- Part two in a series.
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Capt. Stephen Porter was on his way to Franklin for a sale when he met a bootlegger on the mountain road.
He asked if he would sell him a gallon of moonshine on credit, but the bootlegger declined his request. So he continued his journey to Franklin across the mountain and began to question where his life was going.
Family records stated that he questioned why he had sunk so low and finally determined that he had a drinking problem. And the fact that if he could not buy a gallon of moonshine on credit, it was time to quit.
It was reported that in a handwritten pledge, he and two of his sons signed a paper, promising to never to drink another drop of whiskey.
As the story goes, after a long time, the bootlegger who had refused to give Porter credit for a gallon of moonshine stopped in Andrews and stayed the night at the Porter House. When he came down to pay for his room the next morning, he asked how much he owed, and Porter said, “You owe me nothing. I am the one who owes you. You did me the greatest favor any man ever did another the day you refused to sell me whiskey on credit. I want you to go down to the pasture and pick out the best horse or mule and take it as a gift from me in appreciation of what you have done for me.”
Porter was a self-educated man, as his school advantages had been limited, but he was recognized for his astute business mind, integrity and an unusual degree of common sense. He served as mayor and alderman, as well as magistrate for many years. He became a dominant member of Valleytown Methodist Church after he converted to Christianity in June 1885.
Louise Porter Enloe gave this account of how her grandfather became a Christian: She said Porter left home in the early afternoon with the family’s last dollar in his pocket and instructions from his wife to drive to Walker’s Store to buy some streaked meat. On his way he had to go by the Methodist Church, where men had gathered outside the church to talk before the revival service began. Porter stopped to pass the time with friends, who insisted he go in for the meeting first and then go to the store, so he did.
The Rev. J.H. Weaver knew him well and remarked that he preached straight to Porter that day. When altar call was made, Porter was the first to go up. He was the first man to join Valleytown Methodist Church. When it was time to pass the “hat,” Porter put in his last dollar. When he arrived home, his wife asked if he had bought the meat, and he said, “No, but I have something better than meat. When he told her of his conversion, she threw her arms around him, kissed him and told him how happy she was that her prayers had been answered.”
Part three will tell the story of the rabid dog and the prayer from Capt. Stephen Porter.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.