0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

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: Dr. William Coffey

William Coffey

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. At the time of the interview, Dr. Coffey was assistant vice- president for Academic Affairs at Marshall and associate director of research with the Board of Regents. The topic of the interview is academic freedom in relation to the Bottino Case (Michael L. Bottino?) and the resolution of that case.
Oral History Interview: C. Keith Coffman

C. Keith Coffman

This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. In this interview, C. Keith Coffman describes numerous anecdotes about his family, his experiences growing up on a farm, and his service in World War II and the Air Force.
Oral History Interview: Burl Collins

Burl Collins

Burl Collins was born on October 25, 1903. He was raised in McDowell County, West Virginia. When he was 15 years old, he started his first job in a coal mine. He worked in this mine for 33 years. Mr. Collins married and had 11 children, including eight girls and three boys. He discusses the social, economic, and technological changes during his lifetime. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Collins discusses his wedding and marriage.
Oral History Interview: David Conley

David Conley

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia Vietnam veterans. Mr. Conley discusses: his views on the Vietnamese people; relations between African-American soldiers and white soldiers; drugs and alcohol in the war; the protest movement; how veterans were treated when they returned home; his views on draft resisters; the effects of Vietnam on his life; other Vietnam veterans; how the Vietnamese treated American soldiers; and a brief mention of Jane Fonda.
Oral History Interview: Nona Conley

Nona Conley

This document is a transcript of a statement given by Nona Conley 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. Nona Conley argues against the permit, discussing legal problems with the company and damage to health & the environment. She also briefly mentions David Callahan.
Oral History Interview: Corbly Conrad

Corbly Conrad

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia business history. Mr. Conrad is a former Huntington Tobacco Market worker who relates his work experiences at the tobacco market in the 1920s. He describes the different types of tobacco brought in to sell at the market, the prices, how the product was transported and from what different areas. He talks about how young people are involved in the present day because of 4H projects, and how they raise their crop and sell it at the market. He talks about the various taxes involved, how money is made on the crop, and how the different cigarette companies get their products from tobacco markets. He also discusses restaurants around the market and fertilizers.
Oral History Interview: John Sherman Cooper

John Sherman Cooper

In OH64-208, Senator John Sherman Cooper discusses his childhood, his education, community life, his political career, his legal career as a circuit judge, running for governor of Kentucky, his military career during World War II, the Marshall Plan, Congress, NATO, the United Nations, Communism, the Vietnam War, and serving as Ambassador to East Germany. He also discusses various political figures including Alban Barkley, Happy Chandler, chief Justice Frederick Vinson, Harry Truman, Joseph McCarthy, Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy (and his assassination), and Barry Goldwater.

In OH64-208A, Cooper discusses the Vietnam War in depth. The interview also includes sections on President Eisenhower, World War II, President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Johnson, senator Fulbright and other member of Congress, and President Nixon.
Oral History Interview: John Sherman Cooper

John Sherman Cooper

This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. John Sherman Cooper was a U.S. Congressman. In this interview, he discusses the Vietnam War in depth. The interview also includes sections on President Eisenhower, World War II, President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Johnson, senator Fulbright and other member of Congress, and President Nixon.
Oral History Interview: Lillie May Cooper

Lillie May Cooper

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia medicine. In this interview, Lillie May Cooper discusses herbal medicine and home remedies in depth. She also discusses her family, food, her doctors, her neighbors, and injuries she doctored on her own.
Oral History Interview: Berridge Copen

Berridge Copen

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Berridge Copen discusses sororities and fraternities at Marshall, student government, campus sports, classes and grading standards, and student life.
Oral History Interview: Anna L. Copley

Anna L. Copley

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. At the time of the interview, Mrs. Anna L. Copely was ninety-five years old and a resident of Wayne County, West Virginia. Among the subjects discussed are: family background, early education, teaching experiences, entertainment, and the two World Wars.
Oral History Interview: Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Cotton

W. C. Cotton

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia and surrounding areas. At the time of the interview, Mr. and Mrs. Cotton were residing in Gallipolis, Ohio. Topics discussed in the interview include food preservation, religion, trading, entertainment, law, farming, and doctors.
Oral History Interview: Robert Crabtree

Robert Crabtree

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia communities, focusing on Ceredo. At the time of the interview, Robert Crabtree was Vice-Principal of Ceredo-Kenova High School and a former player for Coach Carl Ward. He discusses: coaching tactics; teaching moral values; individuals such as Coach Cam Henderson, Coach Dale Craycraft; as well as the community of Ceredo-Kenova and Coach Ward's effects on it.
Oral History Interview: Garnette Cremeans

Garnette Cremeans

These are a part of a series of interviews which Diana Parnicza conducted in the course of her project concerning Appalachian caregivers. Ms. Garnette Cremeans (identified in the interview as Caregiver #8) discusses: her health problems; her family; detailed information about taking care of her husband; a series of true/ false questions about her family; people who help support her and help take care of her husband; getting supplies so she can care for her husband; and other topics.
Oral History Interview: Lewis M. Crook

Lewis M. Crook

A lengthy discussion of being an employee of Huntington Alloys, from the period 1941 to 1980. Mr. Crook, a semi-retired employee of the International Nickel Plant in Huntington, discusses his experiences with the company, thereby touching on a variety of subjects concerning the Nickel Plant, including working conditions, safety hazards, various strikes, and the apprenticeship program. He also talks briefly about his retirement activities.
Oral History Interview: William Allen Cross

William Allen Cross

In his interview, William Allen Cross discusses Prohibition and bootlegging in Huntington, West Virginia. Mr. Cross was a theater manager for the Keith Albee Theater (referred to as the State Theater) in Huntington, WV. Although he did not make moonshine, he was a buyer during Prohibition. He discusses how bootleggers sold their whiskey and provides locations for stills. Mr. Cross also focuses on how to make moonshine, whiskey, and wine. He reminiscences about “the Strip” between 10^th and 11^th Streets in Huntington, WV, that served from 1925-1945 as a red-light, gambling, and bootlegging district. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Cross discusses using a “party system” to purchase moonshine. He also focuses on the social ramifications of buying and consuming moonshine.
Oral History Interview: Myles Crum, Jr.

Myles Crum Jr.

This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. This is a fairly typical interview in this series in terms of the topics covered: Mr. Crum's work history, his first impressions of the Huntington Owens plant, the seniority system at the plant, the Glass Bottle Blower's union (the largest union at Owens), and the changes which Mr. Crum saw occur during his career at Owens. Most of the interview consists of Mr. Crum's description of the physical process of glass production.
Oral History Interview: Dr. Edwin A. Cubby

Edwin A. Cubby

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Dr. Edwin Cubby was retired Chairman of the Social Studies Department at Marshall University. He discusses: his education (including at Syracuse University); his family; his experiences as a teacher; detailed information about his experiences in the Army and World War II; reentering college; how he came to work at Marshall; members of the Marshall faculty and administration (such as Dr. Stewart Smith, Gerald Philips, Gresham Toole, Charles Moffat, George Mann, Roy Wood, and people in other departments as well, such as Sam Clagg & Roland Nelson); his experiences at Marshall; friction within the department; his views on the fate of the Social Studies department; teaching economics; legal problems relating to Marshall University; the Marshall administration and power relations between professors and administration; his views on Marshall University in general; and other topics.
Oral History Interview: Anne Cummings

Anne Cummings

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Anne Cummings is was a Marshall alumna and, at the time of the interview, was teaching at Hamlin High School. She discusses: her experiences and her life at Marshall; how people dressed when she attended college; a brief section on restaurants; dorm life; sports; building a float for homecoming; entertainment; transportation; a brief section on married students; student government; veterans attending classes; anecdotes; various buildings on campus; and other topics.
Oral History Interview: Francis M. Curnutte

Francis M. Curnutte

This interview is one of a series conducted with West Virginian religious leaders. Born in Mingo County, West Virginia, Mr. Curnutte resided in Wayne, West Virginia at the time of the interview. Subjects discussed include: rural religion of the twenties and thirties, snake handling, and the changing nature of religion.
Oral History Interview: Donna Conway Cushman

Donna Conway Cushman

This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Donna Cushman discusses: the Appalachian region (its culture, stereotypes, and Appalachia in general); her Appalachian identity; community life; her family; a brief discussion of music; her experiences living in Florida; her education; some talk of race relations; discrimination (including discrimination between north and south WV); church and religion; raising her family; and other topics.
Oral History Interview: Donald Cyrus

Donald Cyrus

This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. This interview with Mr. Donald Cyrus, a retired Owens worker, begins with the gathering of biographical data from the interviewee, such as the date and place of his birth, and his reasons for seeking employment at the Huntington Owens plant. Mr. Cyrus was a machine foreman for most of his career at Owens. The interviewer prompts Mr. Cyrus to talk about the smaller details of life at Owens, such as the hardships of the rotating shift system and how the workers dealt with the extreme temperatures in the facility. Toward the end of the interview, Mr. Cyrus relates stories concerning Owens' beneficent role in the community and the corruption which he saw occurring in the plant during the later years of the plant's existence.
Oral History Interview: Gertrude Cyrus

Gertrude Cyrus

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. Mrs. Gertrude Cyrus was born at Joe's Branch outside of Hurricane, West Virginia. At the time of the interview, she was living in St. Albans, West Virginia. Mrs. Cyrus discusses her childhood experiences including such topics as staple food items, crops, education, clothing, entertainment, church activities, and holidays.
Oral History Interview: Mary Daniel

Mary Daniel

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning education in West Virginia. Mary Daniel of Huntington, West Virginia, spent much of her life teaching and this interview consists mainly of her professional experiences. She also discusses at length her role in the West Virginia Progressive Party during the presidential election of 1948 and the community's attitude toward a rather radical- minded teacher.
Oral History Interview: Reba Booton Davidson

Reba Booton Davidson

This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia town histories. This interview focuses on Huntington, West Virginia. Mrs. Davidson was born in Booten, West Virginia. When she was sixteen, her family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where in 1977 she continued to reside. Topics discussed in this interview include: growing up on her father's farm, holidays as a child, automobiles, the Depression, and the 1937 flood. Additionally, Mrs. Davidson recalls Huntington department stores around 1920 and recreation during the 1930's.