Local histories say that in 1855, M.P Mattingly built one of the first large distilleries in Daviess County with a capacity of about 60 barrels of whiskey. In 1863, the midst of the Civil War, its capacity was increased from 60 bushels of corn a day to 275. Other sources say the distillery was built by W.S. Stone and sold to Mattingly.
In 1875, Mattingly bought the old W.S. Stone Distillery. In 1905, he was producing 4,000 to 5,000 barrels of whiskey a year. Its “Old Stone” brand was said to be one of the best whiskies ever manufactured.