AUTHOR CHRIS SKATES TO PRESENT MOONSHINE OVER GEORGIA IN PINE MOUNTAIN, CONNECTING LOCAL HISTORY TO INFAMOUS JOHN WALLACE CASE

 

 

PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (SEPT. 4, 2025) —The Chipley Historical Center of Pine Mountain will host author Chris Skates for a presentation and discussion of his novel, Moonshine Over Georgia: A Novel Based on Actual Events, on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Pine Mountain’s Family Life Center, 206 N. McDougald Ave., Pine Mountain, Ga. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

 

The book, based on Skates’ grandfather’s experiences as a revenue agent in western Georgia during the 1940s, explores the dangerous world of bootlegging, corruption, and law enforcement. While the novel focuses on the moonshine trade, it also intersects with Harris County history through its connection to John Wallace—a wealthy Meriwether County farmer whose 1948 murder trial and execution drew national attention. Wallace is buried in the Chipley (Pine Mountain) Cemetery, tying this infamous story directly to the Pine Mountain community.

 

“Moonshining was not just a backwoods story—it was woven into the very fabric of our region,” said Lou Brackett, executive director of the Chipley Historical Center. “John Wallace lived and farmed in nearby Meriwether County, but his final resting place is here in Pine Mountain. His story reminds us how events of national significance are often rooted in local soil.”

 

Wallace was convicted in 1948 of orchestrating the murder of Wilson Turner, a sharecropper who had fled Wallace’s farm. His trial became historic as the first in Georgia where testimony from Black witnesses was admitted against a white defendant—marking a turning point in both legal and social history.

 

“The fact that he is buried right here in Pine Mountain gives our community a tangible link to this dramatic chapter in Georgia history,” Brackett added. “Events like this bring history alive and help us better understand the people, places, and events that shaped Harris County and its neighbors.”

 

Skates’ book, which has earned high praise from readers, blends historical fiction with documented accounts, offering a raw portrayal of the challenges faced by federal agents battling the illegal liquor trade.

 

The Chipley Historical Center invites the public to attend this special program, which continues its mission of preserving and sharing the county’s history through events, archives, and community partnerships.

 

The Chipley Historical Center is located at 146 McDougald Ave, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more, call (706) 663-4044 or email info@chipleyhistoriccenter.org.

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Note to Editor: Interviews with Chris Skates and images related to Moonshine Over Georgia may be available upon request.

 

Photo: Robert Brackett of the Chipley Historical Center displays the novel Moonshine Over Georgia. The Center will be hosting Author Chris Skates on September 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist of Pine Mountain's Family Life Center for a presentation and discussion. The book, based on Skates’ grandfather’s experiences as a revenue agent in western Georgia during the 1940s, explores the dangerous world of bootlegging, corruption, and law enforcement.

 

About the Chipley Historical Center

Established in 1985, the Chipley Historical Center of Pine Mountain is a dedicated institution committed to the collection and preservation of historical documents, photographs, and the rich heritage of the local area. Its mission is to become the premier genealogy and history center in West Central Georgia. Housed within the original City Hall, a structure dating back to the early 1900s on McDougald Avenue, the center has been painstakingly restored, earning it a place on the National Register of Historical Places. The center welcomes contributions of historical significance, including old letters, photographs, land grants, deeds, diaries, newspapers, and more, with a focus on permanent preservation. The restoration of the old City Hall was made possible through the generous support of the community and various organizations. Ongoing support for the center's projects is garnered through direct donations, membership dues, and volunteer assistance. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. (Please check with the Center for holiday hours of operation).