Interview with James Roberts

Partial Transcript: And I hauled chickens and eggs.

Segment Synopsis: Roberts talks about his childhood. He recalls a boat race that was held in Gratz.

Keywords: Boat race; Drennon Spring, Kentucky; Gratz, Kentucky

Subjects: Boats and boating--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: My father was a merchant.

Segment Synopsis: Roberts describes businesses that members of his family owned including stores and being carpenters.

Keywords: Franklinton, Kentucky

Subjects: River life--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: So I was born down there in Marshall Bottom.

Segment Synopsis: Roberts says that Marshall Bottom was founded by the Marshall family who came from New Orleans. He briefly talks about floods and boats that he remember stopping in Marshall Bottom.

Keywords: Hanover; Marshall Bottom, Kentucky; Ravona

Subjects: Floods--Kentucky River boats--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What always fascinated too was Drennon Springs.

Segment Synopsis: Roberts says that Drennon Springs used to have a large hotel and many guests. It also was home to a military institute at one point.

Keywords: Drennon Springs, Kentucky; Military institute; Sulfur spring

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: You ever do much fishing in the river?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts talks about fishing in the Kentucky River.

Keywords: Catfish; Drennon Springs, Kentucky; Trotline

Subjects: Fishing boats Fishing--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: But grandfather, the funny thing about him is he didn't like cold weather.

Segment Synopsis: Roberts tells stories about his grandfather. His grandfather would build a shanty boat every Fall and float down to Mississippi for the winter.

Keywords:

Subjects: Fishing--Kentucky River (Ky.) River life--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: But you know that boat up at Shakertown that takes people out?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts recalls boats that he remembers being on the river.

Keywords: Dixie Belle; Raven; Shaker Village, Kentucky

Subjects: Boats and boating--Kentucky River (Ky.) River boats--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What was the Depression like in that area?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts says that the Great Depression was hard on the area. Those that could move away did but they often had to come back. He played basketball during the Depression.

Keywords: Basketball; Economic conditions; Great Depression

Subjects: Depressions--1929--Kentucky River life--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What about, you mentioned Lockport in your letter?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts talks about the rise and fall of Lockport, Kentucky.

Keywords: Lockport, Kentucky

Subjects: Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: You mentioned in your letter there was a nightclub called "Stoney Castle?"

Segment Synopsis: Roberts talks about a nightclub called Stoney Castle and how it transitioned into a general store.

Keywords:

Subjects: River life--Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Who are some other people I might interview from over in that area?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts talks about people who might be good to interview.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Yeah, Drennon Springs just didn't quite make it, did it?

Segment Synopsis: Roberts says that Drennon Springs would have stayed big if it had not experienced a cholera outbreak.

Keywords: Cholera; Drennon Springs, Kentucky; Estill Springs; Sulfur springs

Subjects: River life--Kentucky River (Ky.)