Interview with Stella Shell, August 26, 1979

Interview Summary

Stella Shell was born at Whiteoak in Leslie County in 1903. She walked three and a half miles to her one-room log school where the students sat on hewed planks. She recalls her husband's grandfather, John Shell, who was reputed to have lived to a very great age. Shell tells of socializing after "workings" and mentions Friday evening debates and spelling matches. Occasionally, all-day funerals were held for a number of persons who had died years before and had not had a funeral at the time. Shell's father was a stonemason who also wove baskets to sell. He made herb teas and home remedies as well, and Shell's mother was a "granny" midwife. Her family also received medical attention from the Pine Mountain Settlement School, since they lived on the edge of Harlan. Shell and her husband left Leslie County in 1944.

Interview Keyword

Education Farms Funerals Home remedies Home One-room log schools Schools Stonemasons Tea

Interview LC Subject

Family Medical care Nursing Occupations

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.