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  Oral History Interview: Florence Price McNeel and Nancy McNeel Currenee

  Florence Price McNeel

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. The main focus is education. Mrs. McNeel and Mrs. Currenee, both retired school teachers, talk about the history of Marlinton, West Virginia. They also discuss World War I, the Depression, and their own education. Both were living in Charleston, West Virginia, at the time of the interview.

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  Oral History Interview: Esther-Grace Henri McNeil

  Esther-Grace Henri McNeil

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Mrs. McNeil tells of her training to become a nurse and some of her experiences in delivering babies, some of them in settings other than hospitals. She also discusses the Great Depression , her employment, Jewish circumcision rites.

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  Oral History Interview: Steve Meade

  Steve Meade

  This interview is one of a series conducted with West Virginia farmers about growing up on farms and about the farming business. Mr. Meade was reared on a farm in Wayne County, West Virginia. At the time of the interview, he was residing in Winco Block, West Virginia. Topics discussed by Mr. Meade concern childhood recollections. These include food preservation, shearing sheep, fishing, clothing, and early schooling.

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  Oral History Interview: Christie H. Meadows

  Christie H. Meadows

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Mr. Christie Meadows was born to a long line of farmers, miners, and loggers in rural Raleigh County, West Virginia. He discusses: his family; his childhood and lessons he learned; different types of trees and their uses; signs of the moon and how to plant by them; farming; his education; technology he had access to; jobs; recreation; livestock; mining (including strip mining); Future Farmers of America; folk medicine; a brief mention of beekeeping; as well as other topics.

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  Oral History Interview: Charice Mealey

  Charice Mealey

  This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. Ms. Clarice Mealey was an employee at the Owens Illinois glass plant. She discusses: her family (including her son dying and other family members working at the plant); how she came to work at the plant during the Great Depression; her job and duties at the plant; working in plants at several different cities (including Charleston and Atlanta); comparisons between the Huntington plant and the Charleston plant; co-workers; a brief discussion of donations and charity; and individuals such as Hugh Kramus (a foreman), Dave Baker, & Juanita Summers.

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  Oral History Interview: Elizabeth Means

  Elizabeth Means

  These are a part of a series of interviews which Diana Parnicza conducted in the course of her project concerning Appalachian caregivers. Elizabeth Means (referred to in the interview as Caregiver #10) discusses: her family; a series of true/false questions about her family; detailed information about caring for her mother; people who help her care for her mother (including her daughter and nurses); her relationship with her mother and her family; some discussion of Diana Parnicza's employment at a hospital; and other topics.

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  Oral History Interview: Patricia Garza (Mechi)

  Patricia Garza Mechi

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Mechi was an author, teacher, social worker, and healer. Her ancestry was Choctaw, Cherokee, and Irish. She discusses: living in Mexico before she moved to Appalachia; comparisons between Native American spirituality and Buddhism; her experiences with different religions; Native American culture; relationships between men and women and her views on the differences between men and women, with some discussion on abusive relationships; her social work; the government welfare program; her negative views about modern America; and her views on multicultural America.

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  Oral History Interview: Mary Messenger & Fannie Garrett

  Mary Messenger

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning labor union women. This folder contains a transcript of tape # 12 of an series titled "Our Working Lives." The two interviewees are Fannie Garret (a member of the Communications Workers of America) and Mary Messenger (a member of the American Federation of Teachers). They discuss their specific unions and unions in general, as well as detailed information about the communications industry and teachers. This discussion includes--among other topics--their opinions about why people join unions, educational opportunities in unions, union conventions (including one for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, a.k.a. the AFL-CIO), the UMW (United Mine Workers), the public's sometimes negative perceptions of unions, how economics affect unions, and much information about the roles of men and women in unions. Women are another important topic, and they discuss the situations women face in businesses. Strikes and picket lines are also discussed, as are social events in the unions and the interviewees' relationships with other members of the union. Politics are an important subject, and they tell us about their own political activities (including voting a police chief out of office who tried to eliminate the Black Panther Party), the Committee on Political Education, and political leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Jim Sprouse (a West Virginia politician), and Jay Rockefeller (whom Mary Messenger had a conversation with). There are numerous other topics in this interview as well, including education in general and summer classes Mary took at West Virginia University. The interview ends with a discussion of equality in pay.

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  Oral History Interview: Mary Messenger & Fannie Garrett

  Mary Messenger

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning Labor union women. At the time of the interview, Mary Messenger was with the American Federation of Teachers, Local 4029, and Fanny Garrett was with the Communication Workers of America, Local 2011. They discuss: their work prior to joining the union and other unions they were a part of; their later work experiences (including in the clothing industry, Illinois Bell, and as a job steward); elections in the unions; co-workers and individuals such as Mike Snaggle, Homer Kincaid, & Dick Sams; grievances at the union(s); conferences they attended (including women's conferences for the Communication Workers of America); their families; and other topics.

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  Oral History Interview: Bryant Messer

  Bryant Messer

  This interview is one of a series conducted with West Virginia farmers about growing up on farms and about the farming business. Mr. Messer was born at Jenny's Creek, West virginia in 1874. Mr. Messer discusses school life, his family, his father's work as a logger, and work on a farm. He was jailer in Mingo County for several years, and discusses this position, dealing with a cousin who was involved in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. Mr. Messer also worked in the mines. Travel, food, clothes, church, marriage, moonshine, a flood in the late Ninieteenth Century, and travel in general are topics also covered. Midwives, horse trading, medical care, funerals and a word on his wife closes the interview.

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  Oral History Interview: Odessa B. Messinger

  Odessa B. Messinger

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. At the time of the interview, Mr. Matthews was residing in East Lynn, West Virginia. Mrs. Messinger discusses her education at Marshall University and her employment there, both while taking classes and later as a faculty member. She taught at several other places as well, and discusses them.

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  Oral History Interview: Walter Meyers

  Walter Meyers

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. The topic of this interview is the Civil Rights Movement. Walter Meyers was a lifelong resident of Huntington, WV, and he discusses: his childhood, personal history, and his family; the history of Huntington and how it relates to African Americans; railroads; segregation and black/white relationships; damage done to the Keith Albee Theater during a fight; organizations such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Young Men's Business Club; businesses he was involved in; his job (in construction/contracting?); as well as a small section on the Ku Klux Klan.

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  Oral History Interview: J. O. Midkiff

  J. O. Midkiff

  This document is a transcript of a statement given by J. O. Midkiff at a public hearing conducted by the West Virginia Department of Energy on June 28, 1988, in Lincoln County. The purpose of the hearing was to give residents a chance to voice their opinions concerning an application by two coal companies to strip-mine at Six Mile Creek in Lincoln County. J. O. Midkiff argues in favor of the permit and also discusses illegal drugs and individuals such as Sandra Perry.

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  Oral History Interview: Lottie Farley Midkiff

  Lottie Farley Midkiff

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Lottie Farley Midkiff discusses her experience as a student at Marshall College/University, her time at Model School, relationships between students and professors, returning GI's at the college, her impressions on how students have changes, her Master's thesis on oil and gas production in Lincoln County, and teachers who were given emergency certificates during times when teachers were scarce.

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  Oral History Interview: Maureen Milicia

  Maureen Milicia

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. At the time of the interview, Dr. Maureen Milicia was chairman of the Theater & Dance Department at Marshall University. Her family is the main focus of the interview, and she describes her relationships with family members, her parents' divorce, and a bad relationship she had with her step-father. Relationships with other men, women, and roommates are discussed as well. She also goes into great detail about her own personal history, such as perceptions on growing up in poverty, her developing independence in life, and her hopes for the future. She had a near-death experience at an amusement park as a child, which greatly affected her life. Her father was Roman-Catholic, but she was raised Jewish and tells us about her relationship with Judaism, although she eventually left that religion; she also discusses her current views on God, kosher, and the Ten Commandments. Her education is an important topic, too, as is her teaching career and her current job. Other subjects include prejudices and discrimination, her health (she suffered cancer early in life), her decision not to marry, her hopes for the future, and many other topics. The interview ends with more thoughts on her childhood.

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  Oral History Interview: Doris Copley Miller

  Doris Copley Miller

  Doris Copley Miller resided in Wayne and Cabell Counties, West Virginia, for the majority of her life. She discusses the history of Marshall Academy and its progression to college and university status. She also focuses on education in West Virginia. In the audio clip provided, Mrs. Miller discusses teaching in Wayne County, West Virginia. She focuses the decor of her classrooms, the number of students, and the typical school day schedule. She also discusses games and recreation played by her students.

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  Oral History Interview: Edris H. Miller

  Edris H. Miller

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning Oral Histories of African-American women who taught in West Virginia public schools. Edris H. Miller began teaching at Lawson Street School during her education at Bluefield State College. She gives us detailed information about her family and childhood throughout the interview, including family reunions, her childhood home and family life, family members who were slaves, childhood activities, seeing the Silas Green Variety Show, and information about her husband, marriage, and children. Her father was a minister and she tells the interviewers about church and religion. She also talks about her education and attending a one-room school (named Coopers Grade School) and Bluefield State College, as well as teachers she knew and her sorority (Delta Sigma Theta?). She provides detailed information about her employment history, and race relations is another important topic. She describes the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation, the desegregation of schools, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), interracial dating, racial divisions in Bramwell, and the burdens black men and women face and the different ways each group deals with it. There are numerous other discussion points as well, such as: her students; serving on the city council; organizations she belonged to; people she knew or heard of (such as the poet Ann Spencer); gender roles; negative changes she sees in families and American culture; welfare; her self-perceptions; people who influenced her life; life-changing decisions; her feelings on her life in general; music (mainly Blues); regrets she has about her life; what she wants for her future; and many other subjects.

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  Oral History Interview: Matt Miller

  Matt Miller

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars. Mr. Miller is President of Dutch Miller Chevrolet car dealership and a leading citizen of Huntington, West Virginia. The interview deals with his support of Marshall University and especially his early financial support of the Yeager Scholars program. He speaks positively of the expectations he holds for the scholars, and the program's impact on Marshall University and the community as a whole. More specific subjects include his personal background and employment history, detailed information about Dutch Miller Chevrolet, athletics at Marshall, his military service (including ROTC), his family, Marshall University itself and its impact on the community, individuals (such as Dale Nitzschke, Joe Hunnicutt, Roger Dean, & Chuck Yeager), and his views on leadership.

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  Oral History Interview: Phyllis Miller

  Phyllis Miller

  This document is a transcript of a statement given by Phyllis Miller at a public hearing conducted by the West Virginia Department of Energy on June 28, 1988, in Lincoln County. The purpose of the hearing was to give residents a chance to voice their opinions concerning an application by two coal companies to strip-mine at Six Mile Creek in Lincoln County. Phyllis Miller argues against the permit, saying it will have a negative impact on her home and her health.

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  Oral History Interview: Randall E. Miller

  Randall E. Miller

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia Vietnam veterans. Randall Miller was a U.S. Navy veteran. He discusses: his family; enlisting in the Navy and his experiences in the Navy; his subsequent employment; religions (including becoming a Unitarian); a friend losing a leg in the war; the Vietnam War in general; political organizations (such as the Workers for Social Alliance); student organizations (such as the SDS [Students for a Democratic Society?]; anti-war protests; and other topics.

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  Oral History Interview: Sandra Miller

  Sandra Miller

  This document is a transcript of a statement given by Sandra Miller at a public hearing conducted by the West Virginia Department of Energy on June 28, 1988, in Lincoln County. The purpose of the hearing was to give residents a chance to voice their opinions concerning an application by two coal companies to strip-mine at Six Mile Creek in Lincoln County. Sandra Miller argues against the permit, saying it will cause health problems and lower the standard of living. She also discusses previous legal problems and dishonesty on the part of the coal company.

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  Oral History Interview: Ted Miller

  Ted Miller

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia coal mining. At the time of the interview, Mr. Miller was a retired coal miner living in Oak Hill, West Virginia. He talks about Jenny Lynn Houses, entertainment as a boy, pick and shovel mining, and his mining experiences.

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  Oral History Interview: Numa Dale Milles

  Numa Dale Milles

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. The name of the interviewer is not given, but might be John Mills. This interview was conducted on December 30, 1999 with Numa Dale Mills in his home in Hinton, West Virginia. Mr. Mills, age 79, is a lifelong resident of WV with some brief periods spent in other states while coal mining work was done. Mr. Mills speaks of some life adventures, trials in the mines, and the ethnography of the coal fields.

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  Oral History Interview: C. T. Mitchell

  C. T. Mitchell

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars. At the time of the interview, C. T. Mitchell was the Director of University Relations at Marshall University. He discusses: his education (graduating from high school early and attending Marshall as a journalism major); his journalism career; coming to work at Marshall; his job duties at Marshall; individuals such as Chuck Yeager, Joe Hunnicutt, Dale Nitzschke, David Gillmore, Boz Johnson, Greg King, Beverly McCoy, Vic Hamilton, John Brown; the development of the Yeager scholarship program and also promoting the program; as well as other topics.

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  Oral History Interview: Norris H. Mitchell

  Norris H. Mitchell

  This interview is one of a series titled the Veterans History Project. Mr. Norris H. Mitchell was a sergeant and a Vietnam veteran. He discusses: his military training (including Officer's Candidate School); very detailed information about his experiences serving in Vietnam; the Tet Offensive; returning to the United States after Vietnam; his education; the important of cadence while moving troops; an anecdote about R & R (Rest and Relaxation) in the Dominican Republic; why he enlisted in the service; segregation and African Americans in the service; stories about jumps & jump school; as well as sections on napalm & Agent Orange and other topics.