Interview with John R. Cornett, March 25, 1979

Partial Transcript: This is an oral history interview with John R. Cornett for the Frontier Nursing Service Oral History Project by Sadie W. Stidham...

Segment Synopsis: John Cornett is introduced. He talks about his parents' backgrounds and where his family may have come from before moving to Leslie County, Kentucky.

Keywords: Ancestors; Big Rock (Ky.); Chores; Parents; Virginia; Working

Subjects: Childhood; Families.; Family histories.; Family--history; Genealogy--Appalachian Region; Leslie County (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Where did you go to school?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about where he went to school, how far the school was from his home, and how long he stayed in school.

Keywords: Baker School; Books; Cutshin (Ky.); Distance; High school; Hyden (Ky.); Lunches; One-room schoolhouses; Teachers; Walking

Subjects: Childhood; Education--Kentucky; Rural children; Rural conditions; Rural roads; Rural schools--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Uh, what did you do after you quit school?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about working after quitting school, and talks about logging, working at the coal mines, and farming.

Keywords: Blue Diamond Coal Company; Married; Typical day; Working

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; Logging; Occupations.; Traditional farming--Kentucky; Wages

Partial Transcript: Uh, what, uh--tell about the community where you lived.

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about his childhood community, and talks about the roads and availability of electricity.

Keywords: Community; Electricity; General stores; Neighbors; Telephones; Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Country life; Rural conditions; Rural electrification--Kentucky; Rural roads; Transportation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Uh, when and, and where were the churches established close to you?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about the church that was held in the local schoolhouse.

Keywords: Church of Christ; Preachers; Schoolhouses

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Church history; Rural churches

Partial Transcript: Okay, what do you remember about the politics in Leslie County?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about politics in Leslie County, and some of the campaigns he worked for.

Keywords: "Speakings"; Election officers; Elections; Hyden (Ky.); Leslie County politics; Political campaigns; Political candidates; Politicians; School boards; Voting; Women

Subjects: Leslie County (Ky.)--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Uh, what social activities went on in the community where you lived?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about social events in the community, the damage caused by a flood in 1957, and the difficulty of finding work during the Great Depression.

Keywords: Bean-stringings; Community; Creeks; Drowning; Farming; Houses; Jobs; Logs; Perry County (Ky.); Splash dams; Stir-offs

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social life and customs; Country life; Depressions--1929--Kentucky; Flood damage; Floods--Kentucky; Timber--Rafting

Partial Transcript: What about the medical service in your area?

Segment Synopsis: Cornett talks about the types of medical care available from local doctors, "granny women," and later the Frontier Nursing Service. He talks about moving away from Leslie County. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: "Granny women"; Blue Diamond Coal Company; Clinics; Distance; Doctors; Dr. Boyd Baker; Dr. John M. Baker; Farms; Harlan County (Ky.); Hazard (Ky.); Herb doctors; Hospitals; Leaving; Mary Breckinridge; Medical training; Medical treatment; Nurses; Shots; Superstition; Teaching

Subjects: Frontier Nursing Service, Inc.; Leslie County (Ky.); Medical care--Appalachian Region; Midwifery--Appalachian Region; Midwives--Appalachian Region; Physicians--Kentucky; Rural conditions; Traditional medicine