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Thursday, September 5, 2013

All 'descendants' of Johnny Appleseed

      This is Miss Isabel Million of Knoxville, Tenn., April 15, 1917, who invented the dolls with the dried apple faces. She carves the face in an apple which is then dried and preserved by a secret process, so that all the lines of the human face become as real as they are on her models.
      Left, Harve Hawkins and his old woman, Sairy Ann. He's the county's best known 'tater and melon fancier, and his income is pieced by Sairy Ann's quilting efficiency. Middle, Tobe Lemmons, of Smoky Cove, is "just po' white trash, with a misery in his chist which prevents him from making an honest living--just strong enough to peddle licker. Right, Old Poke Crouch of Greasy Cove, and his woman Cordie. They spend their time raising hawgs and orphans. Poke's official calling is that of a shoemaker, while Cordie is rated the *demon matchmaker of the the township.
      Left, Rhody Guinn, who makes rag carpets, lye soap and gathers *"yarbs" for a living. She is saving up to buy *"store teeth." Middle, Laviney Rupe of Turkey Egg Cove. Note, please, her crafty expression--acquired from being ceaselessly on the lookout for revenue officers. Viney's old man is a * moonshiner. Right, Miss Susie Adams, the village seamstress, caught on her way to the First Presbyterian Church. She hasn't missed a Sunday, nor a funeral, in forty years.
      Where the apple-doll models live. These cabin quarters on the right form the domicile of the real Harve Hawkins, whose daughter and granddaughter are seen in the midst of their week's wash. Photos and comments New York Tribune

* A "yarb" apparently was some variety of plant collected to make "home remedy" for cures. (medicinal purposes)
* A demon matchmaker forcasted love by witchcraft?
* Store teeth is a reference to dentures.  
*  A Moonshiner is a reference to one who makes Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly. The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey. Read more...

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