Marshall Digital Scholar

Follow

• 

  Oral History Interview: Robert Eddins

  Robert Eddins

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. At the time of the interview, Mr. Eddins was the registrar of Marshall University. He discusses: his personal and family background; Coach Cam Henderson, Dr. Sam Clagg, Roy Straight (who coached the football team); his job as registrar; committees and councils at Marshall; Dr. Rainey Duke, President Dale Nitzschke, President Robert Hayes; and some discussion of women and feminism.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Clara Effingham

  Clara Effingham

  This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. This is a very informal interview with little structure but lots of content. Mrs. Effingham often discusses topics only tangentially related to her experience at Owens but this is one of the necessary hazards and strengths of the oral history method. Clara was employed as a secretary and later a purchaser by the Huntington Owens plant. She loved her job, she states repeatedly, because of the opportunities it afforded her for meeting people. She discusses her duties, what inventory was like at the plant, the things they had to purchase. On a more personal note, Clara also talks about her husband, Ike Effingham, who was a worker at the Owens plant, and the difficulties which arose between them because of his position as a worker and hers as a member of management.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Clifford Effingham

  Clifford Effingham

  This interview is one of a series titled the Veterans History Project. Mr. Effingham was a veteran of World War II. He discusses: the history of World War II; detailed information about his experiences in the war and the Pacific campaigns; Air Force bombers; the atomic bombings; some discussion of the Japanese; family members who were in the war; his wife; his life after the war (including brief information about working at the Owens-Illinois glass plant); and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Ike Effingham

  Ike Effingham

  This interview is one of a series conducted with former employees of the Huntington Owens-Illinois, Inc. glass bottle factory. Ike Effingham began working at Owens-Illinois in the early forties and retired in 1984. He was employed primarily in the machine repair department, which he describes in detail in the course of the interview. Mr. Effingham also explains the physical history of the factory, from the times of the Charles Boldt Glass Company until the present. He was involved with the Glass Bottle Blower's union throughout his career and was the president of the local for the years 1966-1970. The interviewer encouraged Mr.Effingham to talk about the history of the union and various events and issues concerning the labor history of the factory; he did so at length and in detail.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Georgia Louise Elkins

  Georgia Louise Elkins

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Georgia Louise Elkins was a nurse educated at Mercer Hospital in Pennsylvania who later worked in West Virginia. In this interview, she discusses her family and her experiences as a nurse.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Lois Elkins

  Lois Elkins

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Ms. Elkins discusses: her childhood; her education; detailed information about her family; her trip to Brazil and the life she led there for a year; how her husband (Russell) helped Union Carbide establish a plant in Brazil; the Church and its influence on her life; and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Ray and Mabel Elkins

  Ray Elkins

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning Lincoln County History. Ray and Mabel Elkins discuss: a detailed discussion of their family history (dating back to the 1800s); tobacco farming; a schoolhouse; farm life; food that they raised and food for special occasions; raising children; individuals such as Devil Anse; as well as railroads and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: F. E. Elliott

  F. E. Elliott

  This interview is one of a series titled the Veterans History Project. R. E. Elliott was a veteran of the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. LCS (L)(3) 86 (a Littoral Combat Ship also known as "The Mighty Midget"). The folder lists several audio tapes but does not contain a transcript. It does contain an interview logbook, an unpublished memoir, news articles, pictures, and two class assignments done for Dr. Winton and Professor Sias's Honors 396 course at Marshall University.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Grace Sunbeam Ellis

  Grace Sunbeam Ellis

  This interview begins with autobiographical information concerning Ms. Ellis. She discusses her life on a farm, her teaching experiences, church activities, medical care, rural entertainment, housing, and food. Ms. Ellis' mother was a Hatfield, and she discusses the Hatfield-McCoy Feud with particular focus on Jonas Hatfield and his part in the famous feud, as well as the experience with Rose Ann McCoy.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Mary M. Elston

  Mary M. Elston

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning Oral Histories of African-American women who taught in West Virginia public schools. Mary M. Elston discusses her family in great detail throughout the interview, and this includes: relatives (some of whom were slaves), growing up in a racially mixed family, meeting her husband, her marriage and family life, working at the same school as her husband and information about his educational and employment history, her children and adopted children, taking her children to events, and the competitiveness at school and in her family. The subject of divorce also comes up in this interview. She also gives us information about her childhood, such as recreation. Apart from marriage and family, she discusses her education: she attended Genoa High School and Bluefield State College. She tells us about a bombing at Bluefield State, her daily life while she was in school and working, classmates from school, as well as her sorority (Delta Sigma Theta). She gives her employment history outside of teaching, and also in-depth information about her career as a teacher and then her retirement. Race relations is another big topic, including segregation in her life, her own non- traditional views on race and ethnicity, how she has not let race affect her life, social classes among African-Americans, the Civil Rights Movement and racial integration in the world, and she recalls the desegregation of schools. Women's rights and the Women's Movement are also topics in this interview. There are many other discussion points, and some of them include: church and religion; women who influenced her; her current activities at the time of the interview; her self- perceptions; regrets she has in life; organizations she belongs to; how she has changed over the years; and thoughts on her life in general.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Ronald W. English

  Ronald W. English

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Kanawha county textbook controversy. Ronald W. English was an African-American pastor of the First Baptist Church in Charleston. In this interview, he discusses the Kanawha County textbook controversy in depth, describing: his views on the County textbooks; his views on race relations; other figures such as Avis Hill, Marvin Horan, Charles Quigley, and Alice Moore; and his views on the results of the textbook controversy.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Lynn Ernest

  Lynn Ernest

  This document is a transcript of a statement given by Lynn Ernest 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. Lynn Ernest argues against the permit because of negative environment effects as well as negative effects on tourism and the quality of life.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Meeba Estep

  Meeba Estep

  These are a part of a series of interviews which Diana Parnicza conducted in the course of her project concerning Appalachian caregivers. Meeba Estep (called Caregiver #5 in the interview) discusses: her Family; a long series of true/false questions about her family; a detailed discussion of taking care of her mother-in- law; and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Dave Evans and Rick Richards

  Dave Evans

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia Vietnam veterans, and is conducted with both Dave Evans and Rick Richards. At the time of the interview, Dave Evans was the president of the West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America, and Rick Richards was a member of the board. They discuss: individuals such as John Kerry (U.S. Senator), Danny Johns, Charlie Hamilton, Roy Hamilton, General Westmoreland, Ellsworth Bunker, Pol Pot, Jay Rockefeller, Randy Horn, Arch Moore, Gary Rogers, Jack Moon, & David Alistone; their experiences and views on the Vietnam War; other officers; other members of the military; draft resisters; discrimination against Vietnam veterans; being wounded in Vietnam and other wounded soldiers; Vietnam Veterans of America; several veterans-related committees they've dealt with; relations with the news media; politics relating to the war; some mention of the Sandinistas; the anti-war movement; and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Nell Preece Evans

  Nell Preece Evans

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. In this interview, Nell Preece Evans discusses: her family; church; her life on a farm; her education; her husband; child discipline; owning a store; and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Virgie Workman Farley

  Virgie Workman Farley

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning Lincoln County History. In this interview, Virgie Farley discusses: her family (including her father moving to Wayne County and back to Logan and a brief mention of her husband & brother serving in World War II); life during the Great Depression; a family cemetery; droughts; as well as prohibition, moonshine, and other topics.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Walter Felty

  Walter Felty

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Dr. Felty is a retired professor and administrator from Marshall University. He gives a personal background, his growing up during the Great Depression, his mother's involvement in the WPA (Works Progress Administration) during the war, and his stint in the U.S. Army. Dr. Felty talks about his positions at Marshall as Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Chairman of the College of Education. He briefly touched on former Marshall University presidents Hayes, Smith, Nelson, and Barker. He concludes by relating the Bottino case, how it came to be, and the result of the action that ended the situation as well as censorship by the AAUP (American Association of University Professors).

• 

  Oral History Interview: Walter C. Felty

  Walter C. Felty

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Walter Felty discusses the GI Bill and the experiences of veterans at college, fraternities and sororities, the Independent Student Association (ISA) and other campus groups, college life as he remembers it and the differences between then and now (including differences in the grading system and students in general), the demand for teachers in West Virginia, sports in higher education, and brief sections on student activism and the McCarthy period.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Milton J. Ferguson

  Milton J. Ferguson

  Mr. Ferguson was born in Wayne, West Virginia, on a farm at the Forks of Twelve Pole Creek. At the time of the interview he was still living in Wayne. Subjects discussed in this interview include: family background, early education and transportation. He also talks about his work as an attorney, Director of the Federal Land Bank, and as a U.S. District Attorney. Mr. Ferguson recollects the Scopes Trial and the Harding Scandals.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Bertha Filson

  Bertha Filson

  A retired teacher, Mrs. Filson is a graduate of Marshall College. Born in Middleport, Ohio, she resided in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1974. In this interview, Mrs. Filson focuses on her years at Marshall and her teaching experiences.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Joseph Fleck

  Joseph Fleck

  This interview is one of a series titled the Veterans History Project. Joseph Fleck was drafted in 1952. He discusses: being drafted; information about basic training and boot camp; moving across Europe in the service and his experiences in Germany and Austria, where he was stationed to guard the border from Russian Communists; explosives and booby traps; training exercises; detailed information about his jobs and duties in the military; and other topics as well.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Eunice Burrell Fleming

  Eunice Burrell Fleming

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning Oral Histories of African-American women who taught in West Virginia public schools. Eunice Burrell Fleming graduated high school at age 15 and began teaching when she was 19 at Du Bois High School in Mount Hope (WV). She discusses her family throughout the interview, including her relatives, her husband and her marriage, her children, and the mixed ethnicity of her family. Her childhood is another topic; she tells of family life during that time as well as life and race relations in Mount Hope, childhood social events, Christmas, and a fire that destroyed many houses. Her education is another large topic; she attended Du Bois Elementary, Bluefield State College, West Virginia University, University of Michigan, and got her master's at Marshall University. She was employed before teaching, but came to work at Du Bois High School. She remembers the process of racial integration at Du Bois High, changes she saw in students after desegregation, and the results of racial integration. She gives very detailed information about choirs and music she participated in, as well as her teaching experiences at Mount Hope High School and problems she had at Mount Hope. She describes the classes she taught, her teaching methods, an incident between a student and his father, the different treatment of white and black students and the faculty, and punishments at her school. Prejudices are discussed as well, such as the burdens faced by black women, women's rights, gender roles, and differences she sees between men and women. There are many other topics throughout the interview, and some of them are: the role of churches in the black community; her self-perceptions; how she has changed in her life; and thoughts about her life in general. She ends by discussing the mixed ethnicity of her family.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Vivian Williams Fleming

  Vivian Williams Fleming

  This interview is one of series conducted concerning Oral Histories of African-American women who taught in West Virginia public schools. Vivian Williams Fleming began teaching in Griffin, Georgia. She gives us detailed information about her family throughout the interview, such as family life during childhood, relatives of different races, her husband (who once worked in a cannery), her husband's teaching jobs, her marriage, going to Washington [D.C.?] with her family, and much information about her children and grandchildren. She also provides detailed information about her education, which includes Oglethorpe Elementary, Booker T. Washington High School, Spelman College, Syracuse University, and George Washington University. She also gives an anecdote about the doctor who delivered her as a baby. Her teaching career is another big topic, and she tells of deciding to be a teacher, her teaching jobs at Eagle Avenue School and Page-Jackson School, school activities, the process of desegregating schools, her students, and her teaching methods. She discusses race relations, such as burdens faced by African-Americans and women as well as the Civil Rights Movement. There are many other topics as well, and some of them include: influences in her life, thoughts on her life in general, her own social activities throughout her life, holidays, traveling, church and religion, as well as her own self-perceptions.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Betty M. Foard

  Betty M. Foard

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the history of Marshall University. Mrs. Betty Foard was an elementary school teacher who attended Marshall College/University in the 1940's. She discusses: her experiences as a Marshall student; her time in Model School; sororities; life and entertainment on and around campus; differences between Marshall during her time and Marshall now; dating; sports; veterans returning to campus; rationing during World War II; and various friend she had.

• 

  Oral History Interview: Bill Fox

  Bill Fox

  This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia Vietnam veterans. At the time of the interview, Bill Fox was an employee of Bailey and Thompson (Accounting?). He discusses: his family (including relatives who fought in the Civil War); his education; his employment; enlisting in the military; his training in the military; his experiences in the Vietnam War; anecdotes; weapons they used in the War; a very brief section on skin diving & fishing; returning to America; his views on big business; reenrolling in college and his experiences there; his marriage and divorce; working in the Owens Illinois glass plant; and discrimination against Vietnam veterans.