by D M Barrett
“I’m certainly glad I’m the topic of discussion and not some poor widow woman,” the preacher said with a chuckle.
“We’re both widowers ourselves. When we decide to discuss widows it will be about rich ones,” Finis Lawrence replied as George Hickman nodded and smiled.
“I’ll get to the point like you always do,” the banker said.
“It must be a good deal. I mean it has to be a very good deal you’re going to propose,” Preacher Mann remarked.
“Why are you saying that?” Finis Lawrence inquired.
“He didn’t say, brother. That’s a dead giveaway to grab your wallet and hold it tight,” the preacher explained.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Finis Lawrence said with a chuckle.
“He’s talking about himself. I grab my wallet every time he proposes a deal with me. He never lets me make any money the first year. But, his preacher development plan deals have always turned out to be lucrative for the bank,” George Hickman said with a smile.
“What’s the BDD or the banker development deal today?” Preacher Mann queried.
“The bank is developing Simpson Meadows and has commissioned Finis Lawrence to oversee the construction and provide the materials. I’ve got one house already sold to Clayton Martin. I’ve got a second house reserved for Tom and Drusilla. I’ve got a deal on a third house for you and Nurse Bilbrey,” George Hickman explained.
“I’m listening. I’m not protecting my wallet yet,” Preacher Mann said.
“The banker’s development plan is this: You can have a house for the same price that houses are being sold to Clayton Martin and Deputy Tom Kelly. Due to the nature of the preaching business, I recognize that you may not be in Ferguson forever. I’m offering you a rent-to-own arrangement. You can pay a reasonable monthly rental fee and almost everything paid monthly will go toward an agreed purchase price if you eventually choose to buy the property,” George Hickman proposed.
“What do you mean by ‘almost everything’ paid monthly will go toward an agreed purchase price?” Preacher Mann asked.
“The bank will pay the annual property taxes, insurance, and a small annual interest rate. Those charges will not be part of the amount applied to the purchase price,” George Hickman explained.
“I think it’s very fair,” the preacher responded.
“Drusilla, call Dr. Whitman. I think I’m having the big one!” George Hickman exclaimed as he grabbed his chest with his hands.
“He’s pretending to have a heart attack because I didn’t argue or make a counter-offer,” Preacher Mann said as he looked at a smiling Finis Lawrence.
“Do you have a deal with that old skinflint?” Finis Lawrence asked.
“We have a deal as soon as I get approval from Nurse Bilbrey,” the preacher responded.
“Do you see that as a problem?” a recovered George Hickman queried.
“She’ll love decorating and moving into a new house in Simpson Meadows. I think she’ll be delighted with the deal. But, I’m not tough enough to close a deal on a house without her approval,” Preacher Mann said with a chuckle.
“Now, preacher, you always say you’re not in the such-and-such business but then give good ideas and make helpful recommendations. Well, I’m not in the preaching or ministry business. But, I got a couple of thoughts about it,” Finis Martin Lawrence said.
“Say on,” the preacher encouraged.
“I think you should consider having a 9:00 am worship service, 10:00 am Sunday School, and an 11:00 am worship service. Some folks need to be able to enjoy the better part of the day with their families, recreate, or improve themselves,” Finis Lawrence said.
“Also, some of them could get out of church early on Sunday and head to work building houses, a post office, additions to Miss Rosie’s bed and breakfast, and running a sawmill to make lumber for all kinds of projects,” Preacher Mann added.
“Preacher, a couple of months ago you gave a sermon about Jesus being criticized for healing a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath. You talked about the custom of being able to pull an ox out of a ditch and not violating the Sabbath day,” Finis Lawrence explained before being interrupted.
“I heard that sermon. Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath,” George Hickman added.
“The Bible says that ‘Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn, and his disciples were hungry and he began to pluck ears of corn and began to eat,’” the preacher said.
“I remember that. That’s what we’re up against. This depression has hung around for several years. Times are getting better but these people need jobs and income. They’ve been suffering. Some are literally hungry,” George Hickman said with a slight break in his voice.
“I will start having split services on Sunday morning for the benefit of the community. In emergency circumstances or exigent circumstances, mankind has been permitted to do things that would normally be less acceptable in non-emergency situations. I will leave the decision about how they spend the Lord’s Day to the members,” the preacher agreed.
“I’m not exactly sure what you mean,” Finis Lawrence said.
“You can’t shove the ox into the ditch late Saturday so George Hickman can claim you must work on Sunday on his development project,” the preacher replied.
“In other words, an emergency doesn’t last indefinitely,” Finis Lawrence responded.
“Exactly,” the preacher said.
Finis Lawrence and Preacher Mann rose from their seats to leave the bank. They shook hands and Finis Lawrence made his way to the front door of the bank.
“Preacher, I need to show you our lockboxes in the vault,” George Hickman said as he motioned for the preacher to follow him.
“I have a lockbox. Drusilla rented it to me last year,” Preacher Mann replied.
“You need a bigger one. It’ll only take a minute,” George Hickman insisted.
“Very well,” the preacher said.
After entering the vault, George Hickman said in a lowered voice, “I got some confidential preacher business to discuss with you.”
“Say on,” the preacher replied.
“Drusilla is . . . er . . . I mean . . . she’s with child by Deputy Thomas Kelly,” George Hickman stuttered.
“Ordinarily I’d offer congratulations but I sense that would not be well received in this case,” the preacher replied.
“I need you to marry them in a quiet, private ceremony and then not say how long they’ve been married,” the banker suggested.
“When do you want the service performed? Where do you want it performed?” the preacher queried.
“We want it done right here and right now. I’ve got the marriage license in my coat pocket,” George Hickman said.
“You want me to sign it and you’ll complete the date and the other information,” the preacher said with an accusatory tone.
“It’ll keep you out of the loop on the paperwork,” the banker advised.
“Even if I agree to this, you have two problems. That license has a date on it and you’ll need a witness besides yourself,” Preacher Mann explained.
“I’m tight with the county clerk. He backdated the license to ninety days ago. I’ve got Finis Lawrence around the corner waiting for the signal. I’ve got a $100 bill for your services,” George Hickman explained.
“I’ll do it and repent later today. Grab Finis Lawrence and get the happy couple in here. Lock the front door. After I finish, give that big bill to Drusilla for a wedding gift. I don’t want to have to repent for taking filthy lucre, too,” the preacher responded with a huge sigh.
George Hickman scurried out of the vault to grab Finis Lawrence, lock the front door, and get Tom and Drusilla into position.
Preacher Mann looked up and said, “Lord, I know it’s not the Sabbath and the ox is not in the ditch. But, the bull has gotten into the pasture and this is an emergency wedding. Amen.”
12.
Family
“Come take a seat, have a good lunch, and engage in spirited conversation with me,” Henry Wooden urged as the preacher entered Miss Rosie’s large dining room.
“You’re a hard man to argue with Mr. Wooden,” the preacher replied.
“Well, it’s never seemed to hinder your efforts, Preacher Mann,” Henry Wooden said with a chuckle.
“I said hard. I didn’t say impossible,” the preacher responded.
“Louis Barrett will be joining us in a few minutes. I asked Miss Rosie to call him when she saw you enter the bed and breakfast,” the businessman said.
“Are you running for political office?” the preacher asked.
“I can make more money in legitimate business than I can steal as a politician,” Henry Wooden remarked.
“I wish you could teach that lesson to our elected officials,” Preacher Mann lamented.
“Well, let me give you some Henry Wooden family history before Mr. Barrett arrives. He knows this stuff already,” the businessman announced.
“Say on,” Preacher Mann replied.
“I’m a bastard,” Henry Wooden said bluntly.
“You may occasionally be harsh in a few business practices but you’re honest and fair. You follow the biblical instruction to give ‘good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,’” the preacher opined.
“I’m grateful for your confidence in me. It means a lot. But, I’m saying that I am literally, a bastard, or child born out of wedlock. I was given up for adoption. In fact, my father paid $20 for me,” Henry Wooden explained.
“How did you find this out?” the preacher asked.
“My father died when I was a younger man. My mother developed cancer and died last year at 75 years old. She told me what I just told you. She added that I was the best $20 deal that my dad ever made,” Henry Wooden replied.
“That should make you feel loved,” Preacher Mann remarked.
“After you found that cave that you turned into a coal mine with the help of Blue Diamond Coal Company, I’ve brokered every ton of coal that’s been mined there. I’ve put ten percent of my commissions into Harriman Bank for Community Church,” Mr. Wooden announced.
“George Hickman hasn’t said anything to me,” the preacher said with astonishment.
“I told him to wait until I had a chance to speak with you personally,” Mr. Wooden said.
“The Lord will bless you for your generosity,” Preacher Mann stated.
“Preacher, I’ve made more money in the last two years than in the last twenty. I have no doubt that it is due to the Lord’s hand in my life. Before long, my wife will have made her own fortune and still own half of mine,” Henry Wooden remarked.
“I got the most recent reports from SheMammy Martin just this morning. He was quite excited. It sounds like there are more jobs coming to the Ferguson area,” the preacher said.
“He’s no longer SheMammy. Since Little Man came along, everything is Designs by Clayton,” Mr. Wooden reported.
“Not to change the subject but why are you giving me this Wooden family history lesson?” the preacher asked.
“When I mentioned to the Blue Diamond manager that my mother said that I was adopted from a couple that lived in Harlan, Kentucky, he said that he was from Pineville and that I looked a lot like a farmer-turned-miner that was from both places,” Henry Wooden explained.
“Is that man still alive?” the preacher queried.
“Jim Drake, the local Blue Diamond manager, said that eventually the man and his wife moved back to Harlan to work in the mines. He also said that it was rumored that the wife sold her child for $20. The money was used to leave their foreclosed farm and return to Harlan,” Henry Wooden reported.
Before the preacher could respond, Louis Barrett walked through the dining room door. Henry Wooden motioned him to the table where he and the preacher were sitting.
“Have you ordered?” the newspaper editor inquired.
“I’ve been bringing the preacher up to speed on some family history. We’ll order and then get to the task at hand,” Mr. Wooden replied.
“I’ll have the roast beef plate,” Louis Barrett said.
“That’s good for me,” Preacher Mann offered.
Henry Wooden looked at Miss Rosie and held up three fingers on his right hand indicating an order for three specials. The preacher held up an iced tea glass and pointed to it with three raised fingers on his left hand.
“Now that’s communicating,” Louis Barrett remarked with a chuckle.
“It saves time. Time is money,” Henry Wooden said with a smile.
“Like the scripture says, ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil,’” Preacher Mann offered.
“What does that actually mean, preacher?” Louis Barrett asked.
“We can’t waste time because the times are troublesome and severe,” Preacher Mann instructed.
“That being said, I’ll get to the point of our meeting today,” Henry Wooden remarked.
“As the preacher always says, ‘Say on,’” Louis Barrett urged.
“I need you two to go to Harlan, Kentucky and see what, if anything, you can find out about my biological parents or siblings. I’ll fund the trip. I’ll pay you for your time,” Henry Wooden implored.
“Of course, I’ll go,” Louis Barrett said.
“I’ll go without pay,” Preacher Mann offered.
“Here’s an envelope for each of you for your time. This third envelope is for expenses and I’m giving it to Mr. Barrett,” Mr. Wooden instructed.
“Don’t you trust me with the expense money?” the preacher said with a large smile.
“Preacher, you’d take a $20 bill and a copy of the Ten Commandments to Harlan, Kentucky and not break either,” Henry Wooden said.
“And he’d find a way to give it to a needy person before we made it home,” the newspaper editor said with a chuckle.
The preacher nodded his head affirmatively to the two men’s remarks. He knew that they were telling the truth on him.
“What are we telling folks about our absence?” Preacher Mann asked.
“I’ll tell Jack Wright that you’re on a trip to redeem the lost in eastern Kentucky and that I’m doing my deacon’s job and going with you for a week,” the newspaper editor reported.
“That man will get the story out. He’s got as much circulation as if you’d have printed the story in The Mountain Gazette,” Preacher Mann replied.
“When are you planning to leave for Harlan?” Henry Wooden asked.
“I’ll tell Nurse Bilbrey later today. I can leave early tomorrow,” the preacher replied.
“I’ve got the next issue of The Mountain Gazette ready for printing and distribution. I can leave early tomorrow, too,” the newspaperman announced.
“There’s one more thing that Jim Drake, the Blue Diamond manager, told me. He quoted a verse of a sad song entitled: You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” Henry Wooden said somberly.
“What does it say?” Louis Barrett asked.
Henry Wooden pulled a piece of paper from his vest pocket and read in pertinent part:
‘In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That’s the place where I traced my bloodline
And it’s there I read on a hillside gravestone
You’ll never leave Harlan alive.’
* **
Preacher Mann and Louis Barrett left for Harlan, Kentucky early on Tuesday morning. Henry Wooden had loaned the pair his newly received navy blue 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Roadster for their trip. It was still 1938, but Henry Wooden pre-ordered several new vehicles as soon as the model year changed.
It was 170 miles from Ferguson to Harlan. Louis Barrett calculated that they should be able to drive at least 35 miles per hour between the two towns. Preacher Mann had predicted a six-hour trip rather than the five-hour one predicted by the newspaperman.
“We’ve just crossed the Kentucky state line and the next town is Middlesboro. We�
�re about three-fourths of the way there,” Louis Barrett remarked as he steered the two-door Lincoln Zephyr through the curvy, mountain roads.
The preacher looked at him and grunted. Obviously, he had been in deep thought.
“We need to work on your travel communication skills,” the newspaperman opined.
“You’re not Nurse Bilbrey,” Preacher Mann replied.
“Patricia Stoner Barrett, you ain’t,” Louis Barrett said.
“A newspaper editor and the husband of a school teacher using the word ain’t – what’s this world coming to?” the preacher asked.
“A combination lawyer and preacher that ends his sentences with prepositions,” the newspaperman replied.
“What are you expecting as friendly chit chat?” Preacher Mann inquired.
“I was interested in what had you pre-occupied that kept you from having conversation since we left Ferguson over four hours ago,” Louis Barrett disclosed.
“I was thinking about all the events in Harlan in since 1931,” the preacher replied.
“I’m vaguely familiar with some strikes and union organizing. Tell me what you know,” Louis Barrett urged.
“There’s been a series of coal mining-related skirmishes, executions, bombings, and strikes that have taken place there. The incidents involved the union and coal miners on one side and mine owners and law enforcement on the other side. Federal troops have occupied the county a half dozen times. We’re rolling into a powder keg,” Preacher Mann explained.
“That doesn’t concern us. We’re not miners, unions, mine owners, or law enforcement,” Louis Barrett replied.
“When you cross over the Harlan County line, you’re immediately cast on one side or the other. It’s walking a tightrope to not run afoul of one side or the other,” the preacher said.
“Hasn’t it gotten better lately?” Louis Barrett inquired.
“In 1935 the Wagner Act outlawed yellow-dog contracts, company unions, blacklists, discrimination based on union activity, and other tactics used by coal companies. Unfortunately, the Harlan coal operators, unlike the rest of the country, resisted the federal involvement. Violence erupted and federal troops were sent to restore order. The Kentucky governor called it ‘the worst reign of terror in the history of the county,’” the preacher explained.