MINISTRY AND MOONSHINE
CHAPTER 1MOVING DAY
Matt and Elizabeth came to the end of a long exasperating day.
They started their journey that morning with excitement and
enthusiasm about the upcoming new chapter in their lives. As they
both drifted off into a troubled sleep in the old parsonage they
wondered if they had made a terrible mistake. Matt Reynolds always
thought that he would become a Methodist minister in adulthood, but
he really did not know where the idea came from. As a young boy he
heard both of his grandmothers talk about it and it seemed that
they expected it, especially his maternal grandmother. During his
childhood, Matt stood in the fork of a large mesquite tree in her
back yard and "preached" to his older brother and anyone else who
would listen, much to Grandmas delight. She was an extremely
religious, church-going woman, and she was quite pleased at the
prospect.Matts father was a Methodist minister and the young man
always thought that his dad expected him to follow in his
footsteps, but he did not really know if this was the case or just
his childish imagination. In any case, he considered himself to be
a good son and grandson and if that was what his family expected of
him he would do his best to meet their expectations. Little did he
know what an adventure it would turn out to be since he never
imagined that he would be caught up in a web of moonshine and
murder.The young supply pastor spent the first year of his ministry
in North Texas where he attended North Texas State College. That
year went by without much incident, but he was young and longed for
independence so he and Elizabeth, the young man's wife of nearly a
year, decided that they would move to East Texas where he would
attend the college in Sulphur Bend. He made the necessary contacts
with the district superintendent and received an assignment to be
the pastor of the Pruett and Green Forest Methodist churches. It
came as a pleasant surprise when Matt learned that his new
assignment paid $325.00 per month since his income from his first
pastorate was $133.00 monthly. With the large increase the couple
felt rich. The cost of tuition, fees, and books at the college in
Sulphur Bend was $125.00 per semester and the increase in salary
made the expense considerably easier to pay.Matt and Elizabeth met
in their junior year of high school and instantly became
sweethearts. Although she had never been called Beth, it was Matts
pet name for her that he used with love and affection and the only
time he called her Elizabeth was in serious conversation. Matt and
Elizabeth both came from families with close emotional ties and
Matt became an intimate member of her family almost immediately. It
was a difficult choice for both of them to move and stretch their
family ties, but the decision had been made.On moving day they
loaded up what little belongings that they possessed in a small
U-Haul trailer, hooked it up to their old black 1951 Chevy, and
headed for the piney woods of East Texas. As they drove east, away
from the life they had always known, Matt and Beth were both
overcome with emotion and they wondered if they had made the proper
decision. Was moving away from home and family the right thing for
them to do? Regardless of the questions in their minds, the
decision had been made, everything was in motion, it was too late
to change their minds, and turning back was not an option. As they
drove further east, the landscape began to change. In North Texas
they passed through open farm lands with beautiful crops of oats,
wheat, cotton, and corn. As they traveled into East Texas, the
scenery shifted from farm land to forests of large pine, hickory,
and gum trees. Occasionally they came to a clearing in the forest
revealing green pastures with large herds of dairy cattle.As they
drove through the forest of towering pines they listened to Ricky
Nelson on the radio as he sang Traveling Man, which seemed
appropriate while they traveled. Suddenly, a news flash abruptly
interrupted the peaceful song. At the request of President John
Kennedy, Governor Price Daniels has just announced that he is
considering a call up of several units of The Texas National Guard.
A number of crises around the world, including the failed Bay of
Pigs invasion of Cuba and the construction of the Berlin Wall,
prompted the possible call up. The news disturbed Matt. He had been
rejected by the military due to a genetic heart defect, but several
of his close friends were in the Guard.When the young couple
arrived in Pruett, it seemed like an idyllic little town and it
appeared to be a place where any red-blooded American would want to
live and raise a family. This seemed perfect since they were
expecting their first child.As Matt and Beth entered the city
limits, they passed by a small general store with a gas pump out
front, much like the establishments found in most small towns. They
drove through town for a whopping three-quarters of a mile, where
they discovered another similar store on the opposite side of the
highway. It seemed rather strange to the young man that such a
small town had two almost identical stores. They made a left turn
on the farm-to-market road beside the second store as indicated by
the directions to the parsonage given to Matt by the district
superintendent.As they proceeded down the street it appeared as
though none of the streets had names since there were no signs.
They later learned that people just referred to the street where
the Methodist or Baptist church or the school was, or the street
where old Sam lived. The houses were old and looked to be dated
from the late 1800s or early 1900s, and despite their apparent age
the houses were neat and well-kept with beautifully manicured
lawns. The yards had an abundance of flowers that included roses,
gardenias, crape myrtles, and hollyhocks all in full bloom. The
little town was beautiful and the young couple was excited that
they would be a part of it.They rounded the curve, went past the
Methodist Church, and there on the opposite side of the road was
the parsonage. Its general appearance was just like most of the
other houses that they had seen. From the street, it looked neat,
well-kept, it had been freshly painted, and its appearance was
enhanced by a large front porch with a swing at one end. The yard
was pretty with a large green lawn of St. Augustine grass that was
terraced towards the street. Two large sycamore trees provided a
solid shade for the front yard. In the back two enormous pecan
trees provided shade and a tall catalpa tree with large clusters of
creamy white blossoms accented the area. Gardenias in full bloom
lined the driveway and on the opposite side of the house large
crape myrtles were also in full bloom. The young couple felt that
they were in paradise.A number of vehicles were parked in the
driveway and Matt wondered if the churchs welcoming committee had
arranged a reception on their first day. Matt and Elizabeth pulled
their old black Chevy with the trailer behind it into the drive.
While getting out of the car they sniffed the heavy, almost
sickening sweet smell of gardenias. As they headed for the front
door a lady dressed in a plain cotton dress, old but clean, came
running around the house and shouted, Dont go to the front door!
You need to come in through the back for your own safety." This
cautionary greeting seemed a little strange, but the couple
complied. Before going around to the back, the lady who had saved
them from bodily injury showed them the front porch. It was rotten
with holes large enough to swallow up an entire human body.Matt and
Elizabeth looked at the porch in astonishment as their yet unnamed
benefactor introduced herself, "Im Elsie Parker. Elsie appeared as
though she had been an attractive woman at one time, but she had
not aged well. She had the look of someone who had lived a
difficult life. You must always use the back door to keep from
gitting hurt. We wouldnt want our new pastor to git hurt. You are
our new pastor, arent you?""Yes maam" he replied. "I am Matt
Reynolds and this is my wife, Beth," he said as he extended his
hand for a handshake. Elsie ignored his hand, took a long look at
Beth, and said, "Well, youre sure enough pregnant. Whens it
due?"Beth replied, "Mid-November."Matt, who always seemed to say
the wrong thing or ask the wrong question inquired, Why doesnt
somebody fix that porch before someone does get hurt? Young man,
Elsie snapped, Those repairs would cost a lot of money and were not
rich folks here in Pruett. Matt figured that he had said enough,
for now."Well, y'all come on in the house. The Pastoral Relations
committee members are all here and were a fixin to give you a few
instructions."Matt and Beth entered the house through the back
door. Three men and another woman, in addition to the lady that
kept them from falling through the front porch, greeted them. The
strong aging smell of mildew engulfed them as they entered the
house and it gave the place a feeling of being ancient, which it
was. One of the men was dressed in overalls that were stained from
work in a nearby dairy farm. The other two men also wore overalls,
but they were cleaner and fresher in appearance than the first. The
second woman was rather robust and she was dressed somewhat nicer
than Elsie. She wore a straight skirt with a tailored blouse, her
hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore glasses. She looked
matronly to Matt and he thought, she reminds me of an old maid
school teacher. Elsie made the introductions, This is our new
pastor, Matt Reynolds. And this is his wife, Beth. As you can see,
therell be a little Reynolds afore long. This is Emma Hawley.
Everyone calls her Miss Emma. Matt stepped forward and shook hands
with the robust Miss Emma. He noticed that she had an exceptionally
strong handshake for a woman.Elsie continued, This is Lloyd Hawley,
Miss Emmas brother, Harold Parker, my husband, and Charles
Hayes.They each shook hands with Matt and Beth as they were
introduced.The preacher sounded rather stiff and formal as he
greeted them, We are glad to meet you folks. We are happy to be
here and look forward to our association together.Matt thought,
From what Ive seen so far, Im not so sure about that, but time will
tell. After the introductions and greetings were concluded, the
members of the Pastoral Relations Committee gave instructions to
Matt and Beth. Elsie Parker had already admonished them to Always
use the back door.Matt, Beth, and the members of the committee
stood in a rather large kitchen with high ceilings. The young
couples eyes were drawn upward by the badly smoke-stained and
yellowing wall paper that had begun to peel away from the walls in
the corners. The wall behind the kitchen stove was grimy from years
of grease splatters and the room had the scent of old burnt lard.
The kitchen cabinet was the full length of one wall of the room and
although it had been freshly painted, it still looked extremely
old. The top had a sway in it so bad that it prevented some of the
drawers from opening and the badly stained sink showed years of
use. The old, worn-out linoleum on the kitchen floor looked to have
been there since the house was built.Matt glanced at Beth and
observed a look of disgust on her face. Then Miss Emma, the robust
matronly lady, gave her instructions. She directed her remarks to
the preacher's young wife as they stood in the kitchen. "Come here,
dear, and let me show you how to use the kitchen stove." Beth
replied, "I know how to use a stove.""This ones a little different.
Git over here and let me show you", she commanded. "Now pay close
attention," she said, as if Beth was some dumb schoolgirl. The door
to the oven won't stay closed. That's what this chair next to it is
for." The chair looked older and more worn out than the kitchen
stove. You shut the door, make sure its shut up good and tilt the
chair against it and brace it up under the handle, kinda like you
would lock a door. The thermostat hasnt worked in a good many
years. Just watch what youre cooking close and don't let it burn.
Been working real good like this for some time. You'll git used to
it."The young man could tell that his sweet wife, the mother of his
unborn child, was not impressed with either the kitchen stove or
the woman giving the instructions. Already this place was looking
less idyllic and not so much a paradise as their original
impression led them to believe.It was the preacher's turn as Harold
Parker, one of the men dressed in the cleaner denim overalls
stepped forward and began to speak, "Don't drink the water. It aint
safe. We thank it is fairly good fer bathin or warshin dishes, but
don't drink it. Git your drinkin water and water fer cookin next
door. Theres a spigot on the back porch and the widow lady, Lena,
will be expectin you to come over and git water. The water used to
be real good til they started drillin for oil nearby. There was
some blastin in the oil fields and the water turned bad."By this
time Matt was about as impressed as Beth was. His mind wandered
back to the almost brand new parsonage and the calm peaceful life
that they had enjoyed back in North Texas. What had he done?As the
group continued the tour, they moved through the house to the
bathroom and the second man, Lloyd Hawley, stepped forward. This
fellow was tall and lank and had a strange look about him that Matt
could not identify. The room was similar in appearance and
condition to the previous one. An old badly stained claw foot tub
stood against the wall, and when Matt saw it he had second thoughts
about ever taking another bath. A single light bulb dangled from
the ceiling over the tub held only by an old frayed electrical
wire. The tall lanky man had badly stained teeth that showed as he
spoke. Perhaps they had been discolored by the water or maybe from
years of tobacco use. He was dressed in overalls with an old faded
plaid shirt. As he began to speak, he spat out a mouthful of nasty
brown tobacco juice into a small can that he carried. The smell was
so overpowering that Matt gagged and nearly threw up. "Now bout the
septic tank, its just outside the kitchen window. If thangs start
to drain slow or stop completely, just grab the bucket from the
shed out back, take the lid off the tank and start dippin. The lids
kinda heavy, but you can do it. Pour the dippins out at the back of
the yard. There aint no houses behind the parsonage and nobodyll
care. Then thangs will start drainin agin and if they dont, come
git me. I do plumbing work round town. Youll find me on the next
street over." This man sounded like he might be more helpful than
the others.Dip out the septic tank? Being a city boy, Matt did not
even know what a septic tank was. This place was beginning to look
more like hell than paradise.At this point, the last man, Charles
Hayes, began to speak as they moved into the bedroom. He was short,
stocky and had graying hair that stuck out from under the cap that
he wore. His overalls and plaid shirt were stained from milking his
cows that morning. He owned a dairy farm and it looked as if he
must have come straight from his barn to the parsonage. He seemed
standoffish and it appeared to Matt that Charles Hayes would not be
very helpful. A strong wind blew outside, each gust caused the old
linoleum that covered the floors to rise and fall and it stirred up
a terrible dust in the house. The walls were covered with dark,
almost black, wallpaper with bright flowers. Charles Hayes had the
final instructions for the preacher and his young wife. "Git
yourself a gun. When you go out in the country to visit church
members, you may need it. There are some pretty bad characters
livin round here. Leave the gun with Beth, for protection, when
youre away at school."A gun? What do I need with a gun? Matt
thought. Why would Beth need protection when Im away? It all became
too clear as their time in this "paradise" dragged on.When the
Pastoral Relations Committee had given all the necessary
instructions, one of them said, We need to be goin but youll be
hearin more from us." Matt wondered if the parting comment was a
threat or a promise, either way it made him uneasy. After the
committee left, Matt and Beth mulled over all that had been said as
they explored the rest of the house on their own. Another bedroom
seemed to be about the same as the first, but without the dark,
gloomy, flowery wallpaper. The large living room and dining room
were combined but partially divided by columned bookshelves like
many houses of the era. Each of these rooms had the same old
linoleum flooring that rose and fell with each gust of wind. There
was one final room, a small den off the kitchen. This fairly decent
room lifted their spirits because it had new wallpaper with no
bright flowers, new flooring, and freshly-painted trim. Matt and
Beth agreed that they would spend a lot of time in this room.Before
they could begin to discuss the day's events, they heard a vehicle
pull in the driveway and shortly thereafter, they heard a knock at
the back door. Apparently everyone knew not to use the front door.
Matt got up from the only decent looking and halfway comfortable
chair in the little den and went to find out who was there. He
opened the door and there he discovered a large burley man with a
big smile. He reminded Matt of Dan Blocker who played Hoss
Cartwright on the TV show, Bonanza. This fellow looked like a
gentle giant and Matt felt instinctively that he would probably be
a friend. The stranger at the door spoke with a deep voice, "Hi,
I'm Ben West." Matt returned the greeting, Im Matt Reynolds, I am
very glad to meet you. Come on in." It aint too late, is it? I
don't want to disturb you," Ben responded.Matt replied, No, its not
too late. It's good to see a friendly looking face." Ben began to
explain the reason for his visit. I didn't want to come while all
the others were here, and really I don't want um to know that I've
been here. You need to know that theres an area that you should
stay away from up on the road that runs on the high ridge alongside
the creek half way between here and Green Forest. It runs east off
the Farm-to-Market and its dangerous. You should avoid it.""How is
it dangerous and why should I avoid it?" Matt asked."There are some
treacherous people that live up there and they don't like
strangers". Ben answered. "Did somebody tell you to git a
gun?""Yes, they did but they didn't give me much of a reason why,"
Matt replied. Ive never had a handgun and I dont know anything
about using one. "I don't want to say too much, but take their
advice and git one. If you don't know much about guns, Ill help you
git one and show you how ta use it." "Ben, I believe I can trust
you, so yes, I would like your help. Thanks." Ill come by in the
next day or two and take you into Sulphur Bend and well git you a
gun." Ben said goodnight and left. Sulphur Bend was the nearest
town of any size and the county seat of Musgrave County. The county
was named after an early pioneer who was an Indian fighter, army
scout, and old-time Texas Ranger.As soon as Ben left, Matt spoke
with relief in his voice, "Beth, I believe we may have a friend.
After eating a light supper consisting of bologna sandwiches and
chips, the young couple drank the remaining water from their
thermos. They sure were not going to drink the tap water.
Completely physically and emotionally exhausted from the events of
the day, they retired to the bedroom closest to the bathroom, the
one with the horrible wallpaper.Beth heard all kinds of noises in
the house and Matt had to get up and investigate each one. He found
no cause for the disturbance but the noises persisted. Matt tossed
and turned with all the events of the day running amuck in his
mind, "rotten porch, don't get hurt, bad water, dont drink it, oven
door won't stay shut, prop it closed with the old chair, flooring
that rose and fell with the wind, stirring up a terrible dust,
disgustingly old stained bathtub, would he ever take another bath,
wallpaper in the bedroom that was like a nightmare, and strange
people with all kinds of instructions. Septic tanks and guns. Most
of all guns. What did he know about guns and why would he ever need
one? Why did Beth need protection? What had Matt done to his sweet
wife? He had brought her to a place where they did not feel safe
and where their lives might be in jeopardy. He had taken her away
from the family that she loved and from the security of home and
brought her to who knows what. Matt finally drifted off into a
troubled sleep. What would tomorrow, the days, weeks, and months
ahead bring? What had he done?
CHAPTER 2THE FIRST SUNDAY Thoughts about the first Sunday
weighed heavy on Matts mind. He wondered what kind of sermon he
should preach and if he and Beth would be accepted by the
congregations? He hoped that the members of the Pastoral Relations
Committee did not represent the type people that comprised the rest
of the parishioners, but that there be more people like the gentle
giant, Ben. Matt spent a considerable amount of time in
preparation, but the first Sunday arrived all too soon. As he
prepared what he thought to be an appropriate sermon, the young
preacher decided that he would speak about his vision for the
church and what its function should be in the community. Later,
after the cold reception they received by some of the people in
Pruett, he thought that maybe he should have brought a message on
"I was a stranger and you took me in," but hindsight is always
20/20.The couple dressed in their best Sunday clothes because they
wanted to make a good impression on the members of the
congregations. James Musgrave, son of the founder of Musgrave
County, established the tiny village of Green Forest. Like his
father, he had also been an Indian fighter and scout. The service
at Green Forest located approximately twelve miles north of Pruett
was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Matt, who always liked to be early, was
prepared to leave at 7:30, but Beth was not exactly ready. She
insisted that they could leave by 8:00 and be there in plenty of
time to meet and greet the people as they arrived."Please come on,
it's time to leave. I want to be at the church before the first
person arrives. I want them to know that their new pastor is
punctual," he pleaded.I'll be ready in a minute. We have plenty of
time, she answered in a rather irritated voice."Come on Elizabeth.
We need to leave now!"When Matt called her Elizabeth, she knew he
was serious."I'm ready, I'm ready. Let's go, she quipped.Beth
emerged from the bedroom, they walked out the back door, started up
the old black Chevy, and headed for Green Forest. The hot humid
June morning greeted them as they drove with the windows opened.
The nearby towering pines and green pastures made the landscape
along the Farm-to-Market a beautiful sight and the clean,
invigorating smell of pine filled the air. They drove past a dairy
farm, where cows grazed on the sweet green grass. The pastoral
scene gave Matt a great boost in confidence. This will be a great
day, he thought. Halfway to Green Forest they crossed a long low
bridge that spanned a scenic flowing creek. The pretty stream was
lined with Cattails, a scattering of Cockleburs, and Thistles that
filled the air with a bitter scent as the hot morning sun pierced
the heavy timber and reflected on the growth along the running
water. The low bridge stood so close to the ground that a grown man
could barely stand upright under it. The scene appeared beautifully
picturesque, but it gave Matt and Beth a strange feeling of anxiety
and fear.They turned off the farm-to-market road on to a narrow
dirt road at the south edge of the tiny village of Green Forest.
The clean scent of pine became intermingled with the annoying smell
of dust from the road. They drove past a large cemetery that
appeared to be quite old and on the opposite side of the narrow
dusty lane they came to the Methodist Church. It was a charming
little white frame building with a steeple topped by a cross. The
freshly painted and well maintained structure elevated their
spirits as they prepared to meet their new congregation.A small
group of about thirty people comprised the membership that
consisted mostly of older people, a few younger couples, and hardly
any children. The women dressed in rather plain tailored dresses,
no one wore fancy clothes, and much of their apparel appeared to be
home-made. The men had shucked their overalls and had replaced them
with blue jeans and plain dress shirts. No one wore suits or
neckties. These people appeared to be good country folks who did
not try to impress anyone. After all the parishioners arrived and
as everyone proceeded inside, Matt was favorably impressed by the
interior of the building. It had pinewood floors that were polished
to a high sheen. The congregation sat on old-fashioned slatted
benches that were sturdy, but not too comfortable. An ornate pulpit
stood to one side at the front and a large multicolored bouquet of
Irises adorned the communion table. The sanctuary was completed by
an old upright piano on the opposite side from the pulpit and a
wood burning stove was located near the center of the room. Matt
later found out that it was his responsibility to arrive early
during the winter months to start the fire. Everything in the space
was spotlessly clean which gave Matt the impression that the people
really cared about their church.The tiny little church did not have
a choir, but the music was impressive. The songs were led by an
older gentleman named Leonard Taylor and the congregation sang with
joy and enthusiasm. Later in the service, just prior to Matts
sermon, Leonards wife Lucille and his spinster sister Lois joined
him and the trio sang a special song. The ensemble sang at many
functions in the community and they were known as Leonard, Lucille,
and Lois, the Taylor Trio. Some of the people at Pruett mocked the
group behind their backs and called them the three stooges, but the
three were some of the best people that Matt and Beth had met.
Their singing was from the heart and was extremely uplifting even
though it had a country twang.The people at Green Forest were warm
and welcoming and they seemed to appreciate Matt's vision for the
church and what its function should be in the community. He felt
like he had made a great impression on these folks and he hoped
that the people at Pruett would also be favorably affected by his
sermon. As the congregation sang the closing hymn Matt glanced at
Beth and much to his dismay he saw that she had on her fuzzy house
slippers. Apparently, being pushed by Matt to hurry up, she had
forgotten to change into her dress shoes. When Beth noticed the
mistake she hurriedly got up, left out the back door of the church,
sat in the car, and waited for Matt.Matt knew that Beth was totally
mortified so he tried to hurry and get to the car before anyone
went out to speak and embarrass her, but he was too late. A kindly
older woman named Annie Truman stood by the car talking to Beth
when he got there."Beth, is there a problem, can I help?" Annie
asked.Beth, perceived her to be a kindly understanding soul so she
responded, I'm so embarrassed, look at my feet." Annie looked at
Beth's feet, saw the problem, and laughed softly so as not to draw
attention to the embarrassed young woman. "Don't give it another
thought. Sometimes I wear my house shoes just cause my feet hurt
and theyre more comfortable than my regular ones. I've been known
to wear um to church or even into Sulphur Bend to shop." Beth did
not know for sure if what Annie said was true or if she just made
it up to keep her from being embarrassed, but either way, it worked
and she began to laugh with Annie. "Thank you so much, I feel much
better now." Beth felt that she had found a true friend."A word of
caution," Annie added, "Stop at the parsonage and change your shoes
before you go to church at Pruett. Most of those people wont find
it funny."I will definitely do that, Beth responded. Matt heard the
entire conversation between the two and he was extremely grateful
that Annie had made Beth feel better. The next Sunday Annie wore
her house shoes to church, nobody seemed to notice, and if they did
they apparently did not care. This gave the young couple an idea of
the type people who comprised the congregation at Green Forest.
Apparently the group was considerate and nonjudgmental which was in
stark contrast to some of the people who Matt and Beth had met in
Pruett.The preacher quickly drove the twelve miles back to Pruett.
In their rush they did not notice the landscape or the fresh smells
since they were in a big hurry to get to Pruett, get Beths dress
shoes, and show up on time. However, when they crossed the long low
bridge, once again they got the feeling of anxiety and fear. When
they arrived at Pruett, they parked the old Chevy in the parsonage
driveway, Beth ran into the house, and hurriedly changed shoes.
They left the car at the parsonage and walked across the street to
the church. The Pruett church was built out of concrete blocks in a
T shape and its appearance was that of a fairly new structure. The
sanctuary was at the front with Sunday school rooms and a
fellowship hall across the back. The Alter was adorned by one
stained glass window behind the pulpit and choir loft. Although it
was newer and larger than the church at Green Forest, it was much
less impressive because it was not spotlessly clean and the warm
welcoming feeling was not there. The entire congregation was
already assembled since they had Sunday school before the morning
worship service, everyone was in their pew, and they anxiously
awaited the new preacher. Some of the people appeared to be
somewhat irritated that Matt had not been there early enough to
greet them as they came out of Sunday school and into the
sanctuary, but he was not about to tell them why he and Beth were a
little late. They did not need to know.It was the custom in the
Pruett church for the choir, such as it was, to enter from the back
of the sanctuary and proceed down the center aisle led by the song
leader, Elsie Parker, no less. Elsie and Harold, her husband, owned
the store located at the east end of town. It was obvious that she
was in charge as everyone looked to her for direction and did
exactly what she told them to do. Apparently nobody dared to
question her instructions. After Matt made his way down the aisle
behind the choir, he took his place behind the pulpit as the
singers assembled in the choir loft. A talented and capable
organist, Karen Campbell, accompanied the choir. Karen was the
daughter Wilson and Vera Campbell, owners of the store at the west
end of town.Matt scrutinized the congregation closely as he spoke
in a stiff formal manner, We are glad to be here and we are looking
forward to our time together. He observed three groups of people.
One group sat on the right side of the church and included the
Campbell and Hayes families, Ben West and his family, along with
numerous other people. The other group sat on the left side of the
church. It included the Parkers, the Hawley brother and sister,
Lloyd and Emma, and many others. Matt was somewhat surprised to see
that the Hayes family sat with the Campbells and Wests since he had
assumed that they were cronies of the Parkers and Hawleys. These
two factions sat near the front on opposite sides of the sanctuary
and another group sat near the back of the church. They did not
seem to fit with either of the cliques who sat on each side near
the front. Matt noticed the same arrangement every Sunday. Paul
Parker, the oldest son of Harold and Elsie seemed to be out of
place as he sat at the outside end of the pew on the opposite side
of the church from his parents. From this vantage point he had a
clear view of Karen Campbell, the organist. Matt observed Paul and
Karen as they exchanged glances and smiles and it was obvious to
him that they had an interest in each other. Paul was a good
looking kid with dark wavy hair, Karen was a pretty girl, and it
was easy to understand why they were attracted to each other.
Elsie, Pauls mother also noticed the exchange and a hateful scowl
came across her face. Matt later became aware of the significance
of all these seating arrangements. He delivered his sermon on his
vision for the church and its function in the community. The people
on the right side appeared impressed, but the ones on the left
seemed totally indifferent. As the choir and the congregation sang
the closing hymn, Matt made his way to the back of the sanctuary
where he pronounced the benediction, shook hands and talked with
the people as they left. He began the benediction, The Lord bless
you and. . . . Before Matt could finish the prayer, Emma Hawley
broke in with a loud pronouncement, Preacher, youve gone on too
long, my taters are burnin. With that proclamation the first Sunday
service came to a screeching halt.As the people filed out, the
group that included the Campbell, Hayes and West families
surrounded Matt and Beth with warmth and acceptance. The other
group, the Parkers, the Hawleys, and their many cohorts seemed cold
and unaccepting. However, Emma Hawley came forward, Preacher, you
and your missus are havin lunch with me and Lloyd. It was more like
a command than an invitation.The foursome, Emma and Lloyd Hawley
and Matt and Beth, went directly from the church to the Hawley
home. The brother and sister lived in the old Hawley home place
that had belonged to their parents and grandparents. Lloyd kept the
outside well maintained and the lawn was spotless. The inside was
furnished with old objects that apparently had belonged to the
Hawleys mother and father or even their grandparents. As Matt and
Beth entered the house, they were engulfed by fragrantly delicious
food smells from the kitchen and Matt was relieved to learn that
Miss Emmas taters were not burned. She left them cooking on a very
low heat so that they would be done when the group arrived. Miss
Emma served a tasty Sunday dinner of fried chicken, vegetables from
Lloyds garden, homemade rolls, and coconut meringue pie for desert.
She was obviously an excellent cook and she liked to see her guests
eat hardily. Matt obliged.After dinner they engaged in polite but
bothersome conversation.Are you gitting unpacked and all settled in
at the parsonage? Emma asked.Yes, everything is fine, Beth answered
as she thought, Fine, if you dont mind bad water, a broken down
kitchen stove, horrible wall paper, a terribly stained bathtub, and
old floors that let dust and dirt in. Then Emma directed her
comments to Matt. Stay away from Sam and Luke that live next door
to the parsonage. They are undesirables and you shouldnt have
anythang to do with um. Lena on the other side is a widow livin by
herself and nobody knows how she gits by. We dont know what shes up
to and that Karen Campbell, ever body knows shes after Paul Parker.
Matt had heard more than he wanted to know and he immediately
sensed that Miss Emma was a gossip and her assertions troubled Matt
as he and Beth walked the two blocks back to the parsonage. The
June morning had been hot and humid, however an unusual summer cool
front had moved in and there was a cold wind that battered Matt and
Beth much like the frostiness heaped upon them by some of the
people at Pruett. Matt commented, That went well, I think. But
Lloyd still has a strange look about him that I dont like. Yes and
that Emma seemed less than genuine, Beth noted, She sure likes to
gossip about other people. The rest of the afternoon was spent in
conversation about all the people they had met and all the things
they had been told. The evening service at Pruett was not well
attended and was uneventful. Matt and Beth had survived their first
Sunday and they were relieved that it was finally over. He thought,
Thank God for the people at Green Forest. He wondered if he had
made a terrible mistake by bringing his sweet young wife to these
backwoods East Texas boondocks.
CHAPTER 3THE WIDOW, THE BOOTLEGGER ANDTHE MURDERER
Matt had been next door several times to get good water for
drinking and cooking, but he had never seen or met the widow Lena.
The next morning after being warned by Miss Emma to stay away from
Sam and Luke and being told that nobody knew what the widow next
door was up to, he took the bucket and went to get water. After
those comments, he did not know what to expect when he finally met
her. He walked over to the ramshackled old house with the water
bucket in hand. The house was about the same age as all the others
in town and was in extremely poor repair. The paint had turned gray
with age and the porch was in worse shape than the front porch of
the parsonage, except the holes were not as large. The roof was in
such bad condition that it must have leaked. Matt cautiously made
his way up the back steps of the house, being careful not to step
through one of the holes in the porch or put a foot on a rotten
board. The floor boards were in such bad condition that one false
step might create a new hole and maybe even break his leg. After he
negotiated the obstacle course, Matt placed the bucket under the
spigot and began to fill it with water.A cheerful voice came from
the opened door of the house, I see you found the water supply.Yes
I did, he said as he rose to greet the woman standing in the
doorway. Im Matt Reynolds, the new preacher at the Methodist
Church.I figured thats who you were, she replied. Im Lena Bailey
and Im very glad to finally meet you. Matt had not known what to
expect, but after the comments made by Miss Emma, he was pleasantly
surprised. The woman had a friendly face and seemed pleasant. She
was thinly built and nicely dressed but her clothes did not look
expensive. She wore a plain tailored dress, nothing that looked
flashy or outlandish that one might expect from a widow who was up
to something. The friendly woman seemed old to Matt and he later
learned that she was in her mid-fifties. To a young man like Matt,
someone in their fifties was old. Id love to stay and talk but Ive
got to be goin. Ive got a class that starts in a little over an
hour. Are you a teacher? Matt asked.Oh no, Im a student at the
college over in Sulphur Bend.My husband, Bill, passed away last
year. He was a tailor and never made a lot of money, but he left me
some insurance money. With that and what I make sewing for people,
I git by. Bill taught me how to sew and make alterations. The
insurance money wont last forever so I decided to go back to
college and become a teacher, she explained.Matt was amazed at
someone of that advanced age going to college to become a
teacher.Ill be going to school there this fall myself. If our
schedules are about the same maybe we can ride together, he
offered.Id like nothing better, she replied. However, I dont think
its a good idea for you. Theres people in this town thatd make
somethin of it and start all kinds of rumors. Probably Miss Emma,
he thought. What kind of people would make something of a young man
and a woman of Lenas age riding together?Oh, by the way, would you
and your wife like to take supper with me tonight? As long as its
both of you, nobodyll have inythang to say about it. It sounds
great, but we dont want to impose, he replied.Its not an imposition
at all. I have to cook supper inyway. Ill be glad to have the
company and Im anxious to meet your wife. I could use someone to
talk to and Im sure shell need an ear to bend after shes lived in
this place for a while. Come over tonight about 6:30. Well be
there. Lena got in her old Chevy and left. Matt thought his Chevy
was old, but hers was even older.Matts impression of Lena was that
of a friendly, warm, and open person and he could not understand
how Miss Emma could have made such a snide remark about her. He
wondered what sort of woman he had to deal with in Emma Hawley.
Matt decided that he would be extremely careful about anything he
said to her. Apparently, she was the type person who happily
misconstrued just about everything and it appeared that she turned
what she heard in conversations around to suit her own purposes. He
also wondered where Emma got her information.He could hardly wait
to get back to the parsonage and tell Beth about their neighbor and
the invitation to supper. He walked hurriedly across the yard and
water spilled from the bucket as he headed for home. Once again,
Pruett was not looking like paradise. As Matt entered the
parsonage, through the back door, he found Beth waiting for him in
the kitchen. I see you met the widow Lena. I was looking out the
kitchen window. What sort of person is she? Well, I can tell you
one thing, he replied, shes not the type person that Emma Hawley
hinted at. She seemed warm, open, and friendly to me. I believe
that she is someone who will be our friend.I told you that I
thought Emma was less than genuine. It occurs to me that she is the
town gossip, Beth replied with disgust in her voice. She despised
liars and gossips.At any rate, Lena invited us to supper tonight
and I accepted. Im actually looking forward to it. I believe you
will like her.Matt wondered about Sam and Luke who lived on the
other side of the parsonage as his thoughts reflected on what Miss
Emma had said. Were they really undesirables that he should stay
away from or were they good folks like Lena appeared to be? Matt
knew only one way to find out.Beth, Im going next door and
introduce myself to the undesirables. Are you sure thats a good
idea?I dont know, but Im going to find out, he said as he went out
the door.It seemed that everyone used back doors in Pruett, so Matt
walked across the yard to the back of the house next door. He
observed a large fenced off area that contained numerous chickens
and turkeys. It appeared that Sam and Luke were in the poultry
business. The row of crape myrtles beside the parsonage blocked the
view of the chicken and turkey pen and Matt had not noticed before,
but the pen produced a foul odor that polluted the air. We sure
need to keep the windows on this side of the house shut, he
thought, especially when the wind is out of the south. As he
approached the back door, the smell from the pen made Matt
nauseous, his stomach churned, and he felt like he might throw up.
Although he nearly choked, he held it back as he approached the
house. The nasty pen full of chickens and turkeys caused a lot of
flies that buzzed around the queasy young man and he tried to brush
them away with one hand as he knocked on the door with the other.It
was not long before the door opened and revealed a man of medium
height and build who was probably in his late forties, about the
same age as Matts father. He wore overalls, which seemed to be what
every man wore in this part of East Texas. You must be the new
Methodist preacher, he said as he extended his hand for a
handshake.Thats right, Im Matt Reynolds. My wife, Beth and I live
in the parsonage next door. Im Sam Latham and this here is my
nephew, Luke, he said as a much younger man appeared in the
kitchen. Come on in and take a seat. The three men sat down at the
kitchen table. I know youre a preacher and I probly shouldnt offer,
but would you like a shot of moonshine? Sam asked in a genuine
jester of hospitality.Matt was shocked but kept his composure.
Moonshine, what did he know about moonshine? The only thing that he
had ever heard about moonshine was bad. It could make you go blind
or even kill you, and now his neighbor was offering him a drink of
it. Matt declined. He had never had anything alcoholic to drink
except a small sip of wine when he was a kid after he and a friend
got into the friends parents wine cabinet. He did not like it then
and he was sure he would not like it now.I know that youve probly
heard a lot bout me from certain people in town, Sam commented.Miss
Emma again, the preacher thought.Preacher, Im gonna be completely
upfront and honest with you so theres no misunderstanding. Im what
they call a bootlegger in these parts and I sell illegal moonshine
to inybody that wants it. Theres lots of people who make the stuff
round here but I aint gonna tell you who they are or where I git my
supply. Im just the middleman and I sell it to them who partake. It
provides a good livin for Luke and me. Matt was speechless and in
his astonishment he had no idea what to say. Once again his
thoughts turned to his young wife and home, What have I done? Ive
taken Elizabeth away from her home and family and brought her to
these backwoods, a place full of strange people, moonshiners,
bootleggers, and gossips. Sam was not through with his revelations,
My nephew, Luke, has just been released from Huntsville prison.
They sent im up for a couple of years on a manslaughter charge and
now hes out on parole. And now we have added a murderer to the mix,
the young man thought. What have I done? He would not ask for
details even though his curiosity was overwhelming. Sam began
giving details without being asked. Luke came home early from work
one day and found his wife in a compromisin situation with his
father, my brother. Luke was enraged and grabbed his loaded shotgun
from the gun rack. He pointed the gun at his father, pulled the
trigger, and blasted im. While he was sprawled out wounded on the
floor in a large pool of blood, he told Luke he was sorry for what
hed done. Then he died.Sam continued his sordid tale of infidelity
and murder. By that time, Lukes wife had called the sheriff and he
could hear the approaching sirens as he sat on the floor beside his
dead father. It was too late to try and run away and what was the
use, theyd just hunt im down and maybe even shoot im. He just sat
there and waited for the sheriff and faced the consequences for
what hed done. Matt was shocked and repulsed at what he had been
told, but his morbid curiosity wanted more.Luke remained silent
with a faraway blank expression on his face as Sam continued, In
this part of Texas you dont cheat with another mans wife and spect
to live to tell bout it. I loved my brother, but he was always
sorry and he got what was comin to im. They originally charged Luke
with murder, but the prosecutor over in Sulphur Bend is an
understandin man so he lowered the charge to manslaughter. Luke
pled guilty. Now you know who youre livin next to and I hope it
dont make you too uncomfortable. Were really good people jest
trying to git by the best we can. Weve had troubles, but then who
dont have problems? Matt was dumbfounded but there was something
about Sam that seemed open and genuine. He sensed an honesty that
he had not seen in some of the people of Pruett and he really liked
his bootlegging neighbor.Them Methodist dont like me, the
bootlegger continued, Ive tried to be a good neighbor but they wont
have no part of it. Last fall when the church had its harvest
festival and dinner I offered to donate the turkeys fer the feast.
I even told um that Id kill and clean um so all theyd have to do
was roast um. From their reaction, youd thought that the devil
hisself had made the offer. Matt had mixed feelings about the
offer. He thought, Sam is a bootlegger, but if they had been more
accepting, perhaps it would have made a difference in his life,
hopefully for the better. And Luke, who knows how they would react
in the same situation? The preacher had always believed in Gods
forgiveness and second chances.A word of caution, preacher, stay
away from the road that runs long the high ridge by the creek twixd
here and Green Forest. The road runs both east and west off the
Farm-to-Market, Harold Parker lives down the road to the west, but
its the one that goes to the east that you need to stay away from.
Theres several moonshiners that live up that way and thats where
they have their stills. They dont like strangers comin in their
territory and some of um might take shots at inybody they dont
know. I dont thank theyd shoot to kill, but you could git hurt. Git
yourself a gun, learn how ta use it and be ready to protect
yourself. Matt thought back to what Ben West told him and it all
began to make sense. Ben West offered to help me get a gun and show
me how to use it.Bens a good man and you can trust him. Take his
help. You can depend on im, Sam noted. Charles Hayes and his wife,
Lorene are also people you can trust and depend on. Matt was
surprised because his first impression of Charles was not
favorable. He seemed unapproachable and less than helpful.One more
thang, preacher, watch out for Emma Hawley. Thats all Im gonna say.
Just watch out. Her brother Lloyd is one of my best customers and
he tells me a lot. He does like his moonshine. Matt suddenly
realized that the look Lloyd had that he could not identify was the
look of a drinking man. He had seen that same look once before on a
man that he had known back in North Texas. The enlightened young
man could not wait to get back to the parsonage and tell Beth
everything that he had learned.The day had been filled with
revelations and the couple spent the afternoon mulling over
everything that Matt had been told. The day was not over yet since
they still had supper plans with Lena.Beth was apprehensive as the
time approached to go next door for supper, but Matt reassured her
that everything would be fine. Youll like Lena and youll probably
become friends.I sure hope youre right, Beth responded. As six
thirty came and they arrived next door, remarkable smells drifted
out the opened kitchen door and filled the air with the aroma of
something delicious. They negotiated the rotten steps and knocked
at the door.Come on in. The doors open.As they entered the house,
Lena greeted Beth with a warm, friendly hug. Beth perceived her to
be a kind person, unlike some of the women in Pruett, and she felt
that she might have at least one friend in this strange place.Yall
take a seat at the table, Lena said as she began to remove food
from the stove and take it over to where they sat. She served a
delicious pot roast with cornbread, one of Matts favorites. All
this was topped off by a chocolate cake that melted in their
mouths. After supper, Lena and Beth cleared the table and washed
the dishes while Matt sat and listened to their chitchat as he
helped himself to another piece of cake. Their hostess left the
cake on the table and Matt could not resist the temptation. After
the dishes were done the women returned to the table and sat down.
Matt was stuffed. He was so full that he could hardly move.Lena,
that was a fine supper. Thanks for inviting us. Matt hesitated and
then continued, I have one question for you and I hope youll not
think that Im out of line for asking. Please dont tell anyone that
I asked.Ask away and I promise its just between us. Where does Emma
Hawley get all her information? She seems to know everything about
everybody and it seems to me that she adds to what she knows and
changes the facts around somewhat.Dont ever tell inybody I said so,
but youre right. She switches thangs around to suit herself. You
know she owns the local phone company. Its a bit old fashioned but
I guess it gets the job done. When you pick up the phone to make a
call, she asks what number you want or who you need and then
connects you. Well, rumor has it that a lot of the time she stays
on the line and listens, specially if the conversations interestin
and gives her somethin ta gossip about.That answered my question
and Ill remember it when I am involved in phone conversations.
Thanks, Lena, thats good to know. The supper they shared with their
neighbor was the first of many. Sometimes they ate at Lenas house
and sometimes she came to the parsonage and shared their food. Matt
and Beth returned to the parsonage and retired for the night. It
had been a long day and what he had heard caused Matt, once again,
to question the decision to leave North Texas and move to the land
of moonshine, bootleggers, gossips, adulterers, murderers, and who
knew what else.
CHAPTER 4THE REVIVAL
Matt and Beth had arrived in Pruett the first week in June, the
weather had already turned hot, and the National Weather Service
had predicted a long hot summer. The interdenominational summer
revival was scheduled for mid-July and Matt marveled that it would
take place outside under an old-fashioned brush arbor during the
hot humid summer. The affair was a joint venture with the
Methodist, Presbyterian, First Christian, and one of the Baptist
churches. It seemed like an odd mixture of denominations to Matt,
but perhaps the community as a whole was more unified than his own
congregation seemed to be. The Methodist and the Presbyterians were
real close in their beliefs, the First Christian had a few
differences, but were close enough to be compatible.The young
preacher knew a great deal about the Southern Baptists since his
father had grown up in that denomination and his paternal
grandmother was still Southern Baptist. The family joke was that
Matts father had finally seen the light, left the Baptist, joined
the Methodist, and became a preacher. However, Matt knew nothing of
the other group of Baptist.Pruett had two Baptist churches, the
First Baptist that belonged to the Southern Baptist Convention and
another one that was not associated with any larger organization
that Matt knew of. It was more primitive and fundamentalist than
those connected with the Southern Baptist Convention. The First
Baptist enjoyed the largest membership of any of the churches in
Pruett and Matt wondered why it had never participated in the joint
revival. The four churches involved in the venture rotated the
responsibility of furnishing the evangelist for the week-long event
and that year the Primitive Baptists, the church with the smallest
congregation made the arrangements. The meetings began one Sunday
morning, had a service every evening, and the grand finale was
scheduled for the next Sunday morning.The four local preachers and
the guest evangelist had a planning meeting the night before the
grand affair was slated to begin. Since Matt had never been
involved in a joint venture such as this he wondered how it worked
and what the outcome would be. He had no doubt about the civility
and cooperation that would take place between the Methodist,
Presbyterian and the First Christian churches, but he had concerns
about the Primitive Baptist. The young preacher agreed to host the
planning meeting at the Methodist parsonage since it had a large
dining table where they could congregate to make their plans. Matt
was somewhat embarrassed when he had to instruct the four men to
come to the back door, but he did not want anyone to get hurt by
using the rotten front porch.The hot humid atmosphere was stifling
so Matt opened all the parsonage windows in an effort to create a
draft through the dining room. He hoped that it would make it a
little cooler and more comfortable, but his efforts were futile
since no breeze alleviated the still evening. It was miserable in
the parsonage. They did not even have an electric fan to help the
situation. The First Christian minister, Martin Grimes, and Matt
had formed a close friendship and the he was glad when Martin
arrived before the others. He felt comfortable when he asked,
Martin, what do you think about the Primitive Baptist? Ive always
heard that they dont accept other churches. If thats the case then
how on earth can this joint revival thing work?Ive heard the same
thing about them, so I dont know. Last year, the Presbyterians
furnished the evangelist and everything was smooth. The Primitive
Baptist just stayed in the background and didnt have much input in
the services. The last time they furnished the preacher I was not
here so Im not sure what to expect.I guess well just have to wait
and see how it goes, Matt responded.When the other three preachers
arrived Matt noticed that they were all dressed in suits and ties,
but Matt and Martin had dressed for comfort in the hot summer
evening. It seemed like suits and ties were the uniform expected of
preachers, Matt normally wore the preacher costume himself, but it
was just too hot, and the extreme humidity made wearing a coat and
tie unbearable. He was glad that Martin felt the same way. The host
offered to take their coats but the three declined choosing instead
to remain in full uniform. The visiting Primitive Baptist
evangelist was a tall, bulky-built fellow with dark wavy hair
combed back in a marcel style. His home was in the mountains of
Tennessee and he had the look of a backwoods hillbilly. If he had
been dressed in overalls and a plaid shirt, folks might have
mistaken him as one of the bootleggers or moonshiners who populated
the Pruett community. Beth greeted the men, offered them snacks
that she had prepared, excused herself, and retired to the bedroom.
The pastor of the Primitive Baptist church took charge since it was
his turn to ramrod the program. This year were goin after them
moonshiners, bootleggers, adulterers, jezebels, and all sorts of
sinners that live round here.Oh, Lord, Matt thought. According to
Emma Hawley, hes talking about myneighbors, Lena, Luke, and Sam.
Everybody knows Sam is a bootlegger and that Luke killed his
father. Emma thinks Lena is a jezebel, but I know thats not so.
This should be an interesting week.The young preacher reckoned that
a week of fire and brimstone preaching was in store, with the
evangelist naming names, pointing out sinners, and Matt did not
approve of that sort of message. He felt that people rendered their
best testimony by the way they lived their lives and that
judgmental accusatory preaching only drove people further away from
the church. In spite of the fact that Sam was a bootlegger, he was
a good person, and Matt believed that he had a fundamental belief
in Christianity. Luke had paid for his crime and Lena certainly was
not a jezebel. Through no choice of his own, Matt was a part of the
spectacle and he did not like it.Matt was quickly jerked back from
his thoughts when he heard the ramrod call his name, Brother
Reynolds, Brother Reynolds, are you with us.Oh, yes, Im sorry I was
off somewhere in my thoughts.Weve heard that you are a good piano
player and wed like for you to play for the revival meetings. Will
you do that?Matt really did not want to since he had no desire to
be a part of the exhibition, but before he could say anything the
ramrod spoke, thats settled, youll play and Brother Grimes will be
the song leader.Matt and Martin glanced at each other with a look
that said, What have we gotten ourselves into? The rest of the
plans were arranged, the meeting was concluded, and all the
preachers left except Martin Grimes, the First Christian pastor.
Matt was in a quandary, he wondered how he got roped into this, and
how would he handle the situation. He sure did not want Sam, Luke,
or Lena to think that he was turning against them since they were
the best friends that he and Beth had in Pruett.Well, Martin, what
do you think? Matt questioned.I think were in for an interesting
but rough ride. I dont know how to say this, but there are probably
members of your church as well as mine that fall into the category
of moonshiners, bootleggers, and most likely adulterers.Matt knew
that some of the people in Pruett were peculiar, but the idea that
there might be those types of people in the Methodist or the First
Christian churches flabbergasted him. The usual seating arrangement
each Sunday made it evident that dissention divided his
congregation and he realized that gossips were a part of his flock,
but he was not aware of any moonshiners, bootleggers, or adulterers
among his church members. He was young, nave, and inexperienced in
the ways of the folks in the East Texas backwoods.I know this comes
as a shock to you, Martin continued, but Ive been here long enough
to know about these things. Take my word for it, its true.How do we
handle this? Matt asked.Just brace yourself, sit back, watch, and
see what happens.The initial revival service took place the next
morning under the old-fashioned, outdoor brush arbor. It was a
typical July day, hot humid and muggy, but the preachers all stayed
in uniform. All the preliminary songs and prayers ended and it was
time for the first sermon of the series to be delivered by the
primitive Baptist evangelist. Matt had already started to sweat,
not just from the heat and humidity, but from the tension of the
moment. As the guest preacher began to speak Matt could not stand
the heat any longer so he removed his suit coat, and loosened his
tie. The speaker went on for about forty-five minutes and had not
touched on the subject of moonshiners, bootleggers, jezebels, or
adulterers and Matt had started to feel more comfortable with the
evangelist, when suddenly, without warning, the evangelist tore off
his coat, pitched it on the chair behind him, ripped off his tie,
let it drop to the ground, picked up his Bible, held it high in one
hand, and pounded on the pulpit with the other. He had everyones
attention. With his Bible held high in one hand he pointed at each
one in the congregation with the other. His accusatory finger
spanned the audience until everyone there felt that he was
preaching directly at them.Sweat poured off of Matt and his shirt
was soaked as he thought, Oh, Lord. Here it comes.Youre all
sinners, moonshiners, bootleggers, jezebels and adulterers, the
speaker boomed out with the loudest voice that he could
muster.Matts mind went blank and he did not hear anything further
until the final prayer.Matt did not realize that so many people
lived in the Pruett community as the brush arbor filled up to a
standing room only crowd at the Saturday evening service.
Apparently the folks in the backwoods of East Texas liked the
hellfire and brimstone preaching.A group of six men that Matt had
not seen before sat at the back of the structure, they stayed to
themselves, and did not mingle with the other people. Most of the
men in the congregation had traded their overalls and plaid shirts
for jeans and plain dress shirts, however, the group that sat at
the back, separated from the crowd, wore overalls, ragged old
shirts, and frayed straw hats that they did not even have the
courtesy to remove during the service. It appeared that the
majority of the folks present made it a point to ignore the clique
and Matt got the impression that no one wanted anyone to think that
they had any association with the faction. He wondered if they were
moonshiners and bootleggers.The hellfire and brimstone preaching
was in full swing and a large portion of the congregation joined in
with shouts of approval. Voices sounded from all over the
tabernacle with amen brother, halleluiah. Thats right preacher, you
tell them sinners, straight to hell, thats where theyre a goin.The
group of six men at the back did not join in the shouts of support,
but remained silent. It was a spectacle, unlike anything that Matt
had ever witnessed. The closest thing that he had ever seen was
once, when he was a child, a traveling revival had conducted a
similar meeting in his hometown. Matts parents had taken him and
his siblings to one of the services, but the family had remained in
the car and had watched from a distance. It was a comparable affair
to the current show. Matt did not like it then and he did not like
it now. The preaching, praying, and singing continued all week and
by the Saturday night service, it had reached a fevered pitch. The
shouts of acclamation were much louder, more frequent, and it
appeared that a large portion of the audience was in a state of
hypnosis. The group of six men, at the back, stayed silent until
that night when they became loud, boisterous, and unruly. As the
preaching reached a crescendo, Matt observed one of them as he
pulled a mason jar from behind the bid of his overalls, took a swig
from it, and passed it down to the other men. It appeared that the
men were drunk and getting drunker as the jar went back and forth,
from one man to the other until it was empty. At that point, the
second man pulled a jar from his overalls, took a drink, and passed
it down. The episode continued as all six men retrieved moonshine
from their overalls and imbibed until six empty jars lay scattered
on the ground. The preaching concluded, the evangelist issued the
invitation, while Matt played the closing song as the audience
sang. The six drunken men arose from their seats and proceeded down
the aisle. The congregation had not seen the debacle that had taken
place on the back row and they began to shout, halleluiah, the
moonshiners are saved. Matt, Martin, the evangelist, and the other
two preachers had all observed the scoundrels as they drank from
the jars until they were totally wasted. Oh, Lord, whats gonna
happen now? Matt thought as the six drunken men approached the
front of the tabernacle. He did not believe that they intended to
be saved. He was right.One man who appeared to be drunker than the
others began to speak with a voice so slurred that it was almost
unintelligible. Preacher, we know youve been speakin to the likes
of us all week, but yer preachin is aimed at the wrong people. Were
here ta tell you who really needs ta be redeemed. Matt could barely
understand his remarks, but the members of the congregation
understood, and many of them figured that their names were about to
be revealed.Mass chaos ensued as the audience jumped up from their
seats, looked for the fastest way out, and exited the tabernacle as
rapidly as possible. Matt grabbed Beth from the front row and
pulled her behind the piano to safety and they remained hidden
there until everyone was gone except the preachers. The tabernacle
was in shambles, benches were turned over, hymn books were strewn
everywhere, and the glass from six broken mason jars was scattered
across the ground.The preachers decided that there would not be a
final service the next morning. The interdenominational joint
revival was over.
CHAPTER 5THE ATTACK
Harold and Elsie Parker along with Emma Hawley dominated Matt
and Beth during the first few months that they were in Pruett. It
seemed to Matt that Miss Emma especially endeavored to control his
time. Most Sundays she issued her command that he and Beth have
lunch with her and Lloyd and while the couple visited in their
home, Miss Emma constantly carried tales and made petty remarks
about many people, especially Lena, Sam, and Luke. The town gossip
put forth a front of friendliness and congeniality, but Matt
realized that it was false. Matt understood that Lloyd enjoyed
drinking moonshine way too much, but it appeared to the preacher
that the suspected drunk made a genuine effort to form a friendship
with him and Beth. He treated them with respect and he seemed
willing to assist them in any way that he could so the preacher
became somewhat comfortable with the association. It was time for
Matt to start classes when the long hot miserable summer began to
give way to fall, the temperature moderated, and September finally
came. Jimmy Dean sang Big Bad John as the young man listened to the
local radio station while he drove toward the college at Sulphur
Bend to register. Once again the announcer broke in with an
important message, Governor Daniels has called up the local unit of
the Texas National Guard and the President of the college asked us
to advise students that are members of the Guard not to register.
All the gossip about moonshine, adultery, and murder made Matt
apprehensive when he had to go to school and leave Beth alone, but
he had no choice. He was only a licensed, local supply pastor, and
in order to become an ordained minister he had to get his bachelors
degree and go on to seminary. Matt planned to attend Asbury
Theological Seminary in Kentucky which would take the young couple
even further from family.Matt accepted Ben Wests offer so the
gentle giant took the preacher into Sulphur Bend and purchased a
.22 caliber semiautomatic hand gun for him. Ben taught Matt how to
use it and he became a fairly accurate shot. When Beth was a
teenager her father taught her how to handle guns and shoot
accurately and she felt at ease with guns, but Matt remained
somewhat uncomfortable with them.Matt left Beth by herself from
early morning until late afternoon while he was at school and the
situation made him extremely uneasy. The instructions that he had
been given to leave the gun with Beth for protection troubled the
young husband. Several weeks went by without incident and the
apprehension that he felt lessoned, but he still did not feel
secure when Beth was alone. She was seven months pregnant and she
did not have a car to use in the event of an emergency. Lena was
also away at school so she could not help and the only close
neighbors were Sam the bootlegger and Luke the murderer. Sam told
Matt to have Beth come get him if she needed assistance and he
trusted Sam, nevertheless he still felt anxious about the
circumstances.One day while Matt was away at school and Beth was
home alone, their worst nightmare come to pass. The expectant
mother felt ill because of her condition and the simple task of
arising from a chair became increasingly difficult. Beth was
alarmed when she heard a knock at the front door since everyone in
Pruett knew to come to the back in order to avoid the risk of
injury.. It must be a stranger, she thought as she struggled up
from the chair and looked out the window. It was not a stranger. It
was Lloyd Hawley and he swayed slightly as he knocked at the door.
She knew he liked to drink moonshine, but she had never seen him
drunk and Lloyd had always been friendly and courteous when she had
seen him at church or around town. She and Matt had been to the
Hawley home several times for Sunday dinner and Lloyd had always
acted as a gentleman, so she felt no fear or hesitation when she
answered the door.Lloyd spoke as she opened the door, Is Brother
Matt at home? I need to talk to im. Lloyd pushed past Beth, almost
shoved her down, and entered the house without being asked in. His
rude behavior annoyed Beth, but she still felt no alarm.She grabbed
the door to recover her balance as she responded, No hes not here.
Hell be back later this afternoon. Beth finally realized that Lloyd
acted different than usual and she became frightened when he
grabbed her shoulders with his large hands and declared with a loud
slurred voice, Its really you I want ta see little lady. He did not
act like the gentleman that she thought she knew and it became
obvious to her that he was dog drunk as she struggled away from his
grip. The anxious young woman was more than frightened, she was
terrified and the gun immediately came to mind. It was placed in a
convenient spot on a shelf near the back door because everyone came
to the back. Ive got to get the gun, she thought as she moved away
from Lloyd and headed toward the back of the house, but she could
not move fast because of her condition. Lloyd had a wild, crazed
look in his eyes, he unhooked the top of his overalls and let them
drop to the floor around his ankles. Beth was horrified. There he
stood with his pants at the floor and Beth could only imagine what
he had in mind. Since he was drunk and his overalls were around his
ankles he could not move any faster than Beth. He stumbled through
the living room and across the dining room as she moved as quickly
as she could toward the back door. He fell over a chair in the
dining room and lay sprawled out on the floor. He got up slowly,
and pushed his way through the door into the kitchen as Beth
reached the back door and the gun. Just as the assailant kick his
overalls off from around his ankles and started toward her she
pointed the pistol at him and shouted, One step closer and Ill
shoot. She was serious and he knew it.Lloyd reached down, grabbed
his overalls from the floor, ran out the door, and took off down
the street toward his home. Beth knew that Lena was not at home so
she made her way as fast as possible to Sams house. She was
trembling and crying hysterically as she pounded on the door. When
Sam opened the door he was startled that Beth had the gun in her
hand and he realized that she was extremely upset. Whatn the worlds
wrong? Whats happened? Sam asked with great concern as he reached
for the gun. Beth released it.Lloyd Hawley came to the house, took
his pants off, and chased me, she explained in between sobs.Sam
stuck his head out the door and looked around to make sure that
Lloyd was gone. Get in the house. Beth went in and collapsed on a
chair at the kitchen table. Whenll Matt be home? he asked.In about
thirty minutes, she replied.Luke came into the kitchen to see what
all the commotion was about and without explanation, Sam told him
to go next door and wait for the preacher to come home. Bring im
over here quick as he gits there. A short time later, Matt pulled
into the driveway and parked the old Chevy in its usual spot under
the shade of one of the large pecan trees. As he opened the door,
Luke ran toward him.Preacher, git over ta our house now, Luke
shouted with intense urgency.Let me tell Beth Im home and Ill be
right there. Is something wrong? He asked.Shes at our house.
Somethin is wrong, but I dont know what. Matts books scattered
across the yard as he dropped them to the ground and took off in a
dead run for Sams house. He went in through the back door without
knocking and there he saw his sweet young pregnant wife sitting at
the kitchen table crying uncontrollably. Sam sat next to her and
tried to comfort her, but with no success. When she saw Matt, she
jumped up from the chair, grabbed him, threw her arms around him,
laid her head on his chest, and sobbed.What in the world happened?
He asked.She was sobbing so hysterically that she was incoherent
and could not answer so Sam got up from the table, walked over to
the couple, and put his hand on Matts shoulder. Its Lloyd Hawley.
He came to your house in a drunken stupor, asked if you were home
and when he found out that you werent there, he took off his
overalls and chased Beth through the house. Luke sat at the table
and when he heard what happened, he jumped up and shouted, "Wheres
my gun? Ill kill the bastard myself! The preacher felt more anger
than he had ever felt in his life and at that moment he wanted to
kill Lloyd himself. However, he took several deep breaths and his
better judgment took over. Dont do that, Luke. Matt knew that Luke
meant what he said because he had done it once before and he would
do it again. Lets call the sheriff and let him handle it. Call the
sheriff if you want to, but he wont be no help, Sam interrupted.
Hes been out on Lloyd several times for the same thang. He just
tells im to git sober and leave people alone. Hes never arrested
im. You know hes Emmas and Lloyds cousin. I shoulda warned you.
Lloyds done this a bunch of times, and the sheriff never does
inythang, but its been two or three years since the last time and I
just didnt thank to warn you. Beth had regained her composure, had
stopped sobbing, and had fire in her eyes, Lets just drop it. Im
not hurt so lets just forget about it. But Ill tell you one thing
Matt, if he comes around here again when youre not home, I will
shoot him. Are you sure youre okay, Matt asked. Are you positive
that you dont want me to call the sheriff? Im sure. If he comes
around again, Ill take care of it myself, she responded with great
resolve. She knew how to handle bullies. Once when she was a young
child she had been harassed by a schoolyard bully and she had taken
care of it herself. The bully was older and bigger so she grabbed a
stick of firewood from the woodpile in the schoolyard and clobbered
him with it. He never bothered her again.Luke was still extremely
angry and Matt was afraid that he might do something drastic. The
preachers logic hoped that Luke would not do anything foolish, but
the husbands emotions hoped that he would.Matt put his arm around
Beths waist and they headed back to the parsonage. They went to the
little den, she collapsed on the sofa, and he picked up the phone.
Who are you calling? Your mother and dad, he answered.No! Dont tell
them what happened. My dad might do something reckless and I dont
want him to get in trouble. Besides Emma will be listening, shell
spread it all over town, and shell twist things around to make it
look like my fault. When Lena came home from school she saw Matts
books scattered on the ground, she also saw him as he helped Beth
home from Sams, and she knew something was wrong. She had made
homemade soup the night before so the thoughtful neighbor quickly
heated up a pot full and got some leftover cornbread from the
refrigerator. With soup and cornbread in hand, Lena headed next
door. She stopped in the yard and picked up Matts books before she
knocked on the door. Matt got up from the sofa, went to the door,
and let her in.I brought you supper and heres your books. Whats
wrong? Matt thanked Lena for the food and told her what happened.
She walked over to Beth and gave her one of her warm reassuring
hugs. The caring friend offered her support the only way she knew
how as she spoke to Beth, Im here for you and Ill be right next
door if you need me for inythang. She was genuine. Matt thanked her
again and she left.Matt now knew why Beth needed a gun for
protection. When the Pastoral Relations Committee warned them about
the bad characters that lived in Pruett one of them was right there
with them in the parsonage.Matt was in the dining room putting the
finishing touches on his sermon for Sunday when he heard someone
knock on the back door. Beth and Lena were shopping in Sulphur Bend
so he was alone. As he started to open the door Matt saw Lloyd
Hawley through the window so he reached over and picked up the
pistol from the self, opened the door with gun in hand, and at that
moment he was tempted to use it on Lloyd. What do you want? You
know youre not welcome here. Preacher, I need ta talk to you, he
implored.Matt could tell that Lloyd was not drunk and he
reluctantly allowed him to come in, but the preacher kept the gun
in his hand as both men sat at the kitchen table.I know Ive done a
terrible thang and it aint the first time. Its the moonshine. When
I get drunk, Im a different person and I do horrible thangs that Id
never do when Im sober. I know I need help but I dont know where to
git it. Please help me, he begged.Matt sensed that Lloyd was
sincere and he believed in forgiveness and second chances, but this
was different. He doubted that he could ever forgive Lloyd. The
drunk had received more than one second chance and it was time that
the troublemaker faced the consequences for his actions.Please,
preacher, please, he begged. If I dont git help, I may really hurt
somebody and Ill wind up dead myself. Somebodyll shot me.Good,
thats what you deserve, Matt thought. He knew that he should not
have such thoughts, but he was still extremely angry and he did not
want anyone else to experience the terror that Beth endured. He did
not want anyone to get hurt.Matt went to the phone and called the
district superintendent. He had never encountered a situation like
this before and he did not know what to do. The distressed preacher
explained the circumstances to his supervisor who told him that
only two options were available. Lloyd could either go to the state
hospital at Wichita Falls or the state hospital in Terrell since
they both had alcoholic wards. Matt explained the choices to Lloyd
and he responded, Preacher, make the arrangements. Im ready to do
whatever it takes to git sober and change the way I am.The
following Sunday Matt noticed that Emma Hawley, Harold and Elsie
Parker, and their cohorts acted extremely cold toward him.
Normally, they put up a front of friendliness, but he knew it was
fake. That Sunday there was no false front, their hostility towards
him showed, and the entire congregation felt the tension. After the
service ended and everyone was gone except the stirred up group,
they approached Matt and Harold Parker spoke, Preacher, weve got
news for you. You need to stay out of thangs that aint none of your
concern. You aint gonna send Lloyd off to some state hospital, we
wont let you. Itd bring shame on Emma and Lloyd and we aint gonna
put up with it. We take care of our own! Lloyd aint gonna bother
Beth agin, but you back off. Youre wrong. Lloyd needs help and he
knows it. Lloyd spoke up, I know I need help, but I dont want to go
off to some state hospital. I promise Ill never bother Beth
agin.Ill tell you one thing Lloyd, if you ever come around her
again, Ill shoot you myself. Do you understand?I do and you dont
have ta worry bout it. I wont never trouble her agin. It was
obvious to Matt that Emma had listened to his conversation with the
DS because otherwise they would not have been aware of what had
happened. The preacher knew that he was fighting a losing battle
with this bunch and he knew that he had to back off, but from then
on he kept a close eye on Lloyd and his gun was always handy.Beth
stayed home that Sunday and did not hear the exchange. It seemed to
Matt that the shame was that Emma and her friends would not allow
Lloyd to seek help for his apparent alcoholism. Even though he was
unaware of the situation, Beths father had given Matt some money
and had instructed his son-in-law to find a woman to stay with Beth
to help her with the household chores and just be there in case she
needed help. Matt asked Lena if she knew of anyone that would be
interested in the job and she referred him to Josie Washington, a
black woman who lived with her blind grandmother a short distance
from Pruett on the highway toward Sulphur Bend. Josie was a single
mother and the family needed money so she was elated to have the
job. When Matt first met the woman he was favorably impressed and
the young husband and father-to-be was pleased to have her to help
Beth.Matt felt more comfortable while he was away at school since
Beth was no longer alone. They tried to put the incident with Lloyd
behind them and the young couple realized that their decision to
leave home and move to this rough country was a bad one, but they
would stick it out.
CHAPTER 6THE PLUMBER
After the incident with Lloyd things remained calm for several
weeks, however Matt and Beth never let their guard down and they
kept the gun close by. Most of the time when he was away at school
it was on the shelf by the back door, but at times when Beth felt
more apprehensive than usual she kept it with her. Beth accompanied
Matt when he went out into the backwoods to visit church members
and they always carried the gun with them. Gas had gone up to 27
cents per gallon and the old Chevy had started to give trouble so
they traded it for a new 1962 turquois VW Beatle. The new car had a
pocket on the door that was the perfect place for the gun. One
Saturday, the old Chevy refused to start and Matt smelled the
strong odor of gasoline so he opened the hood where he observed
fuel as it spewed from the carburetor. The situation confounded
Matt since he was not mechanically inclined and the nearest garage
was in Sulphur Bend, but it was closed on Saturdays. Sam appeared
to be having a lot of company coming and going, so the distressed
young man would not ask for his assistance or disturb his visitors.
Sam had offered to loan Matt his car once before when the old Chevy
would not start so Matt thought, Maybe Samll let me use his car to
run into Sulphur Bend to buy a new carburetor.Matt knew that Sams
visitors were actually purchasers that came there to buy moonshine
and he normally stayed away when the bootlegger had customers so he
waited until no one was there before he headed next door. Sam saw
the preacher as he walked across the back yard and he went out and
met him. What can I do fer you? he asked.My old Chevy wont start
and gas is spewing from the carburetor. I hate to ask, but I was
wondering if I could use your car to go to the parts place in
Sulphur Bend to get a new one.Sure. I cant go nowhere inyhow since
I have ta hang round for my customersBy the time Matt returned with
the parts it was pouring down rain. The exasperated young man
worked for several hours, but he could not accomplish the task.
During a break in the comings and goings of people at Sams house,
he came out in the rain and admonished Matt, You need ta git in out
of the rain, youre soakin wet. Keep it up and youll git sick.But
Ive got to have the car to drive to Green Forest for services
tomorrow.Dont worry bout that, Sam responded. Im not going inywhere
and you can use my car. Ill help you git yours to the garage in
Sulphur Bend Monday.Matt was wet, cold, tired, and miserable so he
readily accepted Sams generous offer. He slammed the hood shut,
walked to the house, and got out of the cold rain.Matt and Beth
remained cordial to Lloyd and Emma at church or when they saw them
in town and Emma acted friendly toward them, but she no longer
invited them to Sunday dinner. Although Matt had to work with them
on church matters, he wanted no more personal dealings with either
Emma or Lloyd.Early November is a lovely time in East Texas when
leaves begin to turn into a beautiful array of color. Pecan and
hickory leaves turn golden yellow, the sycamore foliage appears as
brilliant orange, and sweet gum and black gum leaves become crimson
red. Pruett had become more picturesque than ever and it looked
deceivingly perfect. The beautiful landscape hid its ugly secrets
from view. Beth felt considerable uneasiness as she neared the end
of her pregnancy and Matt knew that nothing of much importance was
scheduled to take place at school so he decided to skip his classes
and stay home. Beth was napping so Matt decided to take the
opportunity to clean up the yard and he worked hard as he raked and
burned the leaves that made a mess of the lawn. He was tired from
the physical labor and the warm humid weather made him thirsty so
he decided to take a break from his chores. As Matt entered the
house and dipped a tall refreshing glass of water from the bucket
on the old sagging cabinet, he looked around for Beth. She had not
come into the kitchen as she normally did when he came in from
outside.Beth, he called out.Im in the bedroom.He went into the
bedroom and found her lying on the bed. He realized that she felt
worse than usual and since her time was getting so close, the young
father-to-be decided to take a bath and get dressed just in case he
had to take her to the hospital. He had almost conquered his
disgust of the badly stained nasty looking old bathtub. Beth had
used every cleanser imaginable on it and had scrubbed and scrubbed
it, but nothing helped. Even though it was unpleasant Matt
reluctantly tolerated it, but he never stayed in that grungy tub
any longer than necessary and he took his baths as quickly as
possible. As he started to dry off Matt heard the sound of running
water under the house. He grabbed his pants, pulled them on, and
went outside to investigate. At the side of the parsonage where the
plumbing connected to the bathroom, Matt discovered a large amount
of water pooling under the edge of the house. Matt did not know
anything about plumbing. He knew that Sam or Luke would help, but
they were not at home. Sam told him that he and Luke always made a
trip to their supplier on Friday so that they would have plenty of
moonshine for their weekend customers. Matt observed a steady
onslaught of people coming and going from the bootleggers house on
Friday nights and all day on Saturdays. The preacher witnessed many
of them as they left with something in brown paper bags and he knew
it was moonshine. He saw Lloyd Hawley often, and that was expected,
but Matt hoped that he would never see any other church members in
the bunch. Lloyd was the only plumber in town and the exasperated
young man faced a dilemma, he did not want that drunk anywhere near
Beth, but he had no choice. Greatly troubled by the annoying
situation, the perturbed young man returned to the bedroom where
Beth was still lying. We have a problem. There appears to be a
broken pipe under the bathroom and water is running everywhere. Sam
and Luke are gone to get their weekend supply so they are
unavailable to help. Our only alternative is for me to get Lloyd to
fix it. I dont like the choice but its the only one we have. I dont
want that man anywhere near you, but what else can I do? Beth
hesitated for a minute before she responded. Go ahead and get him.
The pipe has to be fixed. He knows not to come near me and he knows
if he bothers me, Ill shoot him. Matt remained upset by the awkward
situation, but he agreed. He picked up the phone and Emmas voice
came on the line. Who