THROUGH
MOUNTAIN MISTS
Early Settlers of
Their
Descendants...Their Stories...Their Achievements
Lifting the
Mists of History on Their Way of Life
By: Ethelene Dyer Jones
Mountain folk –
the way we are
Those of us
born and reared in the
Characteristics
of mountain people are noticeable in personality, work ethic, lifestyle
and language. Although we have changed somewhat through education,
exposure to a world beyond the mountains, and those "levelers" of
cultures, the availability of television, radio and other forms of
media, the solid characteristics of our
forebears are still evidenced in many mountain natives into the
twenty-first century.
The mountains
are now populated with persons from many places. But to find a native
mountaineer is almost a guarantee of encountering persons who bear
noble and notable characteristics.
In personality,
mountain folk are slow to accept change. Cogitative in nature, the
native of the mountains weighs issues, considers alternatives, and acts
on conclusions. He holds dear the methods of his forebears, and seeks
to follow them.
He may reason,
"If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Good
enough may be a standard for quality, and "making-do" is often a way of
life.
Another maxim
to which the mountaineer holds is, "If it was good enough for Pa, it's good enough for me." With antipathy toward
change ingrained in the mountain mind, natives are extremely dubious of
imposed and legislated changes. Evidences of this mindset were seen in
the days of school consolidation when each community wanted to hold
onto its local school, even though advantages were to be had through
bus transportation to a more modern and better staffed and equipped
school. Many argued and put up strong opposition to selling land for
rights-of-way for building new highways or developments. The land is a
part of the native mountaineers' ways, dear to them.
There are not
as many farmers now, but in the era when my father was a farmer in
Another facet
of the mountain native's nature is perseverance. His word is his bond.
Honesty and integrity are earmarks of his character. Regardless of how
hard the task or how remote the goal, a dogged persistence marks the
true mountain man's temperament. This characteristic, no doubt, was
ingrained from the pioneer forebears who overcame great odds to find
their way into the mountains through virgin forests and unmapped lands.
Their tenacity in conquering the wilderness, clearing farmland and
building homes left a heritage of resolution and endurance.
The mountain
work ethic is another noteworthy transfer from hardy ancestors. Hard
toil was necessary to bring the mountain land from wilderness status to
productive farms and family businesses. The early years of settlement
in the mountains saw many entrepreneurs forming a self-sufficient
enterprise along mountain streams. Water wheels turned turbines that
ran mills to grind corn and wheat. Sawmills shaped
tall timbers into lumber for houses and industries.
Barter made
yield of farm, forest and mountain a means of trading goods not
produced in the hills.
Industrious
housewives knew how to card, spin, weave and sew. Scarcity became the
impetus for making-do. But whatever the enterprise, hard work was
required. A day's labor was given for a day's labor in return as
neighbor helped neighbor.
Consequently,
this work ethic confirmed the idea that the laborer, indeed, is worthy
of his hire. Shoddy work reflects indelibly on one's character. "He or
she is a good worker," was a compliment desired and well-earned.
Many in other
areas of the country consider the mountaineer's lifestyle as slow and
unhampered, even today in this fast-paced age. It is true that the
mountaineer desires and usually makes time to be friendly with
neighbors, to pass the time of day with those we meet, to take time "to
smell the roses," to inhale the pure air and appreciate it, watch
glorious sunrises and sunsets over the mountains.
Tied with our
mountain characteristics is the ability to meet eventualities head-on.
We are not
always as leisurely and slow-paced as our personalities indicate. We
have learned to rush with the rest of the world. A main difference lies
in the way we set our pace. By knowing that certain jobs need to be
done and forming a timetable for doing them, the mountaineer moves
purposefully, deliberately and efficiently. "By this time next week,"
the mountain farmer says, "this field will be harvested." And he sets
the pace required to do it.
We don't waste
much time on regrets or non-achievements. Some things are meant to be,
the mountaineer reasons, and why opine that it be otherwise? From this
mindset comes a certain assurance and satisfaction reflected in a
lifestyle of peace and oneness with self, with nature, with people and
with God.
Then there is
the mountain language. I, personally, regret that it is fading away.
But we hear echoes of it even now, "I reckon," or that inevitable
dropping of the "ing" to just "in." Takes a
fur less time t' talk that away!
If you have
doubts that these distinctive characteristics are true of mountain
folk, just talk to a native who has reached fourscore and ten years.
Or, better still, if you are a mountaineer yourself, reflect on your
heritage, your "raisin'." You may reach the
same conclusion about the way we are.
[Ethelene
Dyer Jones is a retired educator, freelance writer, poet, and historian.
She may be reached at e-mail edj0513@windstream.net;
phone 478-453-8751; or mail
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