Decades later, I'm readily recognized where I'm from by my accent. This accent is too often mistakenly seen as an indication of lower intelligence than many other accents in the United States. This has motivated me to be more aware of my grammar, believing if I were grammatically correct, my accent would be accepted. Clearly for me, I've never made an effort to change. In order to maintain a sense of wholeness and of loyalty to my roots, I decided that was more important than my accent. Since I've never lived many places other than Bell County, I'm truly Appalachian!

Back to that farm on the hill plus ten acres of level land. I began early doing various chores during the spring, summer, and autumn. I can honestly admit that I felt cheated of some leisure time as a child. Cousins my age didn't have to work at all and I resented that. Most of my food came from that farm which I was reminded of often. Finally, I stopped whining and decided to accept my responsibility as one of a large family who had to work to survive.

My religious training didn't begin until my early teens. A brother-in-law, Harry L. Jackson, organized a Sunday School class in the small school house I attended on Pittman's Creek. In rural Bell County at that time were only three denominations; Primitive Baptist, Church of Christ, and the Church of God. Each taught and preached power came straight from the Word of God revealed to us through Biblical scripture. Although many people probably couldn't read past the sixth grade level they believed every word uttered by a preacher was true.

I was fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family. My parents were a living expression of God's kindness: kindness in their hearts, kindness in their faces, kindness in their eyes, kindness in their smiles, and kindness in their homes.

My perception of them was gracious, extraordinary people who sought excellence in every area of their life. I can hardly imagine the hardships they endured rearing a large family beginning shortly after the Great Depression at the same time expecting greatness from us.

Several decades ago, I left a small community in Bell County for college 1941-42. My knowledge of the larger world was somewhat limited. When I arrived in Richmond, Kentucky, I was experiencing many emotions. The first question I asked myself, "Should I turn around and go back to Bell County." Shortly, the telephone rang. It was James Walters from Balkan, who was also a graduate of Bell County High School. He was senior at Eastern and very much in love with a beautiful lady, Ruth Harkness, whom he later married. I seldom saw him again but he did encourage me to stay, and assured me when I got settled in, I would like the school.

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Picture of Family during World War II
Davis Homeplace during 40s
Malmaws father James Calvin Hoskins -1954
Grandpa Jeams-J.C. Hoskins' children -around 1954
Malmaw and father around 1945
Malmaw dressed up 1945
Lum Greene Cemetery
Hoskins Cemetery
Balkan Cemetery
Hances Creek Map

Balkan (Coal Mining Town), Kentucky

Balkan School
Balkan Coal Tipple
Balkan Miner Homes
David, Kathy & Charlene at Balkan-1952