Flatlanders and Ridgerunners: Folktales from the Mountains of Northern Pennsylvania

by James York Glimm

Excerpt from Flatlanders and

Out-Riddling the Judge

Back in Prohibition my uncle made moonshine. His name was Moses Kenny and his whiskey--they called it “White Mule” was the best in the county. Well, the feds got after him and finally they arrested him. Took him to a federal judge down in Philadelphia.

Now, the judge liked a good time and thought he’d have a little fun with this hick from the mountains. When Uncle came into court, he said, “are you the Moses who can make the sun dark?”

Moses looked at him and said slowly, “Nope, your honor. But I am the Moses who can make the moon shine.”

The judge let him go.

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1983

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh! This book took me back in time and space. It was written about the area where I grew up, about the time I left it. But the stories reach far back into the history and lore of the mountainous region. Although I was unfamiliar with most of the stories, the language, the humor and places were familiar. The tales of the supernatural and unexplainable seem believable when you live in that place of beautiful but wild deep dark woods and ravines, fast streams, few people and tough conditions. It made me homesick for those forests, farmlands and tiny towns - and the people. Down-to-earth, crusty on the outside, but warm in the heart.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. A great condition of folktales, including one about an outhouse.

[Amanda]

Found this book on my mom's bookself about the folklore of the region I grew up in, written and researched in late 70's and early 80's.

[Scott Hulslander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories about the area where I grew up. What's not to love!