543: First man second man third man and fourth man Interviewer: Okay if you just keep going up. 543: Fifth sixth man seven man eight man nine man ten eleven. Interviewer: Okay um say well we'll start uh I did wanna get some I don't have your initials {B} uh your what's your first name? 543: It {NW} It's James {B} Interviewer: James {B} and your address here is? 543: Hartford {B} {B} {B} Interviewer: Um and let's see {NW} you are I think I asked you this the the first day but I'm not sure I put it on tape your um mother and father were both born here in uh Lafayette 543: Lafayette county yes sir yes. Interviewer: And uh your uh did did you say that uh your parents had a chance to go to school very much or? 543: Not much no sir. Interviewer: Neither one of them? 543: No sir no sir. Interviewer: #1 About how far would you say they might go? # 543: #2 Sure didn't # Interviewer: About the same as you or? 543: Uh it was about well my mother went to about sixth grade and father he went to about seventh grade. Interviewer: Oh and your father was a farmer? 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And your did your mother ever work out or? 543: No she just owned the farm that's right yes. Interviewer: Okay and uh your grandparents I think you said your mother's grandparents uh your mother's parents would come from where? They came from the county too right? 543: Oh yes sir yes sir that's right sure Lafayette county sure Interviewer: And {NW} they were farmers? 543: Yes sir yes Interviewer: And then your father's parents um also came from Lafayette? 543: Yes sir yes sir yes Interviewer: And they were farmers? 543: Yes sir all were farmers. Interviewer: Which one which a grandparent was the slave? #1 Your mother or your father? # 543: #2 Well yes sir from my father's side # Interviewer: Only? 543: Yes Interviewer: And that was your grandfather? 543: Grandfather yes sir. Interviewer: And um your wife uh her religion is pentecostal? 543: Yes sir Interviewer: And did she get much education in school? 543: She finished the eight grade. Interviewer: Eight grade 543: Right yes sir Interviewer: {NW} And that was here in the county? 543: Yes sir in county yes Fayette county. Interviewer: And uh how old is she? 543: Sixty-three years old. Interviewer: Sixty-three okay I think that's uh takes care of that. Uh I wanted uh first to ask you if you would draw just make a kinda sketch of your home that you remember as a boy. 543: Ah Interviewer: How the rooms were uh something like this uh it doesn't just so I can just if y'all can remember what you told me about it. 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: If you would like to uh 543: Well uh let me see now I ain't much of a drawer. {NW} Interviewer: Well this is so I can the house layout. 543: Oh I could you could mark it off Interviewer: Uh 543: Maybe make it a little plain. Interviewer: Alright 543: {X} I guess this is the small side of the place {X}. Interviewer: And uh this is the house where you grew up right? 543: Yes sir Interviewer: Is that kind of a hall through the middle there um? 543: Yes Interviewer: Um 543: There's a hallway through the middle of it. Interviewer: Was that open on on either end or? 543: It is open from through. Interviewer: Oh 543: Yes sir open from through. That sure that's it. {NW} Them doors {NW} well anyways ask Alice she would make that and then see you know. And a door and about the same on each side. {NW} {NW} Interviewer: All the rooms open up into the hall. 543: Main hall right yes sir yes sir yes sir. Uh well this was the kitchen up here well we would call it cook room you know and that was the dining room around here. Interviewer: Mm-hmm would you just mark that uh with a K or cook room or 543: Yeah with a K. Interviewer: It is a dining room. {NW} 543: And {NW} {X} it was an out that I just drawed there. And you know so this here that hallway went went plum through just the open hallway you know. Course there's less seen out there's a little porch on this. And it would well if I marked it some way know you know it would be a porch wouldn't you? Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: And those steps went down. Interviewer: Which was the front uh 543: This was the front up here and this was the back up here. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir and the kitchen room back here on the back up here. That's the front and the house was sitting in the north south and the north. Interviewer: I see uh what did you use those other rooms for? 543: These here? Interviewer: Yes the other rooms what? 543: These are bedrooms oh yes sir that was bedrooms. Interviewer: Uh what room did you usually spend most or your time in uh? 543: Well uh this room over here because that's where my mother and father stayed we mostly stay in there you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Of course they still weighed in you know. Interviewer: And that was beside the dining room? 543: Yes sir yes sir yes sir that's right. Interviewer: And all the others were uh were bedrooms? 543: Bedrooms did your mother and father have their bed in their? Interviewer: Yeah yes sir their their bed's in there. Yes sir yes sir. 543: Okay and mostly kept that room for company and children sleep over here. Interviewer: Oh I see uh what you call that uh uh your mother would say come in come in now and go to this room what would she call that? 543: {X} Come on in just in our room let's come on into our room they say. Interviewer: Uh huh 543: Yes sir course uh that {X} back that in you know yes sir just come on in our room where they're bed was in there see. Interviewer: What what did you call this room? 543: Well that's the company room. There you know when somebody come and stay over night well that's when they would go in that room. Interviewer: I see 543: Spend the night or awhile. Interviewer: If the preacher came where did you talk to him? 543: Well there's sitting here and talking until bed time you know if he's gonna spend the night and then he went in that room. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir Interviewer: So use 543: And when the preacher come you know if uh sometimes you know if the small children make a racket well y'all go in y'all's room. Interviewer: Oh I see. 543: #1 Go in and stay while they was talking. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # Uh huh Yes so this room was the one you use most of the time? 543: Most of the time that's right yes sir. And that's where we'd go right on in there to eat you know in the kitchen right on there. Well it was door there I mean I said there's a door in this and go in that room you know. Oh yes Interviewer: {X} 543: Yes Interviewer: But uh there weren't any door through here? 543: No sir no sir there wasn't any doors through here you know uh except there was this one here. You were in that room over there on the side Interviewer: Uh huh 543: and uh that's the easiest if you come out of here you know. Interviewer: And uh you this uh this is a pretty good sized porch back here. 543: Yes sir it it go all the way mostly across the building you know, probably stop about two feet from each side you know. Interviewer: If somebody had a a smaller porch just sorta over the the the hallway there. Uh what would you call that uh a real small porch just something that came out to keep the rain off. 543: Well sort of a well we called it just just kind of a water shed just you know just on the small place like that. Interviewer: You ever call it a stoop? Here anybody call it a stoop? 543: Stoop stoop well they do some of them would call it that but we just mostly call it just a little water shed but there's a stoop you know coming off just to keep the {X} from over that door you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Hallway Interviewer: Okay well that's fine. 543: Well it's so rough to Interviewer: Well it makes it clear that's what I 543: Oh I see #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 it's around there see? # 543: #1 # Interviewer: #2 # And uh {NW} the um did you have a another another floor on there? 543: Floor? Interviewer: Could you have another uh set of rooms on top of this? 543: No sir no sir no sir that is all just the set on the bottom. Yes Interviewer: If uh people when they had a first floor and then a second floor what what would they call? 543: Upstairs we'd call it an upstairs. Yes sir yes sir. Interviewer: And how how what would they say about the steps? 543: Stair steps they'd call 'em stair steps going up stairs. Interviewer: Uh okay and above the second floor right under neath the roof what what would you call that? 543: Call it a loft up in the loft. Interviewer: Same same thing as a barn? 543: Oh yes of course yes Interviewer: Loft 543: Yes that's right yes sir yes sir Interviewer: And uh {NW} your parents room would you describe uh what they had in there {X} and beds. 543: Yes sir they had two beds in there yes sir two beds and um oh maybe uh little old ta- homemade table siting over there you know a few little old glasses or something on it you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Just wasn't much you know yes sir. Interviewer: What what did you sit on? 543: Well {NW} nail kegs mostly and then we saw some light wood you know something that had blocks With us children you know sit on. Now my daddy he would make 'em a chair he he could make a few chairs you know for it sit in. Interviewer: Did did you have anything um like they have today where a couple people could sit together? 543: Well not too much like that no sir they just mostly just just single single yes sir yes. Interviewer: What do you what do you call that uh when 543: What? Interviewer: later on when you uh got uh something that two or three people could sit on? 543: We call it a settee chair Interviewer: Settee? 543: #1 Settee chair # Interviewer: #2 Ah # I see 543: Yes sir #1 yes sir # Interviewer: #2 I see. # Um that's that would be oh about enough to for two or three people? 543: Yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: Mm-hmm and uh how about the the rest of the rooms what do they have in 'em? 543: Well they had a bed about a bed in your room you know and um maybe some kind of little table or something little like that you know in there you know. Interviewer: Oh about when did you uh did you start to buy um things for the house? Well well you made most of the 543: Well made made yes sir that is good yes sir sure would of made it mostly. Interviewer: Uh huh when did you start to to buy go to the store and and did they have a store here in {X} 543: No sir well not not not much now if did you know back that in we didn't know much about it didn't get 'em you know and all just a few peoples might would get something like that. But you just just they just wasn't make that then. You take people that's out in the country that they people that you know that they would learn how to make chairs and things had a lot of homemade chair now you would get some chairs like that you know from the people that you know out of their job and they would made 'em nice you know on that job you know. Interviewer: There wasn't just a bunch of stores then. 543: No sir no sir right right yes sir sure. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir Interviewer: What did you call the um um tables and chairs and beds and everything together what did you call that? 543: Call it uh uh a bedroom suit. Interviewer: Ah 543: That's what we called it you know. Interviewer: Did you ever hear it called um fixings or furniture or? 543: Oh furniture furniture you know really that's what we called it you know. House furniture yes sir. Interviewer: Everything? 543: Yes sir chair bed house furniture. Interviewer: And uh how did you keep uh light out of the windows? 543: Oh way we would get up there you know and uh make us a shade out there you know. Uh uh uh so like an ol' door you know and uh shut 'em. Really that's most the windows we had back then and this uh something like a door you know and hinges on it and take 'em ol' white shoes and cut the sole off of them and make hinges out of it. Boy they'd last long. Interviewer: I hadn't seen that. 543: Right that's right. Interviewer: So actually you didn't have glass uh? 543: No sir no sir no sir no sir. Interviewer: I see 543: No glass no sir sure. Interviewer: And discarded shoes would give you the hinges and you just make a board that you could 543: Yes sir just just a little plank you know and make a make a board as wide as that there you know and and nail in the wall you know until that and open the shade. {X} And so didn't use all that much light. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: That's right. No sir if it's too cool or cold out there you know uh we would uh you know might light the ol' coal oil lamp you know uh something like that you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm Uh when you had we you started to have glass in the windows how did you keep the light out to uh from them? 543: Well we would take uh uh {NW} my mom made tow sack you know take a croaker sack these old tow sack you know and get you know and half 'em and uh rip 'em open and make make shade to go that's right and maybe frazzle some and tie string around 'em oh they'd be pretty. Interviewer: Mm-hmm mm-hmm 543: And down you know they keep the light out you know oh out the window. Interviewer: Uh huh if um people had something on the outside that they closed and opened up to keep the light and the wind and things out what would you call? 543: We would call them shutters. Interviewer: Oh I see. 543: We would call them shutters. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir to the window. Interviewer: Uh shades inside the house? 543: Oh yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: About uh how how high were those rooms uh about how 543: Well I'll tell you back that then they made 'em about uh eight foot high. Interviewer: They did? 543: Yes sir yes sir Interviewer: In the bedroom uh did you have anything to keep your clothes in or uh when you were a boy and when if you didn't when did you start to? 543: No sir didn't have nothing in there much just uh put 'em mostly oh just hang 'em up in there you know what you well no it wasn't using no just just nail {X} you know in some corner you know just nail 'em hang 'em up there. Interviewer: Now later on what kinds of things did you use for um? 543: Well uh later on well I you know well I don't know about you but just some trunks they call 'em. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: And and and uh you know put the clothes in you know trunk sorta like a little box you know with a lid over it you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: And keep the clothes in there. Interviewer: Did you ever have a thing that's er I'm sure you do now uh things with drawers and a mirror? 543: Dressers you call 'em dressers you know chifforobe dresser. Interviewer: That's the right word I've heard that a chifforobe. 543: Chifforobe Interviewer: Uh what is exactly uh difference between a a uh chiffonier and a wardrobe? What's the difference? 543: Well they just about the same thing that's right yes sir. Wardrobe is yes yes sir. But that you got doors there you know the {X} you know and then on one side they got drawers they Interviewer: That's a chiffonier? 543: Yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir Interviewer: Kinda a combination 543: Oh yeah or so yes sir. Yes sir yes sir. Interviewer: And uh the wardrobe did you ever have one of those uh big uh big things? 543: We had later on you know why we got a hold of a few you know somebody else they done decided they wanted a different one something other you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: And uh maybe go any work for them for several days to get one of them. Interviewer: Is that right? 543: Yes sir yes sir Interviewer: And and they were pretty big were they? 543: Yes sir they was tall they's tall you know yes sir. Interviewer: But how um about how big would they be? 543: uh something like about so wide you know maybe five six about six foot tall something like that oh yes sir yes sir. Interviewer: Good size 543: Yes sir yes sir Interviewer: And uh if you did did most people or did many people have built in closets like you have now or? 543: No sir no sir no sir just didn't didn't know about 'em or something no sir. Interviewer: I've heard that over and over again uh people didn't seem to to uh have closets at all. 543: No sir no sir. Interviewer: Up in Holly Springs they've got uh huge uh great big mansions and room after room there's just no closets. 543: No sir no sir Interviewer: They just didn't build 'em. 543: That's right no sir. No sir Interviewer: Oh it's interesting how um uh that's a that's a big things in houses now isn't it? 543: Yeah right right yes sir yes sir. Sure sure Interviewer: Uh where did you keep things that you that you didn't want to throw away but uh you weren't actually using did you have a room for that? 543: Well uh most of the time we would uh you know probably have a little building out in the ho- in the yard and uh well call it a smoke house well in one side we could put these other things in it you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes sir we'd call it a smoke house just a little building a log building out in the yard. Interviewer: What did you call the things you set you saved like that uh? 543: What we call? Interviewer: Yes you'd call it uh? What did you call uh just junk or? 543: Oh yes sir yes sir that's right we would put the junk junk we'd call it junk like that you know too. But after awhile we'd go in there and get that junk. Interviewer: And use it? 543: That's right Interviewer: Uh did you did you have anything uh call- you ever call it plunder? 543: Oh all that in there we moved the plunder out in the plunder house and such and such. Interviewer: Oh that's 543: In a part of it you know. Plunder well just something like that maybe a broke down chair or something uh something out in the house like that you know uh maybe some clothes that just tore and you didn't have time to fix and you know we put 'em all back there to later on when they have time they put it in that plunder. Interviewer: So uh 543: Junk Interviewer: and it was either plunder or junk? 543: Junk yes sir {X} comical but you know the phrase that's what it'd be we knew what it was. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir #1 yes sir anytime. # Interviewer: #2 And uh # the things that uh your how would you make up a bed? Would you uh tell me about that? 543: Making up a bed like we had down here? Interviewer: What did you have to sleep on and pillows and things like that. 543: We man ain't it funny we go out there you know on them way out hills where that ol' crab grass grow that you know well fore it died down you know {D: uh to you know when it gets so brickly of something another} well you'd have to get going out there and probably it would be knee high something like that man we'd pull that grass you know and uh in a in a in a ball it up course it wouldn't be long before it'd be dried up and that's what we'd use and bring home you know and and store it away to put in our bed ticket. That's what we slept on. Yeah yes after you unball it you know and put it out in there you know ah ah in ticket we'd call it a bed ticket. We'd get some old ducking or something c- another you know my mother would you know Interviewer: {X} 543: You know make a ma- a bed ticket it we called it. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Stuff it full of hay you know and man that stuff would sleep good. {C: laughing} Interviewer: #1 Did they sew up # 543: #2 And the # pillows sometimes we would go {NW} when they had cotton you know . Why probably after we get together you know uh maybe be allowed a {D: bolt of cotton batting to feel. Well you} go get that you know and uh put in a sack and before they get through ginny you know go and let 'em gin it out in the ginny for the seed that was in it. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 That # scrap. Interviewer: Cotton seed? 543: Yes sir and then go back and then my mother would take some kind of old cloth and make some pillowcase and shove it full of cotton you know. Man them things #1 slept good. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. {NW} # Good? 543: #1 Yes sir yes sir really I like 'em now. # Interviewer: #2 Aw good. # Yeah better than uh #1 feathers? # 543: #2 Yes oh oh # man yes. Yes sir that's #1 right sure. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # And uh what did you put over you to keep warm? 543: {NW} Oh my mother would make quilts. #1 Oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: Take some ol' clothes if you didn't have cloth {D: from the old and some white clothes that you couldn't pass in and maybe just} cut out good pieces of it. And maybe somebody else you know that uh they had some old clothes that maybe was in uh in a little better shape {D: than all those} they give 'em to 'em you know cut 'em up and make make blocks you know out of 'em and and then sew 'em together. Man make it large enough for a quilt you know. Well they'd get some kind of old cloth or something you know to make a lining to go on it. And man get that cotton like I said like that quilting {D: cotton that end uh with the wood} and uh spread it out you know after it's done gin. Just spread it out so thick you know all over that there quilt you know. And then she'd get there you know and hoop it down. Put both of them lining together you know the lining and the top hoop it together. {D: And then we'd get her quilting holsters} we'd call 'em. So like these {D: soft benches you know.} #1 And then a # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: long strip where she'd baste that on each side {D: that and sh-} pull it over and tie strings to it and it'd be tight. And she'd set up there man and quilt #1 Ooh. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # {NW} 543: Yes sir #1 one was after one # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # 543: man makes some good cover. Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: #1 Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: quilt that you know just sews it in blocks {D: a patch you know and the order stays} #1 together. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # kind of a design? 543: #1 Yeah # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: right right #1 right. Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # 543: yes sir. Interviewer: #1 Oh I see # 543: #2 Yes # sir that's #1 right. # Interviewer: #2 Sounds # like a lot of work #1 Yes # 543: #2 Exactly it's # a lot of work man I don't {NW} peoples wouldn't do that now. Interviewer: #1 Yeah. # 543: #2 {NW} # #1 That's right. # Interviewer: #2 And how about # uh did you have something you put over the quilt? Uh #1 Uh like a? # 543: #2 I wouldn't c- # A spread #1 you know. Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Like a spread or? # 543: maybe they'd find some cloth you know and make 'em some bedspread #1 you know just # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: {D: a little different looking} cloth you know. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Just # spread over that that that quilt you know. Interviewer: And did you ever see anybody have uh a pillow that went all the way across #1 the bed? # 543: #2 {NW} # Bolsters. #1 We call them bolsters. # Interviewer: #2 I see. {NW} # Uh-huh. 543: Bolster pillows #1 yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And how # about a a bed uh on the floor that you might make for children who came to stay with you you just didn't have room for 'em. 543: Yes sir we'd make pallets down #1 there. Yes # Interviewer: #2 On the floor? # 543: sir that's right. #1 Yes # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: pallets on the floor. Interviewer: And uh it the kitchen would you tell me uh about what you have in the kitchen and how your mother would uh uh. Well I'll just let you explain what you had in the kitchen and how she cooked and things #1 like that uh. # 543: #2 Oh yes sir. # Yes sir. Well we'd have it {NW} you know like I said you know we'd have in meal barrels that held meal in one you know and maybe uh flour in the other one. Small barrels you know. When she'd go in there you know and uh get a sifter {NW} get her so much meal out and you know get a dish pan and sift it in there you know. Well she'd get her salt and soda and put it in there you know and uh make it up good and r- you know put it together good and all. {D: And then they put in the pan.} And we had a old cook stove there you know. We put wood in you know to cook with. Yes sir get that stove hot and uh put it in there to cook or either that's the way she would take it and make biscuits. She'd get that flour you know and she'd take her hands and wash 'em you know wash 'em good and get her hand and you know go to making up that flour you know and put that salt and soda in there you know make it up good. And uh {D: back that then she'd} find an old bottle. That's what she used for a rolling pin. {C: laughing} Interviewer: I see. 543: She'd measure the dough out {D: put it thin} and then take that bottle you know and roll it out. Put it as thin as she want it. {D: Take ol' salve and cut and} cut them uh biscuits out and put 'em in the pan. #1 And then cook 'em. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # Oh I see. 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And uh sh- you didn't have room enough for a table out there what did she work on? 543: Well she'd mostly have uh you know move stuff over you know on well we'd have a little table nailed upside the wall on one side. Called it a cook cook table. #1 That's # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: {D: where would she you know she'd set the eggs} #1 some to cook things # Interviewer: #2 To work. # 543: and stuff you know. #1 Yes sir on that there # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: the table nailed upside {C: laughing} the wall over there. Interviewer: How'd you keep uh your milk cool enough so it didn't uh? 543: Well man I don't see how milk stayed like it did. #1 That's right. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: No sir. We just just set it over there and uh uh well in the safe. We had an old safe you know like that you know. In with shelves in it you know. Open the door and set in uh stuff all up in the shelves you know so like uh. A- and uh now during the the summer if we we had a well sometimes we'd have a well and then we'd have a spring off there down the hill. And in that well we we'd draw up water you know. And put it in a tub and put it over in the shade and set that milk in it. And so that that's the only way of Interviewer: #1 Uh-huh. I see. # 543: #2 keeping milk. That's right. # Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: Uh did you ever hear anybody uh having a house or a little um shed or something for that uh? 543: Well now some folkses would you know. #1 What everybody did was. # Interviewer: #2 Down the # spring uh? 543: Yes sir that's #1 right sure. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # And what did they call those uh? Do you have anything? 543: Well uh let me see I don't know hardly what let me see what they would call them little houses. {NW} Coolers they mostly would you know someone would call 'em coolers you know. They'd just but just just a few of them had #1 them. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # Did you ever hear any body call 'em a dairy? 543: No sir I don't remember a dairy. Milk dairy. No sir I don't don't remember that {D: back that in.} Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And uh # you kept most things in the safe uh in the kitchen. Did you have another little where room you could put pots and #1 pans? # 543: #2 Oh yes # sir we called it a little closet. Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: We'd nail up you know something back there you'd take it in build 'em in like that you know but just get in that corner over there and wall up a little place over there you know for the closet. Interviewer: #1 All right. # 543: #2 That's the # {D: way you do that.} have a little door to it to put the stuff back in. Interviewer: Uh-huh. Um would you uh tell me more about uh how your mother would keep the house clean and uh where she'd keep the broom and things like that uh? Um how she must've been a big job to keep the {NW} #1 keep up. # 543: #2 You're # right. Yes sir well she'd {NW} tell you what man we'd go out in the in the old fields {D: around these there} {D: ring that old} broom straw. And man {NW} trim off the bottom of it them bottom leaves there. Man they'd be long brooms you know man we'd get it {D: by all fours and bring up.} To u- that's what we'd sweep the floor with you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: Yes sir. Sweep the floor I mean they sweep good. It looked like we oughta {X} Interviewer: It really would? 543: Really #1 man. Yes # Interviewer: #2 Really? # 543: sir that'll sweep the floor you know like that. But when you get ready to scour the floor of course my daddy would get a board about something like about as half big as this you know and take an ol' log {D: or you know} with a bent top on it and stick a stick through there and that's the kind of auger we'd use. {NS} Bore big holes in there {D: so like} about thataway you know. Over there. And uh go to the barn and shuck some corn. {NW} He'd twist some shucks together and stick through them holes and they'd be sticking through them holes you know. The tough part would be up you know and then the uh bushy ends would be down there. And man be sticking down there and oh man. Wet them things you know and wet that floor man. Ooh you just shine that floor with them #1 shucks. That's the # Interviewer: #2 That's how you do it? # 543: {D: skein} mopped with. Interviewer: #1 I see. I've never heard of that. # 543: #2 Oh yes sir yes sir. I # {D: say that} #1 good. # Interviewer: #2 Good. # 543: #1 Really good? {X} # Interviewer: #2 Yes sir yes sir that's right. # 543: #1 Uh-huh. # Interviewer: #2 So # 543: you know of course now {D: as long as that it didn't get uh} those uh long sticks straight stick you know and bore holes in it {D: toward} See it'd be sorta sloping in there in the m- in one side of it you know and oh man {NW} it Interviewer: Sure. 543: it was handy. Interviewer: {NW} 543: It'd do the work. Interviewer: #1 {X} # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: On the floor? 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Oh that's # that's that's I never heard of that. 543: #1 Well I say. # Interviewer: #2 {X} And # And you you put um put the the um soft part 543: #1 Down you know. # Interviewer: #2 through that # board? 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And that would just free the #1 {X} # 543: #2 Yes sir that's right. # the holes would be close enough together where it would after you pull it through {D: on the other side of that sprawl out you know.} Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Well yes sir. # Man it'd be. Interviewer: Did um it was that kind of an invention of your father's or um? 543: #1 Well # Interviewer: #2 Did many # #1 people have that a? # 543: #2 Uh # well uh most people had #1 that. # Interviewer: #2 Did they? # 543: Oh yes sir that's #1 right. Yes # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: sir. That is all we knowed you know about them mops and things #1 like that. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # {X} 543: Sure. #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Oh that's a # good idea. 543: #1 Yes sir and then you # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: take some few that you know didn't have that. Why they'd get 'em ol' tow sack or something another like that you know and wrap around a hole. And just make a big #1 mop out of it. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: #1 Yes sir yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 I see. Uh-huh # 543: That's the way my daddy did {D: did it.} Interviewer: Uh-huh or people had to use their? 543: #1 Oh man yes sir right right right. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: {NS} Sure #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: And man uh {NW} let me tell you about this you know. Spinning that there cotton man. well I told you a little about that though. Making them uh spinning cotton. We take you know we has an ol' spinning wheel you know and {D: cords and cord and} and and spin and making rows and spinning 'em into thread. And uh my mother would knit our stockings Interviewer: #1 Mm. # 543: #2 Uh # and socks. All all of us. That's the way we got our socks you know and all. Interviewer: And uh she would make the thread? #1 Uh. # 543: #2 Yes sir # take that cotton you know and them {C: cord} you know {D: cord. We'd mark you know} sure that that cotton {D: not} good you know. And then she could make a roll. Roll about {D: the longest thing} about ten inches long. Make up a pile of that. Well she had that ol' spinning wheel you know. and she'd get it started up there on the side of it you know {D: where it was made up} you know add a spindle to it you know. And wrap it around there and she'd get to spinning that thing man and just make thread. Well when she got that and then she'd ride it back up there and she'd get another roll stick on the end of that man {D: caught that thread you know.} Interviewer: #1 Mm. # 543: #2 Get # a lot of thread made up man then she'd get them knitting needles. {D: Put in there man and} knit that there socks. That's the way only s- way we got our socks #1 now. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # Did you did she use wool or mostly #1 cotton? # 543: #2 Well uh mostly # cotton you #1 know. # Interviewer: #2 Mostly cotton. # 543: #1 Yes sir. Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Okay uh. # 543: Course now she would have used {C: engine starting} some wool because my daddy you know we didn't have very many sheeps you know. {X} Now she uh m- my mother and daddy would wear wool socks. But the children would wear cotton #1 socks. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Now see # that wool is pretty valuable. {C: laughing} Interviewer: I bet it was. 543: You right #1 right yes sir yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Right. Mm-hmm. # 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Cotton # was easier to #1 come by. # 543: #2 Oh yes sir sure sure. # Yes sir. Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: #1 Yeah. # Interviewer: #2 Uh # how bout uh washing your clothes uh did you uh did did you have any time to iron 'em or she'd? 543: Oh yes sir she'd take {D: the night more she uh she'd} she'd iron 'em you know. Set them ol' smoothing irons up to the fire you know and get 'em hot and get 'em ol' plank and set up there you know. {NW} Put the clothes on there and iron 'em. Then far as washing the clothes. She would uh take these ashes out of this fireplace and put 'em out there in some old barrel. and cover 'em up. And maybe just get 'em washed enough to just {D: stay lye} and get strong. And uh made {D: a ash hop out there.} Ol' big ol' box. {NW} {D: I know how she made you know} And my daddy cut a trough out you know like a whole trough you know. And get some ol' planks or poles that stand down you know and uh fix 'em to where them ashes wouldn't go through. And and and let 'em {D: stand} down into that trough. It's cut out like that. We'd put them ashes up in here about four foot or six foot long you know. {D: A tr- uh I would fit} it'd come up so four about four foot high. Put maybe a couple of barrels of ashes in there {NS} you know. Pour water in there {NS} and let that {NW} that water run on down you know and and and when it come out you know in that trough it's just lye #1 I mean. Strong. Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Real strong. Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir. Sometimes you'd have to weaken it or uh then she'd put uh {NW} some oh some grease or something another you know in there you know uh. Somebody you know had some oh spoiled meat or something another uh get 'em some ol' grease or something another and put in there you know. And they'd put that grease in there and boil that stuff and man make soap lye soap some of the prettiest lye soap. #1 {X} # Interviewer: #2 Hmm. # 543: Yes it'd get real thick you know and all. Interviewer: #1 Could you use it on your skin or was that too strong? # 543: #2 Well you could use just a little bit. # {X} You know just a little bit on your skin you #1 know. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Couldn't use too much of it. Didn't need too much of it. #1 That's right yes sir. Yes # Interviewer: #2 Um. Pretty strong. # 543: sir yes sir that's #1 right. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: And then they'd {D: put them in} clothes and I mean that that that made that dirt come out. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: Yes #1 sir. # Interviewer: #2 And uh # uh use a a pot {X} 543: Yes sir that's right. When you put that you know r- run that lye {D: through you} take the wash pot you know and boil that stuff you know. And yes sir that there the some grease in there you know would make it you know uh ol' grease or something another like that it'd make make soap make #1 thick soap. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # And uh where did you wash boil the clothes? #1 And s- stir it? # 543: #2 Oh yes sir. Oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #1 {X} # 543: #2 You. # Uh no sir see in other words she would wash the you know {D: w- would} heat the water you know and pour in there you know and then she'd take that soap you know and then smear it on the clothes and got a old rub board you know. Interviewer: Oh. 543: Oh that's the way oh #1 man. # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # 543: Smear that there over them clothes you know and wet 'em you know and then wash 'em out like that #1 on that rub board. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: #1 # Interviewer: #2 # I see. 543: Yes #1 sir. # Interviewer: #2 That's # more hard work. 543: #1 Oh man yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # 543: Yes sir. {NW} Interviewer: Around uh outside the house uh where did you uh what did you use for the toilet in those days what uh? 543: Well uh uh just go out there and uh uh dig dig some {D: four} holes down you know. And uh n- now that's that's the way {D: you just had to use 'em.} Interviewer: #1 Right. # 543: #2 Just # {D: just dig 'em that hole there you know and just wall it up.} You know and just put a little top on it you know and put a door to it. And uh have {D: a lid} place back there you know for {D: uh plank cross you know} for you know a stool. And this on the back back there it'd {D: be olden.} Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: That's right. #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: And #1 that's the way. Yes sir it's covered. It's covered you know and # Interviewer: #2 But it was covered so you {X} # 543: walled up you know Interviewer: So you go out there in the rain right? 543: #1 Well you uh that's right yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # 543: Yes sir that's right. {NW} Interviewer: Uh what did you call it? 543: #1 Toilet. We called it the toilet. Yeah. # Interviewer: #2 {X} Toilet. Are there any joke # joking names for it? #1 {X} # 543: #2 Well yeah. # But my daddy used {C: laughing} to be you know call it a private {C: pronunciation} #1 house. # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # #1 Uh-huh. # 543: #2 {NW} # Private {C: pronunciation} you know. That's the old {D: there they just push one name and} another you #1 know. {NW} # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And uh around uh uh outside uh what was this house built of um? 543: #1 Built out of? # Interviewer: #2 {X} # Yes. It was? 543: #1 Logs. Oh yes sir I often # Interviewer: #2 Oh it was? # 543: #1 Oh yes sir. I often # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: think about that yes sir them eh built out of logs you know. Yes sir. #1 built out of logs. # Interviewer: #2 And uh uh # later on if you'd put uh boards around those logs what would you call those boards? Uh. 543: {NS} Well I'll tell you what we mostly back there then of course you know they they improved but I just {D: tell my way back yonder when that} in in that time you know when we'd just go there and build it i- in them logs you know and we'd uh stuff them ch- cracks with uh mud uh uh mud and grass. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Just # slap in there and man it would stay in that out of clay and grass. Make a batch you know and just man {D: stuff them} cracks you know with it with grass you know. Of course we would get some uh {NW} {X} go out and cut us some wood you know uh and make something like {D: pale ins right. Pale in you know to gable it up with.} Yes sir {D: gable it up} and break the cracks in it you know. Interviewer: Mm. 543: And of course that's what we would cover it with. Boards you know. Get out there and cut out some two foot boards you know. Oh man that's right. #1 yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Which # way would the boards run up and down or or this way uh? #1 Across? # 543: #2 Well # {D: -ee it'd be slanting back there.} No sir run 'em straight down. Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 Yes sir. # {D: Yes it'd be on across the boards you know cross yes sir.} All running down. Interviewer: Mm-hmm 543: {D: Yes sir stow it} down to the bottom and that way and and oh man yeah. Now e- a lot of peoples wouldn't know how to start that down there on the bottom. They'd just put uh uh a cross there you know and then put a board over that crack to break the {D: joint.} Whole board but they ain't supposed to do that. Supposed to cut it 'em half in two when you first starting off down there. And that'll keep it from you know being just a big {D: board.} Oh yes. {C: laughing} #1 {NW} # Interviewer: #2 All right. # 543: #1 It's good yes sir oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Weren't supposed to do that. Um. # What did they call those boards in the outside uh? Uh. 543: Weather boards. Interviewer: Is that is that uh what they called 'em? 543: #1 Yeah. # Interviewer: #2 And uh # over the roof how did they keep the how'd they keep the rain out uh what did you have for the for for over the roof? 543: Over the roof? Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Oh yes # sir that's that's what I'm talking about these here boards we'd call 'em. Interviewer: #1 Oh that's oh. # 543: #2 {X} # To cover it with. #1 Keep the water out # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # 543: Oh yes sir. Interviewer: I see now they um. That's not weather board though? 543: #1 {D: No sir not say} # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: weather board no sir no sir no sir that's not to say weather board up there. That's just the roof you know. {D: Layer} now we we have {D: layers} under that there you know. {D: To nail 'em} them too we called 'em {D: layers.} Uh well I'll tell you what you now some folkses got to where they'd build 'em houses that have lumber you know and they stand it up and build that way. Well they call that weather board on the outside there you know that uh. Interviewer: #1 I see. Yes that's right. # 543: #2 {X} # Interviewer: #1 And those boards go # 543: #2 Yes sir right right right. # Interviewer: #1 around the house # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 All the way around the house you know. # #1 Yes sir the weather board. # Interviewer: #2 And uh you you make # uh shingles yourself for the? 543: Top. Interviewer: #1 For the roof? # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 Yes sir # #1 for the roof. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: #1 # Interviewer: #2 # And if you had uh somebody had a roof that uh you know with an L shaped building and the roof would come like this. #1 What did you call this? # 543: #2 Gutter. # You call #1 them gutters. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # A gutter? 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yes. Interviewer: And uh uh did people ever catch the rain at the end of the roof in anything uh? 543: {D: Oh man in them ol' cisterns.} Interviewer: I see. 543: Yes sir that's right. Interviewer: Oh. 543: Yeah they'd make I'll tell you they'd make 'em out of little troughs you know. and uh catch that water you know going down and dig 'em a big system out there you know and that's what they had for #1 wells. {X} # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. And they # call 'em the thing that caught the water around the roof would be a? 543: Gutter Interviewer: #1 That would be gutter? # 543: #2 Gutter. That # that that's what the #1 {D: I mean uh.} # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: Uh now now trough. #1 A trough we # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # 543: call that uh you know a trou- water trough you know. we catched that #1 right at the roof. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # So in a roof like this uh #1 this would be the gutter? Rain would # 543: #2 Gutter. Yes sir. # Interviewer: fall down there and be caught in the trough? 543: Yes sir Interviewer: And that would run off to the? 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: #1 That's right. # 543: #2 {X} # come on down that gutter you know and right underneath that roof {D: didn't have it turn it to go out into that there.} #1 cistern. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: Oh yes sir and that that's water good you know catch it. #1 Keep it strained. # Interviewer: #2 I bet it's {D: soft.} # 543: #1 Yes sir right yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: #1 Yeah. # Interviewer: #2 For washing. # 543: Yes sir that's right. Interviewer: And uh you had a wood stove in the in the kitchen uh what did you keep the wood in? How did you handle that um would you just tell me about not only the wood stove but about the fireplace in fact uh how how where were the fireplaces uh #1 did you have uh? # 543: #2 Well. # {NS} #1 Well it just mostly on one # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: side you know. We probably would have a fireplace uh Interviewer: #1 Go ahead. # 543: #2 built # right in here. Somewhere somewhere right in here you know. {NW} yes sir right in along in there you see. That uh we'd call that a stacked chimney. We'd have a fireplace on you know on this side and one on this side. Interviewer: {X} #1 I see. # 543: #2 Come into this room. # Interviewer: Uh-huh. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And then uh you # had a regular stove out in the #1 kitchen? # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Yes sir sure did. That's #1 a stove # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: over here in the kitchen. Interviewer: And uh did uh would you tell me how you made how the chimney was built? Uh. 543: {D: Yes sir left that in there you know that that} space in there you know and uh {C: coughing} I'll tell you what. We built up that chimney thataway out of out of out of dirt. We built it up to the bottom of the house. I mean up to the floor in dirt you know. {NW} Well uh we would take in you know and and makes these here mud {NS} uh {NS} {NW} things you know out of that mud. And that's where we'd build that there chimney up you know. And and put a partition in there you know between there. And build it up out of uh clay #1 and # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: grass. Interviewer: #1 Clay and grass? The same way that you # 543: #2 Oh yes sir. {X} # Interviewer: you plugged the holes in the logs right? 543: #1 Yes right right right. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yes sir yes sir. Interviewer: #1 Uh # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: what did you have a name for that did you ever hear that called cats? 543: Yes sir that's what that's what that's what they was the cats. They call them cats you know. Interviewer: I wonder where that word came from. 543: Oh that's some of them old folks named that. {C: laughing} Interviewer: #1 It's just named it. Oh. I see. # 543: #2 {NW} Just named it. That's what they was. # #1 And it just come up # Interviewer: #2 Yes. # 543: you know just like that yes sir. #1 Uh. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir. Mud and grass {D: that'll pull that ol' grass and} man get it up there. {NW} Get that mud clay mud made up there and it it'd stick to it #1 too. # Interviewer: #2 Any # kind of any special kind of grass uh? 543: Well mostly crab grass would be yes sir crab #1 grass. That's right that's {X} # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. Did you ever # have anything called cattails? 543: Yes sir we Interviewer: #1 In the ponds. # 543: #2 we we. Yes sir. # Yes sir. we still have some #1 of them cattails. # Interviewer: #2 I wonder uh # I wondered if maybe they uh uh the cats the word cats came from the cattails uh whether #1 {X} # 543: #2 Well # maybe so but cattails is round though and kinda fluffy like. Well it might have. That might been the idea of of naming them that #1 you know # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: back in them #1 times. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: And um {NW} then would you explain uh where you kept the wood and how you uh how you kept the fire in both the stove and the fireplace. 543: Oh yes sir man we'd go out there and cut that wood you know in two foot pieces. That's mostly go in the fireplace you know. Yes sir and cut that in two foot pieces and haul it up you know out there to the wood pile you know out the do- g- gate out there somewhere out close to the house. And tote it in you know and lay it on. Well we'd mostly {C: laughing} find us some ol' rocks that wouldn't shoot so to lay on each side you know. To lay that wood cross to keep it from getting smothered down you know. #1 you know. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Up just about so high you know. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 And # and build a fire in there on it. Man and that thing would keep the house warm. {NW} Interviewer: Um would you explain how you built the fire and what you used to build it? 543: #1 Yes sir back that then we # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: could go out there then and uh and {C: coughing} get some ol' uh old dead trees that died back there you know and maybe if blowed down fell and they're rich. I mean rich. And and uh got that pine rosin in 'em you know and rich you know. You bring 'em up there and cut 'em up you know. And and put splinters there and man it would burn just like almost like gas. Yes sir and we'd stick it under there and you know and set um s- match to it. And it'd burn and get that wood to burn in there. And after it go to burning then man it's just keep on some wood and it {NW} keep fire in in the fireplace. Interviewer: What did you call a a a big log that you'd #1 use? # 543: #2 Call 'em # backlogs. Interviewer: #1 Backlogs? Oh. # 543: #2 Yes sir. Put some # backlogs on the back you know and then the smallest ones in front and so that ol' back one it'll still burn you know and it wouldn't burn up so quick and man it'd throw the {D: hip} throw the heat out. Interviewer: I see. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # Uh in the kitchen where did you where did you #1 {X} # 543: #2 Well in the s- # in the stove the cookstove there. We'd cuts {D: and uh stow it would} run about that long you know. Split it up so small and so we'd bring it in. It'd have a door on it you know to put in there and it about that large you know. Well we'd fill that full of and we'd take some of that pine needle and we {D: called it} make a fire there in front of it you know and start it to burning. #1 Mm. # Interviewer: #2 And then every # 543: time it get low put in some more. And man that ol' cookstove on the side there. You put that bread in there. {NW} Cook it. Interviewer: Did you uh uh did you have did you build a chimney up through the? 543: Yes sir #1 on up through there. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: #1 That's right. # Interviewer: #2 Um. How # about over in the kitchen? Uh. 543: Well uh most time we're over here. we would uh just uh I tell you back in them times {D: it is sorta it is dare.} We'd just take some stove pipes we'd call 'em. {D: Stove.} Were just tin pipes you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: And uh r- just let 'em go just start to stack them here on top of the stove. And let 'em go on out. Cut a hole up yonder you know. And let 'em go out the top of the house. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: And that's the way you did back in them times you know. Interviewer: Uh would you uh break it in or? 543: #1 No sir we'd break in no. Well # Interviewer: #2 or just just regular now. # 543: now I'll tell you what. We acquired you know {NW} you know {X} We'd get up there you know about to the loft you know. Well we'd brick it sometime on out through the top of the house. But these stovepipes goes up to the loft of the house you know up there. Yeah and we'd get up there you know {D: and when it} loft isn't {D: yeah} nailed to something another up there you know {D: put some lines across} and start them brick. and go in on out. Interviewer: I see. Uh you call that a uh uh #1 chimney? # 543: #2 Flue. # Interviewer: Oh that's a #1 flue? # 543: #2 Stove # flue. Interviewer: #1 Uh-huh. # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Stove flue. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. And uh {NW} you used rocks uh to hold the logs up later on what did you uh did you get anything made of iron? A regular thing to hold it? 543: {D: Yes sir we have twine you know.} Interviewer: Oh. 543: Well my daddy learned then how to make a iron. He could make some irons you know and bend 'em you know. Ole buggy axles or something like that you know and man he could make some firedogs we called it. Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 And set 'em in there. # Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 Oh they was # {D: extra.} Interviewer: And above the uh the fireplace #1 what would you have there? # 543: #2 Yes we'd # have some ol' {D: white} wagon tires. We'd put up there you know. The the start that stack it on cross up there you know after we get out first you want to go in come across. You set 'em up there you know. {D: And then s-} and then start to build it on up. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 And # build on out. Interviewer: Uh-huh. The in front of the fireplace would you keep would you h- what was the same level as the floor what what did you have in there? 543: Down to the same level as floor? Interviewer: Yeah. uh did you have uh bricks or stone or something coming out into the room? 543: Oh yes sir. {D: Uh we} call that a hearth. Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 Hearth. # Yes sir. Interviewer: #1 Now I'll tell you what. # 543: #2 {X} # Now my dad {D: I just remembered just as well.} Well back there then you didn't have these brick to get in there you know of course and he would just take that there dirt out there you know and wet it and bring it in. Just pack it real hard and tight. And I mean smooth it off with the clay {D: dirt} and that thing. Yes sir. A dirt hearth {D: We'd uh we'd call it a} #1 the hearth. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # And I suppose uh the heat would make it uh as hard as pretty hard. 543: #1 Oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yes sir. That's #1 right. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: {D: Have to pack it} together and then that heat you know would make it hard. Just #1 just uh y- yes # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: sir. Interviewer: #1 You practically have a brick. # 543: #2 {X} # Interviewer: Uh. 543: Well uh after a while no sir w- we didn't have nothing then. Interviewer: #1 Uh but I # 543: #2 See uh. # Interviewer: mean that dirt would be almost 543: #1 Just just right because # Interviewer: #2 uh look like a brick. # 543: oh you know these bricks is made out of dirt #1 you know of course yes sir that's right yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 I see. {X} That's just uh # the clay? 543: #1 Clay yes sir yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 the heat and uh. # 543: That's right. Interviewer: #1 Oh I see. # 543: #2 Sure. # Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #1 {NW} # 543: #2 {NW} # Interviewer: People would just uh would discover those things and and do it. 543: #1 Oh right right right yes sir oh yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: {D: Didn't have me someone to work ahead and} {NW} #1 Tell you how to make something yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Tell you how to work around. # Uh-huh. 543: Yes sir. #1 That's right. # Interviewer: #2 And # {NW} How about uh how did you drink water or how did you get to keep the water? 543: Well it's mostly uh if we {D: didn't have a} spring you know uh we'd just have to drink that water. We didn't have nothing to keep it cool in you know. No sir. Interviewer: What did you keep it in uh? 543: Well in a water bucket you know we called it a water bucket you know and all. And man we'd work 'em ol' make 'em ol' dippers you know. and gourd grow them gourds you know and make them {C: laughing} #1 gourd dippers. # Interviewer: #2 Oh I see. # #1 Uh. # 543: #2 Yes # sir that's right. Interviewer: And uh would the bucket be made of of metal or um? 543: Well I'll tell you what uh we could find uh maybe I'll tell you what back there then they they made s- made some buckets fella out of some wood. They would split wood and they'd make buckets out of it. Of course it'd take some time but you know just something uh to hold water in and trim 'em off good and put some big heavy wire around 'em you know or something another. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 And man # it'd hold water too of course you'd had to keep water in it. Keep it from drying out you know Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 leaking. # Interviewer: #1 I see. And you swell up and? # 543: #2 Yes sir. That's right. Yes sir yes sir that's right sure. # Interviewer: Same thing as you're tell me about the wagon wheel? 543: #1 Right right right yes sir yes sir. Me and the ol' # Interviewer: #2 {X} Same principle. # 543: fellas talked about that the other day. #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: Um later on {NW} did you get metal pails? 543: #1 Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: later on we got metal pails. That's right. #1 To put 'em in. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # What did you call those? Uh uh. 543: Well we'd call 'em uh galvanized buckets you know. Interviewer: I see. 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: and you use that for water or milk #1 or {X} # 543: #2 Well we # used it for water mostly. Interviewer: #1 I see. # 543: #2 And after a # while you know we went to getting some tin buckets we'd call 'em you know. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 {NW} # Sometime we get lard in 'em you know. Back there then you know. Uh {D: well whosoever wouldn't ha- uh would have to buy some lard.} But I'll tell you the- them buckets {D: were even down} scarce back there then #1 you know. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir #1 because # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. # 543: people just mostly raise their lard and stuff you know. Interviewer: Mm. 543: Yes sir. Interviewer: I bet they became valuable. 543: Oh oh right right. Yes sir that's right sure. #1 Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 And uh # speaking of buckets what did you keep um the uh food in the kitchen that you were going to throw out to take to the hogs what what did you keep that in? 543: Well we would get an ol' uh some kind of {C: audio distortion} old bucket. Just any old thing you know the old. Sometime we'd get a hold a old piece of pot or something other. {D: And it was} broke or something another and hold it you know to get in there but uh uh you ta- back there then uh we'd probably have some ol' {NW} see they made these here barrels and things. First one little ol' keg and another something another like that. There's homemade stuff all right {D: in there up you know.} #1 But # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: you take some people. It it it wouldn't wouldn't cost much you know to make some uh. Some of these people would make this stuff you know. Some of 'em was good about making this here homemade stuff then. #1 Back there then. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Course you know it wouldn't wouldn't cost much and wouldn't cost much to make it and you didn't have nothing else to do and all. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 And # maybe that fella had something over there he wanted done. Somebody else would go over there and work a day or two for him. {X} A a wooden bucket or something another like that. {C: background noise} Interviewer: #1 I see made an exchange. All right. Uh-huh. # 543: #2 I know he made. Right right. Yes sir. Yes sir. # Interviewer: #1 # 543: #2 # Yes sir. Interviewer: And uh what did you #1 call them that? # 543: #2 Slop # Interviewer: #1 slop buckets. Yes sir to take. Yes sir. # 543: #2 {X} # Take it to the hogs. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. And uh did you you mentioned a coal oil lamp. Did you uh have anything else uh to make a light at night? Uh. 543: Well I'll tell you what. {C: laughing} This pine I was #1 talking about. We # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # 543: made lights with that. #1 That's what # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: {D: Fact of the matter that was the biggest thing.} Now we have little coal oil lamps. We'd save that coal oil. We'd have them coal oil lamps to eat supper by. Interviewer: Oh. 543: Yes sir. Set on the #1 table to eat # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: supper by. Interviewer: What did you call the pine uh in fact would you describe that? 543: Well I'll tell you what now yes. {NW} {D: Just like it wood.} It's timber was not like it is now. Used to go out in the forest and all out there just anywhere and find ol' ol' trees you know. And the limb then broke off and they has a lot of heart in 'em. And a lot of 'em would blow down and maybe somebody cut some trees and got some logs off of it. And them limbs and that ol' log is man just a lot of heart and it's rich. {D: And just rolls 'em in it.} Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Yes # sir. And you cut that you know. Oh man I just look like I can see them hills we'd been in back in there you know. And maybe the stump is rich you know and cut that stump out a- and cut pieces about so thick you know and about like that. Put 'em in the fireplace. And man that'll light up the house. {C: laughing} Interviewer: Really that? #1 {X} # 543: #2 Oh # really really. #1 Man # Interviewer: #2 Mm. # 543: that's right. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Yes sir. # What little studying we done is by pine pine light. Put another little piece of pine in the fire. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 And that # #1 that you know about. You know about # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: {D: how what kind of a light} #1 it is. {NW} # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: #1 But if # Interviewer: #2 Did you ever # carry uh could you carry those around? 543: #1 Yes sir. {X} # Interviewer: #2 Uh. # 543: {D: Get out} you know and that's what if you're doing traveling at night or something another get you a piece of pine pine torch. #1 Man you could # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: travel with that you know. Interviewer: Really bright? 543: Oh yes sir. #1 Yes sir it # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: {D: did.} Interviewer: I see. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And # uh when you uh after you got through with using the pine torches then you got to coal oiled lamps? #1 {X} # 543: #2 Yes sir. # Right right. #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And # uh then how long ago was it when you got electricity uh? 543: Oh man it ain't been very many years ago. {C: laughing} #1 {NW} # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Course you know some people's had it. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Electricity. # Yes sir. Interviewer: But not out in the country? 543: #1 No sir no sir no sir # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: no sir #1 no sir # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: that's right it ain't been many years ago. Interviewer: What did they call these things when you first started to buy 'em uh? 543: Well we'd call 'em light bulbs. Interviewer: You did now? 543: #1 Yes sir. Right. # Interviewer: #2 Uh-huh. Do # and you still do? 543: #1 Oh yes sir uh really still call them that. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: Yes sir light. Interviewer: {NW} I was wondering if they called 'em lamps or uh 543: Well they'd call #1 this # Interviewer: #2 bulb? # 543: {D: here li-} lamps such as this but then this call that there there #1 above # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # Mm-hmm. 543: a light bulb. Interviewer: And uh {NW} what would you buy for say ten cents uh uh what would cost around a dime back then? 543: #1 Back there then? Oh # Interviewer: #2 {X} Mm-hmm. # 543: man ooh we'd get ooh man you'd get a lot of stuff for a dime then. {C: laughing} Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 Oh # yes sir man. Interviewer: {X} Not uh not inflation in those days #1 right? {NW} # 543: #2 Oh man. # Ooh. oh fella yes sir {X} or these box of sardine man. Nickel a piece. {NW} Oh yes sir and big uh the salt these cans salt {D: on} boxes you know. {NW} {D: They they're for} nickel a package. Interviewer: #1 Mm. # 543: #2 Oh # soda man yes sir. Nickel a {D: packet.} {D: Oh this} just just just lots back there then. Interviewer: So you thought really more about nickels and dimes than you did #1 {X} # 543: #2 Well oh # right yes #1 sir yes sir sure. # Interviewer: #2 {X} Uh-huh. # 543: Sure that's right. Interviewer: And uh {NW} the thing that you put uh I think you said your mother had time to grow flowers. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 too uh. # 543: #1 Yes sir # Interviewer: #2 Uh. # And uh and then she she grew the flowers in the house in a what a? Uh. Did you say she grew the flowers in a pot? 543: Well um I'll tell you we didn't have pots back there then. She'd uh get herself a old bucket. Some old #1 bucket # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: you know. It ain't no good for nothing you know and that's what we'd mostly grow 'em in or maybe get a oh a fruit jar or something another like that you know done cracked and w- ain't good to use for you know Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 uh # canning or something another like that you know. Interviewer: And the the fruit jar would be for cut #1 flowers? # 543: #2 Oh yeah well # cut flowers you know of course maybe have some other little ol' flower you know to put in that you know. Maybe it growed it wouldn't get large or something another like #1 that. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: Yes sir them cut flower you know that's what they'd use for these here vases and #1 things. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: #1 They'd they put flowers in. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # By the way did you have to uh take care of all those flowers over at the? 543: #1 {NW} # Interviewer: #2 {NW} # #1 I thought of you the other day # 543: #2 You say yes sir. # Yes sir that is right. #1 {NW} # Interviewer: #2 And uh # in the uh in the kitchen uh uh what did she use to to cook eggs in uh? 543: Egg? Interviewer: Yeah. 543: Well {D: she maybe have have a ol''} skillet you know. {D: There they'd ha- they'd get a hold} a skillet you know to cook eggs in. Now I've seen 'em cook 'em in s- in uh just some kind of a little ol' pan. And but sometimes they'd have 'em be eh uh you know a lot of 'em have cooked 'em in just pans #1 just some kind of. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. Did # Does skillet have legs on it or uh? 543: #1 Well now I'll tell you what now that # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: come on that come on way on up you know man. Uh people who {D: glare like that} skillets. Now skillets is got them legs on 'em like little legs on 'em you know. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: Now man I remember back there then when they would eh had you know back then we never could get 'em. Everybody would have 'em they want 'em need 'em you know {D: but them did have 'em you know.} They'd set 'em on the fireplace you know and cook stuff in 'em you know. And of course you uh set 'em on the cookstove {D: while you'd mostly take the eye out} you know and let it go down closer to the heat. Interviewer: Uh what what is that uh thing that you'd uh put down in the eye uh take the eye out and then what what did you call that is that a pot? 543: Pot well now yes sir. Yeah that's a pot. That's right. {C: background noise} #1 Yeah. # Interviewer: #2 Kettle or? # 543: Well you got kettles and pots. Interviewer: #1 I'm not sure about the difference uh. # 543: #2 It's different than a pot. # Oh yes sir. Interviewer: Uh. 543: A little pot it come up so high you know and this wide you know. And then it's got a lid you know. {D: the the} is made just set down on it. And them kettles they's kind of rounded you know and come up and they got a lid fastened on it. Just screw around like that and fasten the lid on it. Them ol' #1 {X} # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: kettle you know. And then it's got a neck to it. You pour water out of it you know. Interviewer: I see 543: Yes sir now #1 that's a that's a # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: #1 tea kettle. # Interviewer: #2 Mostly # #1 for # 543: #2 Tea kettles. # Interviewer: water? 543: #1 Yes sir yes sir # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: for water uh mostly #1 yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 I see. # 543: And that pot is just a open top you know. It sets down in there {D: uh in the} same eye that kettle sets in. Interviewer: Mm-hmm. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 Did you uh # uh did you ever in later years uh say did your wife ever have that real fine uh dishes that you would almost see through they're so thin? 543: Metal? Interviewer: Uh no uh these this made out of? 543: #1 Glass. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: #1 Glass. # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: What you call that {D: f- for.} Glass or fiberglass like. Oh I was did she ever have anything that she called china? Well no we didn't no sir we didn't but I've seen it you know. they have that at some people had that chinaware. Interviewer: Uh back when you were uh #1 child? {X} # 543: #2 Yes sir just a few people # had it. That chinaware. But back there then you you hardly ever see any of #1 it. # Interviewer: #2 Mm-hmm. # 543: No sir. Interviewer: Did you ever see anybody uh uh use it in a nest to fool a hen? 543: Oh yeah well uh yes sir. Man #1 that's right. # Interviewer: #2 Oh really. # 543: {D: C- nest egg.} #1 Nest egg. That's right. # Interviewer: #2 Nest egg. Did you ever # call it china? 543: No sir #1 we didn't # Interviewer: #2 {X} # 543: back there then you know but oh that's what it was I guess. Interviewer: #1 Mm-hmm. # 543: #2 But. # We just called it a nest egg you know. Interviewer: And how about the uh things you eat with um a knife and 543: Fork. Yes sir knife and fork you know. Interviewer: And 543: #1 Spoons. # Interviewer: #2 and spoons. # 543: Spoons. #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 And did you have uh # uh something they call case #1 knives? # 543: #2 Yes sir. # We had some case knives small knives you know. Interviewer: Okay what uh I'm gonna change that. 543: #1 Yes sir. # Interviewer: #2 I'm gonna ask # you about that.