Interview with Juder Stidham, June 3, 1979

Interview Summary

Juder Stidham was born in Leslie County in 1909. He attended Hyden Grade School, Leslie County High School, Lees Junior College and Union College. When he was not in school, Stidham worked on the family farm. He tells of preserving food for the winter, particularly of making sauerkraut and sulfuring apples. His family dug a hole to store cabbage all winter, and they also made maple syrup. During sorghum-making, candy parties would be held, and the young people would pull the thickened molasses until it turned brittle. His family also hunted ginseng for the income. Stidham describes graveyard services that lasted all day and baptizings in the river. He recalls the first battery-powered radio in the area and indicates that two older men were convinced that someone was trying to trick them. After two years of college, Stidham began to teach school locally. Because of the Great Depression, some students had no books or supplies at all. Stidham describes the different kinds of government relief and job programs to help families in need.

Interview Keyword

attended Hyden Grade School Born in Leslie County in 1909 candy parties family farming practices hunted ginseng Leslie County High School social life of young people taught school locally

Interview LC Subject

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

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.