Mississippi Moments Podcast

Before the advent of the self-service filling station in the 1970s, there was the full-service gas station.  Here, uniformed attendants pumped gas, checked your car’s fluids, and even washed the windshield.   James and Ruby Wentworth of Meadville operated such a station during the 1940s. She recalls the demands of being a working wife and mother.

In 1955, director Elia Kazan came to Beniot, Mississippi to film the Tennessee Williams movie, Babydoll.  Kazan hired several locals to play small parts in the film. Brodie Crump, of Greenville, describes the character he played and his mother’s reaction to his new job.  Crump also recalls some of the actors he met while filming and upsetting a member of the crew.

During WWII, Japanese-Americans were forced to live in “relocation” camps by the government.  Despite this harsh treatment, many of them served with distinction in the armed forces. Herbert Sasaki recalls coming to Camp Shelby to join an all Japanese-American combat unit. Sasaki explains the purpose of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and reflects on the heavy cost the 442nd paid in becoming on of the Army’s most decorated combat units.

In December of 1941, with war in the Pacific looming, a series of Naval Construction Battalions were established. Known as Seabees, they were responsible for building the bridges, airstrips, roads and buildings needed by our troops.  Dr. Patrick Gill of Macon, Mississippi explains how he became a Seabee. He remembers the hot and difficult conditions of the Philippines.

Like many blues musicians, Willie Jordan of Rose Hill, was taught how to play by family members. Jordan discusses the impact music has had on his life and the universal truths contained within the blues.

Blues Musician, Melvin Stacks of Picayune, recalls growing up poor and talks about his early influences. He also discusses his vocal techniques and the importance of warming up.

Broadcasting pioneer, Jobie Martin, was discouraged from playing sports as a child by his mother. He recounts the remarkable story of how he began playing football for Jackson State University (then Jackson College) at the age of 40--a feat that earned him a place in the JSU Sports Hall of Fame!

After working in Chicago for twelve years as an assistant pathologist, Jobie Martin came home to Mississippi to help his mother. He details how a job at the Gulfport Airport led to a remarkable career in broadcasting.

In 1976, Dorothy Moore of Jackson hit #1 on the R&B charts with the song Misty Blue, two years after it was recorded. She discusses her upbringing and how it affected her career.

For many people, music is a family tradition.  Blues guitarist Vasti Jackson of Hattiesburg recalls how family influenced his decision to play the blues. He also discusses growing up in McComb with neighbors like Wakefield "Big Moody" Coney.

In this final look at Jerry Clower's 1973 interview with the Center for Oral History, Clower discusses the difference his step father made in his life. He also talks about having fun without a lot of money.

Before the advent of refrigeration, farmers relied on a variety of innovative methods for preserving meat.  Boe McClure of Marshall County describes how they used to smoke hams in their smoke house. McClure also recalls how his mother preserved sausage using fertilizer bags and home canning.  

Rev. John M. Perkins became involved in the civil rights movement after returning to Mississippi in 1960. He recalls being arrested in Mendenhall in 1969. After the arrest of Perkins and his young parishioners, people from around the county converged on the jail. Perkins marks this incident as the beginning of the civil rights movement in Simpson County.

The Civil Rights movement forced many Mississippians to rethink some long held attitudes. Humorist Jerry Clower speaks candidly about how his experiences and faith altered his views on race. 

For many years, farmers and share croppers relied on credit supplied by furnish merchants.  Humorist Jerry Clower of Liberty, Mississippi explains how this early lending system functioned and the history of the expression "making groceries."

In the early 20th Century, Mississippi’s fledgling cattle industry was plagued with tick fever. By 1929, it was obvious that something must be done to fight the state’s tick infestation. McComb newspaper publisher John O. Emmerich recalls how this new program was met with violent opposition.

Long time newspaper publisher G.O. Parker of Magee reflects on his early career and on the colorful history of politics in Simpson County.

For many years after the repeal of Prohibition, Mississippi remained a ‘dry’ state. Rev. John Perkins of New Hebron recalls how his family made ends meet by selling moonshine whiskey. He explains the difference between ‘homebrew’ and ‘moonshine.’

Hundreds of volunteers travelled to Mississippi in 1964 to teach basic literacy to African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. One of those volunteers, Sandra Adickes, shares her initial impressions of Hattiesburg. Adickes also recalls a trip to the Hattiesburg Public library with six African American students in the first attempt to integrate the city’s library.    

Dorothy Nunnery of Brandon worked as a nurse at the VA Hospital in Jackson for 32 years. She recalls her time at the Jackson Infirmary Nursing School during WWII. She also recounts her first encounter with bed bugs.