Appalachia’s Storyteller: Beyond Appalachia
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Appalachia’s Storyteller: The true story of Big Jim Porter as told by The Appalachian Storyteller
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Video from The Appalachian Storyteller
Story written by The Appalachian Storyteller
This video represents history and is uploaded for educational purposes and critique and commentary on the topic.
Photos from paid subscription to Newspapers.com and Shutterstock.com and public domain from the Library of Congress
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I’v never been to Appalachia myself and only once to US in the first place. Hopefully I get an opportunity to visit the place in the future. These stories make the Appalachia almost magical 😅you are doing a great favor for us non-US by sharing your heritage through the stories and music. And you are also putting the good Appalachian people on the world map.
Thank you for that Larry! This land has always held a special magic for me
Oh Larry & Family : I/ We *DO wish you could see the beauty firsthand. Bucket List. Where there is no vision the people perish, said God. It’s not only the lands, waterfalls, all of it to behold - but 🥰 the People. Hospitality & Manners like none other. You’ll fall in love. We guarantee it. 😊👋🏼
I live in Louisville and didn’t know this story.
hes buried there @@Iron1793
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I drive past the cemetery nearly every day and stroll through it every once in a while. I’ve seen Harlan Sanders gravesite. I’ll have to look for his.
Wonderful story, great music great video. Thank you.
Thank you Melissa!
Bless his heart. Rest in peace Mr. Porter. You are not forgotten.
❤️
The courage of the family pulling up stakes like they did and really traveling into the unknown.
EXACTLY... that is why I put this in the story, can you imagine the courage his father had to do that, to head to an unknown world. Truly unfathomable nowadays.
That part of the story reminded me of the movie How The West Was Won.
Every time I listen to one of your stories I wonder what emotions I’m gonna get. Happy, sad, suprised, amazed! Or maybe all of them. I left out wonder!!! I always wonder how you keep coming up with these old gems! I love what you do!❤️
Thank you so much! I do my best to involve a bit of mystery and not give the story away at the very beginning ❤️
I know some have made me laugh and others have made me cry, and many of done both! They say art is valued by how it makes you feel, and his stories and way of telling them is a true art!
Me too, I've learned the hard way not to watch while I'm waiting for food delivery, just in case I cry - nothing like answering the door with mascara & tears running down your face saying "I'm fine it was a beautiful, sad story, sniffle, sniffle." Wait til after, all good to cry into my curry, while my son comes home saying "(sigh) you watched something sad again didn't you, (sigh) I'll give you a hug." What a good teenager. 🙂
I love this comment! @@u-neekusername4430
@@u-neekusername4430God bless you and your teenagers and I hope you have a beautiful day sweetheart
Thanks for the video. I was getting tired of watching how everyone in the world is about to nuke each other. Taking a step back in time of simpler times cleanses the palette as they say. Thanks again
You know, I can’t watch the news anymore…. The human race….
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller it ain't worth the headache
Oh JD, I've barely gotten past the musical intro and my feelers are feeling & my eyeballs are leaking....i haven't heard the harmonica played that beautifully since before my Ma passed. It's always been my favorite sound since I was a baby (she played it all throughout the births and lives of us 6 children) and you have touched my heart so deeply, friend. I hope we will have the opportunity to be able to purchase your music? 🥹🙏 😌
Thank you so much for that, I really do my best on the music to make it part of the story. I have many plans for 2024, and offering my music is one of them, stay tuned, and thank you so much for your support!
@TheAppalachianStoryteller I'm happy to hear that 😊
Ps. This was a lovely story, thank you!
Love bluegrass
Couldn't imagine how big Jim felt in his youth, to be a spectacle among your piers. In the end I'm glad he found solace in his friends and built a home/hotel where he found comfort. The difficulties facing young couples of this era {1800s}were many. There resolution resides in there descendents till this day. Thank you JD for another terrific story. 🙂❤️👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you James, his life was quite the journey for sure
Little Jim hit a growth spell. Some small children can surprise people. But, that mommas cooking of good solid foods was what he needed. Little Jim wasn't so little anymore. I know he made his parents was proud 👏 great story.
Jd great story shows that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Amen
I'm from NC and I absolutely love your videos so much interesting history of Appalachia
Thank you Sharky ❤️
A great story JD, really helped us take our minds off mom losing her last Aunt on her dad's side. Thank you very much Sir!
aww, im too sorry to hear that Jay. Our time on this earth is so fragile and fleeting. Blessings and positive energy for everyone in your family. What was her name, so I can say a prayer for her tonight?
@TheAppalachianStoryteller Flora Gunter Hux, at least she's at her mansion in the sky with her husband, siblings and parents! ❤️❤️
What a wholesome story today. Rest in Peace Big Jim... Thanks for sharing another true story from our history JD..... Happy Thanksgiving my friend ❤✌🙏🦃
Thank you Pinky, blessings to you and yours
Oh my JD that was a fascinating story! I loved it. Great job.😊
Thank you Joy, have a blessed day!
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller thanks JD. You too!
That was a great story. I loved it.
Thank you Debbie ❤️
I still have questions ,did he marry ,did he have children ?Either way it warms my heart to know he he lived a good and full filled life !😇
Go look him up on Wikipedia. Yes he married n there was a scientific, medical reason for his growth spurt. 😊
@@alphaomega5909 I don't think Jim was married. When I read the Wikipedia article in context, it did talk about a wife... but the article's writer was referring to Dickens' having the wife.
@@weezyb. Ah,okay. I may have to do more research, reading on him. His life has peeked my interest now.
I love these stories buddy. JD you have have a voice of my grandfather. Great storytelling brother and I love these stories.
Thanks so much brother, I’m honored by that statement
Thank you JD for another enjoyable story.
Thank you ❤️
Truly an amazing story
Thanks so much!
Another excellent story! I feel for the growing pains that man must have gone through. But, I suppose in the end it was worth it.
And back then there was no doc or internet to even begin to research what might have caused it
Nice story. Never thought he'd grow up to be a giant. My uncle was born in the early 1900's and was a taxi driver in my hometown. I have his TG Tarver Texas giant souvenir ring from the 1929's. No idea where or how he got it.
how interesting!
What a great story! Ya never know what God has in store for you! Thanks JD!!
Yes sir!
I really enjoyed the story I live in scioto county Portsmouth Ohio for 71 years and I never have heard that story.
Yeah, I love bringing lost history to life ❤️
I love all the stories you post, but I especially love the pictures of the people and the nature photos. Thank you for such entertaining stories.
Thank you for that- I do my best to tell these stories visually
It was almost like a Paul Harvey Story!!! Well done!
Paul Harvey was a hero of mine growing up listening to his news on the radio everyday at lunch and his "rest of the story" on the way home from work. The line I use at the end of these stories "and now you know the rest of the story...." is a tribute to Paul Harvey, who I consider a master storyteller.
Another great story JD👍
Keep ‘em coming! Thanks for the history lesson.
Thanks so much!
This is the first time I have ever heard this story. In all my years of reading, I have never read anything about him either. Thank you for making this video. We have/had a young man living here in Morehead who suffers from Gigantism. I have not seen him in some time. He had a lot of health issues along with other problems. I know his mother died; so, he may be living in a Assisted Living program somewhere now. The thumb up button is missing in this video.
really? the thumb up is missing?
Good story JD, i look forward to listening to your stories each Saturday morning.
Thank you Dwight!
I can only have compassion for a man that size where he could not fit into "Normal life' only to be gawked at , at every turn. To have to have everything in his life "never fit' and to have everything made "Special for you". I'm only 6'2" (not tall by any means) myself and have found some places in this world like public transportation seats (Busses, Airlines, subway) unfit, even for me. I have a nephew who is 6' 8" and even that height, 1 foot 1 inch shorter than "Big Jim Porter" and I see the inconveniences and adjustments in his world he faces at his height. We all face some form of adversity and it looks like Mr. Porter certainly had his share.
RIP Mr. Porter. This was a good story. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Banjoman! long live Mr. Porters memory
Another great story. I live in Appalachian mountains all my life Love your stories
Thank you Bessie ❤️
My visits to the Appalachians are supplemented by your excellent storytelling and original music. When my soul aches for a visit from my Texas home, I put on a video and my soul is soothed. Thank you.
Thanks so much!
Great story. I really enjoyed it. Although life expectancy in the 1840's was lower than today, I suspect that Big Jim's gigantism might have caused him some medical issues that hastened his death. Well done, JD
I believe your right. They say he suffered possibly from a brain tumor causing the accelerated release of growth hormones... and Charles Dickens wrote in his book that Big Jims knees were mighty weak supporting his frame... and many of big Jims contemporaries said he was mighty fond of the bottle and could drink a well dry in one sitting....
@@TheAppalachianStorytellermaybe a pituitary gland tumor
He was a mighty big man that is fore sure.....Thanks brother an God Blessing and good health to you and yours.....
Old Shoe🇺🇸
Thank you Steve!
Even though Big Jim died almost 50 years before my grandfather was born, I was told the stories that my great great grandparents told my grandfather, in all my 60 years I never realized that he was a real man! Thanks for sharing!! ❤️
❤️
WOW that harmoninica playing in the 1st song 🎵 is absolutely beautiful. The song without a harmonica wouldn't be as moving.
Thank you !
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller I played harmonica in my younger years. My twin sister and I were called Golden Promise and we sang all around the Foothills of the Ozarks of Arkansas. I always sang harmony along with my twins 2nd Saprano voice. I played harmonica the same way. I Love ❤️ the harmony of your harmonica player. I also wrote Christian music 🎶 🎵 .
Now that's what I'd call a true success story... in more ways than one. Big Jim may have had a somewhat short life, but it sounds like it was pretty full & happy. Personally, I'd rather have a shorter happy life, than a longer miserable one.
I think you're on to something there
Good morning and happy Saturday!
Morning!
I’m gonna talk more to my 85yr young Momma (raised in a coal holler) about the “Mtn People” my mountaineer Grampa & Dad (RIP 🫡) *Talked about & told stories on*. They “had their own language & never came down”. That Intrigues me. God Bless you Brother. Whatever I do find out I’ll gladly hand it to you. 😊
Renee’ & Dawgs. 🙏🏼
LOVE THIS STORY! ❤ THANK U again for ur research, time, and FAB story telling!❤
Thank you ❤️
People can sure surprise us, can't they? :) It is indeed unusual for such a huge growth spurt at Jim's age. Oddly enough, my own life went somewhat the opposite. Everybody else in the family was rather tall; and as a kid it looked like I might break the family record. But I shot straight up to 5'1" by around age 7 or so and then came to a screeching halt. Even my hair won't grow more than about 3" past my shoulders. Go figure. So after middle school I've generally been the shortest person around. Thank God that didn't carry over to my son.
how peculiar is that! wow! I did some further research on Big Jim... scientists believe he had a tumor growing in his brain that pressed on his pituitary gland which caused excessive release of growth hormones
What a wonderful told legacy. Died too young at 20 years younger than I am now......
They said he died in his sleep of heart failure
I am just in love with your channel. The way you tell a story just hypnotizes and captivates me . I would absolutely love to hear you narrate an entire book about Appalachia or do an hour long documentary. I check your channel everyday to see if you uploaded anything new just in case i missed the notification. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and for bringing the past to life . My family lives in West Virginia and your stories make me want to move back . Please , please , please consider making longer form content i hate it when your videos end because i just can't get enough.
Thank you so much!
The background music is amazing! The graphics & sounds go with the story. The storyteller with his voice, catches your mind and you can't help but listen and feel as if you're in the story itself. 🙌 Well done JD!
this warms my heart! this is exactly what I try to do with each story, paint a visual, musical and narrative that transports the listener into the story itself.
I absolutely love the stories you tell. Keep em coming!
Thank you Janet! Have a blessed day!
That was a beautiful recounting about life and faith.
Thank you!
Hello my name is Edward Potter I loved the story I live in eastern north Carolina along the Pamlico river I've fell in love with Appalachian ways & people reminds me a lot of how I grew up along the river just love this story & would love to live there or at least visit well God Bless 🙏
Thank you so much for sharing and we’re so glad you’re here. Have a blessed day Edward.
His Mama's BELIEF In GOD and Her Fervent PRAYER!!!!!!!!!! That's ALL IT TOOK!!!!!🙏😇
THANK YOU JESUS!!!!
🙏
Would have loved to hear more about his parents towards the end of the story since they played such an important role in his life.
Hi JD! That was fascinating, what a life he lived. Surely a pituitary gland or hyperpituitarism as it’s called. I was told by a doctor one time that the thymus gland has a part in growth spurts, but I haven’t ever researched that to be true.
Have a blessed weekend my friend!
Yes Willow, I believe you are exactly right
An incredible story.
Thank you!
You are the best dang storyteller my dude! This would have been a snore told by any other💖
That is the secret to telling a story- how in the world do you take a handful of simple facts and weave them into a compelling story of one’s life. I’m happy you enjoyed it!
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Yes Sir! I write well, but me not talk so good😂
Thanks for a wonderful, well told, story.
Thank you Rhonda! Happy pre Thanksgiving Weekend!
Wow, what a great story.
Thank you Ruby!
Listened to grandmother , I feel so close to these stories , that the truth is real and my grand children can only imagine love all the work ya all do and J.D. ….you are special person ….orator
Good morning great story thank you
Thanks so much!
That's an amazing story. He must have been an amazing person to achieve what he did. I always come away from your tellings with feelings that I knew the persons described. Thank you so much, as always, for sharing your lovely talents.
Thank you so much, I do my best to bring the stories to live and to tell it thru their eyes
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller ❤️
Enjoyed again, JD, he would been a heck of a basketball player
maybe, but alas, he knees were barely able to keep him upright which is why he walked with a cane
"At 7' 9''. or 6' 21" as he liked to call it..." Ha! I would have loved knowing "Big Jim" had life and time allowed me to do so. I just know it. Thanks for another fine story, Appalachian Storyteller. Your stories never waller one bit. So I'm for, not agin. May your channel get tons of support. Maine says "hello" some more.
Thanks so much, he was a character!
I grew up in Portsmouth, OH. I now live about an hr away. I’ve never heard this story. Cool!!! Thx for posting!
glad you enjoyed it my friend!
I've heard bits and pieces about this gentleman before. YOU 😢make him more. You made it that this gentleman was a human being so thank you for that thank you for the story. I love listening to your stories and I can't wait to hear the next one. As a matter of fact I'm going to go find another one to listen to now. Again thank you
Fascinating story
Thanks so much!
Excellent story! Excellent channel!
Thank you ❤️
Love it , love every single thing you post
Thank you 😊
Another winner! Thank you kindly.
Thank you!
love your true stories from the past.
Thank you!
I love this story as well. I would have loved to have known Big Jim.
Me too
Great story i love them all
Home to some incredible musicians. The Foxfire books are a great resource for anyone interested in Appalachia. The Alan Lomax films document some amazing musicians.
This is the first I've heard of him but what a fascinating story! Thank you.
Thank you Gail
Just like always JD you knock it out of the park buddy
Thanks so much!
I was born in Portsmouth.
Ohio 64 years ago my dad is still there he is 90 I left when I was 13 went to Florida been there every since change is a beautiful thing.
❤️
JD, I used to run the back roads of Scioto County Ohio. I LOVE LOVE your stories. There’s several channels on here, and I like Jared just fine, but there’s no comparison to the way you spin a yarn! You are a natural! BTW the pronunciation of Portsmouth, OH is “Ports-mUth”, just so ya know 🤗
Thank you Lisa! I write all these stories and authentically was raised by my granny Tollette, who was a master storyteller in every sense of the word. and thanks for the correction on Ports mUth!
Great story and what a growth spurt. Thanks
Thanks Janet!
As soon as you said he kept growing I knew where this was headed and I’ve never heard of him sometime’s you just get a feeling in a story 👍🏻😊
great intuition Deborah!
I went to visit my youngest daughter in Orange City Fla. for a couple days to hunt the small key deer they got down there and I made sure to be back today to get my story fix! I sure did enjoy this days story too, friend!
Welcome back Scott, ive seen those key deer, we visited the keys two years ago
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller a big one weighs 70 lbs!
Love these stories. Thank you
Thank you!
wow! i have been working in my shop for the past couple of days and just saw this. thanks, JD, for another fascinating story,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Thank you Olskool
Good morning JD brother
Morning brother, hope you are feeling ok today
Thanks!
Thank you SO much ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I liked the story. And will need to read a little more about big Jim Porter
🙋♂️🐈🐈
👍🏼
The best youtuber right now!!!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I love this channel!! Happy Holidays!!!
happy pre thanksgiving weekend!
JD I’m just thrilled to catch this story! Especially as I can’t seem to sleep tonight. Being in California it’s 4AM oh well I can take a nap tomorrow. I thought little Jim was going to be a famous Jockey! Ha. I loved hearing the story of Jim traveling around and getting to make so much money as to be able to afford to build his Hotel! But to actually build some furniture that fit him, finally! Wow what a life he must have had! Thank you for sharing another interesting story about the locals of your area. You never disappoint! Love the music!
Thank you Karen, his life certainly took a turn!
I was born in portsmouth, raised in Franklin furnace Ohio. Worked that ohio river for Ingram barge Co. The Appalachian mountains and river are in my soul I may live in alabama but I'm still in the Appalachian mountains and I'm forever hillbilly and proud of it
Great story J.D, makes me wonder what went through my great grandpa's mind when he decided to leave Tennessee.
Also being based in Illinois at the moment I can share a story with you about the Illinois giant Robert Wadlow who was documented as the tallest man in the world. Y'all stay safe out there 🙏
Robert Wadlow, ill look it up, thanks so much BigIron
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller
Stay safe out there my brother 🙏
As usual, an amazing story.
Loved the music.
Thank you Deborah! Happy pre Thanksgiving Weekend!
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family also.
What a great story! We had a giantess here in Missouri. Her name was Ella Ewing. Also, Illinois had the gentle giant named Robert Wadlow. I’m glad little Jim became Big Jim! I feel pretty shrunken at this moment…..I’m 5’ 2”!!! Blessings always to you JD!! ❤️✝️
Yup, as I researched this story, I ran across those two
I live in the Appalachian mountains actually at the foot of the great Smoky Mountains and I absolutely love all your stories I watched him on TV but I have to get on my phone to send the messages
I wish UA-cam would allow folks on tv to message
Pretty cool story. We are from south eastern Kentucky and my mom moved to Louisville when she was young. I grew up in shepherdsville so I know some porters at mt Washington. Used to go to a bar named porters.
I hear there is still a bar that bears his name there
A Good West Morning @Appalachian Storyteller. Grand Haven,Michigan. (Im the man whos kin were from Clay County,Kentucky that hid our Still in the Church Steeple.😅) Its deer season here. I got out for a few hours yesterday but only saw a few does n 1 buck. The sons n grandsons arrive today to go hunting with me Sunday or Monday. So,,Ill catch up on my Appalachian Storyteller videos. . GOD BLESS. 😊
Happy hunting out there!
@@karenroot450 Thanks Karen. Im 90 now so I can't get out n about to a deer camp or do a tree stand anymore . But just getting out a bit in my Carhharts,orange vest n hat with my xons,grandkids n its a good West Michigan weekend. 😍
I want to be just like you when I grow up ❤️
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thanks my friend.I treasure your stories n writing. You make an old curmudgeonly mans day when I catch up on your videos. My family now hearing about you also. We decided your probably KIN. Somewhere in our Appalachian Family Bible,,,lol. (Our cousin of dads second cousin on his Grandpas side? 😉.)
@@alphaomega5909 By the way Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Don’t you just love Carrhart Brand
Wow, craaazy story
A wild, but true life
Awesome story
Thank you Larry!
Greetings and Blessings, Kin Folks, from the Foothills of the Ozarks of Arkansas, Squatch Country 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣
Great storytelling channel. From a fellow reader!
Thank you!
I’m glad he didn’t get into the circus thing! He became his own man doing what was important to him.
Great story ! Lots of history that you present
Thank you for sharing
👵🏻👩🌾❣️
Thank you Dee!
A Tall Tale aptly describes,
Big Jim's Claim to Fame.
I find it interesting that he is buried near
two other famous people.
Does the hotel that he built
still stand?
I Appreciate this Awesome Story.👍
I found an article from the 1890s that had a drawing of the hotel, it was barely still standing due to a flood of the Ohio river that flooded the entire first floor
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller
Thank You for the Information.
Also the Fascinating Stories.👍
Yeah. It’s been 30+ years ago since I’ve been there. Jim porters was the name then. I moved to west Tennessee In 91ish and haven’t been back
That's amazing
Thank you 🙏
Was Quite The Man&Legend!!8'Rifle!!Lord What Gauge??!!
No idea, but I think the gun is around somewhere