In days gone by, when the county was dry, thoughts of summer and sunshine inspired Carroll County residents to make moonshine.

We did it with zest; they say it was best. It is a big mystery, but it is our history. I can tell the tale, I can tell it all, about the glory days of illegal alcohol.

Yes, one of the best-kept secrets about Carroll County history is our tradition of moonshine. Think about it. It's really a no-brainer. For starters, our county is well-known for being one of the top grain producers in the mid-Atlantic region, and we're blessed with many springs, streams and creeks of sparkling fresh water.

Moreover, we have an abundance of fruits and tree barks available for flavorings. For example, I'm told -- by a reliable souse -- that if you add birch bark to the mash, it gives the moonshine a mint-like flavor.

Or so I'm told.

As for the manufacture and distillation of the magic elixir, we have plenty of out-of-the-way backwoods and valleys to hide a small still to serve as a mixer.

Writing for the Historical Society of Carroll County a number of years ago, local historian Jay Graybeal noted that, "not everyone supported the ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. ... In fact, Maryland's popular Democratic governor, Albert C. Ritchie, consistently bucked Prohibition as an infringement on personal rights ..."

It is in this context that Ira N. Barnes, of the Freedom district (Sykesville area), wrote a humorous commentary on Prohibition in the May 30, 1924, issue of the now-defunct Democratic Advocate: "Not very many days ago, Harry Kohler, a well-known farmer of Freedom district, while doing some chores upon his farm, accidentally discovered a considerable amount of corn hooch securely enclosed within glass jar containers and concealed upon his premises.

"Mr. Kohler, being a consistent member of the church as well as a strictly conscientious prohibitionist, was so severely shocked and horrified at the discovery ... that, for a few moments he was, so to speak, mentally paralyzed.

"But looking around, he observed, near-by, a very large ground-hog excavation; quickly regaining his normal equipoise he strenuously seized the accursed destroyer of health, homes, happiness and harmony and forthwith dumped the contents of the jars, one by one, into the secluded retreat of this elusive animal.

"The next night following this eventful discovery, a lone wanderer traveling down Morgan Run Valley was greatly surprised to observe by the light of the moon about a dozen ground-hogs engaged in a disgraceful tango, bunny-hug and turkey trot to the accompaniment of jazz music, furnished by a frog orchestra from an adjacent morass.

"A large number of sober animals ranged around viewing the performance were so completely scandalized at the affair that they were compelled to bow their head in shame, excepting a few old skunks."

No animals were hurt in the writing of this column. Besides making me thirsty -- for lemonade, mind you -- this column is making me want to watch the 1958 movie about running moonshine, "Thunder Road," written and produced by Robert Mitchum, who also starred in the film.

When he's not admiring Robert Mitchum's hot rod 1951 Ford, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.

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