| Summary: | Folder contains 47 pages of Alabama folklore and stories compiled for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s.•
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t-_·.-~ .
"'a.t.•erine o;{d.
Project ..454
rt ssell COQnt • Alab~a •
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tif t.eI lie.. ro.
~bject : Fo 4-1ore.
~ ,aepts 1. "lowiug oane q~ills "re fo=u >1IDong ll\e !!sgroe".
~~ical aarKy c~ ueat a rhythmioal tattod on a ten pan, or h
ampt tee-EWG wit a cdw 1 iae str tCI eo croa" its ~o~th •
• e bll ting of"oone!l"-- two thin slices of h reiwoodC abo~t,,/16" X
1"X6"l helu between tne seetono and tnira fingers of eacl'. haIl" ana
clacKed together to the accompani entof violeus or otner m~sic. is
s io to be n African innovation.
Improvised fiddles, m'ide of long hanaled go~rds, c"n be coaxed
o "orne negroes to m'lke mw io. One of tIce most o~tlanaish m~sioal
in trw:Jehts ever seen in tHS 80 ~th Was a thing--name llIlknowlJ-- maas
in tne s ape of a wagon lheel, between tne spo~es ere ttaoteo metal
c31inaerB of oiffereut sizss ·.md lenghts. ..te "~l~sican" sp~n tl e
wheel nien WaS mounted on a st~e ariven into tne ground, cile
another pl eo it by tapping tne "masical caps" ,itn two Be sonea
hichor; stiO"8.
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• 0 barn.turee lignts in a room is 0 d l~cK •
.. 0 ltill a c.t is to positively ba visitea w.tn seven years of uad l~c,.•
.. 0 orink beaos on coffee is to insare the cq~isition of moneJ.
To leep in tue moonlignt will orive JO~ insane.
Dont cat a tree l.Lat li_htning 10 UJ tltraclt.
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l..cltherine ,10 a.
project f 44:>4
Russell County. abaill~.
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~uoject: Fol'-lore.
p"ige it 2.
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iscellaneou8 Beliefs: c~ inuea:
ont ~alK unuer a ladder.
ont ever turn bac~ for ~·tl ine. if possi Ie to void it.
ont laJ Jour h 1. on any bea.
~ont bre . a ~irror; it entails ~ucn b d luck.
Dont e t with our h ton.
Lont sew a button on a gcrment ou are wearing unless you hola a
Ke in JOur outh.
ont oonvert a Window into BOoor; to do so is to invite a ae th
in the ~ 11y.
~fter killing a snake.ghang it up for rain.
If you put a garment on wrong aide out; dont change it until 12;OC ock
mida or miuniJot.
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It waS once popular in the country to give quilting p"lrtiee
~d caney pu~lings. uute e~cept in a very few rural conmunir~es. 001.0
customs Lave become fi s" obselete.
A vi~iting custom of long stanaing W~3 tor neignbors tooft.en
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spene tr.e a'ly wito one anotr.ler, rrivine U1 anuoWlced alia uninvitea
ana often oringing all members of tt.e family along.
.i e waS wr.en social reading clubS ·u..,- were pop u.J. ar • u180
co=oolit.y spelling bee
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xatherint Floyd.
Project f 4454
Russell County, labama •
SUBJECT: FOLKLORE.
THE COLORED !AN 1 S HOLIDAY.
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It is early ~a~rday morning, in Phenix city, labama,
ant from North. at, So~th and est the colored clan is gathering.
In b~ggies, in wagons, and in fliTTers of anoient Tintage,
Tobe and uattie, Bud and Emma, Sam and liza, "Uncle Ben"and
"A~t ollie" and their co~terparta-- as well as a host of
"Chill~" and young darkies-~ are arriTing from hither and yon.
"How is you , Sis Mattie, an how is all yoe fokes? Allea
well I hopes". ( Afamiliar type of grseting heard.)
"Yss, us is all well, thank the Lewd: tho paw is kinda poleystill,
he's able to git about some. HOW'S ~o. an yoe fokes?"
(SiS !atUe reapon s.)
"Us is all well, too, thank the Lewd: sho is glad to see ye.~
And th s and so, the joyoaa greetin8a, radiating good will,
optimism, happineas, and sinoere solioitude for ths health an
welfare of one another, are exchanged by ths colored citisenry
from the rural districts of a typioal labama oo~ty as they
foregather at their looal eoca---their trading town, often
ths oounty seat.
It is pay day, ration day, the negro's day of surcease from
labor, a day-- ~BE D Y !_ of mental and physical relaxation.
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oli y.
sical talent.
c oylinp hen, nd pI ~s a
• The 6Blored • n's
l:l S sen 'e r trr: in t
medley, eta. ae has real
ieit tions of
harn-~ r
Levi Johnson, who has just been released from a 6-months
ehaingang sentence, is welcomed baok witb open arms. Evsry blaok
man or woman goe. out of bis way or her way to extend a glad
ground". but he is the peer of any negro, as well thought of and
apparently just as happy as any other oolored man.
"~ tS7er sup.res~ed desires, longings, BBul-hungerings, trial,
or tribulations one may suffer, never ie it dieolosed by fe.ial
expreSSions, spoken word, hint, or tone of voioe. The serious aag
engles of life are non-existent for the time being. This ohssrver
is of the opinion thst such oares nd worries cause hite men to
wear long faces and assume soher a"sand sombre airs do not exist
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lunar Is lone excepted.
ETery hody is in good humor; democracy is the keynote. One
colored man may have 60 or 100 more patches on his psnts; his
shirt Clay he a mosiac of patoh work. end his feet may be "on the
for the negro when be congreg tes •any 'here with his fello,'s,
Xetherine 'loyd •
• lojeot I' 54
~ssell ounty, lsb
hand to greet Levi-- for no matter what he was convicted of,and,
"done time for", he has paid his debt to society. Therefore, he
is automatically restored At to fellowship.
Tobe Jenkins, who last week-- was kicked in the head by a
mule, and is now stirrin around again, is tAe forthWith made a hero.
The picnic spi.it rev i19-- ne nogro h s r onic8, nd
[.e pI ys it vociferously. e pI ys tl.e irge of "Lost John"
SWitches to the lovely irs of " 0, Susana" ana "Dixie" then to
tl:.e break-down(~ance) tunes of " Billy In the Low Ground". nd
,dave ~our Shoes .or d Cold, FrostY-I:lorning~ Then he ronders
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Katherlne Floyd.
Projeot # 4464
~ssell Co~ty. Alabema •
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SUBJECT: FOLK!LORE
A Colored llan's Hollday.
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And Emrra, yo~g motber of lately arrl.ed tWins, ls the heroine
of tbe hour.
"What'll Emma name em?" (tbe twins). "I'.e done named 'em".
Emma respondlcates," ls YD ls de Rose of Sbarn; and dat ~'s
de enn of Sheeby". Jnd whl1e the pro~d mother glgg1es. the
orowd has a blg laugh. tho~gb they really dont know why they are
lasghing. Very 11kely. 9~ or them never before heard of Rose
of Sharon or of tbe ~enn of Sheeba. Bat laughlng ls involYDtary
and oontaglo~s at negro gatbering.. The jolllflcatlon 1. "catchlng"
lrreslstlble; the sperlt ls abro ad, and all join in.
t thls junoture, tbe tWln's daddy-- Bud-- who has been
temporarl1y hldden in the baokground. steps forward and allows
tbat he wl11 take a band ln naming Ndem youngRna". "Yez, slrreee,"
allows Bud, " I alms to name em Slome nd Magdalene--arter tbe
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saints: -- oase dey daudy ls a be saint". Thls speech of Bud'S
provokes real la ghter. "Tbe ltee of the very postous ldee 0'
Bud's 11kenin blssef to a saint:" It ls funny.
Darlng tbe lull, Peg.Leg johnson .trolls up wltb a banjo.
be barmonlca player flts bls musl0 plece to hls mo~th and tbe
t 0 mRsl lans treat tbe crowd to an lnterlude of assorted melodles.
s the afternoon wears on. every noW and tben-- as tbougb
tbey begrudged tbe time lost from the soclal feature of the
oocaslon • a few steal off to "tend ter 4ey 11ttle blzness".
Cautloss1y, palnstaklngly, and wlth a great assumptlon of
gravlty. tbey berter s~cb produce as tbe7 bave brought ln wltb
tbem from tbe farms. do tbelr sbopping, ratlon drawlng. and tben
to rejoln tbe gosslping, ml 11ng. joklng crowd, never 10slng a
"stltch 0' de general drlff" .n.or,lnterest ln the mass convlviallty•
ordinary comforts and necessaries of life, but hey have their
day to look forward too.
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SUBJECT: FDnr-LORE.
A Colored' n's Holiday.
Fa!!e 4•
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The olosed day was just another laturday in the lives of
these count;y darkies-- something to remember, something to look
forward to again. These colored folks will he back apain next
~aturday, the Lord Willing, and they will also, in less than
thirty minutes of reconvening, start some funful "projeck" by
picking on some negro maybe, "sevrul niggers". They may have a
lot of h~rd work to do next week; they msy bc minus many of the
her waist, is moved to hum, "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"" Her voioe
blends beautifull;y with the Masie.
The afternoon wanes and the shadows lenghten. The sun dips
lower nd lower, and the mules bra;y oftener and more raucousl;y;
the;y want to go home. And finall;y, as duak begins to approaoh,
one by one, with merry good-b;yes, good-evenings, good-nights"
and many a pio~s, fervent, "GOd-bless yoa, ~ the county 4arkies
gather up their "plunder", families, an~ ~ogs, and steal away to
their wagons and other vehioles and start home.
Now and then a m~le brays, an urchin begs his father or mother
for a nickel with which to b~y cand;y, and a babe-in-arms squalla.
Older ";yoangun's" of Emma's friends take turns abo~t holding the
twina.
enjc;yed. Finall;y, Dina enson, local dusk;y belle from the "PInkin
Bottom'a Diggins" dressed in bright green oalico frook, with a
blood-red ribbon tied abo~t her head and a scarlet sash enoircling
The afternoon we••a on and on, snd the childish, good-natured
enthusiam gathera momentua. Peg-Leg st~s his ~itar again, the
harmonicist blowing an accompaniment. Fifteen min~tes of masic is
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Katherine Flo;yd.
Project # 64
hasell Cow.nt;y, ,l.labama.
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Katherine Floyo.
Projeot jf ,.454
u~sell County, alabam~.
T~LE I .uhS.
Subjeet; folk-lore.
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It is an 010 dage that 111 oreeding betrays itself most
at 1.,. e dining table.
It is rude to say. or talK about. 80 maQY thinga at tee table
tr.at to cat logue l.~ew all w ld fill sillall vol;u;e.
tiqustte ,,:s nos 1.1. 1. all conversation be con~e'lial- nO
argu. ents or debates .1. th~ tabl~.
Propsr deference dUe rbspect or 1. e te~s. r.O t. .Ld a~l o~ddr
persons present are ~aleo tory. ~t ~s dblig~tory pun Lrr~ ~oung
to be more ittentive l.I,an 1. ro~- uev"r pre/ssing 1. I taKe tne le a
in l.able cdnveraation.
,10 one seJula le ve l.he table. af1.er sittlllg ~'own until the
tiOs1. ,r ho~toas first arises.
~,o e 6 teat servant ehould never be l.hanKed under allJ
conditione for anything. 01.here 1. e a different view.
If an accident or B cBeach of etiquette occurs. don1. notice it.
aek for " 1. ing on the table tr.at you want- dont aSK for anytning
th 1. you oont see.
~at 11 you W3Dt. but e 1. slOWly. dont cram your fDOd. e Bon
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your soup with any condimsn1.e you aee. if you w~,t to, c~t re~e~ber
tn- 1. eveqtlling else 1.0"'1. snoulc ;, ve gone into U.e soup was put
into it in the kitcI.en (oon't put orac"ere into our soup).
on't croee our lege ,ma er tae table; uon' 1. r iae ;( JUT el cowe
on tr.e 1. ble. "",on't Clive at your food; Gon't "",,ife
tomatoes Or lettuce.
Co pliment my fooo or u~~h 1.".,1. ~ou i,(eo, 'ill"
potato l1 •
ra r1Jle ~ .
,11 Co_••
Alab_.
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16P'rs.... (er ftlle to ",ilriiDt ao.)
loft er laeII: of l\ - lilt 40 • u4 , one
=0 .0 le & oharaeter lJl41eaUolll al.o. the ural lOY. or
.0laUO& f &Il1IIal.. __. - *'>r.. ta & ebaraot.r 11141-
0& 10&1 l11tov1 .0 & lallk of
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cro41to41 .I.e
, oliilr8iit•• 111410&'1oll.
'I'Ilt """".. roY.. that fl...
fea r. flAo Mr4II." C1,ee'llu. • 01'
U. no.........
1 01' 1...' '. of
f.1' 10 ..., foll4 f •
I' f 1. a ".1enf - ha4l•• or \reato
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1&11 ,te•
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12/21/3.
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I:atnerine loyd.
P~oject ,.,.54
ltllesell Co V1ty, lab.....a.
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~llbject: FOlk-lore.
"here re no recoros ~Q legenos of any folk g es strictly
The dlder innabitants rec 11 the ga:ne of " own Ball " Which
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pellllliar tcl this re ion. •
antedated uaseuall. n this game the pitunars, Qatters ~Q
catchers oehind t~e bAts, were 11 of the s e te m, the opposing
pi ers o~cllpyil1g field positions only. .his game was intrtdllced
into G orgia ~Dd Alab~a t a very early perioo suo pl eo llDtil
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ollring the late lb70'S •
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• ".61111 Pan" another game play eo oy mioole l\lth c ntllry scnool
bOYS was also an introallced game. .t a certain stage of this game--
follo illg B f Jrfeit-- "tl:e "J31111" Vias forced to st no B[!:ainst 1 tree
or po~t, .ll 0 WitI a shdrt f maled p<dole, prote/ct himself a"ainst ..*
pelting with .. thrown ball.
"he rOll ~ ball lam I of "the Inoi ns w.s never played by local
wnite men.
_arly sports embraced tllrAey shoots-- tnat is, shooting at a
"tllr~ey'a heao, the tllr~eyboing confine in a crate or b s£et with
hia head drawn throllgh a nole or crack on tae olltside. ~ach
anooter paid so milch for a shot with ri leo ~Le sh otin VI s
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llsllall oone at a distance of lUO rds from tne target, lao
,Haslli- ~ -.R&- !l'~""~
wbthollt hand rsst, ~o tae man "that shot the tllr~e S he Q of
got the bird. (This was an intrOQllCed sport).
cock fighting, e~rly introdllced, was a very po pillar gambling
sport for maDJ ye~rs. On July 1, lb~4, ~here was aQver"tiseo
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• • • Latherine Floyd.
Project If 4454
. ussell county, labama.
uDject; Folk-lore
=!ige If 2.
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three d Y cocK-fighting tournament t~ De oele in ussell Cownty
Deginning toe folloWing 0 • and laating tl.rough toe. ourth.
Horse r cing w s so locally popular in an early oay that 1. e
Cit~ of vol~bus, Georgia oul 1. a r~ce rr!ick in 1834, woich city
is 8iH8'-~8-P- oirectly cross the river fro Phenix City, ~aDam •
~.t.e claill ,.1iS been msde 1.0"'1. this w s tl.e first municipally -owned
) race tr 1ck in "",erica. ....utins Jistory records ..he n...~es vf several
famous torses that co peted on this track during the lti3~'s. .ois
nistory :lisa mentions 1.He fact that many ot theae "arly-oay races
were 12 CIllO lb mile contest run in suocessive ileatS of four miles
each.
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In a lb mile race on this traok- the Cha1.tahoochee Course- on
pril 4, ltl;>7, "anklort- oe cribso as a "famous racer" oieci from
exh ustion immeoi tely after rwnuing the last Lsat •
_ ~!le early card Games were "Old Slecige"- another name for "Seven
Up': n vhucL-aluck"- calleo t.e "Old rmy Ga:ne", !l:hree Card ante. " , and
fe. otoers-- inoluci ing "Draw Poker". Professional gamDlers USJ. lly
so oressed as to aistinguish tt.emsellres as such.
ulloog figLting, a Degenerate sport of the south, oevelopee
subseouent .0 toe Civil. r, as of co p~rit'vely short uJ.ratlon nd
was never popular witn ths uetter elememt.
Prsctioal JOLeS of Ante-oe lum times partook of the natare of
"badger- fighting, "Helpa~elping ownting and "Ilelling the Bllll"
p.sctiBed llpon the unitiateo MIO green norns.
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Katberine Floyd.
Pbenix City, Alaba
Rullsell County.
Folk Danoes.
Subjeot: Folk-lore.
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No folk danoes of strictly looal origin can be traoed to
tbe {bites. Tbe polka .altz. the Virginia Reel. and a number of
square dances, tho formerly quite popular. did not originate in
labama.
Tb. "Irisb Trot"."Twistification", etc •• appear to have been
borrowed or adopted. Their origin can't be definitely traced.
Mod.rn dances appear to bave sprung up. spontaneously, at
wifely separat.d points.
am'ng the colored race. impromptu dances may be evolved overnight,
danced and forgotten by morning.
A few of tbe old-time negro danoes werll: "The Possum Trot",
tbe "Coonjine Walk" ( akin' of shuffle dance). tbe "Hop, Skip, and
"Buzzard Lop.... "Tb. Billy in the Low Grounds" march. the "Stomp" •
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and the -Afrioan altz" --wb~ob was no waltz at all. but a square
dane.
Co~try darkies yet know very little of modern danoes. Tbeir
«ances are generally strictly folk-danoes, usually engaged in by
a number of couplell ~nd direoted by a oaller who stands eitber in
the. center of the danoe floor or in a corner. In these dances
body and f.et are both used, the swaying, swinging, shuffling, and
stepping all keeping perfeot time with tbe musio.
Souroe of . terial: Mrs. Yatherine Bush.
'rs. "attie nderson.
3.ale. labama.
Compiled by Katherine Floyd.
Kntberine .'loya..
Project I 44/;4
ssell vounty, labama.
THE COT ILL I01< •
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SBBJ .CT: FOLK-LORE.
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Tbe Cotillion or square dance is composed of four, six, eight
or more couples arranged in a square or oblong figure.
One end ie oalled bead, tbe other foot. The aides are right
left, or rigbt and left wing. Head is aually where tbe oallar
stands, eapeoially if be is dancing•
Eaob oo~and means tbe exocution of a figure by tbs danoers •
• First CODlltand: Handa ap an balf cirole to tbe left. Tbis means
I7<z balf way around tbe oirole tbua formed, olockwiae.
Seoond Co nd: Rigbt Baok. Waltz balf circle cownter olockwise
to tbe s til :\lting point. ( fbe gentleman leada in moat figures).
Tbird Co~ndl Honor your Coti~lion and tbe lad1 on your left:
Tbe gentleman bow to '~e Cotillion and tbe ladies on their left.
Fourtb Command: Waltz to center twioe and back: lill clasp bnnds
This means toe gentleman
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one by the gentlemen clasping rigbt bands.
nd ltz to tbe center(twice )
5. SWing Corners. partners and promenade:
SWings tbe lady on his left.
Swing partners ano waltz once round the circle counter clockwise.
6. Firat and fourth couples to the rigbt, rigbt b.nds cross,
l.:;e.::;f..:;t-=b.::;a.::;c.::;k",.-=r.=i",/!",h:..::t:.....::h:,::a:,::n:,::d:.....;t:..::o,-"y:..::o:..::u::r'--partnsr, we 1t z four in a line,
and SWing. Tbis is
Tbe ladies do tbe same aeross tbeir partners' bands, thus forming
a eross. Tbey waltz around like a Wheel, Join right bands to their
waltz four in a line, when tbe ladies loose hands and all SWing.
7 &~~&'iii'&i&'kt&t kit~~
....&~k~ti..l&••~!~ ~ .&~itt& ~&~il&!~
• ) o
Katherine Floyd.
Projeot 4454
ssell County. Alabama. (
SaBJ~CT: Folk-lore.
7. Hal~ 8Wing ~our: Ladies exchange. and gentlemen the same:
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In this part o~ the figure after inging, they clasp hands and
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ltz in a circle; they release hands on opposite sides of circle;
the ladies clasp hands and change place between ths gentlemen;
at the s me tims the gentlemen do the same. thus restoring each
to his partner. This is continued until these couples reaoh
their stations.
8. Swing corners and pro.enade:
ch gentleman SWings the lady to his le~t. claspa the hande o~
his pertner, nd all waltz once around in a circle. counter
clookwise to their stations. Then # 6 is repeated until all couplss
have executed this figure, repeating # 7 as each couple finishes
t 6.
9. First couple, lady to the right and gentlemen to the left, sWing
in the center.
In this figure. the lady swinge the gentleman with her right hand.
and the gentleman SWings the ladiee in the same manner, swinging
each other with left hand in the center. This ie a very beautiful
~igure and as each ccuple finishee it, # 5 is repeated. Thie
~igure ie danced cne COuple at a time until all couplee have
finished.
10. First an fourth couples to the right and form the figuree
eightL-The
lady leads this figure by going once around the 1 dy to her
right. while her partner goee aro~d the gentleman. then ehe
goes around ths gentleman while he goes around the lady;
when they meet they OlaSp hande.
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Katherine Floyd. Subjeot: Folk-lore.
proje,t # 4464
RRs8ell Co~t7, Alabama.
11. Half swing four; Ladies exchange nd sWing a double F.
(This is called Do Ce in some seotions)
With hands olasped they waltz like a turning wheel, the ladies
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exchange between the gentlemen thue meeting their partners,
both oouples swing at the eame time dOIble L.
This is continued until eaoh oouple oompletes the round, # 6
being repeate' as each couple finishes.
12. Firet and fourth couple to the right, half swing three and
thre d the .eedle:
The lady leads, clasping the hands of the couple to her right;
when they sing half round, they hold their ~aaa olasped hands
up and she darts under. Her partner follows in the same manner.
This is continued, two oouples at a time repeating # 6 as they
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finish until all have gone around.
13. Ladies to the center, Join in a circle, gentlemen join
hands around, ladies waltz to the right, gentlemen to the
left and weave a basket when you meet your partner.
The basket is wo~en by the gentlemen raising thsir claeped hande
over the heads of the ladies; in this figure they waltz twice
each way around in a circle and repeat # 6 when they reach
their st tions.
the
The ladies step out toward • center 01 a cirole. The gentlemen
remain at their stations.
16. ~ht hands cross:
The 1 adies clasp hands across the circle making a wheel with the
clasped hands forming the hub.
t4. Ladies to the center:
• ( )
Katherine FloTd.
Projeot # 4464
R»ssell Co~tT, Alabama.
Subject: Folk.lore.
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16. altz .
TbeT waltz one •••~. oomplete turn, olookwise.
17. Left Baok:
TbeT cbange to left bands aross and reTerse the wheel to oenter
olookwise.
18. altz to tbe right:
TheT waltz one oomplete turn of the wheel. This is all done
bT the ladies while the gentlemen re in at their stations.
19. Join right hand to Tour partner and waltz to the right:
All are wal~&ing in a great wheel turning oounter olookwise.
20. Drpp back one:
The man snd his partner haTe their right hands clasped while
• waltzing one turn of tbe wheel, but when he reaohes his station
be drops baok, one clasping the hands of the lady just behind
bim. Tbis is continued until he meets his partners (This figure
is waltzed to time of musio. )
21. SWing partners cnd promenade:
Partners swing and promenade to the right, one circle back to
stations.
22. Fir*t two couples to the right, feem the riTer bend:
This is done bT joining hands with the seoond couple. The gentleman
• of the first couple leads and passes behind the third couple,
passing between the third nd fourth couple in a circle pioking
up the third Oouple on the end of the line as theT pass.
This is continued until all couples are in the figure, there they
waltz baok to their stations. Repeat # 6.
• •
• • , • ,- .
,
•
Katherine }'loyCl.
projeot ,. 4454
usdell Bounty, Alabama •
SUbjeot: Folk-lore.
• e turea of surviv 1 from Pioneer d ys.
f few f rmera who ClO not own large general utility kettles or pots,
still soald hogs,l t hog killing time) in a very primitive manner,
to wit; toey dig a hole in the groun and fill it with water, then
he t tlie water With helt rookS toat have be In heated in fire, When
tbe ~ater is then bro~ght to proper temperatJIel, tho hogs are so In'El\ll
and de-Lair •
_ Bear grass is stnl toe favori tel mat ITi lwi to 11 farmez4s for nanging
__ LOng nandled ~4urus ~re st~ll uaeu 'n tne oountry for Clippers, 3Dd .
large gourds are useu for many purpoa \s, s reoept ole ,eto., hence,
tr.e "s r gourn", "a Ilt g-lurd", "soap gO<lrd", ete.,.
.H I old fashiJnea lye soap of early days is still de an ver
pop~lar in aome odmmunities. Its sn~faoture involves the use of the
•
pioturesque Bsh-hopper, mounted on stilts for leaohing toe 1 e from
hioKor Bsoes, and an iron pot for boiling the so p.
___ ~oe "battling stiok" syste of w shing is still a~erreCl to b man
coloren laundry women.
_ f!lrmers hang" rtin Gourds" to attract lIl.!lrtins s proteotion
for their poultry ag inst hawks.
_ InverteCl glaSS bottles, attached to the tops of tsll poles. are set
up in man farm-yaros. Theoe.tically, when hswk dives for a chicken
toese bottles "shin'; in his eyes" l refl ect the sun I s rays) and blind
him.
at holes are cut in the front doors of many farm hOllses
for the
Katherine Floyd.
pr41ject jf 4<.'54
Ruseell County, ~abama.
•
Subject: Fol~-lore.
Page 2.
F rm practices; continued.
family cats to use, going and ooming st their pleasure.
Tee ancient ana aeadly "dead-fall", lleavy log sprung b trigger,
is used to trap varmints, particularly those to t prey on poultry.
Young hio~or b rk is often employed for plaiting Whips ana for other
purposes. In cases of necessit , ropes ana briale reins re de of
hio ory bark.
SWeet p~tatoes are not housed on f rms, after g thering, but hilled
in toe gr.und, the process of hilling being sn srt.
Msny fsrm gates are still swung on wooden hinges •
. fuite oak splits, gotten out by h nd still appear to be the best, and
certainly toe most populsr material with whioh to make cotton bas~ets
and to bottom ohsirs, though some ohairs are still bottomed with
almost everlasting raw oowhide material. The white ou "split" hamper
basLet, feed basket, e g bss~et and garden b....t re useful adjuncts
to every farm.
few farmers still make s rup aa toeir orefatherS did, ia a huge
iron caJ.dron of En \l.iah anuf ct re, some of which are more than
a hundred • ears old. 'hese old oalarons serve s wssh pots, water
throughS for farm im ls, hog soalding v ts. s rup Iting-I<ettles,
lye so p aking and lard rendering utensilS, eto,.
~he "dinner horn" as in olden d~s, i still blown on a few fsrms.
A few rail fences survive.
Plantation Bmo~e housee, often cqlled " eat houses" and built of
broad axe-hewn OaK logs-- With di r t floors, service to an extent.
•
• •
.. ~ _.
- -•
~ tnerine Floyo. uubject: Folk-lore.
ProJeot 4464
ussell Cownty. Alab a.
CTICES.
est Pot toes: potato neap. first select piece
of nigll ground !iIld eBen off circular sp ce about ~ feet in oi eter.
Next, oover this space with dry bO rds HUd make a ring rouno it with
rocLS. ~pri~le a 4 or 5 inoh la er of or s~d over bo ros, ~d over ~n
tile &nO 1 y a thicL coating of or h y. pine straw, or oat straw. ,cen
begin to ma..e a cone shaped pile of potatoes. being sure to ee tll9.t
all potatoes are thoro hI dr and oono. AS the heap builoing prooee~
potatoes and straw shoulo b. laid in alternate layers. When finished,
1-he he p shoulo be sbout three feet high. its top not over 10" in
uiameter. Rext, oover the heap thoroughly with dry straw over whion
slant dry stripped oorn stalks. I cit if necessary to the right lenght)
Then, oover the dry oorn st Ike with orj ~traw ~nd, over 11,.banK
4 or inches of ory e rth. Fin 117, 0 p 1-he oone with a roof of boarus
that will sheo the water, &nO the potato hill is oomplete. If built
properly, a hill oonstruoted aocoroing to speoifioations given will
proteot potatoes against fro 1. in temperature as low as 10degrees
IlLove zero.
~edding ug r Can~: irst, tBAe up 0 ne, roots ano II, leaving 1-he-iae-fodder
on tile stalks, next, builo bed of e rth bout 18" hign,
plOWing or digging w ter furrows round it to drain off rain and
overing ott r 1. h ith "rtJ•' •. uU 8'UJ.u"Om )leC8SS r , t-~-'d
the cane on the bao <Xld celver it .,>1.11 e r',n: td a d~ptll
"
of t 0 feet.
moisture. L
~ boaru 0 over i ..des nd rm. C ne shoulo also ue\ u ul \0 in 1. 'a
• • •
Katnerine Flojd.
plio j ec"L 4454
aSS ell Count~, alab a.
• ,
• •
~abject: olL-lore.
pdge 2.
•
rm Prac"LiCes--continued.
s e ~roun~ "Lhat it ia grown in.
HousinQ Corn: C~rn sholllo be gat ared neD .- t is r; ~Y'Q. 0'r1 tI 6'
e r. In ctober or No? ber, lad hen "LhOro~t~y or~. nen s"Ldring
i~ in b rn or crib, it is slso gdd rdea t<1 1..) r'lils or l:; 4
ti oer'" 0 t~at "Lne corn ~ill rea"L rn 1 Jura i~h ~ir poc~ets oe"LW en.
~is IldWa "Lne BiT to c~rculate ~o pre~&nts hri'lting ~ a' eating
wi"LO cctdaequen"L ill r ults. To pre~ent wdevils rdm get"Ling in
oorn, it snoulo be liberall sprinkled, dS Doused. with cacpeneo
salt, sd o~stributed as to uome in iontact with 11 of toe earn in
tnf'l Drib.
Kll11ing dgs: ildg ki!lling ~s 0 one LJ~ str kila!> "Lhe linillJal ~n tHe.
heao( 0 ltw In lonEi ejos) with a mall 011 sledge nammer. uaU. 11 while
tfie hd is 1n "Lhe pen. 61t, the hog is stuck with a long bladed
knife, the entry being m oe in his throat ~d ~is heart penetratec
to allow free bleeding. Next, the hog ie aO'llded, deh ired b' nanc,
ana singed if necessary to remove an hair or bristlss that are
diffioult to scrub off. ~oe hog is tten gamoreled (hung ap b~ nia
nino legs) and disembowele'. nan this is done toe offal is oau.ght
ill tub, basin, or large pan, ano u u~ll turned over to a negro
woman who first remove the lignts. liver anc haart and then prooeec
to "read" the entrails for f t-- y;ith woich to make l:arll. When
tne "reading" is over with the claaning of all entrails begins.
certain oneS being prepared for s usage 0 sings. and tte othere
__ the "chitterlings" -- for food.
It usually taLes about six washinga in Warm water to oleanse the
• • • • o •
atherine Flo;ra.
Pro jeot T 44b..
nU9sell crounty, labama.
ubje~t: FolK-lore.
Page 3
';'arm Pr .,,"tices: cdntinu.ed.
oasings :md eo.iole stomaoh offal. !rhe hog carc ss is next cut up into
d.. "mi<idlinb ll", the head, beoLoone md spsreribs
being oarefully removed.(occaaiOnally, a farmer leaves tne ep reribe
in the middlings).
ham, shoulaers,
Tnen, all of the major parte re trimmed for sausage meat, after
which "they are waehed and not touohed again until late in the afternoon
when the are "thoroughl;r ealted and (usu lly dependent upon the tempera
-ture) laid out on top of a Douse over night for the s~lt to"striKe".
Next illorning, "these neavy main parts of the carcasS re paokedin salt
in a barrell or box to oure. fter from four to eight weeks, if a
smoKe is desired, they sre unpaoked, thoroughly cleansed of salt,
plied with a sweet solution of su.gar(molaeses) ano. water tinged with
borax, then hung with "bear grass" over a hiokory ohip (slOW) fire
ano smoked for from two to five days. ~fter then, nature is allowed
"to taKe its course, "the eat beooming drier and drier with age.
000 sionally, backbones and spareribs ano. hogs heads re dry salt
cured, but most frequently the; srs eaten While fresh. Trimmings
from the head, P rticu.larly oheek meat, the snout and ears are often
made into eouse or "nog's-hesd-oheese". Pi Is feet ano. tonguas are
oonsidered great delicacies, as also the "chitterlings"--by ",any.
pork aBusage are of two ~inas, fresh an smoKed. TO Keep semi-fresh
for several onths, make up ssusage ano. place in a lard oan(or another
container) and pour liquio. lard (hOt) over "them until thoarou.ghly
covered and let stand, smOKed s u.sage re oured oy eimply emoking over
a slow hickory fire.
• • . - ( ) • '0 • •
Katherine Floya.
Project t' 4454
ussell County. ~labam8.
SUbject; Folk-lore.
Page f 4
]arm Practices; Continued.
Bear Grass; Nothing is as aurable nd satisfactory for meat hanging
as bear grass. In its preparation the leaves from 18" to 36" ldng-are
first gatherea ~a then soaked in Warm water,( just un er the
boiling point) for about thirty minutes, which softens ana makes them
plisble. next, the rough outer edges and spines are removed, then the
grass is read for use. ana ties easily.
Beef Killi~ Csttle re Killea either by hitting in the head with an
8xe Or sledge lammer, the blow being aelivered in the oenter of the R~nead
behind the ears, or by sho.~ting oetween the eyes.(). Next ,the
animal is bled by outting the throat.
•
~kinning is sometimes done on the ground, otherwiae the oarcass is
swung uy several different methods(by block ana tackle, a three legged
horse, eto.,) to be shinne • ~'he o~fal 1s then removed, the "lights:'
•
liver, md heart separated, anQ the remainaer "read" for tallow.
•
The cutting up process Differs with 9ifferent farmers, some do it in
more or less haphazard fashion--witb oroinar~ farm tools, while others
Lave learned to ao it soientifiodlly,lus~ngapproved outohers tools •
• If the beef is to be oorned, the oaroass is boned and reauoed to hunKS
ranging from two to four pounds in weight ana depositea in kegs or
barrels of brine- the formula of its contents var ing acooraing to the
iaeas and stand rds of aifferent farmers. uniformly. however, the beef
is allowed time to thoroughly ohill Defore being oorned.
If the beef is to be dried or "jerKed", it is first out into strips of
from two to four pounas e oh--tnat is- all exoept the hams, whioh are e
often curable in OhunKS of from 10 to 0 pounds, llowed to thoroughly
•
.. -..(.......)..
•
.: tnerine 0),0.
proJeot ••64
R~ssell co~ty, Alabam •
C'dC':S.
•
J~bJeot: polk-lore•
Hilling Swest Potatoes: ~o mak.e pot to heap, first seleot piece
of high gro~d and esen off aira~ar sp ae abo~t 3 f et in di~eter.
Next, cover this spaae with dry bo rds >nd m~e a ring aroQDd it With
roa~s. prinkle a • or 6 inch 1 yer of ry saDd over bo rds, and over ~h
the "and 1 a thiok ooati of dry h 1, pine str w, or 0 t straw. ~hsn
begin \.c mue aone shapsd pile of pot toes, being s~e to see that
11 potatoes re thoro hl dr1 and eo~ • dS the heap b~ilding prooeeds
pot toea d straw sho~d b. laid in ltern te yers. Ihen finished,
the he p Sho~d be bo~t three feet hieh, its top not over 10" in
o'iameter. l'Jext, oover the he p thoro~l:Shly with. dry straw over whiah
slant dry atripped ocrn stllks. I cit if neoeas ry tc the right lenght)
Then, aover the dry aorn st lks with art traw nd, over ll"bank
• cr 6 inChes of dry e rth. Fin lly, a p ths cone with roof cf bo r a
that will shed the w ter, the pctato hill is oomplete. Ii b~lt
properly, hill ccnstr~oted aaording to speaifio ticns given ill
proteot pot toes as inst frout in temper t~re a low a 10degrees
.luove zero.
~~C~an~!: Pirat, t e ~p cane, roots an all, le ving the-feafc
der on the stalkS, next, bQild a bed of e rth bOQt 18" hign,
plowing or digging water f~rows rowud it to drain off rain and
aoistQre. Lay the 0 e on the bsd .nd o<.\Ter 1t wl!th e rth td il d'~pth
• cf t 0 feet. Covering otbor t,dan with" rth is tI dom noo 'ss r#,. tnd
boara oov r .. <leo nJ IJ rill. Cane shc"'a 1 -'I \d ' <U. so IJ .. b UI in til
•
• I
Katherlne Flo,d.
pt\oJeo1. 4464
Rllssell COllnt;l'. ilabWll •
Farm Praotloes--oontInlled.
s e ~rollnJ 1.hat lt ls grown In.
. '/
\,
~llbJeot: dlk-lore.
P . e 2.
HOlls1ng Corn: C.jrn "hollld be g tl1~ed lien Jt 1s 11 lrO an tHe
e r. In otober or lfc:tflq,.ber, l.8~ When thoro cl)' ori. tien stdrl
1il in b rn or orib. it 1a lso ~ geldJ i!de t~ 1 .J r Us or 1.4
ti bers so t at .de oorn ill rest rn 1 ¥ s i~h ir poo~eta betWeen.
:;Ilia .u.lo'w tt.e ailr to o1Jrolll ~e IDO pre.,lents h,ating .mel sYieati'ng
with oddseqllent ill reslllts. 0 pre~ent weevils ~rJm getti in
oarn, it stloillo be liboral1;\' Sprinkled. is hOllaed, ith Q peneo
s 11., ad ui!striblltsd 3S td o~a in 'ontaot with 11 of thd odrn in
thd orib.
Killling ~ H~ UUl1ng
he d(b4tw~4n the s,yds) wHh a
~II 0 Cl1e u,y str iltiJng ths
11 o~ sledge n er.
ninlBl i!n tne
IlSLl. 111 wh11.e
tc.e hdg is 1n the pen. ext, the hog ls stuok with a long bl csd
knifs, the entry being de in hls throat d .is hs rt penetrated
to allow free bleeding. Next, the hog ls so ded, deh re b, h~d,
and slnged if neoessary to remove h ir or brlstles th t re
difflolllt to sorub off. The hog ls thsn gambrels (hllDg IIp b his
hind legs) d disembowele'. When this is done the off 1 ls 0 Ilght
in a tllb. basin, or large pdD, d IlS 111 tllrned over to a negro
wOmAn who first remove the 11ghts, 11ver d he rt and then prooeed
to "read" thea entrails for f 1.-- wlth whloh to maks 1 r~. When
the "re ing" is over with the olsaning of 1 entrails bsgins,
oert In ones being prep re for s Ilsage oasings,
__ the "ohltterlings" -- or foo •
d the others
It IlS11811)' takes bOllt six w shings in w rm w tar to oleanss ths
• •
• • 1 •0.-_ -
•
• •
K theriDe loy.
ProJeot # "64
h~aaell County, Alab ma.
~bJe.t: folk-lore.
P ge t :5
I rm Pr,otloea: oJntln~ed.
oaalng nd lble atom oh offal. he hog oaroaaa la next oot ~p lnto
h m, ahooldera, an '"mlddlingl", the h. ,b okbon. d apararlba
belng o,r.f~lly remov.d.(oooaalon lly, a f rm.r l.av.e the ep r.rlbe
ln the mlddllnga).
Then, 11 of the major parte re trlmm.d for eaoeage m. t, aft.r
whloh th.l r. waah. not tooohed g ln ~tl1 lat. ln tbe aft.rnoon
eBen tb.y re thorooghly • lted and (oe~ 117 d.pend.nt ~pon the t.mp.ra
-t~r.) 1 ld o~t on top of ho~. ov.r nlght for the a~lt to"etrik." •
• ext morniDg, theae heaT1 maln parta of the 0 ro.a. r. p ok.diD a~t
ln b rrtll or box to o~•• Aft.r fram fo~r to .1ght w.eka, lf a
a.ok. lB d.alr.d, th.y r. ~paok.d, thoro~ly ol.ana.d of a lt,
plled wlth a aweet aolotlon of aogar(molaaaeB) d wat.r tlnged wlth
borax, then hong wlth "b.ar gr aa" over
and amok.d for from two to flv. d a.
hlokory ohlp (a10w) flr
fter then, nat~r. la 110wed
to t • lta oo~a., the .at beooming 4rl.r drier with g••
000 al0 117, b okbon.a 4 apar.rlba and hoga h. 8 r. 4ry a lt
oor.d. b~t moet fr.qo.ntll th.y are • t.n wbl1. fr ••h. Trlmming8
from the h.ad. p rtlo~ ly oh••k m. t, the anoot 4 • ra are oft.n
mad. iDto ao08. or "hog'e-h. 4-oh••••". p~18 f ••t ano tongo.a r.
oona14.r.4 gr.at d.ll0 ol.e. 8 aleo the "ohltt.rliDga"--bl anl·
pork e oB ge ar. of two ~1n ,fr.ah ana 8mok.d. o k.ep aaml-freah
for a.v.ral month., make ~p .a08ag. and plao. ln a lard oan(or ~oth.r
oontaln.r) pou l1q~ld 1 (hot) ov.r th•• ~tl1 tho.xo~ly
cover. d l.t at d, mok.d aa08ag. r. ou.d b almply 8moklng ov.r
a 810w blokory flr••
•
• •
, • ..~ .
I
• • •
Kather1ne 1101 •
ProJeot 4464
1188ell County, Al.ab8lll •
arm Pr otloe8: Contln~ed.
»aar Or .8: Nothlng ls aa d~able
S~bjaot: .,olk-lore.
P ga # 4
d aatla~aotory ~or meat hanging
aa bear graaa. In lts preparatlon the leavea from 18" to 36" ldng--
ere flrat gathere d then soakad ln w rm weter,(j~t undar the
bol1ing polnt) ~or ~bo~t thlrty mln~tea, whioh so~tena and makea them
pllable, next, the ro~h o~ter edgas and aplna. are removed, then the
gra8S la re y ~or ~8a. tha ea811y.
a kl11au alther y hlttlng ln tha haad wlth
axe or 81edge hammer, the blow belng dallvered 1n the oentar of tha A ha
d ahind the ear8, or by .hoa tlng between the eyea.l). Bext,the
amimel 18 blad by o~ttlng the throat.
Sklnning 1. sometlmes done on the ground, otherwl.a the oaroaas ls
swung b 8averal dl~farant methods(by blook and taokla, a three legged
horae, eto.,) to be aklnned. ,he o'~al 18 then removed, the "llghta~
11var, .nd heert 8eparated, tha re 1ndar "re d" ~or tallow.
The o~ttlng ~p prooa8a dl~fera wlth dlf~erant farmera, 80me do 110 ln
aora or lea. haph • rd ~ 8hlon--wlth ord1n ry ~arm 100018, while oth r8
t~va learnad to do it eolentl~io 111, ~1ng pproved b~tohers toola.
I~ the beef 18 to be oornad, the 0 ro 8a 18 bone nd re ~oed to h~8
rung1ng ~rom two to ~ol).r pou.nda ln welght d depoalte ln kega or
barre18 of brlne- tha form~la o~ lta oontenta v rl1ng aooordlng to tb.
ldeas d st d rds of dl~~erent f rmera. Unl~ormly, however, the bee~
to thoro~ghll
1s llowed tlme to thoro~ghly ohl11 be~ore belng oorned.
If the bee~ ls to be r1ed or "jerked", 110 18 ~lrst o~t 1nto atr1ps of
from two to fo~ poU.D 8 a oh--that ls- 11 exoapt tha hama, hloh are a
o~ten o~r bla ln ohunka of from 10 to 30 poun a, allow.
•
•
•
•
• (,
~Qtheline Floyd.
Pro.eot ,.464
,118"011 0 hmt)'. Alaballl! •
)
Jl1bJeot: FolL-lore.
IHLIGIOUS Ol1S~O d 01 UBJdUAL BUUle.
(Ndte; ~ oust om of any se.t dr f ith repre.ont~l~ eaen
mllndrity l1iJ ohl1roh odmlDllnloanta 18 jl1llt 8 UDI1SI1a1 i'n thll trl1est
sense of the word as chl1roh Ol1stO.:lll l.ere-in fter ,"entioneid.)
ethodist Oamp Kletlnge. peollltar t~ the etlodi8tdenomination,
re not 8 wioely tt ed in est Alabama s the were forty ;yoars
o. A good oamp gro~~.. , hawevsr. 8ttll romain. nc thore
the people ether llally and 0 p, o.dlt, on e t, d ttend civine
..arviee. on tne grollDc8, A featl1re of th ~e eeting8 1s the "love
ever;y body" spirtt tt t ptev ils tl," goad foo 8erved, !Ht!' 4n
the lmory of tL'\ present generatidn. muoh lI11ol1tin WIll rd;it th..ae
gre t r 'viv la.
01 r eh10ned Ixlmons~' \livereld t oOllntr;y meetingll 1>Ol1scs.
p.u-t lolll rl of tIHJ "etho 18t...rlo isulon r;y llaptiBt ceno' in ti I1S,
thirt -fiv td fort ye rs d, of.do 1 teo frdm on to t 0 llollra,
• 180. lit protr t , B~Mer revivall eetinge, the ethoQist of th~t
d~ and time were given to ..uoh Bhol1ting o holy 1 I1gbing.
t Phenix Oit • ab8llla ana orOS8 the rlver 001 bl1a. Georgi
an p rtio~1 r among the mill operatives of North Uigbland8 there
are a gr.at m~ members of tlle Holinelle CUllroh, 00 Onl¥ oallld
Holy ollers. ~hese people -- or man)' of them, at 1.aet- oongreg te
at tne ho..e of the ill and pr for to.... r iher than e..ploy deator.
~he do not b.lieve i~ the l18e of e ioin.. ~heir oOl1roh 8ervicee
•
are fe ~Ilred with mlloh ahOl1tlng. oh ling. pr lng, golng into tr oee,
nd Bpeaking the"llnknown tongueB~ ~hey often eoo e BO filled with
~
tbe spit it tu t it effects them in devi ~s ways. ~ome fallon the floor
and rook, .~ble ~known tong~eB, They ttain Btages of holiness
that made it impossible for them to sin- ~hsir preachers fraq~ently
emplol sn es in "faith tests".
At a "Holy ollars" mseting it i not ~~s~al for a dozen
dfl,rant aonga to e s~ at the same time, or for the entire
congregation d the preacher to be, e ch man ~d wo in epenttentl¥
lll1U separ tely. singing, pr&¥ing, rolling, Bho~ting. or speaking.
Among colored congreg tions of r~ 1 di~tricts, the aing song,
chsnting stile of ser on delivery is very pop~ r, It is so
pop(\l r , once the pastor nas fairly well 1 wlcbed hi~ eermon, for
the brothera d sisters of the congregation to men in ~ison avery
point that ha drivas home. And the
~til it ecomea a rh¥tbmical chant.
en-ing grows, apra ds, nd awells
Colore people ara very emotion 1, theta revivals and
b ptizings re often feat~ed by m ss h¥steri , the 1
freq ently going into apirit~ convttlaiona, acre ing.
into at~tae that appe r to e s~ pended animation.
lIIellbers
d P s ing
Occ sion 111 -- negro preacher dvieea his congregation th t
Solomon .. e nogro bac ~~a he a~io 1n uis eong: "I
comely, 0, ya daughtera of Jerue lam".
At a ne ro raviv 1, .t 1e not ~uaual for a oolore p etor to
a 1: "Lat'e 11 moan". d e oongregation then 1110 na, llelcelly
be ~tif11l ia their mo inge.
few ver1 orthodoI nagroee bave expre aed belief th t oeoe
w a black • an eo pra ched of him. jM late s J11ly 1~~6,
Il~ a~
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