Ch 7: “A Hundred Million Bellyaching Fools” (Nuff Sed: A Novel of Desert Steve)

This is the seventh installment in a series of posts delving into the rich historical and literary background of my novel, “Nuff Sed: A Novel of Desert Steve.”

In this chapter, titled “A Hundred Million Bellyaching Fools,” we journey back to 1904 through 1907, setting the scene in the small town of Coffeyville, Kansas. Steve Ragsdale, now a 21-year-old pulpit minister, has returned to his hometown after graduating from seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

Historicity and Fiction

While Pastor Blailock is a fictional character, Steve’s installment in the pulpit is historical, as were his frustrations with the expectations of others. The details are fictionalized.

One notable historical event referenced in the novel is the Fourth of July parades that were prevalent in many places during that era. The scene of Lydia and Steve sitting in the bleachers, watching the parade, draws inspiration from these early-century celebrations. Steve’s support for Theodore Roosevelt and his challenges in Congress are also mentioned.

The exact details of when Steve asked Lydia to marry him remain a mystery, but it’s likely that it occurred during this time period. The date of their marriage is historical.

The subsequent chapters introduce further conflicts between Steve and some of the townspeople who disapprove of his powerful sermons, particularly his stance against alcohol. This conflict is a reference to his alcoholic uncle and the problems it caused when he was a child. These conflicts eventually lead to a significant decision in Steve’s life that lead to the primary events in the novel (and historically). The conflicts in the pulpit and his harsh stance against alcohol are historical.

Desert Steve’s Quotes

The title of this chapter is derived from Desert Steve’s small booklet titled “Philosophy and Sayings of Desert Steve.” This particular quote originates from a section titled “Steve’s Dictionary,” where an entry for “Roosevelt” is found. The complete definition reads,

Poor man, trying to please a hundred million belly-aching fools..”

This is a reference to Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. He was the youngest president to serve, taking office at the age of 43.

I chose this phrase as the title because it aligns well with Steve’s frustrations of being a preacher. Steve mentions this quote during the Fourth of July parade scene.

Other Historical Events

• On November 8, 1904, Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) defeated Alton B. Parker (Democrat) in the presidential election. (He had succeeded William McKinley, who died after an assassination attempt.)
• On October 5, 1905, Orville and Wilbur Wright made a historic flight in their aircraft, Flyer III, covering a distance of 24.2 miles in 39 minutes and 23 seconds.
• On October 14, 1905, the New York Giants (NL) defeated the Philadelphia A’s (AL) in Game 5 at the Polo Grounds, securing their first league-sanctioned World Series victory with a score of 4-1. This triumph marked pitcher Christy Mathewson’s third consecutive World Series shutout.
• On November 25, 1905, TelimCo made history by advertising in Scientific American, claiming to receive radio signals for up to a mile. The set was priced at $8.50.

• Tragically, on April 15, 1906, the infamous San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fire claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 people and destroyed a staggering 75% of the city.
• On October 12, 1907, the Chicago Cubs clinched their first World Series Championship with a 4-0-1 series victory against the Detroit Tigers, defeating them 2-0 at Bennett Park.
• The Panic of 1907 was triggered by a run on banks following a run on the Knickerbocker trust company on October 22.
• On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma officially became the 46th state of the United States.
  

Up Next…

The subsequent chapter, titled “If He Tells the Truth He Would Starve,” delves into the birth of Steve and Lydia’s first child, a son named Thurman, and Steve’s subsequent encounters with church leaders, culminating in a significant confrontation.

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