After the Manner of Men

In Short

This novel is a turn-of-the-century industrial drama set in the Cumberland Mountains. It follows Vance Tregarvon, a city-bred man who arrives in Tennessee to develop a struggling coal mine, only to encounter sabotage, local superstition, and a complex romance. As he battles to prove the mine’s worth, he is forced to shed his "townlander" sensibilities and confront the gritty realities of mountain life. The book has lasted as a spirited, atmospheric example of regional fiction, balancing the tropes of corporate rivalry with the intimate, often tense social dynamics of a remote community.

The Story

Vance Tregarvon arrives in the Tennessee mountains with the intention of making his fortune from a problematic coal property known as the Ocoee mine. He is a man of the city—a "townlander"—unprepared for the hostility of the terrain or the suspicious nature of the local populace. Almost immediately upon his arrival, a series of mysterious accidents and acts of sabotage plague his attempts to drill for coal. He is accompanied by his friend Poictiers Carfax, a wealthy and unflappable "golden youth" who provides both financial support and a dry, observational wit.

As Tregarvon struggles to keep his venture afloat, he becomes entangled with the residents of Highmount College and the surrounding hamlet of Coalville. He falls into a complicated emotional state, having arrived with a prior engagement to a woman named Elizabeth back in Philadelphia, but finding himself increasingly drawn to Richardia Birrell, a woman of sharp intelligence and deep, hidden family burdens.

The plot revolves around the "curse" of the Ocoee mine, which is said to have ruined every previous owner. Tregarvon discovers that his setbacks are not merely bad luck; they are the result of deliberate interference by local clansmen, specifically the McNabbs, who operate with a fierce, misguided loyalty to Judge Birrell, Richardia’s father. The judge, having once defended the McNabbs in court, has inspired a protective, violent devotion in them that manifests as a campaign of harassment against anyone perceived to be an outsider or a threat to the judge’s interests.

The tension culminates in a series of dramatic confrontations. A boiler explosion at the mine nearly kills the crew, and Tregarvon himself eventually tumbles over a cliff while pursuing a mysterious saboteur. During his recovery, he discovers that the "curse" is essentially a local legend weaponized by those who benefit from keeping the land undeveloped. Simultaneously, his engagement to Elizabeth dissolves as they both realize they have outgrown their connection. Tregarvon confronts the powerful corporate interests that have been pulling strings behind the scenes, effectively standing his ground against the "Consolidated Coal" syndicate. In the end, Tregarvon wins his battle for the mine, proving its viability. He secures his future not just as a successful operator, but as a man who has earned the respect of the mountain community. He and Richardia finally acknowledge their love for one another, and Tregarvon commits to staying in the mountains to integrate his industrial success with the welfare of the people he now considers his own.

How It Unfolds

The arrival of the outsider Tregarvon begins his venture in the mountains by nearly being shot by a group of schoolteachers who mistake his position for a target. This jarring introduction sets the tone for his tenure, as he finds his equipment failing and his presence in the region met with cold, if polite, hostility.

The golden youth joins the fray Carfax arrives to bolster Tregarvon’s spirits, providing the necessary capital to replace damaged equipment and push through the "stubborn rock." His presence allows Tregarvon to focus on the technical challenges while the duo navigates the social labyrinth of the Highmount set.

The shadow of the clansmen The mystery of the sabotage deepens when Rucker, the mine’s mechanician, is forced to abandon his courtship of a local girl because of a threat from her family. Tregarvon and Carfax slowly piece together the connection between the McNabb moonshiners and the local judge, realizing the harassment is an act of misguided clan loyalty.

The breaking point A catastrophic boiler failure serves as the climax of the physical struggle against the mountain, forcing Tregarvon to reckon with his own lack of progress. His subsequent fall from the cliff serves as a literal and metaphorical low point, stripping away his remaining ego and forcing him to confront the reality of his situation.

The resolution of the mine and the heart Tregarvon successfully identifies the source of the sabotage and confronts the corporate interests attempting to squeeze him out. With his professional standing secured and his previous engagement ended, he finds the clarity to win Richardia’s hand and settle into his new life.

The People

Vance Tregarvon is the central protagonist, a man who begins as a naive, slightly arrogant city-dweller. His journey is one of tempering; the mountain environment forces him to abandon his vanity and adopt a more resilient, humble approach to both business and love.

Poictiers Carfax serves as the perfect foil to Tregarvon. Known as the "golden youth," he is wealthy, endlessly optimistic, and possessed of a sharp, diplomatic mind. While Tregarvon is often hot-headed and prone to despair, Carfax provides the steady, humorous influence that keeps the venture moving forward, ultimately proving to be a loyal friend rather than just a financier.

Richardia Birrell is the emotional core of the story. She is a woman of immense strength who hides her family’s difficulties behind a poised, sometimes wooden exterior. She is not a passive object of affection; she is actively fighting for her family’s honor and trying to navigate the complex loyalties of her father’s household.

Judge Birrell and the McNabb clansmen represent the "old ways" of the region. They are figures of stubborn, often misplaced loyalty, whose actions drive the external conflict of the book. Through the judge’s influence, the story explores the clash between modern industrial advancement and the rigid, feudal-like structures of the mountain population.

In Its Own Voice

“Tregarvon had never before been under fire, and he was a product of twentieth-century civilization and the cities.”

The narrator introduces the protagonist at the start of the book, establishing the fundamental conflict between the modern urban world and the raw, unpredictable Tennessee wilderness.

“If you could see my present surroundings, and realize for one little instant what an elemental ruffian these same surroundings are likely to make of me, you’d urge me to go.”

In a letter home, Tregarvon reflects on the transformative—and potentially destructive—power of his new environment.

“You are very human--and very blind; so blind that you haven’t seen that I have had to fight for two--for myself no less than for you.”

Toward the end of the narrative, Richardia challenges Tregarvon to recognize her agency and the personal sacrifices she has made throughout the conflict.

What It's Really About

At its core, this is a story about the collision of worlds. It examines the arrogance of the "modern" industrial mindset as it attempts to extract value from a landscape governed by older, more visceral laws of kinship and superstition. The book questions whether a man can truly "own" a piece of land if he does not understand the human history and the moral debts attached to it. It also explores the concept of "making a man"—the idea that true maturity is not inherited or assumed, but forged through the resistance of one's environment and the willingness to take responsibility for one's mistakes. It is an argument for the necessity of grit and the importance of being "human" in the face of purely material ambitions.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy turn-of-the-century regional literature will find a lot to appreciate here. The book captures a specific moment in the American story: the industrialization of the Southern mountains and the resulting culture clash. You will likely enjoy the brisk, witty dialogue between Tregarvon and Carfax, which feels surprisingly contemporary for a novel written in 1916. The atmospheric descriptions of the Tennessee landscape provide a vivid backdrop that grounds the drama in a real, if romanticized, setting.

Be prepared for the limitations of the era. The dialect used by the mountain characters may be challenging, and the gender dynamics reflect the period’s specific attitudes, which can feel restrictive to a modern reader. Additionally, the plot relies heavily on the conventions of the "taming of the wilderness" genre, which occasionally leans into melodrama. However, if you are looking for a story that combines the earnestness of a corporate thriller with the character-driven depth of a romantic drama, this book offers a rewarding experience. What stays with you is the camaraderie between the two leads and the quiet, stubborn resilience of a man trying to find his footing in a world that refuses to be tamed on his terms.