Kyle Davis and Dawn Fitzgerald interview with Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Reid, Frank Nelms, Lessie “Jane” Nelms, Jordan, Roy Hamilton Wallace (part three)

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 third of a three part recording; in this part, Kyle Davis and Dawn Fitzgerald interview [first name unknown] Jordan and then Roy Hamilton Wallace Sr. Throughout his interview, Jordan ties his experiences to his faith, starting by stating that children should honor their parents. Then at 1:50, he recalls superstitions, including one tied to smoking hog meat. At about 5 minutes, Jordan looks back on living as a Black man during segregation, particularly dynamics between African Americans and white residents. He says that although he didnt receive much formal education, he knew how to farm because he started working in his fathers fields at six. At 8:23, he says that he married his wife because she was on welfare and he felt sorry for her. Then at 10:10, he says that he didnt have time to fish or hunt because there was so much work to complete on the farm. He also explains that his parents taught him that night air could cause illness. At 14:40, Jordan recalls Christmas and superstitions related to death. He also reminisces on how he prefers the old ways to the new. At 18:26, he looks back on songs he learned from his mother that he sang while working on the farm. He also reminisces about his mother. Next at 24:00, Jordan states that his family is from Barnesville, Georgia, that he married in 1908, and that he had many children. He says he enjoyed spending time with both Black and white children, then he tells a story about a white boy who referred to him by the racist term Sambo. At 26 minutes, Jordan says that his family built their log cabin. He also says that his family did not have termites or boll weevils, and that he could predict the weather based on early signs. After stating that he only attended school for three weeks a year, he comments on how much education has changed since then. Roy Hamilton Wallace Sr.s interview starts at 32:52. He states his name; that he was born in 1904; that he married in 1924; and that he had 10 children, five girls and five boys. Next he tells a humorous story about snipe hunting. He also says that his father was Irish and his mother Indian, although he didnt spend time within the Native American community. At 35:45, Wallace recalls foods his family regularly ate, specifying that they picked food up from a nearby market. He references an Amos and Andy story, then tells a short story about camping and pretending to be a ghost. At 38:35 Wallace says he is not superstitious. Then he tells a joke about an Irishman. He says that he hunted racoons, honeybee bears, possums, rattlesnakes, eels, and turtles. Then he tells a true hunting story about losing his dog during a fox hunt, followed by a fictitious one about a cat and a mouse. Next at 41:44, Wallace tells a racist preacher tale about two white boys tricking a Black preacher and his congregation. He also recalls a practical joke he played on a Baptist preacher. Then at 45:10, he tells a few raunchy jokes, even though he is reluctant to repeat them to the interviewees because they are women. One joke is about an eel and one is about an organ. At 48:43 an unidentified man plays the harmonica until the end of the recording. 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.