Mississippi Moments Podcast

The Civil War left many on both sides emotionally scarred.   Libby Hollingsworth of Port Gibson recalls the hardships endured by her great grandfather, Kell Shaifer as a rebel soldier.  Hollingsworth recalls how a letter from a Yankee soldier after the war changed Kell Shaifer’s life.  She also reflects on the healing effect an unlikely friendship had on many.

After cotton is picked, the cotton fibers, called lint, must be separated from the seeds in a process known as “ginning.”   James Gray went to work for the Torrey Cotton Gin in Port Gibson as a young man. He explains the cotton ginning process and the importance of doing it correctly.

Ethel Patton D'Anjou of Alcorn recounts the story of her grandparents' decision to leave the family farm in Carlisle in the late 1800s and journey to the newly opened Alcorn College.

In the early days of automobiles, learning to drive was an adventure.   As the son of the local Ford dealer, James Allen of Port Gibson learned to drive at a young age. Allen recalls how different the Model T was from other cars. He also remembers how his father taught a local rancher to drive his first car.

By the 1960s, railroads had lost much of their freight hauling business to trucks. Ray Ward of McComb recalls how track maintenance suffered as a result. As a car man, Ward's job was to re-track derailed cars and locomotives. He explains how he was able to do this with a crew of only two men.

As World War Two raged on, women helped keep the trains rolling back home.   Bonnie Stedman of McComb remembers the work as difficult and dangerous.

During World War Two, women took jobs traditionally held by men.   Bonnie Stedman of McComb began working for the railroad in 1943 at the age of 17.  She recalls the dangers and rewards of working long hours in remote locations.

The civil rights movement brought increased job opportunities for African Americans.   Paul Leonard describes how work changed for black employees of the McComb Railroad Shop.  Leonard remembers the first two black employees of the McComb shop to become engineers.

The advent of Diesel-electric locomotives was a vast improvement over the steam engines they replaced.   John Balser worked as a machinist at the McComb Railroad repair shop. He recalls the pride that the steam engineers took in their locomotives. Balser also details how much more efficient the new Diesel engines were than their steam predecessors.

Working on the railroad was always been hard, dangerous work.   Woodrow Addison of McComb recalls the frequent derailments he experienced during his 38 years with Illinois Central.

Woodrow Addison worked for the Illinois Central Railroad shop in McComb for 38 years.   He worked first as a brakeman and then, a conductor.   Addison contrasts the duties of the two jobs.  He also discusses the advantages of diesel over steam power.

Many memorable movies have been made in Mississippi . Edna Joseph of Natchez worked for the Mississippi Film Commission finding local talent for these productions. Being involved with several film projects showed Joseph that movie stars are just regular people.

Growing up on a farm, Natchez resident Alonzo "Duck" Irving learned many things from his mother.   He discusses the food they grew and how he has benefited from his mother's wisdom. 

After the Civil War, the lands of many Mississippi Plantations were farmed by share croppers.   Alonzo "Duck" Irving of Natchez recalls growing up on such a plantation.

Today, modern supermarkets offer convenient one-stop grocery shopping.   But, Ruth Colter of Natchez recalls the days of street vendors and small corner grocery stores.

For thousands of troops during World War II, their journey began with a trip to Mississippi for training.   Ruth Colter of Natchez remembers helping to entertain those young men. As a member of the service group Military Maids, Colter helped to organize local dances for the troops.

Long-time Natchez resident Henrietta "Lou" Mallory worked in the downtown area for over 45 years.  She discusses the changing face of Natchez through such topics as the introduction of fast food and gaming.  She also expresses her love of the city and hopes for the future.

Long-time Natchez resident Henrietta "Lou" Mallory recounts the events that brought her to Natchez in the late 1940s.  She also reflects on 45 years as the owner of Lou's Tailor Shop and the love she feels for her adopted city.

     F. L. Speights of Ripley, Mississippi, devoted his life to education. He recalls helping to start the first black high school in Ripley as well as his memories of school integration during the 1960s.

     In August of 1964, forty Freedom Schools were set up in Mississippi in support of the Freedom Summer civil rights project.   Gloria Clark, a first grade teacher from New Bedford, Massachusetts, explains her decision to come to Mississippi and participate.

Palmer Foster of Tupelo was introduced to Scouting as a teen in his home town of Ripley. He recalls his time as a Boy Scout and as the first African American Boy Scout executive in Mississippi.

     Idalia Holloway of Holly Springs began farming at an early age.   Besides growing crops like cotton and sorghum for cash, her family grew all of their food as well.   Holloway recalls how her father would mill the sorghum into juice and cook it down to make molasses. She also discusses cooking on a wood-burning stove.

     In 1965, Raylawni Branch and Elaine Armstrong were the first African-American students to enroll at The University of Southern Mississippi. She reflects on her experiences as a student and on her career as an Air Force officer and as a nursing instructor.

Raylawni Branch recalls her experiences as a civil rights activist and as one of the first African-Americans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi.

     In the 99 year history of The University of Southern Mississippi, no one has had a greater impact on the athletic program than Bernard Reed Green.   When Green came to the school in 1930, football games were still being played in the city park. He discusses how the program evolved during his time as a player, as head football coach, and as USM's first full-time director of athletics.  (photo...