Interview with Sherman Wooten, November 7, 1979

Interview Summary

Sherman Wooten was born on Cutshin Creek in 1910 and grew up in Leslie County with the exception of two years in Ohio. He remembers stories about Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and how people hid their stock and grain to be able to survive. Wooten talks about the area schools when he was young and also recalls Hyden in the early days. From about the age of ten Wooten lived on Mill Branch of Hell-for-Sartin' Creek. His father was a farmer and landowner and logged part of his land. Wooten tells of different log runs and explains how the time for each one was calculated. He also explains the demand for particular trees and the market price at the time he was running logs down the river. Wooten gives the cash value of various commodities when he was growing up and comments extensively on moonshining. He also talks about coal camps and explains mining operations. Some information is given about union strife in the area. Wooten states that if Leslie County had not known about the Depression, things would have gone on much as they had before. He recalls publicity about the area in the 1930s and general resentment that certain photographs were not representative. Wooten remembers Mary Breckinridge's arrival in Leslie County when he was in high school. He mentions a few early doctors and then comments at length upon the work of the nurse-midwives.

Interview Keyword

area schools arrival of Mary Breckinridge Born on Cutshin Creek 1910 coal camps Depression early days of Hyden Leslie County logging mining operations moonshining union strife

Interview LC Subject

Children--Health and hygiene--Kentucky Medical care Nursing

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Interview Usage

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