Cow Shoes Helped Moonshiners Evade Prohibition Agents



Take notes, because this will be on the test. Revenuers are on the lookout for our still. How can we deceive them about our movements? Strap these wooden blocks on our shoes. They'll leave cow prints behind us.

Link -via Kottke | Photo: Library of Congress

@JOlly - I said the "stories", I didn't say it was necessarily true, but these stories do pop up again and again in history with multiple famous historical figures, and this reminded me of it, that's all
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
@gussiebuns that would never work. Take a look at the way a hoof print is made in mud. Were the shoes on backwards you would be able to see something wrong, not only from the relative depth of the front and rear edges, but also the "toe" of the hoof would leave a print.

IIRC one use of cow shoes was among cattle thieves. Anybody looking for the missing cows it would find only cow's prints.

Border reivers (who also stole cattle among other things) were also alleged to have used them. That would be back in the 12th century, some time before prohibition.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Makes me think of all the stories of people fleeing/confusing the enemy in medieval days by putting the horseshoes on their horses backwards so it would make it look like you were going towards someplace instead of away from it.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 6 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Cow Shoes Helped Moonshiners Evade Prohibition Agents"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More