Whiskey Rebellion Mural

Whiskey Rebellion Mural. . , (Panel one) , In the 1700's this region of Pennsylvania was on our nation's western frontier. Most settlers lived in log cabins built from local trees cut down and notched to fit together., (Panel two) , A Frontiersman wore a belted hunting frock, double-caped for weather protection a soft-brimmed wool felt that kept off sun and rain. Leggings protected against brush and thorns. A pipe pouch hung from his belt. A haversack slung over his shoulder carried supplies. , (Panel three) , Grain including rye, barley and corn was ground at a local gristmill. At the still, a mash of corn and boiling water was made in a barrel; later rye, barley, and yeast were added. The mixture was allowed to ferment for several days before being poured into the copper still. When heated, the alcohol in the mash evaporated and rose into the onion top of the still, then passed through the horizontal line arm into the condenser coil. As the vapor was cooled by water it condensed into liquid whiskey that trickled out into a jug or cask., (Panel four) , Farmers on the western frontier had a number of grievances with the federal government, but the enactment of the Whiskey Excise Tax of 1791 on their main trade commodity was deemed so unfair that the farmers rebelled, refusing to pay the tax and attacking the tax collectors. Liberty poles were defiantly raised, with flags and banners proclaiming the rebellion's goal. Attorney David Bradford became the firebrand leader of the insurrection., (Panel five) , The whiskey Rebellion peaked in the summer of 1794 when a U.S. Marshal attempted to serve a writ for arrest on farmer William Miller. The rebels marched to the home of the tax inspector John Neville, where a two-day battle ended in the property being burned. President George Washington, with General Henry Lee and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, led a federal militia of almost 13,000 soldiers to stop the rebellion. Faced with this large force, the rebels gave up and the Whiskey Rebellion was over. David Bradford escaped downriver to Spanish West Florida (Louisiana) several days before Hamilton knocked on the door here, looking for him., (Sixth panel) , On November 13, 1794 "The Dreadful Night", federal militia dragged 150 frontiersmen from their beds, arresting them for various crimes relating to the collapsed rebellion. Judges who had accompanied the Two Armyarmy tried or released those accused Of minor crimes Twenty were taken to Philadelphia, where they languished ín jail until their trials in spring, 1795. Two were found guilty of treason. All were eventually pardoned by President Washington. David Bradford was never arrested and was pardoned by Presldent Adams in 1799.