The Rewriting of Magazine Mountain

Uncle Penny taught me that facts could be distorted by legend.

He also told me that Mr. Munson sometimes ran out of truth before he ran out of words.

* * *

Many memorable summers were spent at my uncle’s Stone Fence Farm in the valley across from Magazine Mountain. Magazine Mountain was the most prominent landmark along the Ozark Mountain range in Arkansas, and much local lore and mystery was told about its origin and meaning. One summer, I would learn the truth for myself.

Life on the farm could be both harsh and simple, with play and pleasure always book-ended by hard work and chores. Friday nights were celebrations of such a chore-week’s end. It usually meant good radio programs and staying up late—past Fibber McGee. On this particular Friday, I pressed my luck and begged to listen to The Shadow, but Uncle Penny said we had to get plenty of sleep—tomorrow would be another workday. We had a load of peaches to haul