The Whiskey Well

In 1922, near Atlanta, Georgia, an illegal distillery was discovered fifty feet below ground. There was only one way to enter: through a well, by a rope ladder. The massive, hidden operation was found on a farm after police noticed the owner repairing the top of an old well shaft on his property. They found it suspicious that this old well was so well maintained. Upon investigation, officers began their descent into the well using the rope ladder. Once they reached a depth of about fifty feet, they found a tunnel that led to a secret, subterranean room. 

This room, which was about 14 square feet, contained a 60-gallon still which had been recently used for a big whiskey run. Police also found 600 gallons of fermenting beer in preparation for the next batch of whiskey. The illegal operation was surprisingly sophisticated. A hidden pipe from the still was routed to the farmhouse and connected to the chimney, allowing the smoke to be vented without arousing suspicion. The farm's owner, W. C. Whitner, was arrested along with his employee, C. J. Camp, in connection with the discovery.