Daniel J. Wellborn interview with Sherman Russell

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. Sherman Russell starts this interview by describing his father's work as a horse veterinarian, including several common horse illnesses and cures. He also explains how to treat cow hollerhorn. At 5:40 Daniel J. Wellborn asks about traditional cures, to which Russell responds that his family used slippery elm (for boils), turpentine (as a cure-all), yellow root (for a sore mouth), snakeroot, butterfly root, and lockspur (for head lice). He also explains the origins of his name. Next at 14:30, Russell describes how they used wood splints to set a broken bone, and he tells a story about his father breaking his leg on a mountain in Jasper, Georgia. At 16:55 the conversation transitions to the topic of whisky, specifically how it was used as a medicine and that many of Wellborns neighbors ran moonshine stills. No one revealed the existence of these stills because they feared violent repercussions. He then details the process of distilling corn whisky. At 22:10 Russell describes milling and the labor-intense process of producing syrup, which could then be distilled or turned into candy. The conversation transitions at 25:44 to corn shucking, which happened in the Fall alongside quiltings that were followed by square dances. Russell describes some of the games and traditions from these events as well as how they protected corn-cribs from rats. At 30:35 Russell describes how they slaughtered hogs on cold but dry nights, then prepared the meat in smokehouses by curing it with salt or sugar, smoking it with hickory wood, and hanging up sauces in corn shucks. They made cracklin, lard, sorghum, and preserved sows heads out of the meat. Next at 34 minutes, Russell switches to the topic of hunting; specifically, they hunted skunks with steel traps in the winter for their pelts, foxes with hunting dogs, and turkeys by riding horses into the woods, although they limited themselves to killing only what they could eat. In addition, they hunted wild hogs and cats to protect cattle and crops. At 45:15 the conversation switches to superstitions, most of which Russell did not believe, and a witches who could cure warts. He also explains how they cared for their dead; they made coffins, placed coins over the bodys eyes, and tells a story about the death of his uncle. Next at 51:15 Russell talks about woodworking and the Brumby Chair Company which was located near Talking Rock, Georgia, before later moving to Marietta, Georgia. He then tells a story about a traveling salesman who temporarily tricked his neighbors into believing that he was recharging their lightning rods, and about traveling romanies who stole household items and traded horses. At 56:00 Russell describes how they used logs to create pipes that could be up to a quarter mile long. He transitions to an explanation of how they made soap out of grease, lye from cooking ashes, and mint. At 60:25 Russell recalls his father raising sheep from which he collected wool to sell at the Riverside Wooling Mill in Knoxville, Tennessee. Briefly at 1:03:15 he returns to the topic of traditional medicine, specifically measles. He also includes a couple of traditions around life-events. At 1:06:20 Russell tells a story about a man who visited yearly searching for hidden gold. He also talks about peddlers who visited annually, one of whom was Jewish, and who Russell insinuates was dishonest. Next at 1:14:20, Russell returns to the story about his fathers broken leg, adding more details about setting the bone and making crutches. At 1:17:22 he describes his fathers work as a Justice of the Peace who rode into different areas of town to hold seasonal court sessions. He never saw anyone hanged in Pickens County, and says for the most part everyone was honest, referencing the Ku Klux Klan in passing. At 1:21:10 Russell briefly outlines cotton agriculture in Pickens County. Then he tells a couple ghost stories, one about seeing a mysterious light when coon hunting and one about a haunted house. Next at 1:29:55, he recalls seeing panthers occasionally and how they attempted to cure rattlesnake bites. He also describes running down rabid dogs and treating their bites. Between 1:27:55 and 1:47:05 Russell describes tools his family made, including walking sticks, toothpicks, whistles, scrub brushes, dolls, and shoes. At the conclusion of the interview, Russell recalls the log house that he grew up in, including the outhouse, blacksmith shop, various tools, and drying wood for coffins. Sherman Russell (1899-1972) was born in Talking Rock, Georgia, to Elijah (1863-1920) and Anne (1865-1946) Russell. In 1917 he enlisted to serve during World War I. He worked in the pot pucker industry, married Ada Reavis (1898-1990), then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked in the city water works as a Filter Man, a Fitter Plant Operator, and Director of Purification until retiring in 1965. He was a Mason and an official of the American Water Works Association. Sherman and Ada had two daughters, Sarah Juanita (1926-1989) and Mildred (1922-2010). Daniel J. Wellborn (1950- ) was raised in rural North Georgia and graduated from Georgia State University. Additional biographical information has not been determined. 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 inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.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 languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. 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 emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.