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Indiana Labor History Project, 1996

A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University Bloomington

Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002

Overview of the Collection

Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu

Creator
Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory

Title
Indiana Labor History Project, 1996

Project No.
ohrc062

Interviews
21 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral materials.

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
This project discusses labor in Indiana. The main topics include the labor movement in Indiana, women and work, coal mining, and auto workers. The United Auto Workers, United Mine Workers of America, and other labor unions are discussed. The interviewees discuss participation in labor strikes and the leadership in their unions.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains twenty-one interviews conducted over the course of two years. The interviews range from 45 to 142 minutes. All interviews consist of audio tapes and most have typed transcripts and collateral materials.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].

Interview List

Interviewee
Bell, Elsie September 21, 1996 

Call Number
96-077

Physical Description

37 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 55 minutes; index

Interviewer
Kimball, Richard; Lindstrom, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Elsie Bell discusses her family and work experience. She describes her participation in a factory strike at Potter and Brumfield. She discusses hiring practices and the union within the factory. Bell also discusses economic development and the church within her community.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • International Association of Machinists Union, Local 1459
    • Potter and Brumfield
    • Occupation Names
    • factory worker
    • farmer
    • press operator
    • Personal Names
    • Brown, Delores
    • Hurt, Jerry
    • Place Names
    • Francisco, Indiana
    • Muskogee, Oklahoma
    • Oakland City, Indiana
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • St. Louis, Missouri
    • Wheeling, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • church
    • economic development
    • education
    • employment
    • factory safety
    • factory work
    • labor strikes
    • marriage
    • politics
    • Potter and Brumfield hiring practices
    • societal changes
    • union membership
    • World War II
Interviewee
Brumfield, Richard M. September 20, 1997 

Call Number
96-080

Physical Description

Not transcribed; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 49 minutes

Interviewer
Kimball, Richard; Lindstrom, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Richard Brumfield, a mechanical engineer, discusses his early life and education. He discusses his work experiences as one of the founders of the Potter and Brumfield Company and shares the history of the company. He discusses the stoker business, the Great Depression, and World War II. He also describes the other companies in Princeton, Indiana, and unionization in the area as well as community changes.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Hanson Corporation
    • Hurst Manufacturing Company
    • Potter and Brumfield
    • Occupation Names
    • mechanical engineer
    • Place Names
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • electrical relay
    • Great Depression
    • labor strikes
    • stoker business
    • unionization
    • World War II
Interviewee
Dunlap, Rebecca March 27, 1996 

Call Number
96-061

Physical Description

38 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 75 minutes; index

Interviewer
Borden, Timothy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Rebecca Dunlap is the secretary to the president of United Auto Workers (UAW), Local 292 in Kokomo, Indiana. She speaks about the union she works for as well as the union she is a member of, the Office and Professional Employees International Union. She also relates some of her early memories such as the Kennedy assassination and the Vietnam War.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Continental Steel
    • Delco Electronics
    • Dirilyte Corporation
    • Indiana Business College
    • Office and Professional Employees Internationl Union
    • United Auto Workers, Local 292
    • Occupation Names
    • secretary
    • union steward
    • Personal Names
    • Riley, Coy
    • Slobotne, Roy
    • White, Ryan
    • Place Names
    • Howard County, Indiana
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Russiaville, Indiana
    • Tipton County, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • 1970 Delco Strike
    • childhood
    • economic decline
    • John F. Kennedy assassination
    • union dues
    • Vietnam War
Interviewee
Fagg, Hershell August 28, 1996 

Call Number
96-073

Physical Description

18 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes; index

Interviewer
Minks, J.

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Hershell Fagg grew up in Terre Haute and started to operate heavy equipment early in life. He speaks about work in the mines, World War II, and the Great Depression.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • AMAX Coal Company
    • Bintley Mining Company
    • United Mine Workers of America
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Austin, Louis
    • Killion, Wilbur
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Place Names
    • Freelandville, Indiana
    • Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • black lung disease
    • Great Depression
    • labor strikes
    • strip mining
    • union leadership
    • work ethic
    • World War II
Interviewee
Gupton, Lucian; Gupton, Jane June 27, 1996 

Call Number
96-067

Physical Description

35 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index

Interviewer
Borden, Timothy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Lucian and Jane Guptono grew up on tobacco farms in Kentucky. Just after they were married Lucian, and eventually the rest of the family, moved to Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Gupton speaks about learning to become a welder, joining the United Auto Workers (UAW), and working for several automotive companies. Jane and their daughter finally moved back to manage the farm while Lucian worked in Michigan and traveled back for visits. In 1960, they moved to Kokomo, where they stayed until he retired. They both discuss the importance of the union in their lives and speak about the future of labor.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • AFL-CIO
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • Ford Motor Company
    • General Motors Corporation
    • River Rouge Plant
    • United Auto Workers, Local 1166
    • Occupation Names
    • skilled laborer
    • Personal Names
    • Bennett, Harry
    • Ford, Henry
    • Rankert, Elaine
    • Reuther, Walter Phillip
    • Place Names
    • Detroit, Michigan
    • Kentucky
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Marion, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • Great Depression
    • labor strikes
    • tobacco farming
Interviewee
Hill, Kenneth July 10, 1996 

Call Number
96-068

Physical Description

45 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 100 minutes; index

Interviewer
Borden, Timothy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Kenneth Hill entered the union at the Chrysler plant in 1966, just after he graduated from high school, and except for two years in Vietnam, he has been there since. He got more involved in the union after the Energy Crisis, eventually becoming the president of United Auto Workers, Local 685. He speaks about his motivations for becoming active in the union and discusses the collective bargaining process that led to a new plant and more jobs in Kokomo. He also talks about the benefits of unions in general and how they have played an important role in the country.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • American Cancer Society
    • Chrysler Transmission Plant
    • United Auto Workers, Local 685
    • Occupation Names
    • union president
    • Place Names
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Peoria, Illinois
    • Subjects
    • automobile industry
    • Chrysler bail-out
    • double breasting
    • Energy Crisis
    • service sector unionization
    • union leadership
    • unions
    • Vietnam War
    • women workers
Interviewee
Killion, Wilbert August 30, 1996 

Call Number
96-074

Physical Description

25 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; index

Interviewer
Minks, Jesse

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Wilbert Killion, born December 17, 1921, describes his long involvement with the United Mine Workers of America International Union. He discusses how he became involved with the union and his career as an elected official on the executive board. He discusses successful leaders in the United Mine Workers of America. Killion also shares memories about his childhood, family life, and his life as a young adult.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Bradway Coal Company
    • Democratic Party
    • G & F Corporation
    • Peabody's Universal Mine
    • United Mine Workers of America
    • United Mine Workers of America, District 11
    • United Mine Workers of America International Executive Board
    • Occupation Names
    • miner
    • union president
    • union secretary
    • union vice president
    • Personal Names
    • Austin, Louis
    • Boyle, Tony
    • Church, Sam
    • Girton, Leo
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Miller, Arnold
    • Owens, John
    • Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
    • Trumpka, Richard
    • Place Names
    • Anderson, Indiana
    • Center Point, Indiana
    • Clay County, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • coal industry
    • community changes
    • education
    • family life
    • Great Depression
    • marriage
    • union changes
    • union campaigning
    • union leadership
    • union membership
    • World War II
Interviewee
Milligan, Mike July 29, 1996 

Call Number
96-069

Physical Description

39 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 75 minutes; index

Interviewer
Armstrong, Jane

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Mike Milligan, born 1951, has worked at Chrysler in Kokomo, Indiana, since the early 1970s. He speaks about some of his early job duties, disagreements with supervisors, and the energy crisis that eventually led to the Chrysler bail-out. He became involved in the union and was finally elected president of Local 1166. In that capacity, he discusses broader issues such as job security and wages as well as describing some of his daily duties dealing with union members.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • National Testing Center
    • United Auto Workers, Local 1166
    • Occupation Names
    • die maker union president
    • Place Names
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • Chrysler bail-out
    • closed shop
    • Democrats
    • Energy Crisis
    • music
    • Paid Educational Leave Program
    • supervisor difficulties
    • union politics
    • wage concessions
Interviewee
Minks, Jesse W. June 22, 1996 

Call Number
96-079

Physical Description

28 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 110 minutes; index

Interviewer
White, Sam

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Jesse Minks discusses his marriages and his career as a coal miner. He explains the importance of the union for safety and pay for the miners. He also discusses the politics of Sullivan, Indiana, and his union involvement. He concludes by describing the economic decline in Sullivan and its causes, including the Clean Air Act.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Democratic Party
    • Miners for Democracy
    • Republican Party
    • United Mine Workers of America
    • United Mine Workers of America, Local 1423
    • Occupation Names
    • barber
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Church, Sam
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Place Names
    • Sullivan, Indiana
    • Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • 1970 Clean Air Act
    • economic decline
    • education
    • employment
    • hoboes
    • labor strikes
    • marriage
    • religion
    • societal changes
    • turnapole
    • union leadership
    • union membership
Interviewee
Minks, Mary E. September 7, 1996 

Call Number
96-075

Physical Description

14 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes; index

Interviewer
Minks, Jesse

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Mary Minks discusses her childhood during the Great Depression and her marriage. She describes her husband and her father being miners and their dedicated involvement with the United Mine Workers of America.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Democratic Party
    • Templeton's Coal Company
    • Thunderbird Coal Mine
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • homemaker
    • Personal Names
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
    • Place Names
    • Lafayette, Indiana
    • Sullivan, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • coal mining
    • community changes
    • community life
    • family life
    • Great Depression
    • politics
    • societal changes
    • unions
    • World War II
Interviewee
Powers, Robert June 6, 1996 

Call Number
96-078

Physical Description

42 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; index

Interviewer
Kimball, Richard; Lindstrom, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Robert Powers, born March 24, 1928, discusses his work experience at International Harvester and Potter and Brumfield. He describes union organization and the strikes he witnessed and participated in. He also comments on strike violence. He shares his feelings about women working and also discusses the state of Medicare.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • International Association of Machinists Union
    • International Harvester Company
    • Potter and Brumfield
    • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
    • Occupation Names
    • traveling salesperson
    • Place Names
    • Oakland City, Indiana
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community changes
    • education
    • employment
    • employment policies
    • labor strikes
    • Medicare
    • political affiliation
    • religion
    • strike violence
    • union leadership
    • union membership
    • wages
    • women workers
    • World War II
Interviewee
Rankert, Elaine June 20, 1996 

Call Number
96-066

Physical Description

52 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; index

Interviewer
Rankert, Elaine

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Elaine Rankert grew up immersed in the labor movement. Her father believed strongly in unions, so it was natural for her as well. She speaks about her job at Delco in the early seventies and the differentiation between women's work and men's work. Her husband worked at Chrysler, a union plant, so even after she quit Delco she had sympathy for labor. She discusses dealing with layoffs, strikes, and the benefits of the union that she believes should be taught in schools.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • Delco Electronics
    • Inch by Inch
    • Kokomo Casting Plant
    • Place Names
    • Cairo, Illinois
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community changes
    • education
    • labor strikes
    • layoffs
    • politics
    • union benefits
    • union family
    • union history
    • weight loss business
Interviewee
Riley, Coy March 5, 1996 

Call Number
96-060

Physical Description

41 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 100 minutes; index; union flyers

Interviewer
Borden, Timothy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Coy Riley is the president of the United Auto Workers (UAW), Local 292 in Kokomo, Indiana. He speaks about his early life and jobs before getting hired as a pipe fitter at Delco Electronics. After working in several union positions, he became president, and he discusses some of his duties, how they have changed, and the overall concern for employment in the area.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Anchor Plastics
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • Delco Electronics
    • Kokomo Joint Activities Committee
    • Plumbers and Steamfitters of the United States and Canada
    • Reilly Construction
    • United Auto Workers, Local 292
    • Wilson's Meat Packing
    • Occupation Names
    • union president
    • Place Names
    • Delphi, Indiana
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • childhood
    • labor disputes
    • plumber apprenticeship
    • politics
    • religion
    • union leadership
Interviewee
Rock, Lindon "Bud" June 29, 1996 

Call Number
96-072

Physical Description

26 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 45 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

"Bud" Rock grew up in Gibson and Pike Counties. He speaks briefly about his World War II experiences, and the difficulty he had getting a job after the war. He worked several jobs from a brewery to truck driving and finally worked and retired from the coal mines. He speaks about the benefits of the union and his pension, and gives his opinion on national and community changes during his lifetime.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Cook's Brewery
    • International Brotherhood of Teamsters
    • John Manns Construction
    • Peabody Coal Company
    • United Mine Workers of America, Local 1189
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Miles, Roger
    • Place Names
    • Francisco, Indiana
    • Gibson County, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community changes
    • health benefits
    • occupational safety
    • pensions
    • trucking
    • union benefits
    • union leaders
    • work ethic
    • World War II
Interviewee
Sevier, William R. March 26, 1996 

Call Number
96-065

Physical Description

50 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 105 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

William Sevier, born 1923, grew up around the coal mines in Sullivan and Gibson Counties. He first worked in coal mines about 1940 and quit in 1945. He speaks about his father helping to organize the mines, a violent altercation at the Dixie Bee Mine, and his first job helping to salvage equipment from a previous mine explosion. Sevier eventually worked for the King's Mine as a trip rider, and he describes his duties, the conditions, wartime production and strikes, and his eventual career-ending injury. After he ceased to be a coal miner, he finally ended up working for the State of Indiana Weights and Measures Division where he retired in 1989.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Dixie Bee Mine
    • Francisco Mine
    • Indiana National Guard
    • Industrial Board of Indiana
    • International Harvester Company
    • King's Mine
    • United Mine Workers of America, Local 1154
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Debs, Eugene V.
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Reynolds, Boot Jack
    • Place Names
    • Fort Branch, Indiana
    • Francisco, Indiana
    • Gibson County, Indiana
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Somerville, Indiana
    • Sullivan County, Indiana
    • Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • coal mines
    • Great Depression
    • mine deaths
    • mine injury
    • mine salvage
    • politics
    • slow down strike
    • unions
    • unionization
    • wartime strikes
    • World War II production
Interviewee
Stephenson, Peggy March 4, 1996 

Call Number
96-062

Physical Description

54 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; index; union document copies

Interviewer
Borden, Timothy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Peggy Stephenson grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, and speaks about her family history and childhood experiences. She worked several jobs out of high school until she got hired at Delco Electronics. She talks about joining the union, performing various tasks, and a few labor incidents, such as the 1970 strike at Delco, and her battle to get union representation when she worked in the warehouse section.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Delco Electronics
    • Sears, Roebuck and Company
    • United Auto Workers, Local 292
    • Place Names
    • Florida
    • Kentucky
    • Kokomo, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • 1970 Delco Strike
    • childhood
    • education
    • supervisor disputes
    • union democracy
    • union leadership
    • unions
    • workforce changes
    • World War II
Interviewee
Stilwell, Charles E. May 13, 1996 

Call Number
96-070

Physical Description

35 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Charles Stillwell, born 1915, grew up in southwestern Indiana. He speaks about some of the jobs he worked, such as truck driving and working in the shipyards during World War II, before he was hired into the coal mines after the war. He discusses his duties at the mine as well as the safety and working conditions, and the effects of the union on these conditions. He retired in 1981 and receives a pension for thirty-four years of service.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Cedar Valley Mine
    • Peabody Coal Company
    • Tecumseh Coal Company
    • United Mine Workers of America, Local 1189
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Place Names
    • Evansville, Indiana
    • Gibson County, Indiana
    • Mackay, Indiana
    • Oakland City, Indiana
    • Pike County, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community changes
    • Great Depression
    • mine safety improvements
    • shipbuilding
    • strip mining
    • union leadership
    • unions
    • World War II
Interviewee
Stone, Carl C. February 14, 1996 

Call Number
96-063

Physical Description

33 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Carl Stone worked in the coal mines of southeastern Indiana for forty-five years. He speaks about working in the mines during the Great Depression, World War II, and just after. He describes some of his job titles and duties, such as gob picker or welder, and speaks about the UMWA and labor strikes during his years as a union member.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Enos Coal Company
    • Old Globe Mine
    • Patoka Coal Company
    • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
    • United Mine Workers of America, Local 4343
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Roberts, Cecil
    • Place Names
    • Gibson County, Indiana
    • Pike County, Indiana
    • Winslow, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • coal mines
    • Great Depression
    • labor strikes
    • pensions
    • strip mining
    • World War II
Interviewee
Williams, Ralph A. February 29, 1996 

Call Number
96-064

Physical Description

101 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 142 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Ralph Williams, born 1925, speaks about growing up during the Great Depression, his father's work in the coal mines, and some of his jobs before he was drafted during World War II. He ended up in an artillery unit in the Pacific theater, which Williams talks about extensively. After the war, he went home and got a job in the King's Mine where he was severely injured not long after he got on full-time. He describes how his accident happened and how his family dealt with his disability.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • 226th Field Artillery
    • King's Mine
    • United Mine Workers of America
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Smith, Henry
    • Place Names
    • Hawaii
    • Leyte, Phillipines
    • Okinawa, Japan
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Wheatland, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • atomic bomb
    • Battle of Leyte Gulf
    • coal mines
    • Great Depression
    • military draft
    • mine injury
    • pensions
    • politics
    • USS Admiral Benson
    • World War II experiences
Interviewee
Willis, Elsie September 21, 1996 

Call Number
96-076

Physical Description

34 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 70 minutes; index

Interviewer
Kimball, Richard; Lindstrom, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Elsie Willlis discusses her early work experiences and her career at Potter and Brumfield. She discusses working conditions, the unions, and striking. Willis also shares her feelings about her life in Somerville, the loss of community and the economy in the area.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Chrysler Corporation
    • Democratic Party
    • International Association of Machinists Union
    • Potter and Brumfield
    • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
    • Occupation Names
    • factory worker
    • precinct committeeperson
    • Personal Names
    • Brown, Delores
    • Place Names
    • Evansville, Indiana
    • Oakland City, Indiana
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Somerville, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community decline
    • company changes
    • courtship
    • downsizing
    • education
    • job placement
    • labor scabs
    • labor strikes
    • local economy
    • politics
    • societal changes
    • union membership
    • working conditions
Interviewee
Willis, Kenneth June 24, 1996 

Call Number
96-071

Physical Description

26 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index

Interviewer
Bottoms, Stephen

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Kenneth Willis, born 1929, speaks about his education and early jobs from working in a filling station to a meat packing facility. He spent about ten years at Chrysler in Evansville before it moved. At that time, he began working in the mines, and he describes the various positions he held, the effects of mechanization, and the working conditions. He also discusses the benefits of unions and his thoughts about the direction of the country.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Peabody Coal Company
    • Potter and Brumfield
    • United Auto Workers
    • United Mine Workers of America
    • Occupation Names
    • coal miner
    • Personal Names
    • Lewis, John L.
    • Reuther, Walter Phillip
    • Place Names
    • Evansville, Indiana
    • Gibson County, Indiana
    • Oakland City, Indiana
    • Petersburg, Indiana
    • Pike County, Indiana
    • Princeton, Indiana
    • Somerville, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • coal mines
    • education
    • mine mechanization
    • union benefits
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