Scope and Contents TELEPHONE PROJECT Easley, former employee of the Illinois Bell Telephone Company, discusses growing up near Rochester and his employment with the Central Union Telephone Company. He discusses changes in his work through the years, effects of the Depression, union organization in the company, early 20th century Springfield, the 1942 Beardstown flood, and the effects of WWII on the homefront. 1 tape, 90 mins., 27 pp. Interview by Thomas E. Easley, 1973 OPEN See collateral...

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SPRINGFIELD MARINE BANK PROJECT Ebers, employee of the Springfield Marine Bank, discusses his employment with the Marine Bank: the effects of the Depression and WWII, the Bunn family, and changes over the years affecting the bank building, services, duties and equipment.

1 tape, 60 mins., 18 pp. Interview by John Bucari, 1973 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents Eden, a resident of Virden, Illinois, discusses the restoration and creation of the Long Nine Museum in Athens, Illinois. He discusses his own background, education, and the development of his interest in Abraham Lincoln. He recounts the history of the Long Nine Building, the problems involved in restoring the building, items that were found during the restoration, financing the project, and the dioramas created for the museum. 1 tape, 90 mins., 26 pp. Interview by Elizabeth...

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STEAMBOATS AND INLAND RIVERS Captain Edgington discusses his family's involvement with steamboats and the Ohio River. He recalls the 1913 flood, shipping on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, boating conditions and hazards, sawmills, coal towing, and cargo hauling.

2 tapes, 27 pp. Interview by John Knoepfle, 1957 OPEN: released by John Knoepfle

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Elbaum discusses his family, growing up in Mississippi, WWII and rationing, school years, the Korean War, college life, employment in radio, the newspaper business, ministry, as a speech therapist, and at the Lincoln Developmental Center. He also relates stories of Elvis Presley and his interest in music.

4 tapes, 235 mins. Interview by Roger Moore, 1987 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents Eldridge, blind since childhood, discusses his music teaching career as a choir director and performer, and recalls his childhood and education at an East Lansing, Michigan school for the blind, WWI homefront, 1918 influenza epidemic, postwar society and automobiles, effects of the Depression and WWII, and life in Springfield. He recalls how blindness has affected his life and career, his career at Springfield College, the quality of education, and the use of the Braille system in music....

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England discusses his work as a mule driver for Springfield, Illinois coal mines: mules, cars, loads, and tracks; hazards and safety measures, and problems of coal dust. He also discusses union conflicts between the UMW and PMA, the  Mulkeytown March, violence, and union offices.

2 tapes, 180 mins. Interview by Nick Cherniavsky, 1978 OPEN For collateral file see J9/5/24

Scope and Contents Freda English, resident of rural Hamilton and Saline Counties in southern Illinois, discusses her life, education and employment as a teacher during the early 20th century. She recalls farm work, cooking homemade foods, family life, opportunities for women, social activities and entertainment, dating and wedding customs, chautauquas, rural schools, Broughton and McLeansboro High Schools, WWI and WWII homefront, and the Korean conflict. 1 tape, 90 mins., 32 pp. Interview by...

Scope and Contents ILLINOIS COAL: THE LEGACY OF AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY Engs, a Taylorville resident during the coal mine wars, discusses her family, Depression, her father's experiences as a company man for the Peabody Coal Company, mine war violence, the Progressive Miners of America, strike breakers, immigrant mine workers, and the march to Virden. She also recalls her dance training in New York, career as a dancer and dance teacher, and her son's service in Vietnam. 1 tape, 65 mins., 23 pp....

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Epler, resident of Jacksonville, Illinois, discusses local history, recalling homes, prominent residents and events in the town in the 1800's and 1900's, early settlers, and African-American residents.

1 tape, 35 mins., 10 pp. Interview by Donald K. Robinson, 1952 OPEN See collateral file