Donnie you've had a bunch of good videos and this one ranks near the top. We could learn a lot from these folks. I don't know how we've declined so much in such a short time. This man knew everybody in the cove and we don't know 10 people in our subdivisions and can't trust some of them. It's really a shame.

To hear the voice of a man born 1800's and died 60 years ago was amazing, hearing what life was like , I just loved every minute of it. What a simple honest life , he was blessed. Thank you for bringing this to life. I live in Australia and will probable never get to see these places in life. You bring them so much to life. Bless you.

Donnie, this is such a priceless treasure. Many thanks to the McCulley family and to you for sharing this recording. I heard him say $20 for 100# of honey. When I was a beekeeper, my honey went for about $2.30/# in 2000 era. Now I pay a much higher price for local honey. Life was easy because they looked after one another; Oh how I wish we could be like that today!

I sure bet Mr McCaulley wasnt expecting his interview to still be heard and listened too 62 years later. Thanks Mr Laws for sharing this. Ive subscribed to yours videos for several years and have watched so many of them. Im only in my 30s, but I wished we still lived this way. I love how close these families were and the heart each of them had. Thanks again.

Boy, John McCaulley was sharp as a tack just before he died. What a treasure trove of info. he gave in this interview. Thank you for that story.

John was my great great grandpa ❤️ I have this recording and lots of family photos. I am proud of the people they were and we still all are. Cades cove is a special place to me and I’m lucky to live just down the rd from it.

Stories about remarkable people like this makes me proud to be a "hillbilly" from the Appalachian mountains. My generation needs to preserve these traditions and stories, even our accent is dying. We've been the butt of a lot of tasteless jokes for decades but it doesn't say anything about us as much as them! At 31 I definitely feel more connected to my heritage than ever especially in these trying times. Some people still have the mindset of "love thy neighbor" especially in our culture. We came from generations of tough, savvy, resilient people. Pioneers, coal miners, many also from native people and former slaves. Nobody will ever make me feel ashamed of my culture.

I’m crying as I watch this video. Lovely, just lovely. Makes me homesick for a place I’ve never been.

What a wonderful man he was!! Such an honest, hardworking, kind and humble man! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Donnie! I truly enjoyed it! God bless!

Mr. McCulley was quite a treasure and sharp as a tack! I have all of the Foxfire books that I treasure because of all of these country secrets. Thank you Donnie for sharing! The pair of socks for Winter was a great story.

As I look around at our world my heart breaks for all we have lost. Our children won't know the beauty of these humble but rich lives.

Well, that brought tears to my eyes.

This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. Oh my, when he said 'no idee' i got tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. It was like standing in my Grandparents house listening to them talk. I forgot they said Idee for Idea...until I heard him. How I would love to go back to some of those moments long past just for a little while.

I work in Aged Care and absolutely love listening to our residents life stories. It's so much better listening to the people telling THEIR stories rather than reading it in a history book. It gives you a better understanding of how things really were. Love this video

My grandfather was the doctor in Cades Cove around the turn of the century, Dr Thomas McGill. I so enjoyed listening to this, hearing stories from that time in history. Thank you for putting this together.

This made my heart ache to the point of tears for simpler times. I’ve been to Cades Cove many times without knowing any of it’s history. I live in the Appalachian mountains. The only things we needed from the grocery store were sugar, coffee, salt and pepper. Most communities were just like this even as recent at the 1970’s. I was only a child in the 70’s but I can remember people looking after the elderly. Not much need for nursing homes. Everyone helping their neighbors. Lord help us now.

Donnie thank you for sharing especially the interview with Mr. McCulley. That is a national treasure.

Rest easy Mr. McCaulley! Your work on this earth made a difference in this world. I’m very happy that I was able to hear a bit of your life story. Why can’t people be this way now, work hard, help your neighbors & just be a good human being? Imagine the world we’d be a part of. Times may have been hard, but Mr. McCAulley and people like him lived a rich life beyond measure.

This is an absolute treasure! It should be played in a museum. I'm in Knoxville and have hiked the Smokies my whole life. Love your channel!

I have such respect for all our ancestors in our great USA. These people were hardworking and took care of their fellow man. Beautiful story and you are a fantastic storyteller Donnie. This interview was fascinating. What a wonderful man Mr. McCully was . I would have loved to have known