Known locally as Nigger Bertie, by all reports she generally was regarded with affection, respect, and, for some of her works, downright admiration. She was a jolly, good-natured soul, rather short and heavy-set, but what endeared her most to the citizens was not her kindness, it was her booze. People claimed hers was the absolute best produced anywhere in the U.S. of A. Since it was the good ole days of Prohibition, when clandestine distilleries were producing moonshine everywhere across our great, thirsty nation, this was quite an honor.

Born in Missouri in 1871, Bertie came to the Lewistown...