This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

In the mid-1800s, Captain Samuel Favre of Mobile moved to Kiln and built a sawmill here, according to Haas. Other mills followed, along with shipyards and turpentine stills that all sought to capitalize on the waterfront location and nearby virgin forest. In 1909, one of the largest sawmills in the South was built here. During the construction process, workers came to believe that this riverfront site had once been used by pirates
"as a hiding place for their treasures," Brieger writes, so deep holes were dug all around. "It is generally known that a band of pirates did operate in this area," Brieger notes, "but if any treasure was ever found, it remains a mystery."
The large mill burned in 1912 and was replaced by an even larger one, and industry continued to thrive. Because of the high volume of shipping and trader traffic, a hospital and hotel were soon
WHERE IN MISSISSIPPI IS KILN?_______________
In the early 1900s, a large hotel was built near the Kiln sawmill. The hotel's restaurant was known for serving "fine food at reasonable prices"?about 35 cents for a hearty meal.
built, and the mill's company store attracted traders from miles around. "By 1913, Kiln grew into one of the best small towns in the state and was for a time the busiest town between Hattiesburg and New Orleans," coast historian S. Grady Thigpen, Sr. once wrote. Residents even enjoyed a "real nice picture show and a pool room," Thigpen recalled.
Less savory interests also prospered; this area served as a moonshine manufacturing hub after the Mississippi Prohibition Act was passed in 1908, and the industry grew after national Prohibition became the law a decade later. The Kiln area "was known for its quality of whiskey as far north as Milwaukee, Wisconsin," writes Brieger, and as many as 1,000 sacks of sugar were brought here each week for the secret distilling process. The local liquor's reputed high (continued on page 124)
Maternity Fashions
Dressy, Casual, Trendy or Just Cute
Now with 2 Great Locations
637 Brookway Blvd ? Brookhaven 6242 Hwy 98 West ? Hattiesburg
Maternity ? Nursery Furniture & Baby Bedding ? Clothes & Gifts
EXPECTATIONS*
122 MAY/JUNE 2005