History of Western North Carolina[/u] - Chapters 13-14 @
http://www.webroots.org/library/usahist/hownc009.html]A MOONSHINER'S HEAVEN. Forty years ago Lost Cove was almost inaccessible,
except by trails; but last year (1912) a wagon road over three miles long
was constructed to it over the ridges from Poplar Station on the C. C. &
0. Railroad. Such a secluded place was a great temptation to moonshiners,
and when to its inaccessibility was added the fact that it was in dispute
between Tennessee and North Carolina, its fascinations became
irresistible. Accordingly John D. Tipton was accused of having begun
business by the light of the moon, as was evidenced by sundry indictments
in the United States court at Asheville. His example was soon followed by
others; but, whenever it appeared to Judge R. P. Dick. that the alledged
stills were in the disputed territory, he directed the discharge of the
defendants. However, a mighty change has taken place in Lost Cove within
the past few years, and not only is there no moonshining there now, even
when fair Luna is at the full,. but the good people will not suffer the
"critter" to be brought in from Tennessee. And better still, in 1910 they
built a school house and a church, and voted a special school tax, the
first school having been taught in 1911.