News

Show Me The State: The Disappearance Of Paw Paw French

KBIA | By Kristofor Husted,

Published February 22, 2021 at 3:53 PM CST

1 of 5

Frank Vess Portell family. The woman with the guitar is Nellie Hopkins Portell. She is wearing button shoes and has the Gibson Girl hairstyle. The man with the fiddle is Francis "Brazz" Politte. His descendants are known as the Brazz Polittes.

Courtesy of Kent Bone.

Tiff Miners, Washington County, Missouri, circa 1890-1900.

2 of 5

Courtesy of Kent Bone.

Toug Portell and Lucille Bone Portell with their children.

3 of 5

Courtesy of the Old Mines project.

4 of 5

Courtesy of the Old Mines project.

Tiff miners Paul Israel Boyer (left) and Gus Zamon Portelli. 1910.

5 of 5

Courtesy of Kent Bone.

French settlers colonized southeast Missouri over 200 years ago. And with them came the French language and culture.

They mined the lead belt region and created an insular community in Old Mines revolving around house parties, music and church.

Over time they developed their very own dialect called “Paw Paw” French that was used well into the 20^th century. But then it started to disappear.

We want to find out what happened and is there anyone alive who can still speak it today?