Scope and Contents Dawe, former coal miner and director of the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals, discusses coal mining in Franklin County, Illinois: coal companies and production, mine shaft support, mine structures, safety, reclamation, company houses, and growing up in Valier, Illinois in a mining family. He discusses the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals, government mining policies, hazards, energy policy and mining skills. 3 tapes, 125 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1977...

Scope and Contents Fancher discusses coal mining in Herrin and Springfield, Illinois, and in Alabama: coal mining work, uses of coal, union activities in Illinois and Alabama, UMW and PMA union conflicts, conflicts with management, organization of the Progressive Miners, union offices and resolutions, meetings, and members; John L. Lewis; the March on Mulkeytown, violence, and strikes. He also discusses growing up in Alabama in a coal mining family, hunting wild hogs, and prohibition. 5 tapes, 450...

Scope and Contents

Fassero discusses the organization of the PMA and its Women's Auxiliary in Gillespie and Benld, Illinois: controversies, march on the Illinois Statehouse and other marches, and meetings and conflicts of the PMA. She also discusses the Depression and raising chickens.

1 tape, 45 mins. (Fassero segment 27 mins) Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1974 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24 Tape also contains Mary Audi and Rosa Koniak interviews

Scope and Contents

Fries discusses his coal mining experiences in Gillespie, Illinois: loading coal cars and equipment, mining before unionization, wages, accidents, owning a mine, UMW and PMA, union conflicts and violence, and the Mulkeytown March.

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

Scope and Contents COAL MINING AND UNION ACTIVITIES PROJECT Fries, retired coal miner from Gillespie, Illinois, discusses union activities. He recalls the violence of the mine war, Mulkeytown march, Progressive Miners of America, United Mine Workers Union, sit-down strike at Wilsonville, Illinois, and working conditions for miners. He also recalls his service as a Representative in the U.S. Congress (1937-1941) and his term as sheriff of Macoupin County. References are made to gangsters in Benld, bootlegging,...

Scope and Contents

Frost recalls coal mining work in Alabama and Springfield, Illinois: mining jobs, company houses, stores, scrip pay and wages; mechanization, safety, and equipment; unions and the mine wars; ethnicity and the Depression.

3 tapes, 270 mins. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1976 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24

Scope and Contents

Giffin, Springfield lawyer, recalls his education, law practice, political activities and Illinois political figures, corruption in government, the 1973 Supreme Court decision on abortion, prohibition and the Depression. Also mentions Lake Springfield and the state's pension and insurance program.

1 tape, 90 mins., 25 pp. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1974 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents

Hanes, a Springfield architect and eyewitness to the 1908 Springfield race riot, recalls the events of the riot: lynchings, destruction, and intervention by the state's militia. He also discusses his architectural education and career in Springfield.

2 tapes, 135 mins., 22 pp. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1972 OPEN See collateral file: interviewer's notes, maps of the riot area, and a copy of the Hanes family tree.

Scope and Contents Gray Herndon, Springfield lawyer, recalls rural life near New City in Sangamon County, Illinois: childhood, education, teaching, and farming. He recalls turn-of-the-century farming practices: machinery, crops, fencing, harvesting, threshing, drainage tile; childhood amusements, fishing, prohibition, moonshine production, and the Depression. He also recalls his law studies at the University of Michigan, Springfield law practice, early 20th century Springfield coal mining, and Springfield area...

Scope and Contents

Henrietta Herndon, lifelong resident of Springfield, discusses the Springfield Fire Department and the horse-drawn fire equipment; 1917 Dome Building fire at the Illinois State Fair Grounds and other fires, including the State Armory fire in 1930.

1 tape, 90 mins., 13 pp. Interview by Barbara Herndon, 1972 OPEN See collateral file