Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Aileene Lewis Nesbitt, Big Laurel Worker, Oct.1923 – Feb. 1925<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAGS:<\/strong> Aileene Lewis Nesbitt,Ethel Zande,Katherine Pettit,missionary work,Big Laurel Extension Center,Play House,Louisville Conference Epworth League,Eva Rhodus,clothing,hairstyles,salary arrangements,Agnes Hynes<\/p>\n\n\n\n [lewis_aileene_001.jpg] <\/strong>through [lewis_aileene_022.jpg]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Letters from PMSS staff are typewritten carbon copies and unsigned, as they are meant for the office files. Initials at the bottom left of most letters indicate the writer (and the secretary), such as \u201cEZ\u201d for Ethel Zande. Letters from Aileene Lewis (Nesbitt) are handwritten unless indicated otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 001x <\/strong>September 7, 1923. To Miss Aileene Lewis<\/strong><\/a> in Louisville, KY, from EZ (Ethel de Long Zande<\/strong><\/a><\/strong>), who writes that Miss Eva Rhodus<\/strong> [housemother & teacher] recommended Lewis to EZ and asks Lewis to consider \u201cwork in the mountains.\u201d <\/em>Although Lewis\u2019s life was dedicated to missionary work, EZ assures her that work at Big Laurel is in that spirit, if not literally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n EZ then describes the Big Laurel extension center<\/a>, which has a doctor, a visiting nurse and a head resident. The center needs \u201csomeone who can be a general worker…who can teach the first and second grades in the district school\u201d<\/em> to help out the overloaded teacher there and take children to the playground. \u201cThis often means big boys and me who are really starved for play.\u201d <\/em>Also, someone is needed to help with Sunday School, to substitute for the Home Economics teacher when needed and \u201ctwice a week in our playhouse, a splendidly equipped little building that we arranged for all sorts of community enterprises.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Miss Agnes Hynes<\/strong> is currently working at Big Laurel temporarily. EZ encloses an application blank and a copy of travel directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 002, 002a<\/strong> September 10, 1923. Two-page letter to Mrs. Zande from Aileene Lewis on a letterhead for \u201cLouisville Conference Epworth League\u201d which lists Aileene Lewis of Louisville as a \u201cLife Work Secretary.\u201d \u201c My dear Mrs. Zande:- Your letter has filled my heart with a desire to serve there in your Mountain School.\u201d <\/em>Lewis offers to come as a volunteer worker \u201cif she did not need further preparation and training for so great a work.\u201d<\/em> She mentions a salary of about fifty dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 003, 003a<\/strong> September 11, 1923. Application Blank with entries handwritten by Aileene Lewis. 003a<\/strong> (Reverse side of Application Blank with Lewis\u2019s answer to a question about salary.) \u201cIn considering the work or rather the field and my plans for the winter term — $50.00 seemed to me to be reasonable. If not satisfactory, what is your offer? My plan for this year was to go to school and work. You realized I need more training. \u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 004 <\/strong>September 11, 1923. To Lewis in Louisville, KY, from EZ. She and Miss Rhodus are pleased that Lewis is interested in Big Laurel work. EZ asks Lewis to come as soon as possible because the teacher she is to replace is in ill health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 005 <\/strong>September 13, 1923. To Lewis from EZ, who again asks Lewis to come earlier than Lewis had requested, due to her work for the Epsworth League. She also asks if $35.00 a month for living expenses is an adequate salary and explains the reason for this amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EZ then describes the type of clothing that would be appropriate. \u201cWe try to wear here what will be suitable for our neighbors to adopt if they should be so disposed. This means that we leave out silks, velvets and very expensive fabrics. \u2026 Of course pads in the hair are another thing that are not suitable here. We are still in the stage where the first thing we can do for our girls is to teach them to keep bugs out of their hair and to shampoo properly. \u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 006, 006a <\/strong>September 19, 1923. A two-page typewritten letter to Mrs. Zande from Lewis on a \u201cSecond Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY,\u201d letterhead. 006<\/strong> Miss Lewis responds that she cannot leave her former position earlier, stating \u201c… [T]here is a duty for me to perform and a task to complete.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lewis gives her understanding of the salary arrangements and asks if she is correct. She is writing Mr. Wilson Lewis<\/strong> in Nolansburg to meet her at Laden as suggested and describes her travel plans and asks if they are correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 007 <\/strong>September 21, 1923. To Lewis from EZ, who regrets that Lewis cannot arrive at an earlier date. She explains that the School does not pay travel expenses, except a one-way payment when someone is asked to come to PMSS on trial and does not stay. She asks Lewis to let her know if $35 a month with expenses is not adequate. She explains the School\u2019s reasoning concerning how much workers are paid. EZ then makes corrections to the travel directions that Lewis described. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 009 <\/strong>September 25, 1923. To Lewis from EZ who writes that she will expect Miss Lewis on October 8 and is glad that they have agreed on the salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 010<\/strong> November 1 and December 1, 1923. To Miss Lewis, two bills from PMSS, each for \u201cHauling trunk, $1.72<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 011<\/strong> April 14, 1924. To Lewis from [unsigned, likely EZ], who was upset by her April 10th note about not returning to PMSS next year in order to pursue further training. EZ wrote that she had consulted with Miss [Harriet] Butler<\/a><\/strong> about Lewis\u2019s work, and \u201cwe both agreed that you were the most valuable person we could get there at the present time\u2026. That friendliness and the right sort of ideals are the best sort of thing to contribute to Big Laurel just now\u2026. \u201c<\/em> She assures Lewis that her informal assistance with cooking, sewing and playground work is preferred to a formal, more qualified teacher. \u201cWe are both most happy that people at Big Laurel like to be with you as they do\u2026<\/em>. [Also,] it would be a great misfortune to have a complete turnover of workers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 012, 012a, 012b, 012c, 012d<\/strong> May 22, 1924. A five-page letter to Zande from Lewis in Louisville, KY. [012b is page 2 and 012a is page 3.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n 012 <\/strong>(Page 1) \u201cJust these two weeks at home have almost made me ready to return with <\/em>Dr. [Alfreda] Withington<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. It was a surprise, indeed, to have her call me so soon after my return. Now, I am beginning to wonder when <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 012b <\/strong>(Page 2) <\/strong>you are coming. Since my return, I have made a number of talks about our work and the school. In June at the Epworth League Conference I am to teach the new book — just off the press — \u201cThe Land of Saddle-Bags\u201d by<\/em> [James Watt] Raine. Of course, it\u2019s centered around Berea and a splendid book on Mountain Life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 012a<\/strong> (Page 3) <\/strong>Miss Lewis asks for two things: the School\u2019s latest pamphlets and facts about Pine Mountain Settlement for distribution, at least enough for a class of fifty pupils. She would also like to send material, through Zande, to Granny Creech<\/strong> who \u201cis to make a little wool comfort for me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 012c<\/strong> (Page 4) Lewis is anxious to have the \u201ccomfort\u201d <\/em>soon because her sister is having a baby. 012d <\/strong>Closing words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 013<\/strong> June 6, 1924. To Lewis in Louisville, KY, from EZ, who will be seeing Lewis next week and asks if she would watch Berto<\/strong> during her dental appointments. Mentions attending Manila(?) Boggs<\/strong>\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 014 <\/strong>August 18, 1924. To Lewis from [unsigned]. Returning a check that needed to be changed in order for the School to cash it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 015<\/strong> November 25, 1924. To Lewis at Big Laurel, Ky., from KP (Katherine Pettit), who asks if Lewis plans to have Aunt Louise and <\/strong>Uncle [Fiddler] John<\/strong> [Lewis]<\/strong><\/a>\u2019<\/strong>s house papered and that the neighbors may like to do it. \u201cWe ought to give them the privilege of doing missionary work just as much as possible.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 016<\/strong> November 29, 1924. To Lewis at Big Laurel, Ky., from KP, reporting the news that Aunt Louise won her lawsuit and will receive at least $25.00 a month. She suggests that maybe Aunt Louise would hire Martha Spradlin<\/strong> and her neighbor to clean her home and make it warm for winter. \u201cIt will be a shame now for those old people to have this money and yet not be made more comfortable\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 017<\/strong> December 4, 1924. A typewritten note to Mrs. Zande from Lewis on PMSS letterhead, who asks for a second key for the Play House, since Miss [Iva] Holladay<\/strong> currently has the only key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 018<\/strong> December 5, 1924. To Lewis from [unsigned, likely Zande], who tells Lewis to order a key to the Play House from \u201cBelknap.\u201d She asks when Mr.[Charles] Nesbitt<\/a><\/strong> will preach next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 019, 019a<\/strong> February 3, 1925. A typewritten two-page letter to Mrs. Zande from Lewis on PMSS letterhead. 019<\/strong> It has been Lewis\u2019s plan to leave the Play House work when Big Laurel school closed, which it did today. \u201cMr. Nesbitt will write you of the incidents of the past weeks and of his resignation,\u201d<\/em> which occurred after consulting with Mr. Jones<\/strong> in Harlan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 019a <\/strong>(Page 2) \u201c…I regret to leave the work and tho\u2019 I am leaving, as long as I am in Louisville I would like to serve the Mountain people when they are in that city, if you would so desire. \u2026 This is merely a note to tell you that we are planning to leave the Mountains on Friday of this week. I realize, Mrs. Zande, that this makes my term short but it cannot be helped.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 020<\/strong> February 5, 1925. To Lewis at Big Laurel from EZ, who would like a report of the work at the Play House. \u201cI am ever so glad to know that you want to do all you can for the mountain children when they have to go to Louisville.\u201d <\/em>She asks Lewis to see Mrs. Jasper Day<\/a><\/strong> (Nancy Shepherd) at St. Joseph\u2019s and to bring her little boy, Josiah<\/strong>, to see her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 021<\/strong> March 2, 1925. To Mrs. Zande from Lewis at St. Matthews, Ky. on letterhead for \u201cLouisville Conference Epworth League.\u201d Lewis encloses a letter that was forwarded to her. \u201cPlease accept my sincere wishes for the interests of the school and with a hope that you will call upon me from time to time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 022<\/strong> <\/em>March 5, 1925. To Lewis in St. Matthews, Ky., from EZ, who is \u201cat sea about the letter you sent me, and the check.\u201d <\/em>She asks Lewis to explain. Mentions Mr. Ziegler<\/strong>, pastor of the Union Church at Berea, who is visiting. Also, Cilles(?) and Otis Turner<\/strong> came to church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCONTENTS: Aileene Lewis Nesbitt Correspondence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1923<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
003<\/strong> Age: 25<\/em>. Health: Good.<\/em>
Education: 3 years high school and \u201cthree summer terms in English and Bible at George Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn.\u201d<\/em>
Experience: \u201c…only practical everyday life in Religious work.\u201d<\/em>
…<\/em> References: Lewis provides 3 names and addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1924<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1925<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGALLERY: Aileene Lewis Nesbitt Correspondence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t