Percy Flowers
Encyclopedia
Joshua Percy Flowers was a moonshining kingpin
during the middle of the twentieth century. He operated a moonshining empire from his 5000 acres (20 km²) farm in Johnston County, North Carolina
. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was indicted ten times by federal
grand juries, and eighteen times at the state level on various charges related to the illegal production of alcoholic beverages and tax evasion. He was well connected in the local community, being a deacon
at his church and a contributor to local politicians, and all of the indictments except for one resulted in acquittals, small fines, or suspended sentences. He is reputed to have made over a million dollars a year with his moonshining operation. His "occupation" was well known in the local community, but for the most part, local authorities turned a blind eye to his illegal activities. At one point he was producing alcohol on such a large scale that he purchased sugar by the train-car load.
In 1957 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms launched an investigation of Flowers. The trial, in 1958, ended in a mistrial. However, he still faced prosecution at a local level in Johnston County. He entered a "no plea" to the charges and was sentenced to a $150 fine and 18 months in prison
. The prison sentence was later reduced to 12 months.
In recent years, Rebecca Flowers, Mr. Flowers' daughter, has developed Percy's 5000 acres (20 km²) farm in Johnston County into a planned community with neighborhoods, a golf course
, and shopping. Its location along the banks of the Neuse River
has made it a prime real estate
location. "Flowers Plantation", as it is known, is one of the fastest growing areas in North Carolina.
The unincorporated community of Flowers, North Carolina
is named after Percy Flowers.
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
during the middle of the twentieth century. He operated a moonshining empire from his 5000 acres (20 km²) farm in Johnston County, North Carolina
Johnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was indicted ten times by federal
United States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
grand juries, and eighteen times at the state level on various charges related to the illegal production of alcoholic beverages and tax evasion. He was well connected in the local community, being a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
at his church and a contributor to local politicians, and all of the indictments except for one resulted in acquittals, small fines, or suspended sentences. He is reputed to have made over a million dollars a year with his moonshining operation. His "occupation" was well known in the local community, but for the most part, local authorities turned a blind eye to his illegal activities. At one point he was producing alcohol on such a large scale that he purchased sugar by the train-car load.
In 1957 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms launched an investigation of Flowers. The trial, in 1958, ended in a mistrial. However, he still faced prosecution at a local level in Johnston County. He entered a "no plea" to the charges and was sentenced to a $150 fine and 18 months in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
. The prison sentence was later reduced to 12 months.
In recent years, Rebecca Flowers, Mr. Flowers' daughter, has developed Percy's 5000 acres (20 km²) farm in Johnston County into a planned community with neighborhoods, a golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
, and shopping. Its location along the banks of the Neuse River
Neuse River
The Neuse River is a river rising in the Piedmont of North Carolina and emptying into Pamlico Sound below New Bern. Its total length is approximately , making it the longest river entirely contained in North Carolina. The Trent River joins it at New Bern. Its drainage basin, measuring in area,...
has made it a prime real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
location. "Flowers Plantation", as it is known, is one of the fastest growing areas in North Carolina.
The unincorporated community of Flowers, North Carolina
Flowers, North Carolina
Flowers is an unincorporated community in Johnston County, North Carolina, west of Jordan, and southeast of Archer Lodge. It lies at an elevation of 289 feet ....
is named after Percy Flowers.
Sources
- http://www.crimewebsite.com/PDF%20files/Organized_Crime_03_VIEW.pdf Article on Percy Flowers
- http://www.flowersplantation.com/about/history.asp FlowersPlantation.com article about the history of Percy Flowers' farm. (Sanitized with no info about his criminal activities)