Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:07:38 -0600
From: Bonnie Briggs
Subject: Re: Thole story

I've heard this expression all my life - to thole(sp?) an animal into a pen or
other enclosure. I've never seen it spelled but both my father and
grandfather use it as a common word in their vocabulary.

Bonnie Briggs
The University of Memphis


> In the recording of an African American born circa 1855-1860, I have the
> expression "one man a-riding tole mule" (tow mule?). I think he's
> actually saying t'ole mule. Can anyone confirm that "thole" (of a horse
> or other draft animal) can mean "lead", "leading"?
>
> Also (for any Civil War experts out there) this speaker refers to
> cannons and wagons with /bo:ts/ on them passing through Jasper, TX. He's
> either saying "bolts" or "boats". Does anyone know if the unionest
> forces carted boats around East Texas on wagons at the close of the War?
>
> Thanks,
>
> David Sutcliffe