Laurie Nicholson interview with Jud Nelson (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 installment in a two-part interview. The audio of this part is unclear because of clanging metal and other discordant sounds; however, the interview is duplicated more clearly in part two. The recording begins with Jud Nelson, a metalsmith, remembering hinges he made for a church for the blind, and his past employer Mr. Wheeler, who ran a tool shop. At 2:54 he tells an intelligible anecdote about a young blacksmith from Atlanta, and he recalls his fathers metalwork, including an impressive, silver-plated cap box that he welded for a rifle. At 4:45 Nelson explains how to weld a gun barrel step-by-step; afterwards, he explains how to make a bicycle wheel while giving a demonstration. The audio is muffled between 9:43 and 9:48, after which Nelson compares the current price of nails with their price in 1935. He also remembers Billy, a blacksmith and store-owner in Sugar Valley, Georgia, who gave Nelson bottles of Coca-Cola when he shoed horses. At 12:23 Nelson recalls the only instance in his thirty years of working with horses when one kicked him. He then reflects on renting farms in north Georgia, where he grew corn, cotton, and hay. At the interviews conclusion, Nelson details how he and his wife prepared corn for meals and preserved their meats in the summer.
No biographical information about Jud Nelson has been determined.
No 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.
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