Karl Wingard Jr. and Betty Jean Goldsmith interview with F.H Dyer, Blueford Dyer, and Oliver Wood (part one)

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. This is the first in a two part recording; audio begins at 00:24 with a television advertisement for restaurants and a news broadcasting in which a racial slur is used at 01:29. At 02:17 the interview begins; Blueford Dyer states that he purchases sugarcane for his syrup already stripped because he has difficulty finding laborers. Next at 06:51, he further explains that he can produce on average two hundred gallons of syrup per acre. He ends by describing how electrical mills have replaced horse-powered mills in the sugarcane industry. Beginning at 9:34 until the end of the recording, the audio is inaudible. Blueford Dyer (1933-2006) was born to Jewel Dyer (1890-1974) and Fannie Azia Collins (1895-1945) in Blairsville, Georgia. He married Annie Joe Dyer (1933-2004) and ran the Dyer Sugarcane Mill that produced sorghum syrup in Blairsville, Georgia, alongside his uncle Frank Hedden (F.H.) Dyer (1896-1995). F.H. Dyer was born to Virgle (1866-1917) and Lula (1866-1917). He served in the United States Armed forces during World War I and married Dora Nix (1900-1961); together they had seven children. Oliver Wood (1897-1977) was born in Batesville, Georgia, to Thomas (1877-1901) and Elizabeth (1876-1966) Wood. He worked as a sugar maker and married Ella (1899-1987); they had six children, Hazel (1918-2011), Pauline (1920-2019), Gertrude (1924-2009), Katrine (1925-?), Lougene (1928-?), and Estelle (1932-2018). During World War I and II he served in the armed forces. A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. 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.