When_CJS I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 child_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD nightmarish_AJ0 visions_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 fire-and-brimstone_AJ0 Hell_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP 'd_VHD heard_VVN described_VVN by_PRP scary_AJ0 preachers_NN2 determined_VVN to_TO0 save_VVI souls_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP learned_VVD about_PRP the_AT0 New_AJ0 Madrid_NP0 geological_AJ0 fault_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD near_PRP where_CJS I_PNP lived_VVD ,_PUN in_PRP Mayfield_NP0 ,_PUN Kentucky_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP added_VVD earthquakes_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 mix_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP imagined_VVD this_DT0 fiery_AJ0 chasm_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 field_NN1 just_AV0 across_PRP the_AT0 highway_NN1 ,_PUN where_AVQ the_AT0 sun_NN1 set_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP that_DT0 field_NN1 now_AV0 lies_VVZ the_AT0 rubble_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD smashed_VVN when_CJS the_AT0 maelstrom_NN1 of_PRF tornados_NN2 spiralled_VVN through_PRP western_AJ0 Kentucky_NP0 two_CRD weeks_NN2 before_PRP Christmas_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Mason_NP0 family_NN1 farm_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS I_PNP grew_VVD up_AVP ,_PUN is_VBZ sixteen_CRD hundred_CRD feet_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS the_AT0 crow_NN1 flies_VVZ ,_PUN from_PRP Mayfield_NP0 Consumer_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 where_AVQ dozens_CRD of_PRF workers_NN2 were_VBD trapped_VVN and_CJC nine_CRD people_NN0 died_VVD ._SENT The_AT0 storm_NN1 's_POS death_NN1 toll_NN1 in_PRP Kentucky_NP0 as_PRP a_AT0 whole_NN1 has_VHZ reached_VVN at_PRP least_AV0 seventy-six_CRD ._SENT I_PNP am_VBB stunned_AJ0 ._SENT When_CJS such_DT0 grief_NN1 and_CJC heartbreak_NN1 happens_VVZ so_AV0 close_AJ0 to_PRP home_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ personal_AJ0 ._SENT Even_AV0 though_CJS I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 live_VVI there_AV0 now_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB rooted_VVN there_AV0 ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ the_AT0 place_NN1 I_PNP know_VVB best_AV0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 was_VBD n't_XX0 there_AV0 when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD growing_VVG up_AVP ._SENT But_CJC when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD about_PRP fourteen_CRD ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 mid-fifties_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 motel_NN1 sprang_VVD up_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 corner_NN1 where_AVQ our_DPS road_NN1 met_VVD the_AT0 highway_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD such_DT0 an_AT0 exotic_AJ0 place_NN1 that_CJT it_PNP replaced_VVD my_DPS fear_NN1 of_PRF burning_AJ0 brimstone¡-whatever_NN1 that_CJT was¡-with_AJ0 dreams_NN2 of_PRF travel_NN1 and_CJC adventure_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 girl_NN1 named_VVD Marlene_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF years_NN2 older_AJC than_CJS me_PNP ,_PUN lived_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 motel_NN1 with_PRP her_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC her_DPS daddy_NN1 built_VVD her_PNP a_AT0 little_AJ0 frozen-custard_NN1 stand_NN1 next_ORD to_PRP it_PNP ._SENT To_TO0 live_VVI in_PRP a_AT0 motel_NN1 and_CJC have_VHB your_DPS own_DT0 custard_NN1 stand_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI idyllic_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP thought_VVD ._SENT 
Eventually_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 motel_NN1 became_VVD a_AT0 shelter_NN1 for_PRP homeless_AJ0 men_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC today_AV0 it_PNP is_VBZ the_AT0 House_NN1 of_PRF Prayer_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 parking_NN1 lot_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 House_NN1 of_PRF Prayer_NN1 was_VBD where_AVQ the_AT0 media_NN0 vans_NN2 gathered_VVN in_PRP case_NN1 there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 dramatic_AJ0 rescue_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 ._SENT Cadaver_NN1 dogs_NN2 were_VBD on_PRP duty_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS a_AT0 long-ago_AJ0 professor_NN1 of_PRF mine_PNP learned_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 name_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS home_NN1 town_NN1 was_VBD Mayfield_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP laughed_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ That_DT0 's_VBZ absurd_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ too_AV0 poetic_AJ0 ._SENT A_AT0 May_NP0 field_NN1 ._SENT Tra-la-la_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 English_AJ0 professor_NN1 and_CJC everything_PNI had_VHD metaphorical_AJ0 meaning_NN1 for_PRP him_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP guess_VVB ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ ironic_AJ0 that_CJT Mayfield_NP0 will_VM0 now_AV0 forever_AV0 be_VBI a_AT0 symbol_NN1 of_PRF catastrophe_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 tornado_NN1 travelled_VVD more_AV0 than_CJS two_CRD hundred_CRD miles_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP hit_VVD Mayfield_NP0 at_PRP about_AV0 9_CRD :_PUN 30_CRD P.M._NN1 on_PRP December_NP0 10th_ORD ._SENT Electricity_NN1 and_CJC water_NN1 were_VBD knocked_VVN out_AVP ,_PUN vehicles_NN2 strewn_VVN around_PRP the_AT0 landscape_NN1 ._SENT First-light_AJ0 drone_NN1 footage_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 wreckage_NN1 showed_VVD chaotic_AJ0 scenes_NN2 of_PRF twisted_AJ0 metal_NN1 and_CJC trash_NN1 and_CJC shattered_AJ0 lumber_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 even_AV0 identify_VVI the_AT0 remnants_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 buildings_NN2 in_PRP downtown_AJ0 Mayfield_NP0 ._SENT A_AT0 friend_NN1 who_PNQ had_VHD served_VVN as_PRP a_AT0 diplomat_NN1 in_PRP Afghanistan_NP0 told_VVD me_PNP that_CJT the_AT0 scenes_NN2 looked_VVD even_AV0 worse_AJC than_CJS a_AT0 war_NN1 zone_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP live_VVB far_AV0 away_AV0 now_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 center_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 state_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP have_VHB not_XX0 yet_AV0 gone_VVN to_PRP Mayfield_NP0 to_TO0 see_VVI the_AT0 aftermath_NN1 for_PRP myself_PNX ._SENT The_AT0 authorities_NN2 discouraged_VVD disaster_NN1 tourism_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ They_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 want_VVI lookie-loos_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ my_DPS sister_NN1 LaNelle_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT She_PNP lives_VVZ in_PRP Paducah_NP0 ,_PUN twenty-six_CRD miles_NN2 north_NN1 of_PRF Mayfield_NP0 ,_PUN but_CJC she_PNP told_VVD me_PNP that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD going_VVG to_TO0 meet_VVI our_DPS brother_NN1 Don_NP0 at_PRP the_AT0 farm_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP lives_VVZ a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF miles_NN2 away_AV0 and_CJC had_VHD reported_VVN some_DT0 damage_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 already_AV0 deteriorating_AJ0 buildings_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 property_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS I_PNP imagine_VVB the_AT0 tornado_NN1 's_POS path_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 help_VVI picturing_VVG the_AT0 area_NN1 as_CJS it_PNP was_VBD when_CJS I_PNP lived_VVD there_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 twister_NN1 started_VVD in_PRP Arkansas_NP0 ,_PUN to_PRP the_AT0 southwest_NN1 ,_PUN travelled_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 ripped_VVN along_PRP U.S._NP0 Highway_NN1 45_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 same_DT0 route_NN1 we_PNP always_AV0 took_VVD into_PRP town_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 feed_NN1 mill_NN1 where_CJS my_DPS father_NN1 and_CJC my_DPS grandfather_NN1 did_VDD all_DT0 the_AT0 farm_NN1 business_NN1 was_VBD less_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 mile_NN1 along_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 railroad_NN1 track_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ once_AV0 ran_VVD from_PRP New_NP0 Orleans_NP0 to_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN lies_VVZ parallel_AV0 to_PRP the_AT0 highway_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP 1896_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 set_NN1 of_PRF quintuplets_NN2 was_VBD born_VVN near_PRP the_AT0 feed_NN1 mill_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 quints_NN2 were_VBD such_DT0 a_AT0 phenomenon_NN1 that_CJT every_AT0 train_NN1 stopped_VVD there_AV0 so_AV0 that_CJT passengers_NN2 could_VM0 see_VVI them_PNP ._SENT I_PNP once_AV0 wrote_VVD a_AT0 novel_NN1 inspired_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 tragedy_NN1 of_PRF those_DT0 babies_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD part_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS world_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS landscape_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS history_NN1 ._SENT 
Next_ORD ,_PUN the_AT0 tornado_NN1 crossed_VVD what_DTQ we_PNP always_AV0 called_VVD the_AT0 "_PUQ overhead_AJ0 bridge_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ which_DTQ passed_VVD between_PRP what_DTQ used_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI the_AT0 Black_AJ0 neighborhood_NN1 and_CJC Dunbar¡-the_NP0 former_DT0 Black_AJ0 school_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 tornado_NN1 then_AV0 slammed_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 ,_PUN toppling_VVG the_AT0 clock_NN1 tower_NN1 and_CJC leaving_VVG a_AT0 cylindrical_AJ0 hole_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 building_NN1 and_CJC piles_NN2 of_PRF bricks_NN2 ._SENT Those_DT0 bricks_NN2 were_VBD the_AT0 walls_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 courtroom_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ had_VHD glorious_AJ0 wooden_AJ0 fixtures_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP researched_VVD my_DPS family_NN1 history_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 memoir_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP paged_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 old_AJ0 county-clerk_NN1 books_NN2 and_CJC found_VVD accounts_NN2 of_PRF births_NN2 ,_PUN marriages_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC deaths_NN2 ,_PUN with_PRP surprise_NN1 tidbits_NN2 that_CJT fired_VVD my_DPS imagination_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 county_NN1 jail_NN1 ,_PUN next_ORD to_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 and_CJC partially_AV0 underground_AV0 ,_PUN was_VBD hit_VVN ,_PUN too_AV0 ._SENT Some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 prisoners_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN on_PRP work_NN1 release_VVB back_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 candle_NN1 factory_NN1 ._SENT 
You_PNP know_VVB this_DT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF town¡-picturesque_AJ0 ,_PUN with_PRP classic_AJ0 Victorian_AJ0 architecture_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 central_AJ0 square_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP know_VVB it_PNP from_PRP movies_NN2 and_CJC old_AJ0 radio_NN1 shows_NN2 or_CJC sitcoms_NN2 ,_PUN or_CJC from_PRP the_AT0 Thornton_NP0 Wilder_NP0 play_VVB "_PUQ Our_DPS Town_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 town_NN1 is_VBZ neat_AJ0 and_CJC symmetrical_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 streets_NN2 are_VBB on_PRP a_AT0 grid_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 center_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 straight_AV0 down_PRP a_AT0 tree-lined_AJ0 boulevard_NN1 ._SENT 
At_PRP one_CRD time_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 "_PUQ court_NN1 square_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ as_CJS it_PNP is_VBZ called_VVN ,_PUN was_VBD home_AV0 to_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 basic_AJ0 little_AJ0 stores_NN2 that_CJT the_AT0 community_NN1 relied_VVD on_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 wallpaper-and-paint_NN1 store_NN1 sold_VVN books_NN2 and_CJC school_NN1 supplies_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 jewelry_NN1 store_NN1 had_VHD a_AT0 clock_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 sidewalk_NN1 permanently_AV0 set_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 hour_NN1 when_AVQ Abraham_NP0 Lincoln_NP0 died_VVD ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD the_AT0 Rhodes-Burford_NP0 furniture_NN1 store_NN1 ,_PUN Lookofsky_NP0 's_POS sporting_AJ0 goods_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Vanity_NN1 Shop_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 tornado_NN1 footage_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Hall_NN1 Hotel_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 "_PUQ tall_AJ0 "_PUQ building_NN1 (_PUL four_CRD or_CJC five_CRD stories_NN2 )_PUR still_AV0 standing_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 sea_NN1 of_PRF rubble_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP years_NN2 ,_PUN my_DPS uncle_NN1 was_VBD Santa_NP0 Claus_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 little_AJ0 red_AJ0 house_NN1 that_CJT appeared_VVD every_AT0 December_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 yard_NN1 ._SENT 
Farmers_NN2 came_VVD to_PRP town_NN1 on_PRP Saturdays_NN2 to_TO0 swap_VVI stuff_NN1 and_CJC to_TO0 socialize_VVI ._SENT My_DPS grandmother_NN1 always_AV0 dressed_VVN up_AVP when_CJS she_PNP went_VVD to_PRP town_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 hat_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 presentable_AJ0 dress_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 a_AT0 work_NN1 dress_NN1 ._SENT Going_VVG to_PRP town_NN1 meant_VVD ice_NN1 cream_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 soda_NN1 fountain_NN1 ,_PUN greasy_AJ0 hamburgers_NN2 ,_PUN Coca-Colas_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 two_CRD theatres_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Legion_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Princess_NN1 ,_PUN were_VBD near_PRP the_AT0 square_NN1 ._SENT People_NN0 always_AV0 said_VVD that_CJT they_PNP were_VBD "_PUQ going_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 show_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ As_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP lived_VVD there_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP never_AV0 heard_VVD anyone_PNI call_VVI it_PNP "_PUQ the_AT0 movies_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 tornado_NN1 made_VVD me_PNP recall_VVI my_DPS days_NN2 as_PRP a_AT0 soda_NN1 jerk_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Rexall_NN1 's_VBZ ,_PUN across_AV0 from_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 drugstore_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 happening_NN1 place_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 fifties_CRD ._SENT I_PNP worked_VVD school_NN1 nights_NN2 ,_PUN five_CRD to_PRP eight-thirty_CRD ,_PUN for_PRP fifty_CRD cents_NN2 an_AT0 hour_NN1 ,_PUN fixing_VVG grilled-cheese_NN1 ,_PUN chicken-salad_NN1 ,_PUN tuna-fish_NN0 ,_PUN and_CJC pimento-cheese_AJ0 sandwiches_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP made_VVD milkshakes_NN2 ,_PUN banana_NN1 splits_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC sundaes_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 custard_NN1 stand_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS own_DT0 ,_PUN but_CJC the_AT0 social_AJ0 life_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 drugstore¡-boys_NN2 ,_PUN flirting¡-was_NN2 almost_AV0 a_AT0 compensation_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 most_AV0 interesting_AJ0 customers_NN2 ,_PUN though_AV0 ,_PUN were_VBD the_AT0 eccentrics_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 drugstore_NN1 cowboys_NN2 who_PNQ hung_VVD out_AVP and_CJC shot_VVD the_AT0 breeze_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB Colonel_NP0 Millsap_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 well-known_AJ0 local_AJ0 figure_NN1 who_PNQ always_AV0 dressed_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 military_AJ0 uniform_NN1 of_PRF one_CRD sort_NN1 or_CJC another_DT0 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 afternoons_NN2 ,_PUN his_DPS job_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 pick_VVI up_AVP the_AT0 national-news_AJ0 headlines_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ the_AT0 local_AJ0 radio_NN1 station_NN1 printed_VVN on_PRP a_AT0 yellow_AJ0 telegram-style_AJ0 sheet_NN1 of_PRF paper_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC deliver_VVB them_PNP to_PRP local_AJ0 businesses_NN2 ._SENT At_PRP each_DT0 business_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP would_VM0 stop_VVI to_TO0 describe_VVI the_AT0 dangerous_AJ0 missions_NN2 he_PNP had_VHD been_VBN on_PRP that_DT0 day_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD just_AV0 flown_VVN in_AVP from_PRP Berlin_NP0 ._SENT Or_CJC Paris_NP0 ._SENT 
A_AT0 guy_NN1 known_VVN as_PRP Hi_ITJ Ki_NP0 always_AV0 brought_VVD his_DPS own_DT0 banana-split_AJ0 dish_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 soda_NN1 fountain_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 was_VBD stranger_AJC then_AV0 than_CJS it_PNP would_VM0 seem_VVI today_AV0 ._SENT But_CJC my_DPS favorite_AJ0 local_AJ0 character_NN1 was_VBD Lon_NP0 Carter_NP0 Barton_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 popular_AJ0 Mayfield_NP0 High_AJ0 School_NN1 history_NN1 teacher_NN1 who_PNQ kept_VVD in_PRP touch_NN1 with_PRP many_DT0 of_PRF his_DPS students_NN2 for_PRP decades_NN2 after_PRP graduation_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 esteemed_AJ0 local_AJ0 historian_NN1 and_CJC storyteller_NN1 ,_PUN avowedly_AV0 provincial_AJ0 ._SENT Lon_NP0 Carter_NP0 ,_PUN as_CJS we_PNP often_AV0 called_VVD him_PNP ,_PUN lived_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 second-oldest_AJS house_NN1 in_PRP town_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP twin_AJ0 maples_NN2 in_PRP front_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP knew_VVD everyone_PNI in_PRP town_NN1 and_CJC everything_PNI that_CJT had_VHD happened_VVN in_PRP Graves_NN2 County_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 Civil_AJ0 War_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 General_NP0 Grant_NP0 passed_VVD through_PRP Mayfield_NP0 and_CJC down_PRP what_DTQ is_VBZ now_AV0 U.S._NP0 45_CRD on_PRP his_DPS way_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 bloody_AJ0 Battle_NN1 of_PRF Shiloh_NP0 ._SENT Every_AT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN Lon_NP0 shepherded_VVD a_AT0 group_NN1 of_PRF seniors_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 battlefield_NN1 there_AV0 ._SENT His_DPS favorite_AJ0 movie_NN1 was_VBD "_PUQ Gone_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 Wind_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP must_VM0 have_VHI seen_VVN it_PNP dozens_CRD of_PRF times_NN2 ._SENT 
For_PRP all_DT0 his_DPS restraint_NN1 ,_PUN Lon_NP0 nevertheless_AV0 courted_VVD the_AT0 outrageous_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP believe_VVB he_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 only_AJ0 person_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 county_NN1 to_PRP own_DT0 one_CRD of_PRF those_DT0 fifties_CRD hardtop_NN1 convertibles_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 Ford_NP0 Skyliner_NP0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 spectacle_NN1 when_AVQ the_AT0 top_NN1 went_VVD up_AVP or_CJC down_AVP ._SENT On_PRP one_CRD occasion_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 hypnotist_NN1 came_VVD to_TO0 perform_VVI in_PRP town_NN1 and_CJC somehow_AV0 Lon_NP0 Carter_NP0 was_VBD on_PRP the_AT0 welcoming_AJ0 committee_NN1 ._SENT Not_XX0 only_AV0 did_VDD he_PNP agree_VVI to_TO0 drive_VVI this_DT0 man_NN1 around_PRP the_AT0 court_NN1 square_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS Ford_NP0 convertible_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP was_VBD persuaded_VVN to_TO0 do_VDI this_DT0 blindfolded_AJ0 and_CJC while_CJS letting_VVG the_AT0 top_NN1 down_AVP ._SENT Mid-spectacle_NN1 ,_PUN halfway_AV0 through_PRP the_AT0 ride_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 top_NN1 got_VVD stuck_AJ0 ._SENT That_DT0 evening_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP found_VVD myself_PNX on_PRP the_AT0 stage_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 theatre_NN1 ,_PUN volunteering_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI hypnotized_VVN ._SENT (_PUL I_PNP was_VBD eager_AJ0 ,_PUN being_VBG an_AT0 avid_AJ0 reader_NN1 of_PRF "_PUQ The_AT0 Search_NN1 for_PRP Bridey_NP0 Murphy_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ )_PUR The_AT0 hypnotist_NN1 was_VBD supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 put_VVI me_PNP into_PRP a_AT0 trance_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS he_PNP failed_VVD to_TO0 do_VDI so_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP whispered_VVD to_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 pretend_VVI ._SENT 
Lon_NP0 Carter_NP0 Barton_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD for_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 the_AT0 Democratic_AJ0 state_NN1 representative_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 district_NN1 ,_PUN once_AV0 told_VVD me_PNP what_DTQ had_VHD happened_VVN before_PRP dawn_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 morning_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 was_VBD integrated_VVN ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 mid-fifties_CRD ._SENT He_PNP said_VVD effigies_NN2 were_VBD hung_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 trees_NN2 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 school_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 authorities_NN2 immediately_AV0 removed_VVN them_PNP and_CJC hushed_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 incident_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP claimed_VVD ._SENT Lon_NP0 Carter_NP0 introduced_VVD me_PNP to_PRP people_NN0 like_PRP Jenny_NP0 Wilson_NP0 ,_PUN whose_DTQ parents_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN enslaved_VVN ._SENT (_PUL She_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 youngest_AJS of_PRF their_DPS children_NN2 ,_PUN born_VVN late_AV0 in_PRP their_DPS lives_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP told_VVD me_PNP ._SENT )_PUR Another_DT0 Wilson_NP0 from_PRP town_NN1 ,_PUN Ellis_NP0 ,_PUN left_VVD Mayfield_NP0 to_TO0 go_VVI to_PRP art_NN1 school_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC became_VVD an_AT0 important_AJ0 painter_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Harlem_NP0 Renaissance_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC he_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 celebrated_VVN in_PRP western_AJ0 Kentucky_NP0 in_PRP his_DPS lifetime_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 eighties_CRD ,_PUN one_CRD of_PRF his_DPS paintings_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ Funeral_NN1 Procession_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ became_VVD familiar_AJ0 to_PRP America_NP0 from_PRP its_DPS position_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 wall_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Huxtables_NP0 '_POS living_AJ0 room_NN1 ,_PUN on_PRP "_PUQ The_AT0 Cosby_NP0 Show_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 movie_NN1 adaptation_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS novel_NN1 "_PUQ In_PRP Country_NN1 "_PUQ was_VBD filmed_VVN in_PRP Mayfield_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP 1988_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC some_DT0 scenes_NN2 took_VVD place_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 in_PRP view_NN1 ._SENT Many_DT0 local_AJ0 people_NN0 participated_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 Hollywood_NP0 presence_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 sensation_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 director_NN1 ,_PUN Norman_NP0 Jewison_NP0 ,_PUN said_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 that_CJT he_PNP had_VHD to_TO0 film_VVI it_PNP in_PRP Mayfield_NP0 ,_PUN because_CJS it_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 only_AJ0 place_NN1 where_AVQ he_PNP could_VM0 find_VVI the_AT0 people_NN0 in_PRP my_DPS story_NN1 ._SENT After_PRP the_AT0 tornado_NN1 ,_PUN Rebecca_NP0 Reynolds_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 writer_NN1 friend_NN1 of_PRF mine_PNP who_PNQ had_VHD a_AT0 small_AJ0 role_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 movie_NN1 ,_PUN noted_VVN on_PRP Facebook_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 film_NN1 "_PUQ may_VM0 now_AV0 be_VBI the_AT0 only_AJ0 way_NN1 to_TO0 see_VVI what_DTQ our_DPS town_NN1 used_VVD to_TO0 look_VVI like_PRP ._SENT "_PUQ When_CJS I_PNP read_VVD her_DPS comment_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP started_VVD to_TO0 cry_VVI ._SENT 
I_PNP moved_VVD away_AV0 from_PRP Mayfield_NP0 when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD eighteen_CRD ,_PUN for_PRP school_NN1 and_CJC adventure_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP always_AV0 came_VVD back_AVP at_PRP least_AV0 twice_AV0 a_AT0 year_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 family_NN1 farm_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 mile_NN1 from_PRP town_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD my_DPS anchor_NN1 ._SENT Each_DT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP returned_VVD with_PRP a_AT0 new_AJ0 perspective_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD sensitive_AJ0 to_PRP how_AVQ Mayfield_NP0 had_VHD changed_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 I_PNP changed_VVD ,_PUN too_AV0 ,_PUN so_CJS I_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 seeing_VVG it_PNP anew_AV0 ._SENT 
Mayfield_NP0 (_PUL and_CJC the_AT0 farm_NN1 culture_NN1 I_PNP grew_VVD up_AVP in_PRP )_PUR has_VHZ been_VBN my_DPS resource_NN1 for_PRP fiction_NN1 for_PRP many_DT0 years_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP have_VHB tried_VVN to_TO0 record_VVI what_DTQ I_PNP hear_VVB as_PRP poetry_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 sound_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 speech_NN1 of_PRF western_AJ0 Kentucky_NP0 ,_PUN an_AT0 agricultural_AJ0 region_NN1 that_CJT radically_AV0 shifted_VVN to_PRP industrialization_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP one_CRD short_AJ0 story_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP describe_VVB a_AT0 truck_NN1 driver_NN1 ,_PUN Leroy_NP0 ,_PUN looking_VVG at_PRP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 square_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS fictional_AJ0 town_NN1 :_PUN "_PUQ The_AT0 farmers_NN2 who_PNQ used_VVD to_TO0 gather_VVI around_AVP the_AT0 courthouse_NN1 square_NN1 on_PRP Saturday_NP0 afternoons_NN2 to_TO0 play_VVI checkers_NN2 and_CJC spit_NN1 tobacco_NN1 juice_NN1 have_VHB gone_VVN ._SENT It_PNP has_VHZ been_VBN years_NN2 since_CJS Leroy_NP0 has_VHZ thought_VVN about_PRP the_AT0 farmers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP have_VHB disappeared_VVN without_PRP his_DPS noticing_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Now_AV0 the_AT0 place_NN1 itself_PNX seems_VVZ gone_VVN ._SENT 
When_CJS LaNelle_NP0 went_VVD to_PRP Mayfield_NP0 to_TO0 check_VVI on_PRP the_AT0 farm_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP also_AV0 wanted_VVD to_TO0 see_VVI the_AT0 Ice_NN1 House_NN1 Gallery_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS she_PNP has_VHZ sometimes_AV0 exhibited_VVN her_DPS paintings_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Ice_NN1 House_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 compact_AJ0 brick_NN1 building_NN1 ,_PUN dates_VVZ back_AVP almost_AV0 a_AT0 century_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB home_AV0 delivery_NN1 of_PRF blocks_NN2 of_PRF ice_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 forties_CRD ._SENT 
