Mary Emma was know to put on a "Big Spread" of food when there were people to feed which was very often. She took in anybody including the sick and those in trouble. There are stories told of her taking in a wanted criminal. She fed and clothed him then sent him on down the mountain but not before the police arrived looking for this fugitive and she politely told them that there was no such person here and they need to just get on down the mountain.
There are also tales of her taking in a 2nd wanted man and also feeding and clothing him but this time when the police arrived they knew he was there. Mary Emma wouldn't let the policeman take the fugitive until he had finished his meal. The police waited for him to eat and then took him on down the mountain.
She also took in a fellow that was no kin to our family but we called him "Cousin Bill" He had VERY bad arthritis and he lived his days out there in her home while she took care of this bedridden man. He was treated like a member of the family by her and the rest of the Burtons.
She didn't have running water in her mountain home and there were long walks to the natural spring for many years until finally she was able to get a spring house built and the water was then brought to her backyard. She kept her butter, milk and eggs in there to keep them cool. She was very particular about her spring house and a good way to make her mad would be to go inside. She would gladly show you her spring house but don't try to step foot inside or you would surly get a wippin.