FACTUAL FOLKLORE ™

Mabel Williams Martin (1913-2003)  wrote about early life in the hills of Southeastern Kentucky. She coined (and registered) the term "Factual Folklore" to describe tales based on fact which have been passed down through the generations.   Read Mabel's Obituary

Martin grew up where Laurel Lake now stands. Her stories focus on the events in the Laurel County area during her youth, as well as stories passed down from her grandparents and others of that generation. Her unique style allows the reader to peek in at life in a simpler time when neighbors lived, worked, laughed, cried, and worshipped together.  She has written for the Corbin Times Tribune and Sentinel-Echo, and has been featured in the Lexington Herald. 

Visit the Mabel Martin Wyrick Local History Collection at Berea College

Land Beneath the Lake - More stories from the original Factual Folklorist.  Martin tells tales from her childhood in the area where Laurel Lake now stands. In her latest book, Martin relives the adventures of the infamous "Preacher Pinkenhammer", who has a little bit of all circuit riding preachers in him!  The book also contains several stories of     "Appalachian Tales and Practices".  $19 (JANZE PUBLISHING, 1998)

  Factual Folklore™ - Several short stories about life on Laurel Lake and Muddy Gut Creek in Laurel County, Kentucky. Contains Civil War, Depression Era, and other early 20th Century tales, as well as some genealogical information. Families mentioned include Williams, Rogers, Douglas, Martin, and Jones. A photo of the Even Jones log cabin (circa 1857) is featured on the cover and in the book.  $19 (JANZE PUBLISHING, 1998) 

  The Ultimate Irony -At 20 years old, Lydia Loveless had an enviable future. The daughter of a wealthy "country boy", she planned to have a great career in art. After tragedy struck, she would learn how the love of money spoils all other love.  $17 (JANZE PUBLISHING, 1997)

If Quilts Could Talk...I'd Listen - The quilt featured on the cover of this book was made in the first year of the Civil War. These short stories, the original "factual folklore", relate all the quarreling, preaching, praying, laughing, and crying that this quilt must have heard on Muddy Gut Creek! The events are based on the Williams, Martin, Douglas, Weaver, Bollinger, Sasser, Hacker, Hackler, Anderson, and Jones families. SOLD OUT
 

Ephraim Haskins or How to Bury a Drifter - Seven year-old Mabel was more than curious when the drifter, Ephraim Haskins, was found shot to death.  She ponders his life & mysterious death, as well as Mountain rituals, superstition, and burial customs in this fictional story.  $15 (KENTUCKE IMPRINTS, 1988)

Tales of the Rails - A collection of real-life railroad tales told to Mabel by her second husband,Wilson Wyrick. Wilson worked on the L&N Railroad in Corbin, Kentucky, for 47 years.  $12 (KENTUCKE IMPRINTS, 1988).  LIMITED SUPPLY

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