Nora E. Thomas collection
Collection — Folder: S1302
Identifier: S1302
Scope and Contents
This 25-page, typed article, "Folklore on the Wabash," was written by Nora E. Thomas and read to the Indianapolis Woman's Club on March 10, 1939. The topic was suggested to her when the Hoosier Folklore Society held their first convention in Bloomington in April 1938. Professor Stith Thompson taught courses in folklore at Indiana University for years. He wrote four books on the subject and was president of the American Folklore Society from 1937 to 1938. On pages 3 and 4, Nora reprints the aims and purposes of the new society. She gives the lyrics of "The House Carpenter" and "Young Charlotte." In the discussion on play-party songs, Ms. Thomas gave the stanza of "Weevily Wheat," which is: "Take a lady by her hand, lead her like a pigeon, make her dance the Weevily Wheat, she loses her religion." Nora talks about the folk tales of the three tribes from Indiana, Potowatomies, Miamis, and Kickapoos. Swapping stories at the "Liar's Bench" in small towns is explained on page 17. She gives three such stories told at the community bench: "The Fox and the Bullet," "The Hoop Snake," and "Old Squirrelly." On pages 20-21, she tells about Mike Fink, a bargeman on the Ohio River. At the end of her article, Ms. Thomas presents the program for the March 18, 1939 convention of the Hoosier Folklore Society, and names people involved in the study of spiritual folklore, folk medicines, and stories of the past.
Dates
- 1939
Creator
- Thomas, Nora E., 1895-1944 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Nora E. Thomas was born on June 23, 1895 in Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Indianapolis Woman's Club. Thomas died on June 22, 1944 and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged as paginated.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Nora E. Thomas.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 2017/8/24 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
Creator
- Thomas, Nora E., 1895-1944 (Person)
- Title
- Nora E. Thomas collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
