The Marshall University Oral History Collection consists of over 800 transcribed interviews with residents of the Tri-State region of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. The majority of the interviews were conducted by students at Marshall University as class projects in the departments of History, Sociology, and Anthropology during the 1980s and 1990s. Many of the original audio recordings were done on reel-to-reel tape recorders or other cassette recording devices and are no longer audible. The oral histories contained here in Marshall Digital Scholar do have complete audio recordings available in addition to the completely transcribed interview. A complete subject listing of all available oral histories in the collection can be found in the guide to the Marshall University Oral History Collection.
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Oral History Interview: Oscar and Lutilla Watts
Oscar Watts
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. The main focus is on farming and farm life. Mr. and Mrs. Watts discuss their family background, their relationship with one another, and their work experiences. Both grew up on farms and have many farm experiences to discuss. Mr. Watts also discusses his experiences as streetcar driver, Justice of the Peace, and first president of the airport authority. The interview concludes with their opinions on the effects of World War I and the Great Depression on their lives.
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Oral History Interview: Tillie Watts
Tillie Watts
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Born in rural Wayne County. Mrs. Tillie Watts was the first female Field Deputy Sheriff in West Virginia. Highlights of the interview include her childhood in rural Wayne County, the Great Depression, her work during World War II in food rationing and the sale of war bonds, the career of her husband Oscar Watts who was a state legislator and the first president of the Tri-State Airport, her wedding reception, Christmases in the country, and the day she learned to drive.
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Oral History Interview: Judy Waugh
Judy Waugh
This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. Judy Waugh was an employee of the Huntington Owens-Illinois glass plant. She discusses: her employment history; her employment at the plant; seniority at the plant; individuals such as Opal Mann; church; trying to find a job after working at the plant; attending Marshall University; work shifts; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Stewart Way
Stewart Way
Mr. Way discusses his wide experiences as a basketball and football coach. He relates coaching experiences at Ceredo- Kenova High, Madison Scott High and Huntington High, West Virginia. Many of the players are named while at Huntington High. Coach Way then moved on to Marshall University as a basketball coach under Ellis Johnson. He talks about Coach Johnson, Coach Cam Henderson, and Coach Bob Daniels. Some family history is brought in, then a discussion of playing for Ron Dandalle at Ceredo-Kenova is mentioned. Travel for the athletes while at Georgetown College, Kentucky, his wife, local rivals, first Marshall game watched, the Mid-American conference scandal, and the Marshall plane crash are the concluding topics.
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Oral History Interview: Jo Webb
Jo Webb
This interview is one of a series conducted with West Virginia farmers about growing up on farms and about the farming business. Mr. Webb is a West Virginia farmer who lives in Ona, Cabell County. Mr. Webb is now too old to farm and take care of himself, so his family takes care of him. The interview concerns interesting Appalachia trivia about farming and home life.
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Oral History Interview: William Webb & Mrs. Webb
William Webb
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia medicine. In this interview, Mr. and Mrs. Webb discuss: herbal medicine and home remedies; cures for rheumatism, bed wetting, and itches & rashes; as well as food.
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Oral History Interview: Rachel Weisenberger
Rachel Weisenberger
Discussion of home remedies, including the phenomena of blood- stopping and fire-drawing. Mrs. Weisenberger discusses a variety of topics concerning her life in Ohio: kinship relations, coal mining, church activities, and matters related to the domestic sphere, such as quilting and food preservation. She also provides illuminating anecdotes concerning the traditional healing practices of fire- drawing and blood-stopping.
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Oral History Interview: Frank Weis
Frank Weis
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Frank William Weis was a former clerical worker in Chicago (Illinois) and a draftsman in Houston (Texas). He discusses: his personal history (including his family, education, and employment history); his home town (Covington, Kentucky) and Chicago; music (mainly Jazz); prohibition; the Great Depression; a detailed discussion of a homeless shelter and unemployment; President Hoover and individuals such as Father Coffman (a radio speaker) and Huey Long; and Communism.
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Oral History Interview: Dr. William S. Westbrook
William S. Westbrook
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Dr. William Westbrook discusses: his childhood; his early education (including a particularly good teacher he remembers); some mention of problems he sees with America's educational system; his employment history (including work as a poultry farmer, a migrant laborer, and working with milking machines on a dairy farm); his family; his college and graduate education; other employment; a job interview he remembers; his experiences as a college professor; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Gladys White West
Gladys White West
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia town histories. This interview focuses on Ravenswood, West Virginia. Although Mrs. West was born in Syracuse, New York, her parents moved to Ohio in 1906. At the time of the interview, Mrs. West was living in Ravenswood, West Virginia. Subjects discusses include: a camp meeting of Billy Sunday in 1914, teaching experience, dating, and life in Ravenswood.
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Oral History Interview: Clyde L. Wheeler
Clyde L. Wheeler
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the experiences of West Virginian war veterans. Mr. Wheeler, a resident of Ravenswood, West Virginia, is a World War II army veteran. He discusses his war experiences, centering on his service in Alaska and on the European front.
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Oral History Interview: Laney R. Wheeler
Laney R. Wheeler
Mr. Wheeler of Coal Mountain, West Virginia, is a retired encyclopedia salesman. Born near Paintersville, Kentucky, he has lived most of his life in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Among the topics discussed are: family history, education, farm work, Mayo College in Paintsville, life in Matewan, Kentucky, and the Depression. Mr. Wheeler also talks about his work as a produce manager, pharmacist, and encyclopedia salesman.
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Oral History Interview: Lucy White
Lucy White
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. Mrs. Lucy White was born in Camden, West Virginia. She talks about her married life, preserving foods, church and school activities, and her children. At the time of the interview, Mrs. White was residing in Weston, West Virginia.
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Oral History Interview: Daniel Banks Wilburn
Daniel Banks Wilburn
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Daniel Banks Wilburn discusses his employment and educational background, his experiences as a teacher (including as a dean at Marshall University), Miss Geneveve Starcher (director of certification, whom he wrote a biography on), President Smith (Stewart Smith of Marshall?), the campaign to get university status for Marshall, West Virginia University, and the Board of Regents system.
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Oral History Interview: Michael Wilkins
Michael Wilkins
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars. Michael Wilkins was a, African-American Yeager Scholar at Marshall University. He discusses: his personal and educational history; his family; a favorite teacher in grade school; applying to college; his classes at Marshall; dorm life; how he decided to be an economics and English double- major; individuals who have influenced him (such as Colonel Joe Engel, Joe Hunnicutt, and Dr. William Denman); how he met Chuck Yeager; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Cornelius Williams
Cornelius Williams
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia community organizations. Mr. Williams was involved with the Southwestern Community Action Council. He discusses: how he became involved with the organization; individuals such as Ken Hechler, Dominick Batholow, C.T. Mitchell, Norma Wiser, Dorothy Bower, & Reverend Charles Smith; his involvement with Vocational Rehabilitation; the community group Action, Inc.; Project ABLE; politics and its effects on the organization; and other topics relating to the organization and its effects on the community.
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Oral History Interview: Frederick & Maxine Williams
Frederick Williams
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. At the time of the interview, Mr. & Mrs. Williams were living in French Creek, WV. They discuss their families and their employment history (she was a telephone operator and he worked many jobs to support his parents, siblings, and family; some of his jobs include an owner of a teens club, a railroad worker, and a union member in a factory). They also discuss: their personal histories; their education; Mr. William's military service (which took him to Alaska); heath problems; houses they've lived in; very detailed information about houses they've built; raising animals (including anecdotes); renting a cabin; making maple syrup; and other topics as well.
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Oral History Interview: John Williams
John Williams
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia Vietnam veterans. Mr. Williams was a Marshall student and a veteran. He discusses: his personal background and family (including a brother who served in Vietnam and later worked for a power company in Covington); enlisting in the Army; his experiences in the Army; his experiences as a Marshall student; his employment experiences; counseling; alcoholism; the experiences of Vietnam veterans when they returned home; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Kat Williams
Kat Williams
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. This interview contains a summary prepared by the interviewer, which includes page numbers. Kat Williams was the director of the Women's Studies Program at Marshall University. She discusses: detailed information about her childhood, family, and education; some information about her jobs as a dental technician and a jeweler; her exposure to the organized women's movement; her experiences as a baseball player and a girl scout as a child; her involvement in the Women's Movement; the National Organization for Women and why she was involved in it but not a member of it; how inequality manifested itself in her desire to play baseball (she was denied Little League as a child because she was female); her women's history degree at the University of Louisville; women's studies programs at universities; comparisons between women's studies programs at different universities; women's studies at Marshall University and her views and hopes on the future of it; as well as other topics.
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Oral History Interview: P.A. Williams
P. A. Williams
This interview is one of a series conducted with Black residents of West Virginia. The son of poor Black parents, Dr. Williams was born in Danville, West Virginia. At the time of the interview, he was Professor of Music at West Virginia State College at Institute, West Virginia. Dr. Williams recalls his childhood in Kimbell, West Virginia, as well as discussing his interest in music, and his experiences as a teacher. He also reflects on the need for young blacks to enter professional life.
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Oral History Interview: Brad Witt
Brad Witt
This is the story of a forty-three year old gay white male living in Charleston, West Virginia. Main topics discussed deal with experimental sex with other males beginning in early adolescence. A description of the disco era of the seventies in southern West Virginia, his experiences living in other cities such as Cleveland and Boston. The narration follows the chronology of his life from elementary school through present. Transcripts are available in the Special Collections Department of the James E. Morrow Library.
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Oral History Interview: Birdie Wolfe
Birdie Wolfe
This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. Birdie Wolfe was an employee at the Owens Illinois Glass Plant. She discusses: her personal history; her experiences at the Owens Glass Plant; a brief section on how she met her husband; a brief section on clothing; co-workers; health care and employee benefits; a small section on politics and government; gender equality at the plant; a very brief mention of trade unions; some discussion of her family; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Nellie Teaford Wood
Nellie Teaford Wood
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Kanawha County textbook controversy. Note, this contains several different interviews, dated March 15 and March 19 of 1985. The subject of this interview is the Kanawha County textbook controversy, where numerous people protested materials taught in school that they believed immoral, resulting in some violence. In this interview, Mrs. Wood discusses her background, the selection process for textbooks, her views on Alice Moore and other people involved in the protest, why the books were viewed as offensive, racism, and the violence that erupted.
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Oral History Interview: Jeanine Woodruff
Jeanine Woodruff
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University, focusing on Marshall's Sesquentennial collection, (which concerns the student movement at Marshall) during the presidency of Dr. Roland Nelson. Jeanine Woodruff discusses her personal background, her family, her husband and his service in the Marine Corps, family and children of radical marriages (ones that go again social norms?), child-rearing, feminist topics in general, political movements (such as the Students for a Democratic Society), and student life.
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Oral History Interview: Tom Woodruff
Tom Woodruff
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. This interview deals with : student activism and the Students for a Democratic Society organization at Marshall University; other organizations such as ROTC, United Mine Workers, National Hospital and Health Care Workers, and the Campus Christian Center; the Vietnam War; and a brief section on newspapers.