Jennifer Preissler Kitchens interview with Alice Elnora Hilderbrand Camp, Clyde Oliver Jordan, and Helen Camp Preissler

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 interview begins with Alice Hilderbrand Camp telling four short stories to the interviewer, her granddaughter, Jennifer Preissler. The first two stories are about quarrels between couples, followed by a one about a maid with poor eyesight, then a comical story about a man finding money hidden in his late grandmothers armchair. At minute 3:45, Camp shares riddles about household objects and describes two party games, Fat Hen and a Hand-around and Jack-in-the-Bush. She also tells a short, funny story about a blacksmith who made bullets during the Civil War for the Confederacy to use against the Yankees. Next at minute 7:00, Clyde Oliver Jordan, Priesslers uncle, shares tall tales he learned from a man named Joe Hicks who used to travel through his town, Vernon, Alabama. One story is about a man who received government funded oxen and seeds during the Great Depression, but was still so poor he could not afford to take his own life when he was ready to give up his farm. He also tells a short story about a couple who lost a cow for four days. At minute 9:45, Preisslers mother, Helen Camp Preissler, repeats stories she learned from her father. First, she explains a family saying Look out Ash-hopper that refers to a device that held fireplace ashes. She also tells a story about a boy named Charlie who lost control of his horse and wagon. Then, she tells one about a young soldier shipped to Virginia to fight in the Civil War. At the end of the recording, Preissler tells a funny story about her father ripping his pants on a barbed wire fence. Alice Elnora (Hilderbrand) Camp (1887-1981) was born in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She married John Paul Camp (1880-1966) and they had five children. The family lived in Fulton County where they owned and operated Lynwood Dairy Farm; they later moved to Chamblee. One of their children was Helen Camp (1914-2009), who graduated from Chamblee High School and worked at McFadden Business Publications as an editor of The Southern Banker. She married Anthony A. Preissler (1913-1963) and they had two daughters. Clyde Oliver Jordan (1912-2003) grew up in Vernon, Alabama, and served in the Navy during World War II. He married Alice Paul Camp Jordan (1916-1987) and they lived in Chamblee, Georgia, where Jordan operated Kleen Rite Cleaners. After a few luckless trips out of town in search of informants for my-,-project, I finally settled for the traditions left in the memories of my own relatives. What I have recorded are tales and sayings I have heard all of my life, heretofore blind to the fact that such traditions could be of valuable interest to a folklorist: My mother's parents, Alice and John Paul Camp, are truly responsible for most of the traditions that have remained with their family of five children, eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren John Paul Camp was raised in Jonesboro, Georgia: After traveling around the country with the Telephone Company, he settled in Fulton County, Georgia where he owned the Lynwood Dairy Farm: He died in 1967 at the age of 86 He was a gregarious man who loved to entertain people, especially his grandchildren, with his songs, stories and sayings. I can vividly remember the weekends I spent at his house: In the mornings we would watch the birds at the feeder he made by the breakfast room window: My grandfather would pause, stare at me quizzically for a while, then tell me that the birds would talk for him and he could tell me what they said:"' I was always fascinated, especially by "the old swamp owls'" conversation`. 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. 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