Appalachia's Storyteller: Rattlesnake Bill Lewis

[@marclayne9261]

My family vacationed in Gatlinburg in 1960s.....it was Hillbilly Heaven...Ancestors since 1740s, Virginia & Kentucky....

[@Sean-nx1ro]

"Children paused from their spiritless play",ye have a good dose of the Blarney in your storytelling. Fantastic!🇮🇪

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you ❤️

[@TamaraBeinlich]

I love the old pictures you use especially the ones with clock towers that show the time. Pictures are a frozen moment in time and allows us to go back and be there. Good story JD. 🙂

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I love that particular photo too, and I’ve used it a few times. It’s really a great scene. The county court day 100 years ago was a spectacle that everybody with business or no business congregated at the courthouse lawn just to see the excitement.

[@frostyfrances4700]

Well, JD, as soon as I saw the word 'rattlesnake', I knew it would be a good story. I've lived in several places crawling with rattlesnakes, and what I always did was to pay people $5 per king snake that they brought me to turn loose on the property, even under the house. The king snakes would drive the rattlers out and gobble down rodents too. Out in the middle of nowhere, I never had so much as a single mouse in the house. King snakes never bothered the dogs either. Of course I'm not sure the opposite was true.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I ain’t never liked a snake, ever

[@karenroot450]

@@TheAppalachianStorytellerhey there are some good snakes amongst the scary ones!

[@Olddog-Wiserdog]

That is a great idea. I have never thought of that. Though I do run my dogs in an area that seems to have no rattlesnakes, but lots of king snakes. I just never thought to put them on the property. GENIUS!

[@the_hanged_clown]

lies and slander, snakes can't crawl!

[@frostyfrances4700]

@@Olddog-Wiserdog - If we go about it right, nature balances itself. Now my other solution might not appeal to some, but as a kid I played with almost everything, including spiders. If you let a few of them live indoors with you, they'll take care of a lot of other creepy crawlies and not bother you one bit. According to Zillow my house is 140 yrs old, and you know how notorious most structures that age are for all kinds of pests. But I never see any partly bc I do see the occasional spider scurrying out of my way. So I don't bother spidey and he leaves me alone too.

[@michaelgrimes1131]

I was born in East Tennessee. Washington county. My dad was military. Always had a connection to Johnson City. On my momma's side of the family. I know where Sevier county is. Love your stories! My daddy's people come from Wayne county. Down near Alabama We're Ulster Scot by birth! My family goes back 3 generations at least! Thanks for your stories! Probably to the 1830's in Wayne county. Love your stories! Makes me feel at home in Tennessee! GoVols!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Well, I appreciate you sharing that brother and appreciate you watching the channel. Go Vols!

[@NoraHarris68]

As always excellent. Thank you and God bless you and yours.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

You did a good job telling this story. "He got above his raising" is what people would have said about him (when I was young). People still do disappear around here to this day. "Better watch your step", didn't always mean look good where you are walking. My mother hated people who came to the house asking her to vote for them. I've seen some of them run to get away from her. Mom lived to be 92 years old. She never registered to vote; and, she preached that women were not supposed to vote according to the Bible (all her life). She would jump on me (every year after I voted) saying, "You just cancelled a man's vote." I would answer her, "There's a lot more votes that need cancelling." "Why don't you register and cancel a vote with me the next time". This would set her off preaching again. I never thought I would miss her preaching on this subject; but, I do miss her.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

lots of wisdom in this post, thanks for sharing

[@puttervids472]

I wonder. If I may. This probably will get deleted. But. Was she wrong ? 😅. Not in abject premise. But in practice. Was she wrong ?

[@Last_Chance.]

I love old school women. They don't make em like that anymore. Unfortunately. I would do anything to have a queen like her to grow old y

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

It's going to be a great day, when it begins with JD! God Bless you!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@barbstivers8362]

That Rufus feller got above his raising. Mom said politicians were crooked as a dogs hind leg. During probition, government allowed grandpa to make liquor for them, but caught grandpa making some for himself and took his teacher license. That was what my dad said. Thanks so much for your videos. If the good lords willing and the creek dont rise, I am moving back home. You are heaven sent. My husband passed Feb 9. Your videos are helping me cope. God bless you.

[@johnbubbajohnson5630]

Another awesome story sir. God bless you and your family 🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you John, have a great day, brother

[@marileea.broadway6163]

You tell the best stories with emotions and different talk of people to keep my intrested on how ya tell stories. I love listening!! Thank you& from all story tellers heard, to me your best!😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much! So glad to have you here

[@karenroot450]

Well JD we know what happened to that man don’t we!? Great story especially cuz I can’t sleep very well tonight. Thanks again. Can’t wait for your next story they are fantastic

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Karen 💜

[@Howard-f6y]

That was another great one. You out do yourself every time!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@adapoole4515]

my mother grew up in fishin creek kentucky. she always had stories to tell about our uncle logan who had been in the civil war. there are lots of story tellers from that area. we kids loved the stories. if you have any stories about the pulasky county area i would like to hear them.

[@mikelsewell6943]

Wow you are one of the best story tellers I have ever seen or heard!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Mike!

[@rustylynch2]

I get so wrapped up in these stories,it's hard to tell fact from fiction. There are some details that don't add up, but I'm pretty sure that's just the way you wanted it. You always leave me with questions, and wishing there was more. 😂😂

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I always to my best to leave a little mystery or reason for folks to comment :) Hope all is well Rusty, enjoy this beautiful weekend

[@rustylynch2]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I'm going to try my best to enjoy it. We had water running through our basement from the rains this week. Nothing unusual, nothing of value lost, just a mess to clean up.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

@@rustylynch2 man that sucks, I lived a summer in Detroit with family as a teen and I remember all their basements flooded on the regular.

[@frostyfrances4700]

​@@TheAppalachianStoryteller - That's why I'm part mountain goat. I want to be up high somewhere it doesn't flood. Tiny Town's 850' above sea level. It's only about 10 square blocks, but the west side of town where I live is the top of the mound. So everything flows away from us. And bc of the cliff, tornadoes that rush at us across the lower plains always veer off when they hit the big wall here in Tornado Alley. I did an awful lot of research b4 moving here. Of course being alone and retired, I didn't have other factors to consider. The chows were always happy as long as we were together.

[@dittohead7044]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Funny how many of my neighbors in Detroit were southerners.

[@lisacooper3991]

Beautiful mountain scenery... great story😊..

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@likhound]

I loved the story. JD, you have such a colorful way of telling a story.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I call it wordsmithing

[@CarolLee-mq8er]

JD this was a good story. Thank you.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@cathyheston3029]

Another good em JD!!!❤ My Daddy's parents with him a youngin moved from Tennessee to Dixie County Florida in a swampy area. Got to know those snakes pretty well 😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much, Cathy! Have a blessed day, my friend

[@Skidawger100]

Very poetic !

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you for noticing that I really take pride in the word smithing in these stories

[@VNV67]

Thanks JD I hope you have a great weekend.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you- going camping at the lake

[@marionbowler5440]

Awesome tales JD, could listen all day. ❤️🍁🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, my Canadian friend. Hope it’s not too cold up there today. It’s a little bit cloudy and sprinkling here in East Tennessee, but I’m gonna take the camper out to the lake anyway.

[@jenk9111]

Great story. Thank you for sharing

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you!

[@laura6796]

Great way to start my weekend with one of your stories! Have a wonderful day! 😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@laura6796]

I did!

[@Kate_Neuman]

Another marvelous story! Thank you JD. The music and sound effects were so awesome! God bless you! I can’t wait to get the beautiful candles I ordered from you. From Canadice NY ❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Awesome thank you so much for the candle order we custom make each of them one at a time

[@olskool3967]

you do a good job JD, thank you for all your work it blesses a lot of us folks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much 😊

[@CrazyArt-r5e]

We liked this story. You always tell them so well. Makes it very believable.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@sadielevens1144]

Great day for a Great story. Thanks JD❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much, my friend. Hope you’re having a great weekend.

[@starlitmoonbeam]

I've just recently been introduced to your videos, and I'm hooked. 😉 Awesome stories! ❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Well, we are certainly glad to have you here my friend pull up a chair make yourself comfortable and make yourself ride at home

[@bigiron8831]

Good Sunday morning from Northern Illinois. Thanks JD for another great story to start off my day. Y'all stay safe out there 🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks, big iron. Hope you enjoy your Sunday brother. I always look forward to your comments. Have a good one.

[@bigiron8831]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Stay safe JD and keep sharing the happiness 😊 ✌

[@janecollette9504]

A great story. The naration was spot on.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@angelahorne867]

Thank you

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

💜

[@raymondbradley6788]

Awesome story JD. Have a blessed weekend, brother.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Raymond. Hope you have a great weekend, brother.

[@jamessmith7691]

Always a well told story JD.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks, James how’s everything going in your neck of the woods? It’s cloudy and a little bit wet here in East Tennessee.

[@jamessmith7691]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Well little by little spring is sneaking in.

[@cbLassie]

Thank you J.D.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much for watching. Have a blessed day, my friend.

[@robbie5984]

Good morning, and happy Saturday!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Same to you Robbie

[@nancyM1313-Boo]

⚘thank you

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@randlerichardson5826]

If you could narrate a series of CD’s and go with that now that would be great. Between the stories you tell and your voice goes together great. The way you talk fits right in with the stories. Might be an idea you could think about buddy.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Preciate the tip

[@katherinedinwiddie4526]

My family looks forward to your stories. Thank you. Wish we could support you too but this being our main entertainment at this time we have 0 funds left at the end of the day. Again Thank you

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Watching these videos is supporting me and I think you so much!!

[@samanthashaw8329]

It's insane how high cable or satellite television had gotten. Luckily for our phones if our cable has an outage the cellphones have internet that can be used to watch pretty much any show we want on the phone or tv some people have a tablet instead of cellphones that have internet capabilities too. So either with a cell or tablet I can cast to my smart tv to watch channels on KZbin but on bigger screens and it doesn't cost me any extra except what I pay for cell service I also use the free tv streaming apps as well

[@janetconnors3113]

Hello JD great storytelling as usual. Sounds like Rufus got his come upins, got bit by one of his own. A snake in the grass.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yep, y’all gotta be careful out there for sure

[@TheFeltmeister]

Just spaked a fat J time to sit back drink this coffee and listen to the great story teller

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Hope you enjoy

[@shawntailor5485]

Big ole Fatty , glass of Pa's wine and listening to stories from Appalachian story teller.

[@KathysTube]

You could say that distrust of politicians is still alive and well in some circles...😏 great story... thanks JD.. have a wonderful weekend 😎👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

oh yeah, its still real!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great story Jd have a blessed day Amen 🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Be blessed my friend

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Many men have just disappeared in these old mountains here.....Thanks again my friends from an Old F-4 II Pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you brother

[@karena2685]

Great story!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much, my friend. Hope you’re having a fabulous Saturday.

[@karena2685]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller it’s a beautiful day here in Roanoke VA ☀️

[@stonereaper1157]

Excellent story

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Stone, preciate you brother

[@johnpeddicord4932]

Good story, J.D.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks John!

[@88WhiteRhino]

Oh boy storey time! Another one from Thunderhead, Lucky me!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@tennesse_courier]

That truly is a sad story, it shows how pure evil can darken a man's very soul.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

It really is and it was a hard story to tell, but the family should not be forgotten

[@Bella1neverknows670]

Really enjoyed the story you got to watch those rattlesnakes 🐍 they'll getcha

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Bella

[@edwardh1591]

Enjoyed the story!😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, Edward. Hope you have a great day, brother.

[@williamjones1212]

Another Great Video 🦌

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you William

[@shannonterry1071]

Awesome story

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😀

[@michaelgrimes1131]

Also, my great grandday was a moonshiner in Wayne county not far from Lawrenceburg and the Alabama border! My great grandfather youse to send moonshine to my grandfather in the mail when he worked up north. Federal offense! 😂 Raised on moonshine and died drinking!

[@Mynx5050]

Ordered the book, would love CDs of these stories...jus'sayin' 😉 Much love JD❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much Diane really appreciate that and one day maybe some CDs will come out. Thank you for your support support and have a blessed day.

[@ezekielmoorejr3145]

Good story my friend!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you brother!

[@atexinc.5472]

Morning sir.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

👋

[@RobinStiern]

Love these stories ❤️ 💕 💙

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Glad you like them!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Jd I’m going to try to get a book from you soon buddy. Hospital bills keep getting every penny I can scrape up. No tellin how much this cancer has costed me and will in the future.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You take care of yourself and your family- don’t worry bout that book my friend

[@shawn3144]

Great story

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jordanwood183]

If you think about it, there’s pictures and a couple sound effects, but there’s not much production value to these videos. What makes them so interesting is the human talent of storytelling - which is a southern tradition in entertainment. Storytelling is part of southern culture, and the narrator of this channel is good at it!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes, the art of storytelling is what this channel is about

[@myerstalesofappalachia]

Woooo dogie mama always taught me to never play with snake you always get bit what story i enjoyed it

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yup, that's good advice

[@nooneimportant4510]

That was a good story

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@puttervids472]

Justice was served.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

sure was!

[@Stephanie-dj4iy]

Every time I listen to these I think of Steve Earl 😅😂

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

🤣

[@Stephanie-dj4iy]

I just learned how Mt.dew got it's name 😅

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@hwelder5860]

I’m doing some family tree research and the word “nary” started showing up around 1910 in the paper work an has continued on

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

In my research, I have seen the word "nary" used in books about mountaineers as far back as 1880s

[@martharodriquez5046]

Yeah..... you if ain't got like me...... but you ... like , love me .. towards God's,eyes❤

[@TM-ev2tc]

It is in Shelbyville TN. I am not sure if it is in the Appalachian Mountains, but you should look into the horse named Jim Key. His Grave is in Shelbyville TN. It would be a good story for you just to read. Have a good day.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for the idea, ill look into it

[@randlerichardson5826]

Jd good morning my friend

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

👋

[@ShouldaWaved]

What runaway captain or refugee do you consider to be the most skillfull And hard to catch, or the most feared? That one Captain with the long hair that looked like black beard?

[@benlong3016]

I think ole Ruffus mighta fell in one of those disappearing holes, like people used to throw their trash in!!😮😮

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yup

[@michaelgrimes1131]

It's a family tradition!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes, sir

[@Kimba0724]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰

[@tammyatkins18]

I don't like snake's! But I love your stories.😮❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@hbhkennel918]

Has anyone heard if JD has a new book out or not? I hear that he might. Lol 🤣🤣🤣 JK enjoy your content.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

That book is how I make a living and feed my family, and I don’t work for a company that sponsors me- so I try to put the word out

[@hbhkennel918]

​@@TheAppalachianStorytellerHey brother I was just needling you a little. I wish you all the best. Like I said I really enjoy your content.

[@theresagraham9309]

I LOVE THIS CHANEL,,,,!! BUT.. when I get on the .main menu... it shows me the story's I have already watched... with red underline under.. The. Story .... But now it doesn't want to show me what I have Allredy watched.... Makes me wast time,, looking for the red line...that isn't there Anymore...!!! What do I do...!!¿?...

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

That is a strange issue and I’m not sure what happened to the red line. You may need to contact the KZbin support team about that.

[@ktspirit1]

Just give a thumbs up and you'll know which ones you've watched.

[@mikelsewell6943]

What State did you grow up in?

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Roane County Tennessee, where this story takes place where Roane, Anderson and Morgan Counties converge.

[@marianilsson8785]

I once knew a rattlesnake

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I’ve known a few in my day

[@billfisher4156]

A great man once sang "a country boy can survive" . Too bad Rufus lost his country boy way...

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Exactly well said my friend

[@samanthashaw8329]

My grandma always said only good snake was a dead snake

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Agreed

[@sharoncrommer2999]

❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

💜

[@HoustonHardHitters01]

Even though I'm from Southern Texas these stories from West Virginia Tennessee or Kentucky are always so damn cool and very relaxing for some reason to me.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

We are glad to have you here my friend

[@carljohnson7440]

👍

[@CryptidsRoost]

If nobody saw Rufus again, nor went looking for him, then chances are that his body was predated upon by all the animals

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You might be right about that

[@donaldperson948]

A guy from your neighborhood turning you in to go to jail for moonshine? He should have been taught a lesson! Don’t you talk to the law! The mountains are vast people go missing!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Exactly

[@lisabarnes4653]

He just might’of!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yup, if I was a betting man, I’d say he did

[@matthewsandifer2673]

Rufus actually had courage

[@dittohead7044]

When I met my husband (while visiting the mountains) he had killed a rattlesnake and made a hat band out of the skin. For a city girl that was pretty wild lol

[@johnmoreland8706]

# 691…a man aunt not torment to many folk.. that’s assured.. side note.. the book you spoke of.. is it second edition.. if so im’a buy’n that to go with your first..my mean’n are these new tales a new book.???… swain county… North Carolina.. I looked it up.. Thunder head mountain…. My my my

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I don’t have new book aside the one you already have, I’m currently writing another one

[@theoneandonly2421]

Im from Sevier Co, born and raised. I can guarantee you, he stepped on a Rattlesnake. The law cant save everyone.

[@DanielaPeters-p9q]

Ether way it is best not to mess with a rattlesnake

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yup

[@TimParker-Chambers]

15:43 I grew up next door to a fella like that 🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@donc9751]

Sounds like Rufus Chad was the snake that needed stomping in this story!!!

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

Seems like a mountain boy, turned on his own. He may have forgotten where he came from. He should have reconsidered. The hole in his hat, told him what to expect.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Exactly the hole in the hat, as if that wasn’t enough of a warning

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I was just thinking that in the language of the mountain men, it was a promise. I've been places around where I live. There are so many people who are cousins, or kin by marriage that it's nearly impossible for an "outsider" to be accepted.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

@@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople You are exactly right, back in those days, there were certain things that would make a man disappear, and an insult like the one uttered in this video was just the recipe.

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller The insult was a definitely a problem. The day the elected lost the respect, trust and pride of the mountain people who elected him. Was the day he, instead of helping the mountain people as expected, sided with the town folk. While taking cheap shots, moved in for an "easy kill" relying on information gleaned by common knowledge of youth. He broke the code of the mountains and to further feather his comfy nest and self presumed illustrious career. He shot himself in the foot, when he began to jail his fellow mountain friends. From then on he was a dead man walking. He got too far above his raising. Letting arrogance and self importance cloud his vision and supercede logic. That's one of the many reasons that I enjoy your multi layered stories. Each one has many hidden meanings.

[@olskool3967]

i think a bigfoot got him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:)

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Could be no tell what’s in those mountains

[@tomchekotevski9105]

I freaked out when long beard on left slides closer on the frame at about 1:15 sec like wtf he is alive? Good moonshine aye.