543: #1 {X} # Interviewer: #2 Okay # 543: something Interviewer: I'm glad uh glad you did I just wanted to start the recorder so I can uh and he was a slave around... 543: My granddaddy was a slave back then you know of course then of course there was uh {D: PE} {NS} and uh that's the way we got our name was {D: they went over yonder both} {NS} and uh then brought my granddaddy over here you know {NS} and that family that had him. {NS} He Interviewer: Took his name... 543: Yes sir that's the way they named 'em you know after that family. Interviewer: Uh-huh...I see so it must of been well you know this county is has a French name so uh 543: we have yes sir Interviewer: they've been founded by French families 543: yes sir yes sir yes sir that's right Interviewer: long way back 543: Wasn't it well yes sir that's right sure yes sir {NW} Interviewer: okay well we were talking uh about uh land I think uh you had to leave the other day uh I was wondering what what uh what what do you call various different kinds of streams of water I know you talked to me about the creek the other day uh what's smaller than the creek 543: What's smaller than a creek a branch Interviewer: A branch 543: Branch Interviewer: Uh-huh and if uh the water cuts the heavy rain and the water cuts down and digs out the dirts what do you call that? 543: What digs out a way to go itself then we call that a gully Interviewer: I see 543: Gully Interviewer: {D: And if it cuts out of a really big service galley as big as this room what would you} 543: Call that a cave call it a cave Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And if it has a if it just cuts down on the side of it side of a hill what would you call that? A whole side of a hill has a big cut in it... 543: We would call that you know well we would {NW} mostly would be uh it's called a big gully down cross the hill or something like that's the way we would talk {X} Interviewer: {D: And uh would you ever hear the word uh {X} uh is that a big gully or uh} 543: Ravine {NW} Well I'll tell you the way we c- what we called that then was a just a big old Growed up place Interviewer: I see 543: Probably that's uh {NS} Different Interviewer: Mm where the water bends but it grew up 543: Yes sir Water was bending but you know it's done growed up you know and uh just a big ravine we'd call it you know just so thick you know you couldn't hardly get through #1 In that ravine yes sir # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh # And uh you don't have any uh you don't really have any mountains around here do you uh I wonder there is a town north of here called Blue-Blue is it Blue, Blue mountain? uh 543: Here's a place out north back in the north uh northeast it's called Blue Mountain it's a it's a little town there they call Blue Mountain Interviewer: I went through there but I didn't see any mountains 543: I say {NW} yes sir well they're mostly out in the edge of it this is close sort of the level part of this blue mountain you know {NW} well it's not it's not as large of mountain as it is back yonder like {X} mountain. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: It's just out in there it is some little ridges back out in there in the edge of that you know {NW} and they set their little town over there in the edge of that and then they just called that Blue Mountain. Interviewer: I see. 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: I see, Actually its more of a ridge or hill right 543: Yes sir, yes sir yes sir Interviewer: And uh different kinds of trees that grow around the Earth uh this tree that's sort of green and yellow bark and has a kind of patches on it uh uh some people call it uh a button ball, button wood, uh I'm wondering if you know tree that is 543: Well it's not a {X} I mean uh button wi- no button willow is just low Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Uh bu- a button willow, a ball willow Interviewer: {NW} 543: It's not maybe that's not the kind you Interviewer: Did you ever hear the sycamore 543: That's right yes sir. Interviewer: What's that 543: Oh that's a big old tree you know and the bark just plum slick on it you know. It grows tall and it'd have little balls on it little fuzzy balls on it like that it it it grows tall. Interviewer: It does? 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: I uh they have many in town here uh? 543: Yes sir yes sir but I don't know where I don't see any of 'em we do they do do have them here around here in town yes sir they grow around here Interviewer: I see 543: sycamore they grows tall Interviewer: I see a lot of oaks and things like that 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And uh um uh what about this uh vine turns red in the fall and its supposed to be poisonous uh 543: Well is it poison oak we haves that vine that runs this a poison oak Interviewer: Poison oak? 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: And that will if you know lots of people and it's it'll very get on you very easy {NW} you know break out just puff up and break out on you Interviewer: Is that a three uh leaf 543: Yes sir that's about a three leaf that's right, yes sir. Yes sir that's right. Interviewer: And then what's the uh what's the bush that you see and that's supposed to be poison uh the bush that turns red also and its supposed to be poisonous also it'll do the same thing I guess uh 543: Yes sir oh yeah that'll will do the same thing you know that that poison oak we got that vine you know. Interviewer: Uh-huh. There's a bush that does the same thing I wonder what you call that... it turns bright red pretty early in the fall 543: I just don't remember any of this right now what kind of a bush they called that because we Interviewer: Is it a shoemake? 543: Shoemake We have a shoemaker Interviewer: But maybe that's not poisonous uh 543: this this I don't know how you're thinking of it it's not that shoemaker it grows up up in a bushy place you know bunches and all but we call it shoemaker {D: I call it weedlack} {NW} but I don't remember whether that's poison or no Interviewer: Hmm, mm-hmm 543: Yeah. Interviewer: What are some of the things you don't want your cow to eat uh? 543: Them old buckeyes Interviewer: Is that? 543: Yes sir buckeye balls Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Aw that's Oh yes sir they growed in bushes about head high in in bunches of bushes and balls come on there and look sort of like a chestnut yes sir and they get dried and then they're horrible to peel over and look just like chestnuts but they're larger than chestnuts Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: and man cows eat them things it'll kill 'em for sure Interviewer: #1 It-it will? # 543: #2 Yes sir. # buck eyeballs. Interviewer: Mm-hmm #1 Somebody said that # 543: #2 Buck eye # Interviewer: there's a road to Denver or a mountain laurel? Does that sound familiar? Is that supposed to be poisonous to cows? 543: Well that's uh I don't know sir, now they they they got a different name uh that's uh {NW} I wouldn't know just the other name but the others is would be Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: That's right. Interviewer: Anything else make cows sick that you can think of? 543: Well as far as uh vines that a way {NW} more than this uh sorghum you take where people plant this sorghum at {NW} and uh cut it and uh that sorghum will sprout out again before the frost and if the cows eat that that that will kill 'em you know {NW} just that green sorghum you know it'll sprout out on that mass stubs was cut off there {NW} and just it would get about that tall you know and all {NW} and I mean that'll really kill that cow. Interviewer: I wonder what's in it to kill it? 543: Well it's just the type the the stage that that old sorghum in it's poison to the cow you know at that stage you know {NW} of course if it were grown up and probably get uh almost ripe or something or other it was good for them Interviewer: Oh, I see 543: Yes sir, yes sir Interviewer: It's just that that particular 543: Yes sir that particular time that's right. Interviewer: Yeah I never knew that. 543: Oh yes sir yes sir and I've knowed people's cows break out in the in the field you know {NW} after well it'll do that whenever it just come up just when you first plant it and it get up so high {NW} if they get in there and eat a bite of that before you know it get ripe enough to cook why man it would kill them sure yeah. Interviewer: Hmm somebody told me that the poke berry is uh 543: Well I'm gon' tell ya now I'm gonna tell ya I-I don't know that poke berry is killing 'em now it might will but I don't know if it's killing them {NW} because I'm gonna tell ya I got a right smart that goes down in my pasture before I clear it up you know and lots of it and them cows that eat right smart of that and it didn't kill 'em Interviewer: Is that right? 543: Yes sir Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: course {NW} maybe a type of something other you know that at the time but but it it growed up in the pasture and they ingested lots of it Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: Yeah Interviewer: Somebody was telling me that uh you can you can take poke berries for medicine and its good for you if you don't take the name 543: #1 Oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 That the # cow uh Eats a lot why uh 543: sure Interviewer: #1 or maybe it # 543: #2 Maybe # Interviewer: Maybe it was the root 543: Well that root that that that poke berry that poke berry it's {NW} that poke berry is a little dangerous I'll tell you Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: If it's not handled right Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: makes uh I've forgotten what its supposed to be good for but uh 543: It sure Interviewer: {X} 543: well really it's good I'm going to tell you It's good for your blood If you know that's right Interviewer: that's right, that's what I heard that it was a red mixed with red tea or something and 543: Well I'll tell you what {NW} I don't know about using them berries but them berries get ripe of course you know and you make a tea out of it but I didn't know enough about it uh fluid like that {NW} I used to pokes at it when it would come up you know {X} get up so much you know and then just break off them leaves and cook 'em Interviewer: Mm 543: oh yes sir they taste good Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: cook 'em you know just like cooking greens Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir cause this poison {X} you know the women folks have to know how to cook it you know boil it down low and then pour the water off of it {NW} and then boil it again and then fix it. Interviewer: Mm-hmm uh around that subject have you ever heard about rhubarb that you're not supposed to eat the leaves uh 543: Well I'll tell ya we didn't know much about that name Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: that's right Interviewer: Uh it has a red stalk and great thick leaves which uh leaves are supposed to be poisonous 543: I say I don't know much about it Interviewer: I don't know 543: course that must be something come on lately yes sir Interviewer: This big uh tree with a real shiny dark green leaves has big flowers what do you call that? I see them in town took a walk down here there's a house down there named after it real dark green shiny leaves with big white flowers 543: Oh the magnolias Interviewer: Mag- 543: magnolias Interviewer: did you always call it magnolias what I'm wondering is somebody said called it a cucumber tree 543: Cucumber uh Interviewer: Maybe its a different tree uh 543: Oh then that's that's the well uh well back in my time as far as I can remember you know I think I just remembered as far as I can remember oh we called let's see found out they called it a little magnolia tree Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: they might have called it back then but it's to my remembering you know magnolia tree right out here in front of this building you know we got some that save two trees there {X} Interviewer: There's a house down here 543: #1 Yes sir, yes sir in love with that right? Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 There's a lot of them # 543: Down on the Interviewer: I guess they call the house magnolia 543: maybe so Interviewer: But they might 543: Yes sir that's right yes sir Interviewer: I'd like to ask you about some bugs um different kinds of bugs sting you or hurt pretty bad? 543: Yes sir Interviewer: Would you name those 543: #1 well # Interviewer: #2 and just # describe them 543: Well let's see now that {X} Be wasps you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm Uh what uh do they live in a paper nest 543: Yes sir paper nest that's right they raised and hatches in paper nests {NW} but it's not not them big ones like that you see or some of the larger {X} them is uh hornets that that that build in them big old solid papers Interviewer: Oh really? 543: Oh yes sir Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: Yes sir them was hornets. Interviewer: Then what do you call the ones that live in logs 543: Uh bumble-bees that's bumble-bees they'll cut into that you know and uh of course you take wasps were building that if it's got a big enough hole in it that way the wasps would be like if you take a bumblebee they'll cut in these walls you know uh ceilings up there something or other and they they raise in that you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: now uh and then you take them logs and them old wasps they go in there and make a nest you know and all they make some nest kind of like a paper nest you know and lay and hatch in that you know Interviewer: I see 543: yes sir Interviewer: {D: uh what do you call the stingers that make a nest that look to me like its made out of jerch instead of paper} 543: Uh dirt dauber Interviewer: okay and are they uh they sting ya 543: they they they don't sting they they'll bite of course you know if you you know catch 'em or something or other they'll just bite you no but they're not poison no sir Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: that's right yes sir. Interviewer: and the little ones that get you in the summer make 543: oh man them things hurting now the little yellow jackets Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: man them the terriblest things man they just stick all over you when you not see 'em man but they they work and reckon to go to sting you {NW} yes sir them yellow jackets. Interviewer: I guess they can actually kill you 543: Yes sir Interviewer: If they uh your they get get at you I guess they could really kill you 543: Oh yes sir Interviewer: Uh how about the harmless bugs if you have do you remember the names that you used to call those bugs that didn't really hurt when they stung you 543: Um let's see, let's see, bug let's see I don't know sir them old no we them well June bugs we don't I don't remember them stinging or nothing Interviewer: Mm-hmm and the little ones that buzz and maybe itch if they bit you 543: Well well what do you call them bugs uh yeah I remember them uh we called them scarlet bugs Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: they'll I don't know what that is you know they some kind of something come out like juice {X} you know and all {NW} {D: we call the little scarling bugs} you know they might have they name them different these days Interviewer: And uh the one that uh doesn't bother you very much just scratches you when it bites you have to itch for a bit then it goes away what do you call that uh 543: Uh Uh let's see I wouldn't just remember them but Interviewer: they uh you have experience or 543: Oh yes sir well uh yes sir them's those flying bugs that's right yes sir we have mosquitoes that's right Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: some of them call them some of them {X} and in the some {NS} them little old some of them are small those fellas but man they hurt just hurt like a big one do and I can get the names of the big ones but some of them is larger than the others you know Interviewer: Uh I think I've seen them some of them get 543: Ye- yes sir that's right sure, sure. Yes sir. Interviewer: and how about the little things that if you walk through the weeds they get under your skin 543: Aw, them ants Interviewer: Well 543: It's not ants is it? Interviewer: Or uh uh if you just walk through some weeds they may irritate you through the woods get under your skin to make a little welt 543: Uh that is not a tick...is that a tick? Interviewer: Is that a tick 543: tick #1 oh yes sir # Interviewer: #2 Well is that the # same thing as as a chigger? 543: No sir {NW} no sir chigger is another little thing now that's two of them you know it's um now chigger is a small little old thing and it's red man yes sir he he get on you you know and he like he just hide {NW} other words for when he bites you know {NW} why your skin will swell up over it {X} them chiggers you know {NW} little old red things I mean it makes a large welt on you you know yes sir {NW} and then ticks is another thing it's too man it's dangerous {NW} Oh there's about like a match head oh they would grow to be larger you know if you just {X} but some of them are just small {NS} and man some of them is poison {NW} we had a lot of trouble with them you know and they {NW} seem like it's immune to you it's just a little hard brown thing you know and man them things poison you if one of them get on you, you can pull it off and man it just still stings and swells up {D: and eats you for} months Interviewer: Hmm 543: that's right yes sir. some of them say their head in there but I looked for the head that when you pull them off but I didn't haven't seen no head that's what they say about it you know Interviewer: Oh the head stays in? 543: Yes sir the head stays in they still leech on {NW} but I'll tell you what some of them do out in the country now whenever they find one of them on it they take a match and strike it {NW} and uh hold it to them and make them turn loose before they pull them off and it said it won't bleed their head. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: I see 543: And and it's it's causing a lot of trouble these ticks these different kind of ticks Interviewer: they uh they don't really come to your clothes 543: Yes sir oh yes sir that's right yes sir just walking around the yard {X} Interviewer: #1 And # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: How about uh the kind of bugs that jumps like this? 543: Well we call them uh {NS} pop bugs I don't know what {NW} yes sir we call them pop bugs popping bugs Interviewer: and if they jump uh some of the big ones they jump 543: #1 Oh yes sir sure sure # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: snap bugs Interviewer: uh-huh they ever call them hopper furnace 543: Oh now now now we we've got two of them like that we that's that's what we we do have a well we call them grasshoppers Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: Yes sir oh man they can jump real grasshoppers and we always would ask and talk and send about them grasshoppers the grasshopper he dance and sing all of spring and summer and die when fall come and the ants they puts away they works all the fall and spring and summer and putting away their food and when winter time come they have food they live off it Interviewer: Does the ants eat them up 543: yes sir yes sir that's right yeah we have them grasshoppers oh man they can jump a long ways I played with them a lots of times Interviewer: I see! 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: Uh then there's spiders make uh leave uh webs around I'm wondering what you call them in the house say up in the corner what do you call that uh? 543: We call it spider webs you know Interviewer: Spider webs 543: spider web Interviewer: you see one in the barn and it's full of dust so what do you call that uh 543: well that's not a web one. Interviewer: well if you just see a the same it looks almost just like a spider web except its full of dust you know you see it in the dark dusty place 543: Yes sir yes sir uh Interviewer: specially in barns 543: Uh no they never made no cob webs they call these little bitty ones cob webs they get around in there {NW} what I see we got the black spiders, the green spiders, and sorts of that you know and all Uh Interviewer: Did you ever call them a cobweb? 543: Cobweb cobweb sure Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: that's that's that's what that one makes makes that uh bigger {NW} oh man I've got 'em a lot of times you know {NW} some of them spiders you know they just make a long streak across you know uh Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: and if you see a if you see a web in the morning on some plants what do you call that, outside? if its wet sometimes you'll see a web with spots of water 543: Oh oh oh right right I've seen them a many time {NW} but I'll just tell you what we call them spider web Interviewer: they're all spider webs 543: spider webs you know because them spiders build them things Interviewer: I see 543: to {NW} but probably it has a different name you know {NW} we just didn't name all of them you know different names Interviewer: Uh some people call them cob webs and some call them spider webs 543: Spider webs yes sir yes sir yes sir Yes sir. Interviewer: all same thing I guess {NW} 543: Ah that's what we thought Interviewer: and if you see uh bug that flies around with a light and can't keep him away from the light he's got kind of powdery wings and he goes he sees a light flies around it 543: many times I've seen them yes sir we has them bugs we call 'em candle flies Interviewer: candle flies 543: #1 candle flies # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: candle fly Interviewer: and uh if uh the bugs they look like the same thing if they get in your clothes and lay eggs and they eat them up what uh 543: Oh um Interviewer: what's that especially wool I guess 543: yes sir mites we call them mites Interviewer: mm-hmm do you ever have anything called moths 543: well well moths that's what we call them moths Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: yes sir they man you uh you'd be surprised how much those things do eat up your clothes and cut them up you know {X} moths you know {NW} and uh you're putting up clothes that are wool and everything you must have to put these moth balls in there and they got some stuff they called moth balls {NW} some stuff oh it smells strong and all the scent odor it stays with you {NW} and that will keep them out of them Interviewer: {X} 543: yes sir {NW} that's right Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: Yes sir Interviewer: and uh how about the bug that flies around and flashes light in his tail? 543: oh man lightning bug Interviewer: uh-huh 543: caught a lot of them and put them in bottles Interviewer: I bet when you were a boy 543: boy boy yes sir yes sir way back yonder #1 That's right # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yes sir Interviewer: uh and how about the kind of bug that goes over water and he has two sets of wings and he darts and hovers and darts 543: we called them snake doctors Interviewer: snake doctors 543: #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 I see # does that mean there is a snake around? 543: {NW} We've looked for them around yes sir that's right we looked for them you know when they're around {NW} Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: We called them snake doctors. Interviewer: uh-huh 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: and how about some birds that you have uh the uh the big bird that the guys might 543: {X} Interviewer: uh-huh 543: yes sir Interviewer: and if if the uh if they tend to get bigger and {X} and they go hoo 543: Hoot hooting owls we call them hooting owls yes sir Interviewer: and how about the uh the bird that uh that usually speaks and cuts out 543: Well some folks call them woodchucks and we call them we always call them peckerwoods Interviewer: uh-huh somebody told me that uh back he showed me that he had to trance him like that and the peckerwood just cut a hole size of my palm 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: just a neat round 543: yeah that's right they do it yes sir Interviewer: just took it right out 543: yes sir yes sir that's right Interviewer: matter of fact he shot him and kept him on the mantle 543: ye- yes sir I say good {NW} you take on these here big power lines man I've seen a hold of that and them peoples have come along you know {NW} and just big holes in there you know they cut you know and make build nestings in there {NW} they come along and nail screens over it to keep them out of there you know Interviewer: Oh there is 543: yes sir keep them replacing that pole wasn't you know bad enough but they would still need that posting too you know {NW} that's right Interviewer: they've got a lot of energy 543: yes sir yes sir sure Interviewer: and how about little animals that are oh they kill your chickens what do you call those? the uh different I mean all different kinds what do you call those if you take them in from the woods then the chicken house 543: I'll tell you them minks is bad minks will cut they throat and drink they blood and just leave them there you know and all {NW} then we have possums will come in and and and and catch the chickens Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: yes sir Interviewer: do you have anything that smells pretty bad if you're scary 543: I hope we get him {NW} {X} I'll tell you now his regular name is a po- or a skunk {NW} we called him polecats back them you know yes sir that's right Interviewer: any of them ever catch it? 543: {NW} oh many times {NW} I used to hunt a lot you know and all {NW} man be down digging in the ground and they couldn't tell what he was till he come up there you know and then I'd know. {NW} Yes sir. Interviewer: that is cool if you hit them on the road they really 543: Oh man man yes sir Interviewer: {X} 543: yes sir not long ago yeah uh we drove close to one where somebody done run over it {NW} yes sir Interviewer: what do you call all of them put together if you see uh say a possum a hull cat together what do you call those do you ever call them garments or 543: well uh varmint well we we mostly called them uh uh uh game Interviewer: oh that's game 543: game yes sir yes sir game Interviewer: what's what kind of animals would you call garments 543: well such as a bear or panther or something like #1 that you know # Interviewer: #2 Oh bigger # 543: Yes sir oh yes sir yes sir that's right such as them {NW} maybe wild cats or something or other like that Interviewer: Mm-hmm but you're used to having them? 543: Oh yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: You did 543: Yes sir sure did that's right Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: yes sir used to have them around in there Interviewer: and the different kinds of squirrels 543: well we have two different kind of squirrels here uh and all I ever know the gray squirrel {NW} and they called it fox squirrel the fox squirrel is much larger than the gray squirrel yeah the gray squirrel is smaller squirrel. Interviewer: and uh do you happen to have something that looks like a squirrel but he doesn't go up in the trees he just runs on the ground and 543: Yes sir we has rabbits. Interviewer: I see uh but they 543: something else Interviewer: yeah these are almost exactly like a squirrel about so big and they run along the ground in fact I think they may live in the ground or 543: oh yeah we got Interviewer: logs 543: weasels we got some little things like we- yeah look like squirrel they weasels they're small little ani- uh {NW} you know game and so we had something like that like a weasel. Interviewer: but uh ground squirrel or gopher or if you don't have them here 543: no sir we don't have them you know around this part of the country no Interviewer: south Georgia they tell me that uh a lot of them there 543: yes sir Interviewer: but uh that may be this far north 543: no sir I think not I haven't been down there a lot you know Interviewer: would you tell me uh something about the different kinds of frogs that you remember uh 543: well I'll tell ya I can tell you about some of them some of them we got is bullfrogs we call them red big old things bullfrogs we call them {NW} and then uh course some of them is larger than the others of course I think mostly some of them just larger than other a lot older they get then we have some toad frogs they little old rough toad frogs around they stay around the house mostly around the yard around out that way {NW} and uh excuse me I don't know some of them is reddish looking and then some of them is kind of gray-ish looking Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: them toad frogs {NW} then we have some little old we call them street frogs little old slick frogs you know that gets up in trees in little old sh- sh- holes or something like that low places you know and sticks around on trees Interviewer: uh have they ever are they supposed to sing when it rains? 543: oh yes sir man {NW} yeah yes sir they really sing. Interviewer: then they're supposed to be a sign? 543: sign of rain right yes sir you hear them hollering man it ain't going to be long before it's raining Interviewer: I see #1 how about # 543: #2 yes # Interviewer: the uh the animals with a hard shell on their back 543: yes sir now we got uh several kind of them {D: we got some tabbin we call them tabbins} {NW} some of them you know not so large you know snow while its kind of round you know not round but just almost round Interviewer: about as big as your hand 543: yes sir that's right sure yes sir and then we have some turtles with the large shells on them. Interviewer: they're the ones that live near the water 543: yes sir that's right yes sir they stay around the water mostly Interviewer: and the thing that you uh find in uh oh if you turn over a rock and there's a stream he's got claws and he swims away what uh 543: well we uh now uh we have some well we call them uh {NW} uh uh l- lizards lizards we call them lizards we call them some of them is uh {NW} water dogs we call it you know people {NW} some of them like that {NW} they get some fish with them {NW} do they they have some of them you know they got feet but we may not be talking about the same thing but we {X} Find them you know {NW} did uh they sort of like a little old we got four feet you know sort of like a lizard {X} Interviewer: is that the same as a crawdad? 543: {NW} well no sir a craw dad is we call them craw fish and some say crawdad {NW} uh crawdad is a kind of a they got got feet you know in front them large feet you know man they can paint you {NW} and then they got a lot of small little feet there on the toward the back end of it Interviewer: is it just the two big 543: two big up there yes sir Interviewer: {X} 543: yes sir and so they have a tail come back you know {NW} and man they can coil that tail up you know and turn push one way or another and they can crawl off you know {NW} and they gets in the water {NW} of course they bites the fish hook some time if you {NW} they go to bite bite like a fish {NW} and uh if you raise your hook up while they stay on it you can bring them out of course you know they still stay on that hook you know Interviewer: and uh do you eat them uh 543: well I'll tell you peoples eats them now yes sir that's right now you take uh off in these big waters and where they grows lots you know and all the people catch them and eats them that a way {NW} and then of course around on these little branches and around with places you know they small and just ain't large enough to fool with but we we feed through them a lot we caught them and pull that off you know and they got some small little places of meat on them you know always putting clean looking meat on them we put that on a fish hook and we catch fish with them but you know what in these big waters you know and all they're larger they eat some you know. Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: yes sir. Interviewer: uh you uh have any uh did you ever eat anything when you were a boy like uh oysters? 543: well uh yes sir uh oh man we found lots of them in these creeks and all Interviewer: did you? 543: oh yes sir that's right yes sir big old thing that oyster shell you know and he's in there Interviewer: is that right? 543: yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: you don't find them anymore do you? 543: well not too much no sir you can get off in some of this back water you know and all the way it goes back down you know and you'll find a good many once in a while but not say like you used to you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: yes sir. Interviewer: um that's good eating! 543: oh ye- oh yes sir! man they pull that shell open you know sort of like a sort of like a peanut but they you know just more straighter {NW} busted open man these in there you know Interviewer: uh-huh 543: yes sir Interviewer: speaking of eating uh its about noon uh can I have something set up would you like a sandwich or 543: well I could take on a sandwich #1 I reckon # Interviewer: #2 Okay let's see what kind of a # 543: {NW} Interviewer: well we've got uh ham turkey ham and cheese and a hamburger which one of those sounds 543: you don't have barbecue sandwich? you don't have that they ain't got it listed barbecue sandwich? just just get me a ham sandwich I mean not a ham sandwich but a hamburger Interviewer: #1 hamburger...okay # 543: #2 yes sir that's fine # Interviewer: and uh let's see they don't list anything but we can get a coke out here 543: yes Interviewer: Or I can do 543: that'll be #1 plenty # Interviewer: #2 I believe # We got coffee 543: no sir that well that's {NW} I'm waiting there man I love it {NW} Well Just say {X} Well yes sir I'll I'll just take a coffee just #1 a hamburger and a cup of coffee that'll be fine # Interviewer: #2 Coffee okay # Mm-hmm 543: yes sir Interviewer: this phone is uh I'd like a couple of sandwiches sent up to room 234 please right a hamburger and uh a slice turkey and coffee for both of us uh what would you like on your hamburger uh? 543: mayonnaise and pickle Interviewer: okay pickle and mayonnaise thank you now this phone was ringing the other day 543: #1 yes # Interviewer: #2 and uh # uh the other night at four o' clock in the morning it starts to ring 543: man Interviewer: and this morning at five o'clock so I called and said what's uh goes on and uh seems that this number is the same number as oxford 234 all oxford numbers 543: yes sir 234 right yes sir Interviewer: so everybody who tries to call an oxford number gets this number first 543: yes oh good well I say #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 It's pretty aggravating # 543: oh man I know it is yes sir {NW} I say Interviewer: {NW} 543: yes sir Interviewer: well we can go on I suppose it'll take them a while to get up #1 Get up here # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: um we were uh were talking the other day about uh about the differences between white colored attitudes 543: #1 Yes sir yes sir # Interviewer: #2 and uh # uh I was wondering I forgot to ask you at that time uh what were some of the some of the words that uh you might use in the old days uh what would a colored man say to what word would he use about a white man if he didn't like him what would a white man likely call a colored man if he didn't like him or if they were good friends how would they describe each other? 543: now you asked if they was good friends I'm glad you asked that {NW} if they was good friends why the uh {NW} well the the the colored people they would call uh {NW} mostly boss. Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: yes sir boss Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: mister so and so That's right. Interviewer: and what would the white man call the colored man how would he 543: well he would mostly call him a colored fellow uh you know a colored fellow named such and such a person you know a name you know yes sir that's right {NW} yes sir Interviewer: and if they didn't like each other what would they uh 543: {X} Interviewer: {D: uh I- I'll tell you I hear some of the words I picked up one man told me if he was when he heard his father would say talking if his father didn't like white men he would say he's just an old country hoocher} 543: {D: yes sir old hoocher or something like that or} Interviewer: Uh is that 543: old old peck of wood you know or something like that and that's what they would {NW} alright the white men they'd call us niggers you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: old niggers Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: that's the well you know that's just that's just the way you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Of course Interviewer: that's the way they 543: right just come along right right yes sir Interviewer: how about uh what would a white man call another white man if he didn't like him 543: oh he I'll tell you mostly him they'd call him old woodpecker or something like that that with pecks {NW} Interviewer: #1 I see # 543: #2 Yes sir yes # that peck you know of course Interviewer: call each other rednecks 543: oh yes sir oh now that's two names they'd call them that you know Interviewer: is that a bad name redneck 543: Well {NW} Interviewer: and would they get mad if 543: oh yes sir oh sure sure sure see that's that's some kind of a slander name or something you know yes sir you know that's the way they took it you know and all Interviewer: how about a how about a negro calling another negro 543: well I'll tell you what now man that's just the same way that's right you know {NW} this people you know that uh you know let's call ourselves respectable and acts you know they just you know call them colored people you know and all {NW} but just some of them would say oh nigger so and so that's just that's just the way the people grew up Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: yes sir they didn't like it Interviewer: ever hear um the word old swamp nigger 543: all of that saying yes sir man just just a lot of different names just something Interviewer: that's pretty #1 {X} # 543: #2 that's low grading yes sir # that's right yes sir sure some kind of a {NW} low grading they call it you know. Interviewer: a man told me that he he was a carpenter and he kept up his place real well across the road there was a whole family and they stole from him and everything else 543: yes sir Interviewer: you know just a bunch of old swamp niggers 543: swamp yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: #1 no swamp around there but # 543: #2 Sure # Interviewer: {NW} 543: that's the style over there it's this low place a swamp is a little place Interviewer: uh-huh I guess he just wanted to say something uh 543: sure #1 sure sure # Interviewer: #2 What he thought about it # 543: {NW} yes sir Interviewer: well the different races with uh how do you refer to your nationality? we are all? different races but uh we're all how do you refer to the nationality say we're all...Americans or 543: of course that's what we always call them around all Americans you know American people you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: yes sir Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: Americans Interviewer: and did you ever hear the term Caucasian? 543: now the yes sir Interviewer: and that's that's what when would you use that? 543: well I'll tell you what now that that I've heard that you know and that's what some I guess we call 'em {NW} um more red people or something or other like that {NW} I've heard this man out yonder and all sometimes would go calling them that {NW} well they say that's the name of the white people that's that's what they is or supposed to be called you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Caucasians Interviewer: I see uh that's not a good term or bad term 543: no sir no sir no sir no sir no sir that's right that's right but they just didn't you know start to call them that you know Interviewer: what would they call a child who had maybe a black mother but a white father what would they what would they call a child 543: well uh they would just call him you know I'm going to tell you this I I did call them they call them you know a half a a white child Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir. half white half black Interviewer: would they talk about it 543: oh yes sir yes sir Interviewer: They do 543: right yes sir yes sir yes sir {NS} scandalize Interviewer: cause it is 543: yes sir yes sir yes sir of course {NW} in fact in that time we couldn't say nothing much we we couldn't say nothing much about it Interviewer: would the child uh to the colored people be welcomed or not so much? 543: oh not so much no sir no sir now that's just it not so much Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: that's right Interviewer: Mm-hmm and uh how would you refer to the people who were related to you? you'd say well he's uh 543: just uh related to that child Interviewer: well related to no I'm changing the question how would you how would you refer to your parents I'm changing the question now I'm wondering how families refer to each other people within the family 543: oh well I see yes sir that's right well they would think hard of them of course you know and all but they go ahead and oh they would they would s- uh you know what I mean is uh wouldn't think as well of him you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: they they wouldn't no sir Interviewer: and uh the child born out of with to a woman who wasn't married #1 What was # 543: #2 Yes sir # Interviewer: what would she be called or what would the child be called 543: well uh most of the time they would call them you know they called them the old people back then a wood colt uh Interviewer: Is that right 543: and then uh you know some of them would say he was a ba- it was a bastard no daddy Interviewer: mm-hmm and how would if a mother if a man and woman were married how would they uh how would the married couple refer to each other in the family uh how would your some people say well my mother always referred to my father as Mr.Jones uh and other people would say she always referred to my father as my old man 543: yes sir Interviewer: #1 I wonder what kind of # 543: #2 Yes sir # Interviewer: what does your memory how does your parents refer to each other? 543: Well they they would say you know that well that's that's my husband you know of course and the {NW} now some of them they were different different you know some would say {NW} mister so and so you know and then some would say uh just call them by their name you know Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: just say whatever he was Interviewer: how did your how did your father say refer to your mother to somebody else uh would uh would if he were say if he came to town somebody said you ought to buy such and such well I'll have to ask 543: Wife Interviewer: oh wife 543: Wife Interviewer: uh-huh 543: yes sir Interviewer: I see 543: yeah oh yes sir that that's that's would they would call you know you're my my my wife or my husband you know to one another you know {NW} yes sir Interviewer: some some people tell me uh I have to ask the Mrs. or I have to ask the Mr. 543: I'll tell you Interviewer: All different kinds of terms 543: yes sir yes sir that's right {NW} that mostly come down there but they didn't say that you know so much back yonder just said my wife or my husband you know and all {NW} Interviewer: If a woman's husband dies how would you refer to her? 543: uh if he was to die Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: well they say my husband is dead uh well we'd still call her in his name in his name you know family name of course Interviewer: and she would be a what? 543: A widow she would be a widow Interviewer: and uh if somebody comes to town as I came not knowing anybody how would you refer to him in the old days uh 543: Well he'd be uh uh stranger Interviewer: uh-huh 543: yeah we'd call him a stranger you know Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: yes sir Interviewer: and uh how did your grandparents how did you refer to them how did you call them 543: oh my grand da- grandpa grandma Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: #1 granddaddy # Interviewer: #2 And uh # and uh your parents how did you 543: well well back then we call them uh uh momma and daddy Interviewer: #1 nice # 543: #2 momma and # daddy Interviewer: mom and daddy 543: momma and daddy yes sir Interviewer: and how about uh your mother's sister what did you 543: we call her auntie whatever her name was you know {NW} it would be aunt so and so Interviewer: and then you would be her what? 543: a uh nephew I'd be her nephew Interviewer: uh-huh 543: yes sir Interviewer: and uh your did you have a particular way to referring to both your mother and father say these are my say you wanted to tell somebody about both your mother and father you say well my 543: father Interviewer: and if you wanted to refer to him together 543: my mother and daddy Interviewer: uh-huh and they'd be your parents? 543: my parents yes sir I see yes sir that's that's what that would be our parents you know my momma and daddy Interviewer: any other words there that you just your mother and daddy or 543: well of course that's my mother and daddy they didn't it it was sort of making acquainted you know cause I'd call them by their name you know you know to let them know you know what their name was Interviewer: mm-hmm and uh uh they they uh the children would you give me some idea how uh about your family how many brothers and sisters were in the family 543: my in my my my brothers and sisters yes sir Interviewer: I don't think we mentioned that the other day 543: no sir sure {NW} well I have um three brothers Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: and five sisters Interviewer: five sisters uh-huh and uh the the your sisters then your parents would say these are my little 543: children Interviewer: uh and if they wanted to say say daughters or 543: yeah just these are these are my daughters here {NW} my little daughters here and these are my sons here boys Interviewer: I was wondering do they ever say these are my boys and these are my 543: girls Interviewer: uh-huh or daughters 543: daughters yes sir yes sir Interviewer: okay now we can get back to uh we can back to uh to questions on food while we are waiting get our appetite worked up 543: maybe it'll be here Interviewer: did uh did you ever call food in the old days by any other name say uh well let's sit down and eat our 543: dinner Interviewer: uh dinner 543: dinner Interviewer: dinner they call it uh uh somebody who eats a big dinner they say well he sure likes his likes his what? 543: Dinner lunch food Interviewer: {X} {NW} 543: I can see like I can hear my daddy talking about {D: vilts come on children eat your vilts} Interviewer: is that 543: {D: vilts right right right} that's right that that sound just as natural just as I can get now Interviewer: I really appreciate 543: {D: vilts yes sir} Interviewer: because I that's not spelled that way and I was never sure how to pronounce it 543: oh well well well that's that's what and so I don't know we never did have to spell it or what we just taught it and everything Right yes sir yes sir yes sir we knew what what it meant Interviewer: and uh so you put your food in your mouth and you 543: chow it Interviewer: Uh-huh 543: chow it chow your food Interviewer: and if you had something a little bit of food between your meals what's what would you call that uh say you ate something between 10:00 between breakfast 543: we call it a snack a snack between meal snack Interviewer: and uh if your mother cooked a big supper for a good big dinner for Sunday and then Monday she would use that food again 543: Yes sir Interviewer: serve it hot you would call that 543: yes uh re-heating it uh re- re- re-serving it you know the food you know {NS} Interviewer: Oh hey right here want me to sign for that no {NS} Thanks a lot {NS} Food here is really awfully good 543: I say Interviewer: they um 543: yes sir Interviewer: they really work hard at uh 543: {NW} I say. Interviewer: {X} 543: {X} {NS} Interviewer: give you a good size that's kind of a jumbo hamburger there 543: es sir I didn't know it was that large might cost too much Interviewer: No no not at all they're very reasonable here that's good 543: Well Interviewer: It's good 543: I say Interviewer: I suppose if they're giving us the room gonna help them out 543: #1 {X} # Interviewer: #2 Got to help them out # 543: Yes sir yes sir that's right I say I can just hold that in my lap Interviewer: Okay just put it right over here 543: #1 Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # 543: yes sir Interviewer: I don't know of any other place in Oxford that's uh good place to eat except this 543: No sir Interviewer: by far the best place I think 543: Sure #1 I say # Interviewer: #2 Uh # 543: yes sir {NS} yes sir {NS} It is Interviewer: I got some uh I was surprised out of the university they have a cafeteria for the students 543: oh yes sir yes sir sure Interviewer: they don't have much of a place to eat 543: No sir no sir Interviewer: a lot of university people come in here 543: I say sure good thing {NW} Interviewer: they 543: yes sir {NW} there's a place right down there that antique place you noticed it they got some kind of eating place they done re-modeled that it used to be an old gym in there you know {X} Interviewer: I don't know where that is 543: just across from the library there just across that parking lot there Interviewer: Hmm 543: old antique place there {NW} I hadn't been in there since {X} years ago and put it in there you know. Interviewer: well I've seen that house uh yeah they call it uh what do they call it 543: county what country what is that country something Interviewer: what an interesting name {X} I forget what that is country something or county something I see it down here but yes country something over there 543: you have to tell me you know and then then no floor just old plank floor you know just inside you know and walk down through there and hear the plank move and all but man the peoples were poor in there for some co- {NW} they have soup and stuff in there they tell me you know Interviewer: hmm 543: yes sir but I Interviewer: I might try that 543: yeah sir Interviewer: I knew they sold antiques but I didn't know about the 543: oh yes sir it's two or three different places in there you know for things Interviewer: mm-hmm 543: they named places yes sir Interviewer: well I they can build a couple new motels out there on six by-pass 543: Yes sir Interviewer: and I suppose they'll have restaurants in there 543: Yes sir I'm sure they will Interviewer: and on the weekends you can hardly get in down there 543: #1 I say I it looks like it yes sir # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yard's full {NW} Yes sir Interviewer: the way groceries cost is almost cheaper to eat out then sometimes 543: man you're right yes sir Interviewer: you got to buy a few things in groceries and you've got a big bill 543: Yes sir that's right {NW} {NS} Interviewer: well I went out to the Kroger the other day to buy some oranges and they seem to be pretty reasonable out there in that shopping center 543: #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 That brand # 543: Yes sir, sure. Interviewer: where do you go um 543: {X} We we do have {X} There's a Kroger Interviewer: so just about as reasonable as 543: oh yes sir sure sure sure yes sir {NS} Interviewer: another grocery called the liberty 543: yes sir Interviewer: #1 {X} # 543: #2 {X} # yes sir Interviewer: but uh their prices are pretty uh pretty steep 543: yes sir sure is that's right {NW} where well I heard you say it appears I forgot it but where is your where is your home Interviewer: I grew up in Ohio 543: Ohio yes sir I see {NW} Interviewer: I'm kind of a gypsy and I've uh taught in New York and Chicago and now I'm working out of Atlanta 543: yes sir yes sir well well I say Interviewer: so many days I like to settle down you know 543: Oh wow wow Interviewer: not move around so much 543: sure sure yes sir {NW} Interviewer: I enjoy this work 543: yes sir Interviewer: and so I don't mind going from town to town 543: oh no sir no sir {NW} Interviewer: but I don't think I'd like to be uh I wouldn't like to do this for the rest of my life next year I think I'll pick one place and stay 543: oh yes sir yes sir sure sure I say {NW} yes sir {NW} Interviewer: my parents are still living in Ohio {NW} 543: yes sir Interviewer: near Toledo about forty miles south of Toledo 543: yes sir I say Interviewer: got a brother in New Orleans 543: I say Interviewer: he uh his work took him there about 15 years ago 543: oh yes sir Interviewer: and he never left he really likes it 543: well I say sure {NW} I used to work for a young man who lived over here in Oxford you know he oh he growed here and everything young man {NW} he went to law school and everything and finished and and uh you know he got him a job his job called him to New Orleans you know {NW} and he left and moved and went down there {NW} but he stayed there probably a couple years but he moved back to Jackson and now he's working in Jackson #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm # 543: {NW} Interviewer: uh people in New Orleans really like to enjoy themselves always something going on 543: #1 aw # Interviewer: #2 Parades um # um celebrations, holidays 543: Yes sir well I say {NW} Interviewer: {X} 543: Mm-hmm Interviewer: Mardi Gras 543: yes Interviewer: two weeks ago a parade everyday 543: #1 good # Interviewer: #2 they # march around bands and 543: oh yes sir well I say {NW} Interviewer: long party theirs 543: well I say {NW} yes sir {NW} Interviewer: you have any children living with you now or are they all gone? 543: they all gone now yes sir yes sir they're closer {NW} you take uh {NS} there's uh I have two in Memphis they living up there working now and one in Detroit {NW} yes sir one in Chicago {NW} I have uh {NW} three living there with me close around they be up in my house there close to me Interviewer: Well that's nice 543: oh yes sir mm-hmm {NS} Interviewer: I see one of your sons came to see you this weekend 543: yes sir yes sir Interviewer: where where is he from? Memphis or 543: Uh uh St. Louis I mean uh yeah St. Louis St.Louis, right, yes sir St. Louis Yes sir Interviewer: Well that's what about a hundred well that's more than that must be a couple hundred miles 543: yes sir, yes sir Of course I haven't been there but {NW} He he says there's good pizza up there {NW} yeah {NS} yeah he was leaving out some time in the morning this morning going back Interviewer: Mm-hmm How does your son like Chicago? 543: Oh well I have a daughter there. Interviewer: #1 Oh a daughter # 543: #2 Well she # don't like it too well {NS} but her husband he likes it up there. Interviewer: Does he 543: Yes sir he has a sister there and he likes it. Interviewer: Hm.