Federal Writers' Project – Life Histories/2020/Spring/Section33/Jim Lauderdale

Destitute man outside of a vacant store 1935 by Dorothea Lange

Overview

Jim Lauderdale was a “baldish, owl-eyed little man,”who now resides outside of Talladega Springs, Alabama . Jim was plagued by alcohlism and ill health due to the negative effects of the Great Depression. He lived through the Great Depression and was interviewed for the Federal Writers Project by Jack Kytle on September 23rd, 1938.

Biography

Relationships

Jim had a ex wife and two children. His alcoholism and depression prevented him from being an acceptable role-model for his children . He spoke very poorly of his former wife, Ora, but talked about his children in a positive tone. Jim’s relationship with his former wife was not healthy, after spending time in jail, he came home and told her to gather her things and leave. She left with the children. Jim clearly did not forgive her for this. Jim had not seen his children since his former wife left with them. Dorset was Jim’s son, to whom Jim speaks highly of. Dorset was smart and did well in school which Jim was quite proud of. Zelma was Jim’s daughter. Jim says she was not as smart as Dorset and takes after her father more than her brother. He had a bundle of people whom he considered enemies, which include a preacher and a “ragged policeman” who had arrested him multiple times in a single week. Jim was not completely emotionless: he said he appreciated when Miss Hazel, a New York school teacher, said hello to him when she visited the town. He was also very polite and cooperative with the interviewer for the Federal Writing Project. Jim had feelings and appreciated his life, but his alcoholism has hindered him from putting forth the effort and motivation to live or care for others' lives.

Jim's Alcoholism and Health

Jim Lauderdale struggled with Alcoholism during the Great Depression. He had no regard for his health or even his life due to this disease. He said that he was just waiting to die. Jim spent every bit of money he was able to collect on cheap corn whiskey. Jim’s alcohol smelled of ammonia, according to the interviewer, which can be dangerous if too much is consumed. He has serious health issues; he was unable to even stand up and balance himself. He states that there is a “gnawing in his stomach”, which could be connected to a slew of serious health issues, and that he cannot go fishing due to his heart. He hopes his current medical condition does not improve, so he can just die. In addition to his poor physical condition, he was also delusional. Jim has so-called “imaginary enemies” that he has formed due to his separation from other people.

Social Context

How Prohibition Affected Society

From 1920-1933, the government introduced the Prohibition Act, which banned consumption of all types of alcohol. During this period, many people had to give up their heavy drinking due to the legality of it. There were certainly positive outcomes from prohibition. Most domestic crime decreased significantly, as well as disorderly conduct. However, most of American society overall was not accepting of prohibition. As a result, an underground blackmarket to buy alcohol arose. This market was run by criminals willing to eliminate any potential threats to business. The most notable of these smugglers was the Mob, which was headed by gangsters like Al Capone. Prohibition resulted in an increase of bootleg alcohol, which led to Methane or Ammonia poisoning, serious health issues, or even death. Since alcohol consumption was illegal, so was alcohol production. This law resulted in the dangerous product being distributed amongst the illegal buyers. Eventually, the government realized that they could reduce the gang-related crime rates significantly with the abolishment of prohibition. In 1933, prohibition was recanted and drinking was made legal again. .

Unemployment in the U.S. During the Great Depression

The Great Depression Affect on Society and Families

America’s economy flourished during a period known as the Roaring Twenties. In 1929, the American stock market crashed, ruining many hardworking people’s lives. The crash led to an increase of despondency, which resulted in the deterioration of people’s families and wellbeing. During the Great Depression, the divorce rate actually fell, likely due to the growing cost of living alone. However, there was an increase of unhappiness within households. At one point, unemployment grew to almost 25% in the United States. Many Americans had to relied on credit, which put them in major debt. Deflation rose, increasing the cost of basic necessities, and because of this many banks failed and society was thrust into poverty, which led to more mental and physical depression amongst the people.

References

Bordo, Michael. The Impact of the Great Depression on the Elderly . Encyclopedia of the Great Depression. Encyclopedia.com, April 11, 2020. https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elderly-impact-great-depression

Hess, Heather. The Crash. Indiana: Indiana University Press. Fall, 2018. https://jech-bmj-com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/content/66/5/410. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/713200

Kytle, Jack. Jim Lauderdale: River Wreck. The Federal Writers Project. September, 22, 1938. https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/03709/id/969/rec/1

Rogler, L. H. Historical Generations and Psychology: The Case of the Great Depression and World War II. Boston: The American Psychologist 57, 2002. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-11464-001

Stuckler D, Meissner C, Fishback P. Banking crises and mortality during the Great Depression: evidence from US urban populations. Boston: Epidemiol Community Health 2012. https://jech-bmj-com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/content/66/5/410

The History of Alcohol You've Never Heard Of. The Recovery Village, February 25, 2020. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/history-of-alcohol/#gref.