Interviewer
Michael J. Galgano
Files
Download Full Text (25.4 MB)
Description
Mr. Adams gives a detailed history of his professional career in this interview, a career in which he has had many different responsibilities. Adams talks about how he was recruited by the West Virginia State Police early in his life, when he was making a living by teaching and driving a cream truck. Through the discussion of this part of his career, some of the history of the West Virginia State Police is revealed, including the story of the development of the statewide driver's education program. After working for several years as a police and intelligence officer, Mr. Adams was appointed warden of the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville. Mr. Adams describes what the material conditions at the prison were like when he began his post, and then discusses in detail the reforms which he personally implemented. He also describes in great detail what it was like to be a prison warden, which generates an image of the day-to-day workings of the state penitentiary. Toward the end of the interview, Mr. Adams talks about his life after leaving the warden position, describing his work with the Red Cross and his political aspirations.
Publication Date
1974
Identifier
OH64-115
Type
Text
Comments
Interview is included in the Marshall University Oral History Collection. The index number is OH64-115.
Rights
Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by the content creator, author, artist or other entity, and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the copyright owner.
Recommended Citation
Marshall University Special Collections, OH64-115, Huntington, WV.
Library of Congress Subjects
Adams, Donivan E., 1909- -- Autobiography.
West Virginia. State Police -- History -- Oral histories.
West Virginia. State Police -- Recruiting -- Oral histories.
West Virginia. Department of Motor Vehicles -- Oral histories.
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Oral histories.