time it was needed.when in the 19th century, but there are some interestingin their effort to fulfill that manifest destiny we've heard fun facts about our wonderful state that most of theso much about.The mountain trails, brisk clear skies, the close camaraderiepopulation is not aware (of).of friends sharing the same glorious natural beauty ofWith the discovery of rich gold veins and endless the inviting desert landscapes sounds like a chamberFor example, our Native American cultures had theirsilver deposits, mines of every description were sunk. of commerce brochure talk, but true as all that was, theversions of alcoholic libations long before we got here.Tent cities, then towns began to pop up everywhere, conversation was more like, okay . . . well head for suchHowever, it must be pointed out that they were used inwhich progressively meant there were continuously and such from here, unload and head out from there toa far different way than one might expect. Before thegrowing opportunities for every trade imaginable, from European insurgence to theseamstresses to blacksmithsstorekeepers to bar-keeps. Americas, the native inhabitantsThe common denominators of every town were the fermented starchy seeds andsaloons, bawdy houses, and gambling establishments. roots as well as fruits from bothThere were generally more of those businesses than any wild and domesticated plants.others. Miners had gold and silver to wager, drink up, and However, the most commonotherwise spend. There were always plenty of places to were made from fermented cornhelp them in accomplishing that task. Card games were and agave. Their use of alcoholtough to beat . . . the liquor most often was even rougher. I generally took place in sharedcant speak to the rest of the entertainment, but you get the spiritual experiences, whichidea. Through it all, more folks survived than didnt and supported their traditions ofprogress and civilization began to take the place of rough seeking feelings of well-being inand tumble and gunplay.touch with their surroundings, rather than individual euphoricToward the end of their adolescent years, cities like enjoyment or entertainment.Phoenix, Tombstone, Tucson, and others were beginning to More often than not, intoxicationtake on the look of real, civilized communities. There were was associated with a questhospitals, schools, and large conglomerate businesses. There for enlightenment, powers ofwere still saloons of course, but they werent all on the down healing, or the facilitation ofand dirty level as before. Many were now high collar dining war-making. They believed itestablishments with imported whiskeys and wines (when was the same as their conceptsthey could get them).of dreaming, communication 8 March 2021"