Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Lifestyles
Series Number: OH134
Interviewee: Latta, Willie Pharris
Interviewer: Murray, Nicolette
Date interviewed: November 20, 1980
Processed by: Tara Marcum
Date processed: August 29, 2011
Description: 2 sound discs (89 minutes)
Abstract: Willie Pharris Latta describes her experiences growing up in rural Hickman County, Kentucky during the first half of the 20th century. She discusses the public schools she attended and making 50 cents an hour staying after class to cleaning chalkboards, sweep and dust. She reflects upon her experiences during the Great Depression and recalls the government rationing certain foods. She mentions her church affiliations and participating in Baptist revivals.
Biographical / Historical note: Willie Pharris Latta was born in Hickman County, Kentucky in 1894. Her father operated an orchard, sold timber and cut logs to build houses. He contracted mastoiditis and died of complications while she was a child. After his death, her mother continued to manage the orchard and sell lumber. At a young age, she contracts typhoid fever from contaminated water in Hickman County. She began school at Mount Moriah but later attended Mount Pleasant. After high school, she moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky to attend college. At age 17, she passed the teachers' placement exam and soon afterwards began teaching. In 1912, she married her husband Warren. He managed a farm and raised cattle and chickens. She attended church at Mount Moriah Baptist Church and later Mount Pleasant Methodist Church.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Latta, Willie Pharris, 1894-
Hickman County (Ky.) – History.
Bowling Green (Ky.)
Mount Moriah (Hickman County, Ky.)
Mount Pleasant (Hickman County, Ky.)
