Jack Beckman interview with Casey Cochran, Guy Beckman, and Susan Houston (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 two part recording in which Jack Beckman collects stories from family and friends in his hometown, Smyrna, Georgia. First, his friend Casey Cochran tells a few humorous, shaggy-dog stories. Then, at 3:44 he retells a Cherokee Indian legend about the origin of Sunrise Rock on Lookout Mountain; when the last member of a local tribe died, the image of his face became part of the rock. At 6 minutes, Guy Beckman, the interviewers father, tells a story about how Sewee Bay, South Carolina, got its name from enslaved children skinny dipping. Next he tells a supposedly true story about an enslaved man who worked on a rice plantation and couldnt pronounce his sons name because of a stutter. At 10:30 he tells another humorous story in which Doody Snyder escapes the revenuers searching for his illegal distillery because he can run so fast. Casey Cochran (1954- ) was born in Smyrna, Georgia, and graduated from University of Georgia. He married Linda Jean Mathiason in 1977 and taught high school at Pace Academy Mrs. Houston (approximately 1944- ) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In approximately 1967 she moved to Smyrna because her husband worked at Lockhead Martin. Guy Harris Beckman (1921-2008) was born in McClellanville, South Carolina, to George Edward (1874-1950), a judge, and Minnie Ferguson (1881-1963); he was one of 10 children. In 1943 he enlisted in the armed forces. He worked as a mechanic and repairman and married Mary Louise (1930-1999), with whom he had at least one child, Jack Beckman. 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. 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.