by D M Barrett
“How can this happen in this country?” Louis Barrett said with astonishment.
“There’s a 1931 song by a lady named Florence Reece entitled, ‘Which Side Are You On?’ It expresses the reality of the situation in Harlan County,” the preacher said.
“What does it say?” the newspaper editor queried.
“It goes:
‘They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You’ll either be a union man
Or a thug for Sheriff Blair
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?,” Preacher Mann sang a capella with a mournful tone.
“Here’s a café in Middlesboro. Let’s grab some lunch and take a break. I need a few minutes to think about what you’ve said,” a pale faced Louis Barrett said.
The preacher and newspaperman entered the Country Kitchen. The friendly hostess greeted them and sat them near a small stage at the back of the restaurant.
It wasn’t very long before a young, thin, blonde waitress came with glasses of water and menus. She smiled and remarked that she’d give the men time to look at the menus and be back quickly.
“I wonder if the show is as good here as at the Bluebird Café?” Louis Barrett queried.
“I doubt it but I’d still like to hear it,” Preacher Mann responded.
A tall, thin gentleman in well-worn work clothes and boots asked, “Gents, do you mind if the boys practice? There’s a benefit show here tonight.”
“We don’t mind at all,” Louis Barrett replied.
“What the nature of the benefit?” the preacher asked.
“Five miners died in a cave-in a few months ago in Harlan County. The benefit is for their families,” the man replied.
“That’s tragic,” the preacher responded.
“Given that fancy car, we thought you might be working for one of the Harlan Coal Companies,” the workman replied.
“We’re going to Harlan to try to locate some distant relatives. We’re not with the mine operators or the union. We’re from Ferguson, Tennessee,” Louis Barrett responded.
“Be careful in Harlan. Lots of folks never leave there,” the gentleman said with a raised eyebrow.
Before Preacher Mann or Louis Barrett could reply, a group of five young men took the stage. They carried a banjo, a six-string guitar, an upright bass, a fiddle, and a mandolin.
“We’re gonna practice a few songs for tonight’s benefit. We hope ya’ll like mining songs,” the lead singer announced which prompted applause from Preacher Mann and Louis Barrett.
The group began with a mid-tempo song called Miner’s Prayer. The young man began:
When the whistle blows each morning
And I walk down in that cold, dark mine
I say a prayer to my dear Savior
Please let me see the sunshine one more time
The waitress appeared and asked the preacher and the newspaperman if they had made their selections. They both nodded.
“I’ll have the pork chop special,” Louis Barrett said.
“Make that two and bring two glasses of iced tea for us, please,” Preacher Mann requested.
The waitress nodded her head and walked toward the kitchen. They were the only patrons in the restaurant at that hour so they thought the meal would arrive quickly.
After a couple more songs, the band’s lead singer made his way to the table to speak to the pair of Ferguson men. He pointed to a chair and the preacher motioned for him to sit down.
“Are you two fellas union men?” the young man asked.
“Like I told the other gentleman, we’re going to Harlan to try to locate some distant relatives. We’re not with the mine operators or the union. We’re from Ferguson, Tennessee,” Louis Barrett responded.
“In Harlan, you’re either with the union and the miners or you’re with the mine operators and the sheriff,” the young man instructed.
“Like Miss Florence Reece asked, ‘Whose side are you on?’” the preacher remarked.
“Damn straight,” the young man said.
Before the Preacher Mann or Louis Barrett could utter a word, the young man stood, walked away from the table, turned to the small stage, and said, “Boys, they’re with us!”
A loud cheer erupted from the group. The old man, the hostess, and the waitress clapped loudly.
“Looks like we’re committed,” Louis Barrett said.
“Indeed,” the preacher replied.
The waitress brought two glasses of iced tea and then quickly returned with the two pork chop specials. The band practice continued through the meal.
When they had nearly finished eating, the waitress brought the check. Louis Barrett placed a $5 bill on the table with the check.
“How much expense money did Henry Wooden give you?” the preacher asked.
“He put $300 in the envelope. It’s enough to buy a slightly used car. I couldn’t believe it,” Louis Barrett replied.
“How much was in your personal envelope?” the preacher inquired.
“That was $200 in $5, $10, and $20 bills,” the newspaperman said.
“I got the same,” Preacher Mann said.
“Why do you ask?” Louis Barrett queried.
“I need $50 of that expense money to donate to the miner’s benefit fund,” the preacher explained.
“That’s a big donation,” the newspaperman said as he handed the money to the preacher.
The preacher made his way to the stage, handed $50 in the form of five $10 bills to the older gentleman. He looked at the money, looked at the preacher, and took the money and placed it in the donation jar.
“That’s mighty generous, brother. It’s badly needed,” the man said.
“I need to find our relatives in Harlan. Where’s the best place to start? Who’s the best person to ask?” the preacher inquired.
“I’d check with Dr. John Bridges. He’s the Vanleer Mine doctor but he’s a friend to the public. He’s truly a neutral that helps everyone,” the old man opined.
“Is there any place to spend the night in Harlan?” Louis Barrett asked.
“I’d stay at the Middlesboro Inn, watch the show tonight, and go to Harlan tomorrow. You might get to see Dr. Bridges here for the benefit,” the old man recommended.
“It sounds like a good plan,” Preacher Mann said.
“I didn’t catch your names,” the gentleman replied.
“I’m Tom Mann and he’s Louis Barrett,” the preacher said.
“Glad to make your acquaintance. The festivities start at 6:00 pm and end at 10:00 pm. I’ll reserve you a table near the stage,” the old gentlemen promised.
Preacher Mann and Louis Barrett nodded as they exited the Country Kitchen. They both felt their time and Henry Wooden’s cash had been well spent.
* **
Preacher Mann and Louis Barrett obtained two rooms at the Middlesboro Inn. It wasn’t as nice as Miss Rosie’s but it was clean and comfortable. Afterward, they drove the Lincoln Zephyr around Bell County to look at the local sights. However, taking the old man’s recommendation that they not be in Harlan tonight, they avoided crossing the Harlan county line until the next day.
The physician, Dr. John Bridges, was at the miner’s benefit and was waiting for them at the door of the Country Kitchen when the two men arrived. He well knew the legend of the lady who had sold her baby for $20 but believed it to be a myth.
According to local lore, she arrived in Harlan with a baby. Therefore it either didn’t happen or she sold one and kept one, he reasoned.
He invited them inside to enjoy the music and the festivities. The pair declined and asked him to release the reserved table. They explained that it was very important that they seek out the lost relatives.
The next morning the pair had a quick breakfast at the Middlesboro Inn and made their way to Harlan. It was a slow, treacherous mountain road
. The old man had a good reason to suggest they spend the night in Middlesboro rather than Harlan.
Upon arriving in the small mining town, they made their way to the address that they were given by Dr. John Bridges. It was located on the outskirts of town and nestled in a wooded area against a small mountain. It was unpainted but otherwise well kept.
Preacher Mann knocked on the door and waited. An elderly woman in her late sixties to early seventies answered the screen door.
“What do ya want?” the woman asked.
“I’m Preacher Mann and this is Louis Barrett. We are looking for Miss Sally Barry,” the preacher explained.
“Are ya deef? I asked what ya want?” the woman said with a raised voice.
“We have a letter for Miss Sally Barry,” Louis Barrett responded.
“What kind of letter? Are you with the sheriff?” the elderly woman inquired.
“No, ma’am. We’re not with the sheriff, the mine operators, the union, or the miners,” Preacher Mann responded.
“Hell, come in. Ya’ll ain’t from Harlan county,” the old woman said with a crotchety laugh.
Miss Sally motioned for the men to sit on her somewhat dusty sofa. They followed her instructions and positioned themselves so they faced Miss Sally as she sat in her rocking chair.
“What’s this letter about?” she asked.
“I’ll let you read it,” Louis Barrett said as he handed the business letter to the old woman.
“That ain’t worth a damn,” she replied.
“Why do you say that?” Louis Barrett queried.
“I can’t read. Just tell me what’s in it,” she instructed.
“It’s from a well-to-do businessman in Wilson county Tennessee. He thinks that you may be a relative of his,” Louis Barrett said.
“I ain’t kin to nobody like that. He’s got the wrong person,” Miss Sally remarked.
“He believes he’s your son that you sold to John Wooden for $20 to get the money for your family to go back from Pineville to Harlan,” the preacher announced.
“Well, maybe I did and maybe I didn’t. What does he want?” Miss Sally queried.
“He wants to get you to come and visit him or let him come and visit you here,” Preacher Mann said.
“Why’d he send you instead of coming here his self?” Miss Sally Barry inquired.
“I’m his preacher and this is one of my deacons. He put his trust in us. If you didn’t want any contact with him, he didn’t want to disturb your life,” Preacher Mann explained.
“It needs disturbin’. I can’t work and his brother, Howard, is out of the mines cause of the black lung disease. I thought you were men from the bank foreclosing on us,” Miss Sally explained.
“How much are you behind in your payments?” Louis Barrett asked.
“We’re a heap behind. It’s up to almost $100,” Miss Sally admitted.
“Mr. Henry Wooden had heard that it was hard times in Harlan County. He sent an envelope for you just in case,” Louis Barrett said as he handed the expense envelope to Miss Sally.
“I got bad eyes. How much is it?” the elderly woman asked.
“It’s over $200,” Louis Barrett replied.
“I’m sure that set him back. But, we can catch up our mortgage and buy a lot of groceries with this money. Tell him we’re much obliged,” Miss Sally said as her voice broke.
“You can tell him yourself. I’ll have him up here before the end of the week,” Preacher Mann offered.
“That’s good timing. I gotta tell his twin brother, Howard, he’s got a brother. He never knowed about Henry,” Miss Berry replied.
“Is his name Henry?” Louis Barrett asked.
“It’s Henry Clay Barry but John Wooden bought him and done changed his last name to Wooden, I reckon,” Miss Sadie responded.
* **
The pair soon left Miss Sally Barry’s residence so she could explain things to her son, Howard, when he returned from seeing Dr. John Bridges. Preacher Mann and Louis Barrett stopped in Middlesboro and made a long-distance call to explain their good fortune to Henry Wooden.
In his journal, found years later, Henry Wooden attributed Preacher’s Mann and Louis Barrett’s success to a miracle of God brought down by the faithful work and prayers of two good men. He made mention of a Bible verse that noted, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Henry Wooden wrote that he had the benefit of two such men.
13.
Harvest Moon
“What will it be preacher?” Doris Smith asked.
Preacher Mann stared at the BlueBird Café menu and pondered what seemed to be one of life’s major choices. He was torn between breakfast and lunch.
“I’d planned to order country ham, biscuits, scrambled eggs, and red-eye gravy,” the preacher said.
“What’s your other choice?” Doris asked with a chuckle.
“That chicken fried steak, white gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans are calling my name,” Preacher Mann replied.
“He’s having the chicken fried steak and all the trimmings,” Nurse Bilbrey instructed.
“It’s obvious to me that she’s the decision-maker in this couple,” Doris said, as she turned and walked toward the kitchen.
“What prompted that decision?” the preacher inquired.
“Starvation,” Nurse Bilbrey responded.
“Understood,” the preacher said.
In a few minutes, Doris returned to the table with plates of food for Nurse Bilbrey and Preacher Mann. As always, the preacher’s plate had a double portion of meat.
“Be careful. These plates are hot,” Doris warned.
Both the nurse and the preacher nodded affirmatively.
“Preacher, when you two are finished with your meals, Ruth Bell wants to see you at the back kitchen door,” Doris said.
“I’ll be there directly,” the Preacher replied.
“What’s on your agenda today, Beth?” the preacher queried.
“I’m checking on some prisoners at the county farm, and then it’s back to the clinic in Cookeville,” Nurse Bilbrey replied.
“When are we getting married?” Preacher Mann asked bluntly.
“You suggested we get married in early May. There’s been no date discussed,” Nurse Bilbrey responded.
“I’m good with that date, but I’m thinking we should elope,” the preacher suggested.
“Elope? SheMammy will never forgive us if he can’t showcase the wedding dress,” Nurse Bilbrey said with a shocked look.
“I’m thinking that we can get married in one of the wedding chapels in Gatlinburg and spend our honeymoon in the Great Smokey Mountains,” the preacher remarked.
“That’ll cause a riot in Ferguson,” Nurse Bilbrey said with a smile.
“Well, we’ll have a big reception at Miss Rosie’s when we return. You can don SheMammy’s masterpiece, and let everyone praise his work,” the preacher offered.
“Where are we going to live?” Nurse Bilbrey inquired.
“We’ve got a few options,” the preacher announced.
“Let’s hear those options,” Nurse Bilbrey said with a smile.
“We can build a house of our own. We can buy a house of our own. George Hickman has offered to lease-purchase a house in Simpson Meadows that we can live in, and the next preacher can use when we leave Ferguson,” the preacher explained.
“Are there any other short-term options?” Nurse Bilbrey queried.
“We can always put an extra cot in my sleeping room at Community Church,” Preacher Mann explained.
“Thomas Mann! That’s not an option!” the county nurse exclaimed.
“We can rent a room at Miss Rosie’s until a the Simpson Meadows house can be made and completed,” the preacher opined.
“I choose Miss Rosie’s for the short-term,” Nurse Bilbrey said approvingly.
“Folks, we’ve got chocolate cake and apple cobbler. What’ll it be Nurse Bilbrey?” Doris Smith asked.
> “I’m going to pass. I won’t be able to fit into that wedding dress that Clayton Martin’s making for me,” the nurse replied.
“What’s your choice, preacher?” Doris inquired.
“He’s putting on a few pounds. He’s already had a double-portion of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and white gravy. He’d better leave that cobbler and cake for next time,” Nurse Bilbrey explained.
“You’re not even married yet, and that woman is looking out for you,” Doris Smith remarked.
“Indeed,” the preacher said under his breath.
“Thomas, I need to check on those men at the county farm. I’ll say goodbye now, and let you speak with Miss Ruth,” the nurse said.
“Can I at least have something sweet?” the preacher teased.
“Well, I guess a quick kiss is okay. That is, if Doris doesn’t mind,” Nurse Bilbrey said.
“If you’ll lay a good one on him, these two meals are on me,” Doris said with a laugh.
“If she’ll do that, I’ll pay for the meals and leave a very generous tip, Doris,” the preacher responded.
Nurse Bilbrey stood up and motioned for Preacher Mann to stand up. She grabbed him, bent him backward, and gave him a good, long kiss directly on his lips. The restaurant’s patrons clapped and cheered. A few yelled for the nurse to kiss him again.
Preacher Mann handed Doris a $5 bill and told her to keep the change. Nurse Bilbrey gave the preacher a wink and a cute little wave.
“She’s a handful,” Doris remarked.
“No doubt,” the preacher replied.
The preacher exited the dining room, walked to the back of the building, and opened the kitchen door slightly. Ruth Bell saw that it was Preacher Mann and came to the door.
“I’ll take off this apron and be there in a minute,” Miss Ruth said.
The preacher nodded affirmatively. He walked to the long bench beneath the large oak tree and took a seat in the shade.
