James H. Rose, born in 1875, was a federal Prohibition Agent from Swain City, North Carolina. On October 25, 1920, he was killed during a raid on an illegal moonshine still near Asheville, Swain County. Rose was attacked by moonshiners, and he succumbed to his injuries. He was survived by his wife, Mary , and their seven children.
The circumstances surrounding Rose's death were complex and controversial. Rose was known for his aggressive enforcement of Prohibition laws, which made him unpopular in the local community. His death was widely covered in newspapers across the country, and it remains one of the most well-known incidents in Swain County's history. There were questions about whether his death was murder or justifiable homicide, given the tense and chaotic nature of the raid.
The primary suspect in Rose's death was J.E. "Babe" Burnett, who was allegedly involved in the moonshine operation. Burnett fled the scene after the shooting, but he was eventually captured and turned himself in to the county sheriff almost seven months later, on May 15, 1921. Burnett faced trial for his involvement in Rose's death, and the case garnered significant media attention. Despite local sympathy for Burnett, he was ultimately held accountable for his actions.
Rose's death had a lasting impact on the community and his family. His extended family included his uncle, Quill Rose, a legendary bootlegger and outdoorsman. The events surrounding James H. Rose's death highlighted the challenges and dangers faced by Prohibition agents during that era, as well as the complex social dynamics in rural communities affected by Prohibition laws.
