Scope and Contents

Breiseth discusses coming to Sangamon State University from the University of Chicago and his career at SSU.

4 tapes, 240 mins. Interview by Cullom Davis, 1984 OPEN: narrator reserves right to review edited transcript. See collateral file

Scope and Contents SPRINGFIELD MARINE BANK PROJECT Bretz, first female officer of the Springfield Marine Bank, discusses her 44 years at the bank working in various capacities, from secretary to bank officer. She relates changes over the years with regard to her own job responsibilities, service to customers, the bank's physical appearance and also discusses conditions during the Depression and WWII, past bank supervisors, and the centennial celebration in 1951. 1 tape, 90 mins., 26 pp. Interview...

Scope and Contents

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 BLACK COMMUNITY PROJECT Bridgewater, a black resident of Springfield, discusses her employment as a housekeeper in various households, treatment by white employers, social conditions faced by blacks in Springfield and in the South, and difficulties encountered in buying her own home. Other topics include her travels in the United States and the Holy Land, attending the 1955 Baptist World Alliance in England, volunteer work at church and at Memorial Hospital, her family history, Springfield...

Scope and Contents Bringer, retired Illinois Bell Telephone employee, discusses experiences with Illinois Bell, his education and early employment, improvements in telephone technology, his work teaching safety courses, and working in Cairo during a flood. He also discusses his childhood in the early 1900's, family history, his marriage and raising a family, effects of the Depression, work during WWII and life on the home front. Other topics include his vacations along the East Coast, resorts in Havana,...

Scope and Contents

SPRINGFIELD RACE RIOT Brittin, a resident of Sherman, Illinois, relates a second hand account of the 1908 race riot. He discusses his uncle's involvement, lynchings and destruction in the city of Springfield.

1 tape, 90 mins., 5 pp. Interview by Cullom Davis, 1972 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents Britz, daughter of a coal miner, recalls living conditions and family life during the period 1920 through WWII. She describes life growing up in Riverton near the Sangamon River, year-round activities on the river, learning to respect the dangers of the river, her family's first car, housework, and recreation. She also discusses coping during the Depression, towns along the river, coal miners and the Progressive Miners of America in the 1930's, the PMA Women's Auxiliary, life as a young...

Scope and Contents

SANGAMON RIVER PROJECT Dorothy Britz recalls her life growing up on the Sangamon River in the town of Riverton. She discusses work and play on the river, dangers on the water, the flood of 1926, the landscape, plants and animals in the area, and river pollution.

Interview by Judy Haynes, 1980 OPEN Memoir included in B778.1 See collateral file: interviewer's notes, photocopied pictures, and samples of Britz's poetry

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 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Broeker, member of Springfield's First Congregational Church, discusses the events and activities of her association with the church. She recalls Christmas celebrations, Forefathers' Day Dinners, the destruction of the church by fire in 1956, fundraising and rebuilding, support from the religious community, involvement with the choir, church members and leaders, changes in the church building and activities, and women's groups. Broeker also shares her peanut...