Moonshine, Murder, & Mayhem

Episode 14: Respectfully, J. Logan Molloy

Final Episode of Season One

Facebook Message Sent Feb 24, 2020, to Kevin Molloy, Grandson of James Logan Molloy, Hey Kevin, my name is Bran Merritt. I'm starting a podcast about Moonshine in McMinnville in the early 1900s. I would like to interview you sometime about your Father and Grandfather since they worked on the Alcohol Division of the IRS. If you are available or could point me in the right direction. I would appreciate it so much. Thank you for your time.

The first episode of the podcast was released on March 23 of this year. So, I sent a message to Kevin fairly early on in my journey. When you send a message on Facebook, and you’re not friends with the other person sometimes you don’t see the message easily. So after he didn’t respond, I felt like I’d hit a brick wall in my research until… And then, five months later, I finally got a reply. 

Interview: Kevin Molloy

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 13: Questioning Everything

James Logan Molloy, 58, special investigator of the Alcohol Tax Division of the Treasury Department, died in a local hospital Tuesday night at 10 o'clock as a result of injuries incurred in an automobile wreck on the morning of December 30. 

The wreck occurred as the car in which Mr. Molloy and Sandy Holmes of Shelbyville were riding overturned after crossing Hurrican Bridge near Smithville. He had been confined to the local hospital since.

Mr. Molloy had been connected with the Internal Revenue Department of the Federal Government for 22 years, with the exception of a term as sheriff of Warren county from 1926 to 1928.

The deceased was the only son of the late James Logan Molloy and Sarah Seitz Molloy, pioneer settlers of Van Buren County, where he was born and reared, moving to McMinnville some 20 years ago.

Mr. Molloy was regarded as a fearless and just peace officer, commanding the respect of all law violators, and had the reputation of always bringing in his man. He was perhaps the most widely known investigator in the entire state and enjoyed a wide circle of friends.

Interview: David Cook

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 12: Two Years Later

 I thought this investigation was coming to an end. I felt like I had figured out just about all I could find out. Then I received a message that led to a phone conversation with someone I’ve been waiting to speak with for a long time now. Then, shortly after that, I received an anonymous lead to someone who provided me information that made me question everything. I thought I was narrowing the search for Slim’s murderer, but after these two most recent conversations, I’m beginning to rethink my initial thoughts. But before I reveal the facts of those conversations, there is something that needs to be covered first. Something concerning Logan “The Law” Molloy. That was the nickname Ricky Estes’ dad gave. Logan “The Law”. 

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Uncle Dave Macon - Cannon County Hills

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Behind the Scenes of the Moonshine, Murder, and Mayhem Podcast.

Brandon Hillis wanted to give the listeners a closer look at what it takes to put this podcast together.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows 

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 11: One Hell of a Ride

You guessed it. Uncle Dave Macon knew where the best was made. Even Portner Wagnor knew. And Al Capone. They all wanted what Cooper Melton was supplying. My investigation keeps leading me back to Short Mountain. This location is offering me more answers and information than anywhere else. Answers flowing just like the spring not too far from the Distillery’s property. 

In this episode, I sit down with Ricky Estes, a real moonshiner, Cannon County native, literally born of the Short Mountain hills. when Billy Kaufman, owner of Short Mountain Distillery, told me to interview Ricky. I’ve been eager to pick his brain. But, what I ended up finding out was way more than I ever imagined. In this conversation, we start just like every other--with the story of Slim.

Interview: Ricky Estes, Moonshiner

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Uncle Dave Macon - Cannon County Hills

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 10: Declassified: The State vs . Molloy

Dear Patron: We regret that the enclosed photocopies are the best we were able to obtain using our normal reproduction process. This is caused primarily by the age and faded conditions of some of the documents from which these copies were made. Sept 30 1935. Department of Justice. Division of Records. File Number 23-70. Sub-File 134. Material must not be removed from nor added to this file.

In this episode we are going to reveal a declassified federal document from the National Archives of College Park, Maryland. My previous email with Tab Lewis revealed that while he didn’t have any records on Slim, he did have the following declassified document.

Interview: Daniel Barnes, Criminal Attorney

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Ivy League Murders Podcast

Episode 9: Rally Around The Family

So, the question remains, who is Slim’s killer?

Slim was potentially dealing with some massive players in the illegal liquor game. Involved enough to put a high price on his head, or so I believe. I mean why else would someone feel the need to murder a father of 3? Slim had to be involved beyond a local level. Maybe he got in the way of someone else’s involvement. Maybe whoever killed him did so to get him out of the way. 

Interview: Dan Pierce - Professor of History at the University of North Carolina, Asheville and the author of Tar Heel Lightnin’: How Secret Stills and Fast Cars Made North Carolina the Moonshine Capital of the World

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows 

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Crimelight Podcast

Episode 8: Cold Springs and Cold Cases

The interview at Short Mountain Distillery brought me to the Great-Grandaughter of Cooper Melton, Melanie Nistad. She is the author of the book, “Mechanicsville”, which is a community located not far from the distillery. I got back on that same road, Short Mountain Rd, took a right down a gravel road a mile or so from Short Mountain. Located to my left was a log cabin and suddenly it was like I had taken a turn through a wormhole, and ended up in the early 1900s. The houses, road, and cemetery, everything was a step back in time. I finally reached my destination--a quaint Methodist church dating back to the 1800s.

Interview: Melanie Nistad, Author of "Mechanicsville"

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Bascom Lamar Lunsford - Mountain Dew (http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200212367)

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Find Me in the Dark Podcast

https://www.facebook.com/pg/fmitd/about/?ref=page_internal

Episode 7: History Makes for Hallowed Ground

Short Mountain Distillery is located on Short Mountain Rd. A road I’m very familiar with. I drive it every time I go to band practice, but as I drove it for my interview,  it seemed different.  The distillery sits right in the middle of nature,  nestled right at the foot of Short Mountain. The view from the parking lot is breathtaking. But, even with all the beauty, there’s so much dark history literally growing from these mountains. I park my car near the distillery’s restaurant and proceed to the building that houses all of the stills. It’s the end of the day, so they are beginning to close up shop. It’s almost dark, I knock and open the door. Billy is in the office, rocking a handlebar mustache and suspenders--essential clothing for all moonshiners.

I don’t waste any time. I tell him the story of Slim.

Interview: Billy Kaufman, owner of Short Mountain Distillery

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Bascom Lamar Lunsford - Mountain Dew (http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200212367)

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Evil Transgression Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evil-transgression/id1497823718

Episode 6: Al Capone and the Magical Mystery Tour

A good story is best left to the imagination.

Throughout the years, the Chicago-based Margie’s Candy store gained notoriety thanks to visitations from various pop culture icons. Al Capone would tame his sweet tooth sitting in their booth blocked by a cement wall. He signed a photo for the owners instructing them to “watch the register.” 40 years later, The Beatles would also indulge in sweets there after playing Comiskey Park. Margie’s candy store owner, Margie, recalls a story with her son, George. She said, “Hey, some English guys are here from Sox Park. George said, “Ma, there’s no English baseball team. She said, “No dummy, It’s the Beatles.” 

Interviews: Jonathan Eig is an American journalist and the author of five books. His most recent book, Ali: A Life, is a biography of Muhammad and Get Capone: The Secret Plot that Captured America's Most Wanted Gangster.

Kelly Kazek writes a humor column and the weekly Odd Travels feature for AL.com. She is an award-winning journalist and humorist and the author of eight books.

Wil Elrick hails from Guntersville in the northeastern part of Alabama. He is a writer and "weirdologist" who loves telling stories, whether as a tour guide to historic Huntsville or with friends around a campfire. He can often be found "off the beaten path" researching historical, weird, or unusual tales.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows 

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Find Me in the Dark Podcast

https://www.facebook.com/pg/fmitd/about/?ref=page_internal

Listener Provided Question and Answer Session from Facebook Live Event

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows 

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: What Happens in the Woods

https://www.whathappensinthewoods.com/

Episode 5 - By Blood We Are Connected

This episode we're with one of my best friends, Brandon Hillis, whose family produced moonshine in Warren County around the same time as Slim. 

Let’s recap the big pieces of information. Slim was shot in 1937. Shortly after, his taxi and family car were confiscated by law enforcement. Next, their house mysteriously caught fire. Lillian, my Great-Grandmother took off and left her 3 young sons with their Grandparents. 

Brandon and I are talking on his back porch. He’s sitting in a rocking chair,  keeping within the sacred art that is storytelling. An art handed down from his ancestors, and yours, and mine.

Interview with Brandon Hillis

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Dan Lebowitz - Surrender / Wes Hutchinson - One Down Dog

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Sponsorship: Figment of my Reality Podcast

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Episode 4 - After the Fire

Last episode, my Dad left us with a story that contained information I believe could be one of the most important pieces to solving this. After Slim’s death, the two vehicles were confiscated, the house caught fire, and my Great-Grandmother Lilian left her 3 young boys with their grandparents. I still have no idea why a mother would just abandon her children, which makes me wonder if she had a choice in it. In this episode, we’re going to review audio from my Granny and Dad. We’re also going to speak with Charity Roberts who has a Master’s in Psychology. To discuss what was possibly going through Lillian’s mind through all of this. 

Interview with Charity Roberts

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Density & Time - Under the Rug / Density & Time - Water Lillies

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 3 - The Rest of the Story

“Thunder Road” was loosely based in reality, the story of a moonshine runner in 1952 who crashed to a deathly end on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tn. Evidently, the incident was either witnessed or passed on to Mitchum, inspiring the movie.

Slim Merritt, my great grandfather, cab operator, and moonshine runner, predates “Thunder Road” by 20 years. I believe that Slim was the Lucas Doolin sort of character, staying one step ahead of the law... or should I say one foot in the grave? 

Interview with Brett Merritt

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Josh Lippi & The Overtimers - St. Francis 

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Editor: Bryanna Licciardi

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Bonus Episode 2: McMinnville, John High, and the Death Certificate

Patricia tells what it was like growing up in McMinnville. She tells a story about John High. We both sit down and discuss Slim's death certificate.

Interview with Patricia Merritt.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Chris Haugen - Castleshire / Sextile - Crimson

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 2: The Death Code

The year is 1937. In the Nashville Tennessean Newspaper, Slim’s obituary reads: Cab Operator Dies, McMinnville, Tennessee, Sept 19, Odus “Slim” Merritt, 34, died at his residence four miles from McMinnville on the Smithville Road at 3 o'clock this morning. He had been ill for several months.

Interview with Cody Prince.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / pATCHES - Hard To Let Go of Grammer / Dan Bodan - Leoforos Alexandras

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Bonus Episode 1: “I Tell Crazy Stories"

A story that Patricia eluded to in Episode 1 that had to be told.

Interview with Patricia Merritt.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / The Mini Vandals - Under The Wire

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Episode 1: “I Tell Crazy Stories”

Nestled in the back corner of Mt. Zion Cemetery in Warren County Tennessee sits a tombstone that reads…

Odus “Slim” Merritt

June 26 1903

Sept 19 1937

“He is not Dead, But Asleep.”

Interview with Patricia Merritt.

Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi

Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / pATCHES - Because For Everything There Is Someone / Ashley Shadow - Peace Creek

Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio

Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4