Literary Question

[tenfed1861]

In the first chapter (set in the 1850s) of John Fox's "Little Shepard of Kingdom Come" a character uses the term "rifle gun" to describe his rifle.While I told my father,an English professor,that I have yet to read any accounts of a firearm being described as such,I of course would like to hear your intakes.Has anyone ever read this account of a firearm being described in a manner?

(Mods,if this is in the wrong folder,please move to the right one).

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Literary Question

A quick search on Google Books for works published between 1850 and 1900 came up with a number of hits, including the History of the Early Settlement and Indian Wars of Western Virginia, 1851. Page 279 lists a number of militia men who mustered with a weapon described as a "rifle-gun." Right below it comes another reference from The Living Age for the last quarter of 1854. Altogether there appear to be several hundred references, perhaps scores from our period.

Check it out at: http://books.google.com/books?as_q=&...isbn=&as_issn=

[tenfed1861]

Re: Literary Question

Thank you Michael.I found what I was looking for.Mods,you may close this post at your descrection.Or keep it open.Either way,I really don't dare.Oooo,a penny.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Literary Question

Hey, thank you. I learned something -- until you asked, I would have assumed "rifle-gun" was just some hokey Hollywoodism. Now we know it has a pedigree. Oddly enough, so does "shooting iron": http://books.google.com/books?as_q=&...isbn=&as_issn=

[Emily Burns]

Re: Literary Question

And you might also consider the setting of that book, the Appalachian Hills, which would considerably affect the language approximated.

The harsh topography with its lack of passable roads isolated some areas for generations. "The result was a culture that harkened back decades for traditions and customs and led its people to be called 'our contemporary ancestors.'" (Attributed to Berea College President William Frost)

[tenfed1861]

Re: Literary Question

That is a good qoute Emily,but there is a problem.Many in the Appalachian studies do not consider Berea to be part Appalachia.For the most part,Berea is,geographically wise,out of Appalachia.Is it in fact at the beginning of the bluegrass.

At the same time,many do consider the fact that "our contemperary ancestors" a false statement.When the NPS bought out Cade's Cove,the town actually had framed houses.But because of the romantic notion of Appalachia,the park decided to remove them for the tourist.I know from my own personal county's history that there was regular framed housing throught the area.You look at the dress of the townspeople in 1900 and you see typical Guilded age style dressing and Victorian homes.It would be just like any area in the country:towns will be more modern,as well as some of the rural areas,but part of the rural area would be more "rustic" at the same time.

I feel part of the "contemporary ancestors" mantality came from the local color writers who would look for the most colorful,extreme cases of "hillbilly-ery" (new word:patent pending).With the Hatfield-McCoy Feud,along with the Clay County War,the writers will go out and find the most colorful characters to sell more papers.They do not wish to read of simple farmers living in brick or framed homes.Thus,people will read of a poor mountainer living in a log cabin,fighting with his neighbor over a "hog" and associate that to Appalachia.At the same time,the American Missionary Association will be writeing of the other extreme cases.A missionary will not go into town to help the "poor" and there really will not be any poor.They will not go to a hollow with a good road and decent homes as they would not need help.Instead,one would go to the most rugged,remote parts,help the typical "hillbilly",and then write about it in the journals.Of course,the public will read this and,again,associate the two together.

Sorry for the lecture.But that's what one does when one's father is a professor working on a paper about mill towns in Appalachia.

[Emily Burns]

Re: Literary Question

I don't know when I've been more pleased with a lecture. There are some subjects with which I am always interested in learning more. This is one.

[David Fox]

Re: Literary Question

As a trial judge I take perverse pleasure in reading 19th Century court cases. Several times in cases involving will contests I've noted reference to the decedant dying seized of property including a "rifle gun". Unless I'm mistaken (always a possibility), Lincoln's paternal grandfather, for whom he was named, was killed by Indians in the mid-1780s leaving an estate including a "rifle gun".
As an aside, the post-Civil War Supreme Court Reports of my North Carolina contain two successive appeals of young Confederate veteran Thomas Dula. He was convicted of the murder of one Laura Foster. The tale is more generally known because of the 1950s recording "Tom Dooley" by the Kingston Trio. "Dooley" is apparently more euphonious than "Dula". The court transcripts reveal a sad tale of murderous jealousy, sexual licentiousness, and venereal disease...pretty much standard fare in court today, alas.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Literary Question

Hallo!

They also appear in 18th century writings as "rifled-barrelled gun" or "rifle- barrelled gun."

Curt