Scope and Contents Allard recalls growing up in a mining family in Central Illinois. She discusses her father's work as a coal miner, company houses, stores, and scrip pay; describes miner's lamps and miner's buckets; mining union activities; conflicts between unions and management; organization of the Progressive Miners' of America and her husband's work for the union; and violence, strikes, meetings, and conflicts between the United Mine Workers and the PMA. She also discusses women's roles in mining...

Scope and Contents Anderson, coal miner, discusses his coal mining experiences in Southern Illinois working as a trapper boy and pumping water; mining, cutting, drilling, and loading; mules, coal cars, and workshifts; hazards and accidents; changes in mining machinery, and equipment; inspectors; strip mining; and suffering from black lung disease. He also discusses the 1922 riot in Herrin, Illinois, the mine wars, strikes and violence, and union activities. 2 tapes, 180 mins. Interview by Barbara...

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Ballard, coal mine electrician, discusses mining and unions in DuQuoin and Dowell, Illinois: mining machinery, safety measures, company houses, stores and scrip pay in a company town; the UMW and PMA union conflicts; and the marches on Mulkeytown and Dowell. He also discusses growing up in southern Illinois, schooling, chores and childhood games.

3 tapes, 125 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1977 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24

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Bertetti, coal miner, discusses his coal mining experiences.

1 tape, 90 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1975 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24 See also B461 Bertetti

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Boetta discusses coal mining and union activities in Gillespie, Illinois; organization of PMA; union conflicts; women's auxiliary; local unions; contracts; Mulkeytown March; violence; John L. Lewis; strikes; Depression; and PMA convention.

1 tape, 90 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon and Nick Cherniavsky, 1974 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24 See also B634 Boetta

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Brewner, coal miner, discusses his mining experiences in DuQuoin, Illinois: work as a trapper, mule driver, and dragline ground man; machinery; the company store; conflicts between unions; and the march on Mulkeytown. He also discusses bootlegging and ethnicity in DuQuoin. 1 tape, 90 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1977 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24

Scope and Contents Reverend Brockmeier discusses his involvement in labor unions, church-union relationships, formation of the Progressive Miners of America, struggles between United Mine Workers and the Progressives, and his work in union arbitration and organization. He also discusses his work with the Springfield community and The Western Catholic newspaper, his WCVS radio program, the formation of the Sacred Heart Credit Union, the Springfield Advertising and Public Relations Club, Depression years in...

Scope and Contents Campo, Italian immigrant, discusses life in the early 20th century: early years in Sicily and emigration to Springfield; railroad employment; unions, boarding houses, and working conditions as a coal miner in Pawnee, Kincaid, Taylorville, and Divernon; army experiences during WWI; managing Springfield restaurants: Gingham Gardens, Villa Valenca, and Travelers Inn; prohibition; working as a sales representative for Goebel Brewery; managing a food stand in the Illinois State Capitol;...

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Chapin recalls Mechanicsburg, Illinois and its origins; transportation by mule, traction, and electric trolley cars; and chautauquas and other community activities.

1 tape, 30 mins., 15 pp. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1973 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents Russian-born Cherniavsky discusses his youth in China: parents, education, government, and life in Shanghai; The Long March and the communist build-up in China; moving to Tsingtao and the outbreak of WWII; the Japanese invasion and military occupation; foods, rationing, and housing; languages; Boy Scouts; Japanese surrender and American occupation; postwar China; the Red Chinese Army take-over and evacuation of foreign nationals; life and experiences in a refugee camp in the Philippines; and...