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Ashe County Oral History

Collection of interviews with notable Ashe County residents

Pearl Barlow and her husband were some of West Jefferson's earliest residents. In this interview, she recalls memories of early West Jefferson, including the arrival of the first train.

PART 1

0:00 Hanging of Will Banks

2:15 Railroad in Ashe County

3:30 Civil War

4:20 Childhood

7:45 1st train in West Jefferson

9:40 Livery Stable in West Jefferson

11:20 Depression

12:55 Atomic bomb in World War II

14:30 Depression

15:30 World War II

19:45 Horseback riding and farming

24:10 School at Appalachian Teacher School

 

PART 2

0:00 Church in Glendale Springs

2:00 Going to Jefferson