Major Works
- Mountain Moonshine To Delta Gumbo (1991)
Biography of Wilson “Bill” Ferguson
by Bradley Black (SHS)
Wilson Ferguson lived most of his life in the Mississippi Delta. When he was three, he and his family left Alabama to live with his Grandmother White in the Delta (Ferguson 11). She had a very large house and a farm in Moorehead, Mississippi (Ferguson 15). Wilson’s father, Gilbert Ferguson, was an undercover agent for the state of Alabama (Ferguson 19), his job was to find those people who were illegally making moonshine and report them to officers in Tuscaloosa by mail (Ferguson 19). Gilbert went out one night to catch men making moonshine, and he was caught (Ferguson 22). They threatened his life unless he left Alabama (Ferguson 23) and that is how his family ended up in Mississippi.
At the time, Wilson had two brothers and a sister (Ferguson 11-12). His mother gave birth to twelve children in all (Ferguson 14). He and his family lived with Grandmother white until they bought their own farm and house in 1922 (Ferguson 55). There are many exciting and sad events that happen in his autobiography Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo. His little sister Ruth died of pneumonia when she was only an infant (Ferguson 30). A tornado came through his grandmother’s farm and tore down her tenant house and barn (Ferguson 34). There are many more events like these that occur in his life.
When Wilson grew up, he told a young girl named Grace that he loved her, and they became engaged in six weeks (Ferguson 170). They are now still married and celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on August 18, 1989 (Ferguson 170). With the help of his grandsons, Wilson Ferguson put his life stories together to publish Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo (Ferguson book cover). Ferguson, in addition to being a writer, is a school administrator, a realtor, and an independent appraiser (Ferguson book cover).
Reviews
A Review of Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo
by Bradley Black (SHS)
Bradley Black, SHS Researcher
Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo by Wilson Ferguson is an autobiography about accounts in Wilson Ferguson’s life. He tells many stories of his life and how it was growing up in the 1920’s. It is a wonderful book full of many different stories. It talks about his family moving from Alabama to the Mississippi Delta. His father, Gilbert Ferguson, was an undercover agent for the state of Alabama. He had to seek out and report those who were illegally making moonshine whiskey. A group of men making moonshine caught Gilbert spying one night. They threatened his life unless he left the state of Alabama. Wilson, his two older brothers, and his sister left with their parents to the Delta were their Grandmother White lived. This exciting beginning falls into sad times and exciting times all throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading this novel because of all the true stories.
This book made me feel like I was with Wilson Ferguson throughout his life. Ferguson put these events together really well to make this wonderful book. I don’t read very often, but this novel was really interesting for me. Throughout his stories, the words are put together very well to create a mental picture. This book makes me feel as if I were there. I really enjoyed reading this book!
Timeline
- Wilson’s family leaves Alabama in the 1920’s
- Wilson’s family moved in with Grandmother White in Moorehead, Mississippi
- In 1992, Wilson’s family moves in their new house and farm in the Delta.
- Wilson told his wife Grace that he was in love with her. They were engaged six weeks later.
- Wilson published Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo in 1990.
Bibliography
- Ferguson, Wilson. Mountain Moonshine to Delta Gumbo. Stoneville, MS. Delta Press, 1990.