"Chimney Building" Summary

The author begins by explaining the importance of chimneys in early cabins. Without a chimney, older cabins had no form of heat. Additionally, if built incorrectly, the smoke was drawn into the cabin instead of to the outside, creating a nearly unbearably smoky home. Bill Lamb, a local resident, tells of his first chimney, which blew smoke into the home each time the wind blew. Aunt Arie, introduced previously in the book, tells the story of her family's chimney, which fell into their bean crop, due to an improper foundation. On occasion, some early chimneys caught fire, while still others fell following a hard rain. These early chimneys were made from rocks and red clay, with the upper portion consisting of logs laid as in a log cabin. Later chimneys used only rock and mud throughout, creating a longer...