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.
Note: The first 50 seconds of this recording is loud feedback and the interview contains racist language. John Stewart begins this recording by telling a fictional story about a fly that bothered him while woodworking, and another about a Romany woman catching flies. At 4:50 Dozier Hall, the interviewers father, tells a story about a man who arrived at church intoxicated, then a humorous one about a trip to Alabama. Next he talks about his job as a land surveyor, then Stewart tells a racist folk tale about a black preacher. Hall then remembers a story about his father purchasing a bull at 17:20, then one about transporting cattle over a creek. Next Stewart recalls causing trouble with his brother and sister as children, then about hunting racoons possums at 31:00. At 34:30 Stewart recalls a humorous story about a rattlesnake biting his father, followed by stories about catching fish by hand as a child. Next Hall tells a folk tale about a twenty pound bass fish, then Stewart remembers fishing with his father and friends. At 53:30 Hall tells a story about dogs and jumping over a creek with Uncle Buck, a common character in his reminiscences. Next Martha Hall, the interviewers mother, remembers her sister shooting a chicken to eat for dinner. Then Stewart recalls life before people relied on groceries for food and tells a story about a cat who lived past its nine lives. At 1:01:20 Dozier Hall talks about his neighbor sleep-walking, then Martha Hall remembers her uncle moving rocks while sleep-walking.
Cathy McLaun Fussell (1948-) was born in Buena Vista, Georgia, to Henry Dozier Hall (1915-1974) and Martha Carol New (1922-2015). She graduated from Marion County High School; then studied folklore, education, and English at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. McLaun married twice, the second time to Fred C. Fussell (1942- ). She taught English at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, where she and her husband lived. John Osborne Stewart (1914-1986) was born in Appling County, Georgia, to Joseph O. Stewart (1887-1949) and Kizzie Simons (1885-1972). In 1938 he married Miriam Ruth Haycock and they had several children. He later moved to Glynn County, Georgia, where he lived until his death. Henry Dozier Hall (1915-1974) was born in Georgia. In 1942 he married Martha Carol New (1922-2015), who was born in Louisiana to Henry Crofford New (1885-1978) and Lenora Willet New (1888-1981). They had six children, including Cathy McLaun (1948- ). Cathy Hall lived in Plains, Georgia, when she died. Additional biographical information has not been determined.
No PDF transcript exists 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.