Kyle Davis and Dawn Fitzgerald interview with Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Reid, Frank Nelms, Lessie “Jane” Nelms, Jordan, Roy Hamilton Wallace (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 of a three part recording. It starts with Frank Reid telling a story about General Rileys buried treasurer. He switches topics to how to cure illnesses naturally; for example, weeds such as Butterfly root can cure colds and hemlock bark can cure toothaches. At 3:48, he tells two humorous stories about preachers. In the first a traveling preacher picks up a drunk man, and in the second a preacher beats a man with whom he is arguing. He also tells one about Bob Taylor beating the devil. 11:06: Next, Reid says that his father did not keep enslaved people. He then tells a funny story about enslaved people attending their masters funeral, where they reminisce about him. At 14:20 he recalls a strong one legged man, and at 16:35 he tells another humorous story. At 19:08, Dawn Fitzgerald briefly describes quilting and how to churn butter. Reid says that he knows a man in Hiawasee who crafts handmade guns. Then at 22:44, he talks about grain cradles and other tools he used when he sold grain. He says he was also a driver, which was sometimes called a steamster or a skinner. At 25:45 Frank Reid and his wife Pearl talk about cooking green beans, which they call leather britches. She says she has cooked her whole life and is tired of it, after which she explains how to can fruits and vegetables such as green beans and peaches. At 29:15 Reid talks about butchering hogs. Specifically, he talks about killing them, cleaning them, and which body parts became which type of food. He notes that they do not currently keep hogs, but they help family members who do. Starting at 33, he retells funny stories. One is about a man collecting wood, one is about a man who grew an extra large turnip, and one is about mosquitos (during this story, at 37:10, he uses racist language). Starting at 39, Reid explains how he can predict the weather and difficult winters based on fog, animal behavior, and the moon. Then at 45:30, he tells a couple funny and fantastical deer hunting stories. He says that he learned stories from listening to others. Then at 48:30, Reid recalls a ghost story. At minute 50 Benjamin Franklin Reid states his name, his birth date (January 17, 1890), and that he was born in Cleveland, Georgia, close to where he currently lives. Next at 52 minutes, Reid tells a true story about a hunter. He explains that he tells stories to children and that he raised a couple of his grandchildren. Two minutes later, he repeats superstitions that he knows, such as how its bad luck if a cat or a rabbit crosses the road in front of you. He also talks about superstitions about the moon, followed by an explanation of how he was called the weather prognosticator. Then at 58 minutes, Reid reflects on changing agricultural practices, stating that he used mules even after tractors came into common use. He grew many crops including corn, a vegetable garden, watermelon, and pumpkins. At 1:30:00 he says that he likes parts of Atlanta and recalls a streetcar that ran from Decatur to Stone Mountain. He worked in the Avondale neighborhood of Decatur, then called Angelside. Frank Reid (1890-1973) was born to Joseph E. (1860-1940) and Mary (1860-1942) Reid in White County, Georgia. In 1916 he married Pearl Clark (1895-1980), and a year later he was drafted into the United States Armed Services. He and Pearl had two children, Lillie Bell Reid (1916-1996) and Albert Reid (1923-1979). Frank Wesley Nelms (1910-1980) was born in White County, Georgia, to Frank Virgil (1877-1946) and Eula (1884-1930) Nelms. He went to school through third grade. In approximately 1930, he married Lessie Jane Ferguson (1912-1980), who was born in Habersham, Georgia. They had nine children, including Curtis, Odis, Virginia Mae, Frank Jr., Dorthy Jean, and Rutheleen. Mr. Jordan was born in Barnesville and married in 1908. Additional biographical information has not been determined. Roy Hamilton Wallace (1904-1980) was born in Lilburn, Georgia, to Mary Wallace (1878-1939) and William Wallace (1881-1924). The family later moved to DeKalb County, Georgia. In 1924 he married Lula Mae Griffith (1906-2001), and they had ten children. Roy Wallace received a 6th grade education, registered for the draft in 1941 during World War II, and worked in a grocery store and later as an electrician. In 1962 he was convicted of the crime of abandonment. 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.