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Blue Ridge Billy Zachary Sherman: A Legendary Life in the Mountains

Hank Mitchell

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Zachary Sherman, better known as Blue Ridge Billy, was a legendary character in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He was a moonshiner, fiddler, and storyteller, and his life was full of adventure and danger.

Early Life

Zachary Sherman was born in 1876 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. His father was a farmer and his mother was a schoolteacher. Sherman had a difficult childhood. His father died when he was young, and his mother remarried a man who was abusive. Sherman ran away from home at the age of 16 and began working as a farmhand.

Blue Ridge Billy

by M. Zachary Sherman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	30904 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	194 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Moonshining

In the early 1900s, Sherman began working as a moonshiner. Moonshining was a dangerous business, but it was also a lucrative one. Sherman was a skilled moonshiner, and he soon became one of the most successful in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sherman's moonshining operation was based in a remote cabin in the mountains. He would make his moonshine in a copper still, and he would then sell it to local customers. Sherman's moonshine was known for its high quality, and it was always in high demand.

Sherman's moonshining operation was raided by the police on several occasions, but he was always able to escape. He was a cunning and resourceful man, and he knew how to outsmart the authorities.

Fiddling

In addition to moonshining, Sherman was also a talented fiddler. He learned to play the fiddle from his grandfather, and he quickly developed a reputation as one of the best fiddlers in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sherman played his fiddle at dances and parties, and he would often entertain his friends and customers with his music. His fiddle playing was full of energy and passion, and it always got people dancing.

Storytelling

Sherman was also a gifted storyteller. He had a natural gift for gab, and he could spin a yarn that would keep his listeners spellbound. Sherman's stories were often about his adventures as a moonshiner and a fiddler.

Sherman's storytelling was a way of preserving the history and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He would tell stories about the old days, when the mountains were a wild and lawless place. He would also tell stories about the people he had met, including moonshiners, farmers, and outlaws.

Legacy

Zachary Sherman died in 1953 at the age of 77. He was a legendary figure in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and his stories are still told today. Sherman's legacy is one of adventure, danger, and resilience. He was a man who lived his life on his own terms, and he left behind a rich legacy of stories and songs.

Blue Ridge Billy

by M. Zachary Sherman

5 out of 5