Dinsmore, central Illinois newspaperman and printer, discusses his work on small weekly newspapers he owned and edited in central Illinois and Missouri and his experiences working as a printing foreman for Springfield newspapers the Journal, the Register, the Citizens Tribune, and the Journal Register. He recalls late 19th century life in Nebo, Illinois, including the citizens, businesses, social activities, and transportation including train service, buggies, steamer and packet services; education, religion, and social customs including the use of tobacco and liquor; family issues, relationship of husband and wife, home life, homemade foods, childbirth, and childrearing; health issues, medicine, and dentistry. He also discusses his experiences with a band on the Chautauqua circuit and on an excursion boat, service during WWI with the U.S. Treasury Department, the Depression, U.S. presidents, technological changes, Civil War Veterans, people in New Canton, 1899 fire at Nebo and reconstruction, Farmer's Ridge, automobiles, Springfield in the 1920's, and Illinois politicians.

17 tapes, 930 mins., 4 vols., 304 pp. Interview by Michael Boren, 1979 OPEN See collateral file: interviewer's notes, photographs, and newspaper articles about Dinsmore