Joe,

Thanks for putting those up in an accessible format. I'll strive to get the word out to interested ones.

Thanks so much!!

Mudcatters:
As with many historical songs, they are important to scholars looking passionately for insights into those other times. The Death Of Carl Shelton is a song I've been looking for a LONG old time--ever since I saw it mentioned almost in passing by Neely in his book. Ballads And Songs Of Southern Illinois. And to find Ruthie Shelton coming into this thread adds a poignancy I'd never imagined. Thanks to Ruthie for sending me her only cassette tape of these two songs done in 1948 by Mr. Henson. It is the end of a long search for me--and a good thread to boot. My intent was only to find a good song that is palpable and a real document of people living their lives out in other times and places. That has always been my reason for being in this folk music world---to find and bring forth these hidden treasures!

Art Thieme