Most any family has a black sheep among them. Some have a veritable flock.
How a family comes to deal with the few who stigmatize all the others forecasts
a family's future.
Some families lionize their black sheep. Others turn silent. Yet others turn and
run away as far as possible.
Few instances are found where a family will confront its dilemma.
The story of the tragic & wasted life of Rev. Joseph Martin James, and equally the story of his son Joseph McAlister James, begs the question of secrecy as the best answer.
The "talented, but erratic" Joe Martin James today enjoys folkloric stature.
The proper Mack James
is all but forgotten.
What was resolved?