New business venture- Get a couple of dozen chickens and raise them until they lay. Set up a roadside stand selling fresh eggs for $10 a dozen, and give away a quart of home brew with every dozen eggs purchased. How would the government enforce lack of tax on a product that was free?

Wish I could find some good "Apple Pie" to toast the man. ;-)

Cracked open a jar I had stashed away to drink a salute. Screw the Government who tries to prosecute you for trying to survive.

Rest in Peace Popcorn -

How can the revenuers argue it was untaxed???

At a minimum, he paid taxes on the sugar for the mash - the copper for the still - and the mason jars for storage

Took moonshine from him?!?!?!? He'd already been there done that how many times? Also, don't see anyone feeling sorry for him. I mostly see tributes and celebrations of an old man's life.

He became a legend because he sought publicity. The Feds went after him because his activity was illegal. I knew some old moonshiners who didn't seek publicity and for the most part made a good living with it. He chose to end his own life because he lost everything he had when they took the moonshine from him. Can't feel sorry for a man who chooses to kill himself.

Knowing Pop the way I knew him, he probably did this, just to show them he did things on his terms. Pop, enjoy your afterllife, cause you will always be legend here.

RIP Popcorn. Why harass the man now, he had been doing this for many, many years and everyone knew about him? I agree with Elaine, I'm sure all the containers weren't surrendered and turned over.

Rest in peace Popcorn

A legend of Appalachia is dead just because the Feds didn't get their cut (tax) in his business. Anyone that pays attention will know that moonshine is consumed by some very well known members of the eastern Tennessee community and I know of prominent politicians in this region that have home brewed whiskey in their homes as I type this. It's a shame really, the man is dead and the legend is gone and he was hurting no one in his business. RIP Popcorn.

Popcorn can "Make his licker" now. The good Lord will not judge him the way that our greedy representives did. Go in peace Popcorn, and thank you, fore I know, You sure made some good licker. RIP

Today my friends..........We lost a legend. A true pioneer in American History, and for that we are saddend and hurt. But our Spirits shall be uplifted by Popcorn's spirits and for that shall lead us on to a brighter tomorrow. Thank you.

The powers that be only prosecute people for this because they aren't getting their taxes or payoffs. As for all the containers the law allegedly found, don't bet your last dollar that they were ALL surrendered and turned over. I really hope this gentleman didn't die over these incidents. The feds and local cops have bigger issues they should be dealing with. I don't want to hear any junk about breaking laws and tainted shine, either. Those are two lame arguments. This man should have been left alone. Period.