When we first moved to the mountains, I was charmed with the many unusual and antique turns of speech I heard from our older neighbors. "High Sheriff' was one of these, immediately reminding me of Robin Hood's evil nemesis -- The High Sheriff of Nottingham.
Some states actually have High Sheriffs (usually the head sheriff in the state) and in England it is a ceremonial position. But as far as I can tell, in North Carolina it's not an official title -- just one used by the older people. Maybe a survival from earlier days in England or Scotland? I don't know. But it's still heard now and again.
The word "sheriff" itself is a contraction of the term "shire reeve" -- a position that predates the Norman Conquest (1066). ( Remember the Reeve in The Canterbury Tales?) The shire reeve was charged with keeping the peace throughout a shire or county on behalf of the king.
The mission is much the same today -- keeping the peace.
The mission is much the same today -- keeping the peace.
The picture below from the early Twenties is 'High Sheriff' Jesse James Bailey -- shown here with a mountain of seized moonshine stills. The Madison County Courthouse is in the background.
Not so much moonshine these days -- meth and marijuana are the illicit substances that today's high sheriff has to worry about.
Not so much moonshine these days -- meth and marijuana are the illicit substances that today's high sheriff has to worry about.
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