Claudia Wells interview with Clara Palmer, Josephine Mary McCarthy Hickey, Mrs. G.W. Ogletree, Mrs. F.F. Whitfield, and Suzie Petty

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Clara Palmer introduces herself and states that she resides in Cleveland, Georgia, and is a member of the Cleveland Womens Club. Next, Palmer and an unnamed woman tell the Indian lovers'' story of Sautee (a Chickasaw Indian) and Nacoochee (a Cherokee Indian). Their romance was forbidden and Cherokee warriors pushed Sautee off of Yonah Mountain, after which Nacoochee jumped after him. They were both buried in Nacoochee Valley and the site where they died became known as Lovers Leap. At 5:50 Mary McCarthy Hickey introduces herself and tells a ghost story. 9:21 - She retells a story about her grandfather attending a fair as a child where a jack of the lantern chased him. Next, she recalls a portentous dream that predicted her sisters death. Next, at 12:50 she tells a story about a friend who found 11 leprechauns in her attic. At 20:40 Hickey tells several stories about practical jokes. And at 27:25 she discusses the death of her father and how she and her mother believed singing birds foretold his death. They also discuss banshees and Irish wakes. 32:18 - Wells introduces Mrs. G.W. Ogletree from Polk County, Tennessee, who moved to Georgia in 1916 during the influenza epidemic. She tells a story about a balding man who killed his brother who afterward haunted him by removing one hair from his head every night. Ogletree tells a couple of ghost stories; one about her family hearing her great-grandfather after his death, and one about a wake in which the deceased raised his knees. She then discusses life during the influenza epidemic, including brewing Sassafras Tea to prevent illness. At 37:34 there is almost 20 minutes of indistinguishable talking and singing. Next, 57:39, Mrs. F.F. Whitfield discusses not being able to sleep in a particular room because of a ghost. She then recounts her grandmothers story about sounds she heard in that attic. She tells about a practical joke in which Civil War soldiers pretended to be ghosts, scaring their friend to death. She then discusses her grandfather, who grew up in Mississippi, specifically his turkey hunting and running into a panther. At 1:10:20, Suzie Petty tells a family legend about her family moving to Atlanta, Georgia; on the journey they stopped at a farm house where they agreed to work for food and shelter. After they found a finger in the food, their hosts son warned them to leave because their hosts would saw them up like hogs like they did my parents. They escaped and reported the event to the sheriff, who discovered that the old couple murdered and assaulted multiple people. Clara Geruthy Palmer Norton (1888-1981) was born in Georgia and married Dock Norton in Grady County, Georgia, in 1908. They had seven children and resided in Cairo, Georgia, until her death in Columbus, Georgia. Josephine Mary McCarthy Hickey (1898-1994) was born in Kildare, Ireland, to Ellen and Timothy McCarthy. She was one of seven children. She married Michael Hickey in 1928 in New York City, New York, and had one daughter. She is buried in South Bend, Indiana. Suzie Petty (1914-?) was born in Georgia and resided in Fulton County for most of her life. She married Charles P. Petty and had at least three sons by 1940. Additional biographical information has not been determined. legends; family history; Native Americans; There is no transcript for this recording. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us in a position to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials accurately. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created. Additionally, our work to use reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete is ongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.