Interview with Beth Burchenal Jones,

Interview Summary

Beth Jones became acquainted with the FNS through her aunt, Margaret Rogan, who was a friend of Mary Breckinridge, and her cousin, who was an early courier. Jones had planned
to go to Wendover as a courier for six months and stayed two years. She describes home visits with the nurses to deliver babies and indicates that the local women did not want medication for pain. The stoic character of these women seemed to Jones at variance with the attitudes of women who had babies at the hospital. Jones discusses family structure
in the mountains and differentiates it from the social structure of families that had moved away, had been influenced by urban environments, and had tried to move back. Jones comments upon the mountain philosophy of justice and of education. She cites various misconceptions of the local people resulting from stories developed by journalists. Moonshine was also discussed, as well as the fact that Hyden was "dry" while Hazard was "wet."

Interview Keyword

Community Courier for FNS Culture Hospital work Isolated Jones' aunt Margaret Rogan Midwifery--Appalachian Region Midwives--Appalachian Region Moonshine Nurses Nursing Rural

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Appalachian Region--Religion Appalachian Region--Social conditions Breckinridge, Mary, 1881-1965 Childbirth Country life Frontier Nursing Service, Inc. Maternal health services. Medical care Medical care--Appalachian Region Medical centers--Finance Regionalism--Appalachian Region Rural conditions Rural health services Families

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

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