Scope and Contents

SANGAMON ORDNANCE PLANT PROJECT Welch discusses her employment at the Sangamon Ordnance Plant in Illiopolis: working conditions, security, production, impact on the community, and transportation.

1 tape, 70 min., 15 pp. Interview by B. David McCarthy, 1989 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents

Weller discusses growing up in coal mining communities in central Illinois; joining the Progressives during the mine wars; gangsters; life in Henderson, Illinois; working in factories; enlistment in the Marines during WWII; and family and post WWII life.

4 tapes, 330 mins. Interview by Michael E. Alepra, 1991 OPEN: Narrator reserves right to review edited transcript. See collateral file

Scope and Contents

COAL MINING AND UNION ACTIVITIES PROJECT Wells, President of the United Mine Workers, District 12, discusses John L. Lewis, union activities, coal mining mechanization, and disasters.

1 tape, 82 mins., 20 pp. Interview by Rex Rhodes, 1972 OPEN See collateral file: interviewer's notes and photocopies of articles on John L. Lewis.

Scope and Contents

Wenschoff, German-American coal miner, recalls mining experiences in Mount Olive, Illinois: creation of the Mount Olive Cemetery, the Progressive Miners and United Mine Workers unions, and Eugene V. Debs.

20 pp. Interview by Elizabeth Balanoff, 1970 RESTRICTED: May be read but not quoted, cited or photocopied. See collateral file

Scope and Contents

Wertheim recalls his livestock business and life in Athens, Illinois in the early 20th century.

1 tape, 65 mins., 20 pp. Interview by Elizabeth Canterbury, 1978 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents Alumni SAGE Society Legacy Oral History Project Robert M. Wesley, the current Executive Director for Regional Medical Programs at the SIU School of Medicine, discusses his early life and experiences at SSU from 1970-1975. Wesley received his bachelor’s from the University in 1973, his master’s in 1975 and also worked for a time in the Center for the Study of Middle Sized Cities. Wesley, himself a Vietnam veteran, recalls that SSU was very open to veterans and other not-traditional students....

Scope and Contents Wheeler discusses his experiences in the U.S. Navy during WWII as an African American seaman: boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Center, sonar training in Miami, Florida, discrimination and segregation, assignment and duties on Subchaser 1264, encounters with submarines, crewmates, "R&R," and his discharge from the Navy. He also recalls his early life in Cairo, Illinois: education, discrimination and segregation, jobs, and the town. He discusses life in Springfield: working at Allis...

Scope and Contents

STEAMBOATS AND INLAND RIVERS Captain Volney White, riverboat captain, discusses boats, roustabouts, the Greene Line, and locks and dams on the Ohio and other Midwest rivers.

1 tape, 40 min., 15 pp. Interview by John Knoepfle, 1957 OPEN: released by John Knoepfle

Scope and Contents

Clarence White recalls work and life in central Illinois during the early and mid 20th century: work as a coal mine trapper, moving to Springfield, work at sand and gravel pits, the Depression, setting tile, locksmithing and A-1 Lock Service; marriage and family, women's suffrage, community involvements and his religious views.

3 tapes, 225 mins., 66 pp. Interview by Kevin M. Kerns, 1973 OPEN See collateral file

Scope and Contents

BATES EXPERIMENTAL ROAD PROJECT Robert White recalls the construction and operation of the Bates Experimental Road, and discusses railroad and highway transportation near New Berlin in the early 20th century.

1 tape, 25 mins., 12 pp. Interview by Jane E. Knepler, 1975 OPEN See collateral file