The misconception that many people have of Ozark hill people needs to be laid to rest. We are not ignorant, backward, shy, dirty or dirt poor. We have our share of people with problems but not any more than any other area of the country. Our environment and inherited traits have combined to make us highly intelligent people. From our midst have come people recognized over the world: educators, lawyers, national legislators, ministers, writers, artists, astronauts, actors and actresses, playwrights, musicians, farmers and common people who believed and still believe that hard work is honorable. And, our environment and our inherited traits have combined to make us a highly adaptable people who, as you will read in this book, were creative, who endured hardships but entertained themselves, who had a work ethic like no other people in the world and who laughed and cried but made a respectable place for their families in this world.