Paul Fink’s Bits of Mountain Speech is a dictionary of “folk speech.” In this work Fink has provided a glossary of terms that are often considered the language of the less educated people of the mountains of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. They are sometimes archaic, sometimes quaint, and almost always idiomatic. The language Fink examines is a holdover of earlier times when the Scots, Irish, and Welsh settled the region, therefore many of the pronunciations are reminiscent of Celtic languages. Not only does he list unusual words that he has come across, but he also uses them in sentences in order to interpret the word or phrase and clarify its meaning.

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These files contain the report (divided into four files) and an addendum (the fifth file) on land ownership patterns and their impacts based on the results from the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey conducted in 1979. This report and addendum were submitted to the Appalachian Regional Commission by the Appalachian Land Ownership Task Force in February 1981.

The study was conducted in these six states and counties:

Alabama: Blount, Cherokee, Cleburne, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Fayette, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Marshall, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston

Kentucky: Bell, Breadthitt, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Martin, Perry, and Pike Counties

North Carolina: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, and Watauga

Tennessee: Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Hamilton, Marion, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Van Buren, and White

Virgina: Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe

West Virginia: Braxton, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Mingo, Ohio, Raleigh, Randolph, Summers, and Wayne

These two files contain the final report on land ownership for the fourteen Appalachian counties in the state of Tennessee which were part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey conducted in 1979. There are profiles for each county and two case studies—on Campbell and Cumberland Counties—in the report.

This document is the key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey conducted between 1978 -1979. The study covered counties in six states within Appalachia: Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. To view the digital collection of the survey for each county, see the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey Records, 1936-1985.

This land ownership survey of Anderson County, Tennessee was conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

This land ownership survey of Bledsoe County, Tennessee was conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

This land ownership survey of Campbell County, Tennessee was conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

This document corresponds to and contains corrections to the land ownership surveys for Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Hamilton, Marion, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Van Buren, and White Counties in Tennessee. The study was conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Cumberland County, and includes some data for Bledsoe, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, and White Counties in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These three files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Fentress County and some data for Cumberland and Morgan Counties in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of Hamilton and Marion Counties in Tennessee conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. The study covered six states in Appalachia: Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Marion County and including some data for Rhea and Hamilton Counties of Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership surveys of primarily Morgan County and some data for Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, and Scott Counties in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Rhea County and some data for Marion and Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Roane County, including some data for Scott and Morgan Counties, in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.  To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Scott County and includes some data for Morgan and Roane Counties in Tennessee. The survey was conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.  To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Sequatchie County and some data for Bledsoe and Rhea Counties of Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily Van Buren County and some data for Bledsoe County in Tennessee. These surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

These two files contain data from the land ownership survey of primarily White County and some data for Bledsoe and Cumberland Counties in Tennessee. The surveys were conducted in 1979 as part of a larger Appalachian Land Ownership Survey. To interpret the survey codes, use the Key to the Appalachian Land Ownership Survey.

Elizabeth Dotterer talks about growing up in Hot Springs, North Carolina, where many tourists would come and stay over the summer. She explains: "It was the type of tourism we no longer have. You spent the entire summer." After the outbreak of WWII the nature of tourism changed. Dotterer reflects fondly on working at the hotels and spending time with the summer tourists. She explains that the opening of the I-40 highways had a big impact on tourism as well.

L.E. Tuckwiller was born September 16, 1908 in West Virginia. He graduated from Berea College in 1934 and was the Watauga County extension agent for the past 30 years.

Mr. Tuckwiller talks mostly about his career as an extension agent throughout the interview. He explains his academic career and what lead him to the job. Mr. Tuckwiller was born and raised in West Virginia, so he describes the history of that area and compares the land to Boone. He also talks about his childhood on the farm and stories he heard of the Native Americans and the Civil War. For a large portion of the interview, Mr. Tuckwiller talks about farming in Boone and how he has worked with farmers. He also discusses the loss of farming land to development.

Stanley Harris Sr. was born on October 31, 1882 in Johnson County, Tennessee. He went to high school in Montezuma, North Carolina and then continued his education in Athens, Tennessee at U.S. Grant University. He wene to post graduate school at American University in Harriman, Tennessee. Mr. Harris had many different occupations throughout his life including salesman at a furniture store in Lexington, Kentucky, assistant secretary of YMCA in Frankford, Tenessee, and boardman on the National Council of Boy Scouts of America in 1917. He moved back to Watauga County in 1948, where he was part of the Watauga Centennial and secretary of Chamber of Commerce. He was a big influence on bringing industries to Boone, North Carolina.

Mr. Harris talks about the effects the Great Depression had on him while at that time he was emplyed by one of Rockafeller's orgnizations. He does explains how the banks were affected and what he believes caused the Great Depression based on his experience with the stock market. When asked about his childhood, Mr. Harris recollects his experience working, explains his family education, and describes the religious community. He then talks about Boone and describes how the minority groups of Boone are treated.

These journal entries range from the dates of July 15, 1906 to April 30, 1908. Included, there is a brief description of what Andrew Jackson Greene experienced each day. He included information about himself, his friends and family, and community events from the time period.

This diary includes daily entries from November 25, 1920 through January 27, 1921. Greene wrote daily about the weather, the work at his school, and the workings of the church. Familiar places mentioned include Willowdale, Oak Grove, Boone, Mabel, Lovill Home Annex and Johnson City, Tennessee.

This diary contains daily entries by Andrew Jackson Greene on a range of subjects such as weather, church, school, community events, and travel. The diary contains entries from August 26 through November 13, 1921. Greene travels to a multitude of places throughout this diary some of these places include, Willowdale, Boone, Mabel, Zionville, Deep Gap, Cove Creek, and Elizabethton, Tennessee.

This letter from Susan Eller to Luke and Sarah Eller discusses farming and the impact of Reconstruction on Susan. Susan mentions the price of crops and that some vendors of farm animals are not selling in her area anymore because there is an abundance of animals such as mules and horses. Susan also says that the people in her area of Tennessee are confused as to the impact that the proposed Civil Rights Act (passed in 1875) will have on the African-American community, and that many African Americans are being murdered and lynched in her area.

This is a letter from Sally King to her aunt and uncle Sarah and Luke Eller. Sally talks primarily about her strong religious belief and talks about her fears that several of her family members won’t go to Heaven because they aren’t as fervent believers as she is.

This is a letter from Mollie Daniel to Mollie Eller. Mollie asks about coming marriages and family members, and she mentions events going on around where she lives in Tennessee.

This is a letter from Mollie Daniel to her cousin Mollie Eller. Mollie writes that she is anxious to hear from Mollie, whom she says never answered an earlier letter. Mollie is also anxious to see and hear from family members.

This is a letter from Mary Daniel to her grandmother Martha Ashley. Mary says she has not communicated with her grandmother in years, however, she is glad she is alive since most of Mary’s family, including all of her sisters, have died.

This is a letter from Mary Eller to her cousin Mollie Daniel. In this letter, Mary explains that Mollie’s family is not dead, and that her parents and brother are very much alive, and then she says where they all are living and working. She also mentions that their Uncle William Rufus King received a pardon from Andrew Johnson for fighting for the Confederacy.

This is a letter from Hansford Eller to Luke Eller, his father. Hansford is serving in the Confederate Army and has been away from home for some time, and is hoping to come back soon. His grandmother, he says, has grim outlooks on both the war and her lifespan, and he relays her worries to his parents, although he implores them to not worry about him much, for if they pray, he claims, then he will be fine and they will win the war. Hansford talks as well about how he swapped his mare for another horse.

This is a letter from Martha King to Luke Eller and M. Brooks. Martha writes the letter to tell her friends about where she is now living as she has moved away from the Ashe County area. She says she is glad not to be in the cold mountains and enjoys where she is in Georgia very much.

This is a letter from John Pennington to his cousin Luke Eller. Pennington writes the letter primarily to catch up with Luke as well as to inform him about his son getting married and moving back to live near him. Pennington ends his letter with a few remarks about his slaves and how much they are worth.

This is a letter from Aswell Eller to his father, Luke. Aswell apologizes for not writing a letter to his father sooner, explaining that the weather saw temperatures that were thirty degrees below zero and the river froze so no mail could be sent. He finishes his letter by saying he fears ending life a beggar so he must remain a Christian.

This is a letter from John Pennington to his cousin Luke Eller. John asks Luke for some of his seed and tells him that he has finished cutting his wheat crop. The letter ends with a complaint about the issue of trade in John’s area. John says that prices are too low to make a good profit.

James Oliver Shell was born on January 26, 1891 in Shell Creek, Tennessee where his grandfather owned a farm and worked as a carpenter. His father died when he was two months old, so his mother reared the children living with her father. Mr. Shell had one sister, a half-­‐sister, and four half-­‐brothers. As a young man James O. Shell moved to the Heaton community of Avery County North Carolina and was a farmer and served as the postmaster in Heaton from 1914 to about 1953. He died on July 4, 1980 at the age of 88.

During the interview James O. Shell reflects on working his farm, local politics, and playing baseball as a youth. He discusses log rollings, corn shuckings, and the how neighbors helped each out. Some other topics he discusses are Tweetsie Railroad, homemade coffins, local cemeteries and playing baseball.

Arlie Earl Moretz was born on June 30, 1908 to Sion Gideon Moretz (b. January 16, 1880 d. October 29, 1950) and Virginia Dare Stanberry (b. March 16, 1883 d. February 2, 1970). He married Alice Myers Moretz (b. May 12, 1912 d. January 25, 1965) who was born in Crossville, Tennessee to the parents of Thomas Myers and Olive Dougherty. His great grandfather was one of the first settlers in Watauga County, having married twice he had 25 children. The Arlie Moretz family lived in the Meat Camp area of Watauga County. Arlie Moretz died on September 7, 1997 at the age of 89.

Mr. Moretz earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Appalachian State, and professionally was both a minister and schoolteacher with 39 years of experience. During the interview he reflects on how education has changed from the time when he was a youth through his career as an educator, talks about attending and teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, personal reflection on education, and local politics.

Viola N. Greer was born on March 27, 1906 in Crandall, Tennessee, moving to Watauga County after she married Walter Greer and had two children Walter and Annie Lee. Her parents were Arthur and Martha Nichols Smith who were from Wilkes County, but had met in Tennessee. Her father bought timber for sawmills. As an adult she lived one year in Montana, then Ashe and Lenoir counties before returning to the Deep Gap area of Watauga County, where her children were reared. She died on November 2, 2003 at the age of 97.

During the interview Mrs. Greer talked about her parents, the importance of religion, quilting, making soap, superstitions such as walking under ladders, and planting by the signs.