RESOURCE: Headwaters, Appalshop on KET

Justice in the Coal Fields

I access TV using a digital antenna because it is free on a relatively reliable signal. The upside is that KET offers a special variety of choices. BBC World News, Kentucky Edition and PBS NewHour is my preferred cocktail for evening media. Occasionally I stumble upon gold in my channel surfing and the series Headwaters by Appalshop is often the source.

This afternoon, I was able to catch some of “Justice in the Coal Fields” a 1995 documentary by Anne Lewis about the 1988 United Mine Workers (Virginia) strike against the Pittston Coal Company that explores a number of themes resonating for Kentucky, as well, including civil disobedience, right-to-work states, justice and the law. And, Appalachian history and culture.

Although dated in all aspects, the film’s interviews and images hit home for me. I do not know of any coal miners in our family, at least not yet in my research. It is more from the spirit and personalities of the people. The character and characters of the community, their sense of community – that is what I remember from my youth. I cannot yet articulate fully how but I am reminded of my family.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/387521543?h=250b58fad8″ width=”640″ height=”480″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen>

preview of Justice in the Coal Fields

I am grateful there are resources featuring the history, both distant and recent, of the people of Appalachia and beyond. As I am working to create the threads of narrative about my ancestors, I appreciate how these stories are captured. Perhaps even one person will discover someday a missing piece of their own genealogical pursuits in what Appalshop has made available. And, you can stream and purchase episodes of the Headwaters series from KET Passport and from Appalshop.org.

Help with restoration of these treasures

Historic flooding in late July 2022 brought catastrophic damage to the resources held by Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY. Efforts are underway to recover as much as can be saved. Learn more and consider sending contributions to: Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY 41858

January 20, 2023

that.Kentucky.girl

A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along

HEADSTONE: CORMAN, Eliza Murphy 1872-1896

*Headstone for Eliza Jane Murphy Corman, located at Corman Cemetery, Bethel Pike.*

ELIZA

WIFE OF

SURBER CORMAN

BORN

APRIL 2 1872

DIED

JULY 16 1896

This is a sad kind of realization. If this woman, Eliza Jane Murphy Corman, had not died prematurely, tragically – I would not be here (at least not as I am in this form). In being a mother and protecting the life of her child, she died. She sacrificed by instinct is my guess.

Eliza Jane Murphy was born 1872 in Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, KY. She was 16yo when she married 21yo Surber Corman in Wilmore, KY, January 1889. Their first child, Minnie Pearl, was born March 31, 1890, followed by Roy Sidney in January 1893.

*Surber Harden Corman with first wife Eliza Jane Murphy*

The story goes that 3yo Roy fell into Jessamine Creek, that ran across their family farm, and in attempting to retrieve him, Eliza – who was pregnant with their third child – fell in but saved Roy. She died in July 1896, as did the unborn child, from complications caused by the accident. After only 7 years of marriage, Surber was a widower at 28yo with two young children.

At 34yo, Surber married his second wife, 20yo Martha Jane Bradshaw, in 1901. These were my great-grandparents.

December 27, 2022

that.Kentucky.girl

PHOTOS+ephemera – Corman, Ira Malcolm and Vesta Jane McCord

*Rev. Ira Malcolm Corman, BORN 26-Feb-1904, Wilmore, KY, DIED 30-Jul-1930*
*Vesta Jane McCord, BORN 22-Nov-1902, Bartholomew, IN, DIED 5-Apr-1995*
*my granduncle and grandaunt*

Ira (22yo) married Vesta Jane (23yo) on Wednesday, July 28, 1926, in her hometown in Bartholomew County, IN. He attended seminary at Manhattan Bible College (present-day Manhattan Christian College) which opened in 1927 as Christian Workers University in Kansas. How did they meet? Still working on that detail.

Wedding Day, July 28, 1926 “Ira and Vesta Jane”

They were married only four years when Ira died July 30, 1930, of typhoid fever while living and preaching in Erlanger, KY. Typhoid fever rates had declined since the advent of drinking water purification efforts and is caused most commonly by exposure to Salmonella bacteria (see Johns Hopkins references) At the time, there was less than a 20% chance (20 in 100K) incidence of typhoid fever, according to The CDC, so somewhat rare. They had no children. They had only just celebrated their 4-year wedding anniversary two days before his death. Maybe he was already sick and they could not celebrate.

As recorded in the 1950 US Census just released this year, Vesta J. Corman was a 47 year old widow, “lodger” who “teaches grade school” living in Fort Thomas, Campbell Co, KY. The handwritten letters of the census taker appears to be on “Alex Pine” with “River View” street on one side and “So. Fort Thomas Ave” on the other side. I will map this eventually.

Although Vesta Jane remarried following Ira’s untimely death, they are buried together in Section 50, Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Barthlolomew County, Indiana.

Interestingly, Vesta Jane’s second husband Howard Long was the widower of Ira’s eldest step-sibling, Minnie Pearl Corman Long. Minnie Pearl, a nurse, died at 58 years old on Dec. 28, 1948, due to a stroke.

In the 1940 Census, Howard Long, his wife Minnie, their adopted son Alan and Howard’s mother Elizabeth (Vandiver) Long lived at 220 Forest Park Road in Lexington, Fayette Co, KY. Eight years later, Minnie died.

The 1950 Census places Howard Stanley Long still living at Forest Park Road. He is 56 years old, widowed and working for the water company in the occupations of “Reading and Repairing Water lines” with an income of $3,730. Living in the residence are 14 year old son Alan B. Long, 87 year old mother Elizabeth P. Long, and Stella J. Hamilton, the 60 year old nurse who’s occupation is listed as “Nursing and companion.” Presumably, this was for the senior Mrs. Long.

Sometime between 1950 and Howard’s death in 1959, Vesta and Howard married. Vesta Jane lived another 36 years as a widow again and joined the cadre of Corman women who lived to their ripe old ages caring for others and for each other. They were my role models, these women in community.

It’s That Kentucky Girl

that.Kentucky.girl

A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along

OBITUARY, 1930: CORMAN, Reverend Ira Malcolm dies of typhoid fever, age 26

my grand uncle
born February 26, 1904, Wilmore, KY, died July 30, 1930, Kenton Co, KY. Buried Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Bartholomew Co, IN, Sec. 50.

OBITUARY: YOUNG PASTOR VICTIM OF FEVER

Rev. Ira M. Corman, Erlanger, Dies in Covington Hospital

POPULAR WITH PEOPLE

Body Will Be Sent to Indiana Following Church Rites.

The Rev. Ira M. Corman

Funeral services for the Rev. Ira M. Corman, 26, pastor of Graves Avenue Church of Christ, Erlanger, Ky., who died Wednesday afternoon at Booth Memorial Hospital, Covington, were held Thursday afternoon at the church. The clergyman’s death was due to typhoid fever.

The Rev. William E. Sweeney, pastor of Broadway Christian Church, Lexington, assisted by the Rev. S. S. Lappin and Dr. Fred J. Gielow, conducted the services. The body was sent to Columbus, Ind., for interment.

The Rev. Mr. Corman had been in charge of the Erlanger church for six months and was popular with his congregation. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Vesta Corman.

The Rev. Mr. Corman was a student at Manhattan, Kan., and at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and preached for churches at Greenleaf and Morrowville, Kan., while a student at Manhattan. He had conducted six evangelical meetings.
Family library artifact, unknown publication name

Fanny Dean Corman, Martha Jane Bradshaw Corman, Ira Malcolm Corman

Oh, Martha Jane

Martha Jane Bradshaw (1881-1963)

my paternal great-grandmother

Her story may break your heart.

Martha Jane Bradshaw (1881-1963), born Mercer Co, KY.

paternal great-grandmother

Oh, my Martha Jane. Her story will break your ever-loving heart. She lost her mom when she was five years old. She and her sister were raised by Shakers at Pleasant Hill, KY. Plucked suddenly from that idyllic, utopian children’s life to then carrying the weight of consummate caregiving for a family in crisis.

She was brought to apply all the learning of Shakers care full-time for the family of her eldest sister, Mary Bell Bradshaw Murphy. Martha was thirteen years younger than her sister, who needed help even before her mental breakdown.

Martha Jane broke off a romance after she was scorned by the mother of the man she loved. Martha Jane then married Surber Corman, a young widower with two small children after the recent tragic loss of their mother.

Martha Jane endured burying babies and children from more than one angle. She endured harsh conditions. And, her own tragic end is hard to conceive with the cause of death noted as “2nd & 3rd degree burns over 60% of her body,” according to the KY death certificate.

Traumas and taking on the yoke of someone’s tragedy lives in my DNA. I don’t need 23&Me to tell me that, even if they could. I can think of repeat experiences that fit that depiction.

More on Martha Jane Bradshaw in S1:E 23-E24-E25, coming later.