Series: Sadie Bell
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Pontotoc, Mississippi; move to Beloit; Strong school; childhood recreation; Emmanuel Baptist Church; families on Athletic Ave; work in Rockford as first black employee at W.T. Grant; high school experiences; work at Clara Stone's store as first black salesperson in Beloit; importance of CS's Jewish background; SB as local NAACP president; open housing effort in Beloit.

Session I, 1976 July 15
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Sadie Bell, July 15, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Pontotoc, Mississippi--raised by aunt

Decision by father, Joe Bell, to come to Beloit--influence of relatives--mother was a sister to Zach White

Sadie Bell's early recollections of Beloit--Strong school--influential teachers--integration of Strong elementary school

Forms of recreation--wading in Turtle Creek--floating on blocks of ice

No indication that education motivated father to move to Beloit--father seldom discussed race

Racial differences become apparent during junior high school years--white friends became distant--use of “nigger” as expletive--“poor trash”

Parents' reactions to racial differences

Religion and growing up--Emmanuel Baptist church--joining the church

Families on Athletic Avenue--many blacks left Beloit--teachers discouraged development of skills among black students, S.B. dropped bookkeeping

Work in Rockford at W.T. Grant

Further comments on work at W.T. Grant--first black employee there

Recollections of high school--poor student, did not enjoy high school--blacks not encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities

Further comments on high school, compared to elementary school--S.B.'s aspiration to be a salesperson

Many black students left for Milwaukee upon graduation--S.B.'s sister married John McCord Jr.

S.B. as domestic worker after graduation--marriage and divorce

Comparison between Rockford and Beloit black communities

Further comments on work at W.T. Grant, positive experience--nature of work there--manager's attitude

Work at Clara Stone's store as first black salesperson in Beloit

Introduction

Further comments on work at Clara Stone's--attitudes or customers--support from Clara--NAACP research on downtown Beloit salespeople

Other stores hired black clerks in the 1960s

Further comments on work at Clara Stone's--importance of support from Clara

Opening up of other jobs for black people in the Beloit area

Clara Stone and civil rights activities--importance of her Jewish background--Clara Stone as an NAACP member--good business with black community

Sadie Bell and the NAACP--participate in the March on Washington--S.B. as local NAACP president

Open housing effort in Beloit--recollection of NAACP during the early years, support from Beloit College professors

Accomplishments of NAACP locally teacher recruitment in the 1960s--jobs at Chrysler and GM in Janesville

Series: Rubie Bond
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; being a student at Beloit College; role of the church in Mississippi; segregation in Beloit; Beloit Women's Community Club's efforts at desegregation in the 1940s; Beloit's NAACP chapter; local politics and the black community; black churches in Beloit; conversion to Catholicism; housing patterns in Beloit; Human Rights Council in the 1950s

Session I, 1976 February 18
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rubie Bond, February 18, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Rubie Bond's family background in Mississippi--the Callaways

Family worked for the Stigall and Weatherall plantations--Stigall as a cruel landowner, forced Rubie Bond's grandmother to poor house

The White family comes to Beloit--recollection of disenfranchisement of black voters in Mississippi--father's fond recollection of Mississippi--the lynching of a family friend in Mississippi--problems in Mississippi--recollection of Mr. Weatherall

Attending elementary school in Mississippi--the school also attended by Velma Bell Hamilton

Interracial relations in Mississippi--education as a special problem

Rubie Bond's aspirations as a youngster--reading habits, going to the library--father's reading habits

Rubie Bond attending Beloit College--worked her way through school

Comment on differing attitudes toward knowledge from her father

Rubie Bond's objectives at Beloit College--experiences at Beloit College

The White family's decision to leave Mississippi--the role of the recruiter in that decision--danger to the recruiter--Mr. Weatherall allowed the Whites to leave with no harassment, unusual--role of women in making the decision to leave

Ruble's reaction to the decision to leave Mississippi

The role of the church in Mississippi--the family home in Mississippi

First impressions of Beloit--early school experiences in Beloit

Recollections of friends and family who remained in Mississippi

The trip from Pontotoc, Mississippi, to Beloit

Early recollections of Beloit--first school experience for Rubie Bond in Beloit

Reactions of white people in Beloit to the new, black residents--Dr. Chilsen closing the drug store fountain--the States Restaurant incident--resistance to serving blacks in Beloit restaurants

Effects of the rural to urban change--living conditions in Beloit--increased freedom in Beloit

Recreation opportunities for blacks in Beloit--YMCA and YWCA

J.D. Stephenson's role in the community and his relationship to Fairbanks-Morse

Segregation at the YWCA--girls clubs in high school--regrets about living in Beloit

Black workers at Fairbanks-Morse--transition from farming to factory work

Session II, 1976 February 25
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rubie Bond, February 25, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Segregation in Beloit's Girl Scout troops--Rubie Bond's efforts to break that segregation--reactions of the people involved

Lack of bitterness in the face of segregation--the importance of prayer--attitudes of other black women

The black Boy Scout troop in Beloit--J.D. Stephenson's role as scoutmaster

J.D. Stephenson as a community leader and organizer

Subtle forms of segregation at Roosevelt junior high and in the high school--eventual changes in this regard

Racial slurs in high school

Segregation in business--black businesses in Beloit--Rubie Bond's efforts to secure employment at Freeman Shoes and the overall factory

Origin and activities of the Women's Community Club, an early civil rights organization--sit-in at Kresge's--recent problem with sewer flooding

Women's Community Club response to police problems--unwarranted searches

More on early police problems--Rev. Brown's convincing argument

Women's Community Club response to public accomodations problems--more on the Kresge sit-in

Women's Community Club response to education problems--black boys singled out for disciplinary action at high school

Women's Community Club as a women's group--pressures on the men

Rubie Bond's efforts to desegregate Beloit Memorial Hospital--segregation in the maternity ward

Session III, 1976 March 1
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rubie Bond, March 1, 1976 available online.

Rubie Bond and the organization of the Women's Community Club as a civil rights organization--the need for an organization separate from the NAACP--WCC membership--reasons for the WCC's decline--opposition from other black leaders in Beloit

Support for the Women's Community Club from white residents in Beloit--Rubie Bond expresses attitude that all people must work together on civil rights problems

Development of the Beloit NAACP chapter--the policy of making no waves--prominent black speakers brought to Beloit by the NAACP

Rubie Bond's reactions to Walter White and W.E.B. Dubois--reason for joining the local NAACP chapter--youngest active member--the availability and influence of Crisis and the Chicago Defender

Continuation of comments on Chicago Defender--no Beloit black newspaper--coverage of the black community by the Beloit Daily News

Absence of activism among Beloit blacks during the early years--Rubie Bond chided as being too sensitive and assertive by other blacks--Rubie Bond's activism and the Bill of Rights

Migrants from Tuskegee and Beloit's NAACP chapter--J.D. Stephenson as a local NAACP leader--the NAACP's educational role--the local NAACP's lack of activism and the need to survive

Reactions of white residents to the local NAACP chapter--black Republicans the 1920s

Efforts in the 1920s to establish a community club under the influence of Mrs. May Guy--Mr. Guy as a Beloit tailor--May Guy and the Phyllis Wheatley Study Club--financial problems in obtaining books to study--black literature in the public library--forerunners to the Women's Community Club

Continuation of comments on the fore-runners to the WCC--relationship between the Wheatley Club, the Interim Club, and the WCC

Political participation by black people in Beloit--failure by many to register to vote--W.S. Williams as justice of the peace, first black public official in Beloit

Partisan politics among Beloit black people--many faithful to the Republican party--lack of political information--shift to the Democratic party

Local politics and the black community--Councilman Keenan, city council president

Session IV, 1976 March 17
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rubie Bond, March 17, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Role of black churches in Beloit--churches and leadership training for youth--the influence of Reverends Fox and Brown of Emmanuel Baptist--continuity with church in Mississippi--comparison of church-going habits in Beloit and Mississippi

Black churches and the adjustment to Beloit--the development of Emmanuel Baptist--establishment of New Zion

Rubie Bond's conversion to Catholicism--problems for the Bond children resulting from being fair-skinned--the People's church--daughter Bernice and the Catholic church

The decision to join the Catholic church--hostility to black members within the church--reaction to Pope John XXIII

The problem of being a fair-skinned black person--children attacked at church--reaction of the children--homemaking to compensate for low income

Housing patterns in Beloit--getting along with white neighbors

Realtors and housing for black people in Beloit

Continuation of comments on realtors and housing for black people in Beloit

The biracial committee In the 1940s--very few accomplishments--WCC considered too pushy by this committee--the biracial committee and the Steelworkers Union

The Human Rights Council in the 1950s--Dr. Lucius Porter returns from China--letter to businesses concerning job opportunities, small response--advisory nature of the Council--efforts to open public accomodations--Rubie Bond's nomination by Governor Gaylord Nelson to the Wisconsin Human Rights Council

The impact of the post-World War I recession on the Beloit black community--exodus of black business and professional people from Beloit--Mr. Halliard from Morehouse College

Series: David Fifield
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Janesville jewelry business; move to farm and then into Beloit; recollection of migration of black people from Mississippi; responsibilities as Selective Service Board clerk during World War II and induction of blacks into segregated units.

Session I, 1976 July 21
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with David Fifield, July 21, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background--family jewelry business in Janesville--move to farm near Beloit--move into Beloit

Recollections of youth in Beloit--the Goodwin Hotel--forms of recreation--recreation and the river--Mr. Wooten's boathouse

High school experience--Beloit College years

First work experience, for the Midwest College Endowment Campaign

Work experience in Sheboygan, Wisconsin--Sheboygan as a “different country,” absence of Negroes--awareness of Negroes in Beloit--Bill Waffles--belief in separation--Jack Wells

Recollection of the migration of black people from Mississippi--accepted forms of conduct--restaurants--blacks came to improve their conditions

Further comments on the black community--few blacks in Janesville

Work experience with General Refrigeration, sales correspondent--nature of the business

Purchase of General Refrigeration by Yates-American-Markets for G.R.'s products

Taylor freezer as only small, commercial freezor--G.R. bought out Charles Taylor--beginning of the soft ice cream business by accident--Leo Morans--the Taylor Freezer--the mercury switch

Recollection of father's involvement in the American Protective League during World War I--check on pro-German Americans--father as stalwart Republican

Summer work for Fairbanks-Morse during high school years, testing the Z engine--publishing Hill Folks for F-M as an outside contractor--editorial responsibility

Other publications--on advertising staff of Beloit Daily News

Becoming clerk of Beloit's Selective Service Board after Pearl Harbor

Introduction

Further comments on Hill Folks--recollection of union development--black workers as foundrymen

Fairbanks-Morse and the war effort--plant under military control--diesel training at F-M for the Navy

Responsibilities as Selective Service Board clerk

Dealing with draft registrants problems--local board's discretion--importance of keeping the board informed--draft board as a welfare agency--case of unmarried father

Comments on malingerers, a small minority--problems from rule changes

Membership of the board-D.F. as clerk until 1950, then a board member

Induction of blacks into segregated units--two sets of files

Feelings as board clerk--board had reputation for fairness

Attitudes toward drafting for segregated units--case of mixed files--Gene Crowley and black draftees--good response to draft from blacks--poorer physical condition--no black reaction to segregated units, an “accepted fact”

Series: Ambrose Gordon
Scope and Content Note: Family background near Houston, Mississippi; influence of the church in Mississippi; departure from Mississippi because of father's voter registration activities; parents' training as teachers; housing in Beloit; father's work at Fairbanks-Morse; father's political involvement; organization of Emmanuel Baptist Church; Rev. Barksdale; school experiences; high school at South Beloit High; work at Walsh Brothers Farm; work at F-M; work on WPA project; Beloit NAACP; white involvement in NAACP and Beloit Council on Human Rights; attitude toward Martin Luther King; work at Beloit Iron Works; organization of Molders Unions at Beloit Corp. (Beloit Iron Works); membership in South Beloit School Board.

Session I, 1976 June 30
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ambrose Gordon, June 30, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Gordon family backround near Houston, Mississippi--grandparents from Africa, settled at Ross Hill

Backgrounds of parents--schoolteachers--the Ross Hill community

Parents' training as teachers--father Grant Gordon remembered as a teacher by other Beloiters

Influence of the church in Mississippi--inability of parents to teach in Beloit

Interracial relations in Houston--denial of political rights in Mississippi--father's voter registration activities in Houston, resulting problems caused him to leave--Bible as key influence

Reasons for moving to Beloit--availability of work in Beloit--mother supported decision to move--further comments on father's efforts to continue teaching in Beloit, no opportunities--A.G.'s sister became a teacher in Milwaukee

Early reactions to Beloit--first family in the Edgewater Apartments--housing differences between whites and blacks in Beloit

Father's work as a scalesman at Fairbanks-Morse--desire for better work--father left F-M to become a teamster hauling ashes and dirt--father Grant Gordon continued political activities in Beloit-- discouraged by employers--friends in the white community

Further comments on father's work at Fairbanks-Morse, need to visit end politic--father and J.D. Stephenson--father's reading habits, Crisis and Chicago Defender

Ambrose Gordon's attitudes toward W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington--A.G.'s sister, Louise, as a student of Dubois--Dubois as a teacher

Father's attitudes toward wealth and poverty--relationships with white workers at Fairbanks-Morse

Block churches in Beloit--father helped organize Emmanuel Baptist--differences between churches in Beloit and Mississinpi--differerences between ministers--contrast between Rev. Barksdale and Rev. W.E.W. Brown

Introduction

Story about Rev. Barksdale's son--Rev. Barksdale's humility

Criticism of the personal style of ministry--A.G.'s style of worship--sense of religious superiority in black churches

Differences between religious practice in Beloit and Mississippi--worldliness

Recollections of family farm--farm as a truck garden

Recollection of elementary school--Riverview school=-name calling and fighting--color generally “not that big an issue”--intervention by teachers

Ambrose Gordon's children in school--serious problem for youngest daughter

Further comments on A.G.'s elementary school--good teachers--recalls Frank Turman, the marble champion

Gordons purchase farm, help from brother Jim

Influence of church on A.G. as a youth--awareness of hypocrisy--decision to join church, baptism in Rock River--Rev. Dillon of New Zion

Further comments on religious faith

The “double-minded person”--car accident at sixteen--miraculous recovery from cancer

Session II, 1976 July 7
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ambrose Gordon, July 7, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Recollection of high school, South Beloit High--athletes--relationships with Italo-American students

High school teachers--exclusion from experimental classes at Beloit College, Burr Training School

Need to absorb disappointment--A.G. as a black athlete playing in rural towns--exclusion from Hi-Y

Skipping school to work in circus, excluded from horse show, circus from South--recollections of friends

Track records at South Beloit High, mile under five minutes

Work at Walsh Bros. Farm--fair treatment--dust from threshing and grain bins

Positive attitude toward work at Walsh Bros.--migrant workers at Walsh Bros

Further comments on farm work

Work at Fairbanks-Morse as a shakeout laborer

Fellow workers--taking advantage of a greenhorn--Jim Givhan, crane operator--black workers confined to certain jobs, low horizons

A.G. laid off at F-M--work on WPA project, crushing limestone

Worked for father as a teamster

Recollection of Beloit NAACP--local leaders

Housing and employment as the key problems--need to upgrade jobs and achieve equal pay

White people involved in the NAACP--brotherhood programs by Conference of Christians and Jews--Beloit Council on Human Rights led by Professor Lucius Porter

Introduction

Further comments on Lucius Porter, resentment against him

Stumbling blocks in the way of blacks--objection to attaining goals

Recollection of address by Senator Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin--Wiley's statement concerning cheap Chinese labor--discrimination rooted in special privilige

Attitude toward Martin Luther King Jr.--A.G. believed him to be mistaken in assuming that people are fundmentally good--A.G. also considered him a humble man and supported him

Work experience at Beloit Iron Works--recollection of Mr. Neese as fair man

B.I.W. compared to F.M.--relations with fellow workers at B.I.W.--the making of cores in the foundry

Opportunities for A.G. as a core maker--John Cooper as first black core maker at Beloit Iron Works, A.G. an second--interracial relations at B.I.W.

Bench and floor core making

Organization of the Molders Union at Beloit Corporation (B.I.W.)

A.G. as a leader in the union, member of bargaining committee--other leaders--union as a potential voice for black workers

Common good v. self-interest in the union

Ambrose Gordon as a member of the South Beloit School Board--also on Rock Valley Community College Board--problems as a school board member

Further comments on election to the school board--desire to help slow children

Experiences on the school board--incident regarding discharge of school nurse--no desire for further political involvement

Series: Ben Gordon
Scope and Content Note: Feelings about leaving Mississippi in 1921; early school experiences in Beloit; father's job at Fairbanks-Morse; J.D. Stephenson; segregation in Beloit; treatment of blacks in Madison, Milwaukee, Janesville; W.S. Williams, Rev. W.E.W. Brown, and Dr. Marshall as leaders of Beloit's black community; educated young blacks leaving Beloit; absence of factionalism in Beloit community; efforts to integrate Kresge's; Lloyd Barbee and segregation at hotel restaurant; the Cosmopolitan Club; influence of the church; work at Walsh Brothers produce farm; high school recollections; reading Scottsboro Boy; segregation of swimming pool; integration of pools led by Gordy Harris; power structure in Beloit distinct from Beloit College; work at a battery-making shop; work at F-M; union involvement; sit-down strike.

Session I, 1976 April 29
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ben Gordon, April 29, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Ben Gordon's feelings about leaving Mississippi--recollections of those who remained--differences between those who stayed and those who left--Cornelius Hughes--being tied up at the commissary

“Bad ones” who came to Beloit--difficulty handling freedom--backlash against blacks in Beloit

Impressions from subsequent trips to Mississippi--the need to act deferentially--encounter with the Mississippi highway patrol

Positive reaction to Mississippi from recent trip--the South as “up and coming”

The trip from Mississippi to Beloit in 1921

First impressions of Beloit--J.D. Stephenson--early school experiences in Beloit, largely positive

Assistance from Rev. W.E.W. Brown--Rev. Brown's athletic club

Comments on Lincoln Junior High, Daisy Chapin as favorite teacher

Story about a Jewish peddler in Mississippi

Reaction to living in the city--no going barefoot--differences in food, white syrup from county relief

Session II, 1976 May 6
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ben Gordon, May 6, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Coming to Beloit during the 1921 recession--Beloit relief system

Father's job at Fairbanks-Morse--nature of the work, “plum job”--children could observe work then

Recollections of the YMCA and John D. Stephenson--Stephenson's role in Beloit, highly respected--Stephenson first came to Fairbanks-Morse as a fund raiser for Tuskegee College

Interracial relations in Beloit--blacks as a distinct community--segregation in restaurants--no problem with inter-urban, except for dirty F-M workers--F-M baseball team segregated

Early years as good years--recollection of black Scout Troop Six--camp on the Rock River, jamborees--attending University of Wisconsin football games--Madison as a “wide open” town

Few blacks accepted in Janesville--good impression of Milwaukee, wide open town

Leaders of Beloit's black community--W.S. Williams, elected as justice of the peace--Reverend W.E.W. Brown--Dr. Marshall, the Imperial Mixed Quartet--politics at the Williams barber shop--NAACP, Professors Porter and Crawford as key white members--NAACP focused on national issues, little success on local issues--F-M and Beloit Corporation as only employers of black workers, only foundry work available until 1960s

Problem of educated, young blacks leaving Beloit--failure of NAACP to deal with that problem--F-M control in Beloit--blacks always asked to wait--hearing Martin Luther King Jr.

Meaning of “progressive” as applied to local black leaders-visit by Chicago Defender editor, Robert S. Abbott--vital role of the Defender and the black press

People respected by Mr. Gordon on the national scene--Walter White and W.E.B. Dubois spoke at Beloit College--heard Marian Anderson in Milwaukee--defense of Booker T. Washington

Absence of factionalism among Beloit black people--cooperation among black churches in Beloit

Further comments concerning cooperation among black churches

Introduction to side 2 of tape 13

Recollection of effort to integrate Kresge's--Lloyd Barbee and segregation at hotel restaurant, police took Ear-bee's side--Lloyd Barbee as a “radical,” cousin of Mr. Gordon--Beloit police ignored rights of black citizens--fear of law in Beloit, as in the South

Recollection of Mr. Guy, the tailor, and his wife--the Halliards

The Cosmopolitan Club--segregation in the YWCA--Cosmopolitan Club as a response to YMCA segregation

Taking discrimination in stride

Ben Gordon and religion--joining the Baptist Church at fourteen--influence of J.D. Stephenson--church cultural programs under Celestine Smith--belonging to the church and being somebody

Work at Walsh Brothers produce farm as a youth--summer work at one dollar per day--contract with brother

Further comments on work at Walsh Brothers

Recollettions of high school--encourages to finish early as was older brother, suspicion that school was trying to deny honors to black students, both brothers were highly ranked--another ploy with Velma Bell in 1924

Involvement in high school ROTC, no black officers--Ben Gordon not permitted to see shooting scores--Colonel Kennedy as head of ROTC--absence of bitterness in face of discrimination--scholarship offer to Fisk University--went to vocational school instead, no jobs available

Ben Gordon stayed in Beloit to be near family, mother had died in 1929--aspirations--Frank Yerby at Fisk University at that time--many talented black people left Beloit

Ben Gordon's reading habits--Scottsboro Boy--lynching in Janesville--B.G. as a newsboy for the Defender--race horse handlers in Beloit--Joe Drummond--Alva Curtis

Recreation for youngsters--softball team

Segregated swimming pools in Beloit, small one for blacks--pool integrated by a group of black youths led by Gordy Harris, the son of Neal Harris--the power structure in Beloit, college distinct from the power structure--Johnny Watt as a star athlete--high school athletic program always open

Session III, 1976 October 13
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ben Gordon, October 13, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Work experience at a battery-making shop--the process of making batteries

Health hazards in the battery shop--state inspection resulted in the shop's closing

Work at the Walsh Prothers Farm--New Deal public works projects--removing wooden blocks from downtown streets--sewer line on west side--Riverside Park

Getting a job at Fairbanks-Morse in 1938--casting molds for the YLA engine--work as a chipper and grinder--hazards, “a jungle to work in”--pouring as especially dangerous work, the death of a friend

Work in the F-M brass foundry--dangers of brass fumes, brass chills--alcohol as antidote for brass chills--construction or new brass foundry--long term effects of brass fumes

The process of casting brass--pay--the hierarchy of jobs at F-M

Black workers confined to the foundry--also jobs in the power house for black workers--high noise level in power house--further comments on health hazards--effects of OSHA regulations--wearing goggles

Little done about health hazards until recent years--working overtime in “the hole,” George Hilliard--sand slinger accident

Organization of the Steelworkers local at F-M--Ben Gordon enthusiastic supporter of union--many feared losing jobs

The company union--tearing up the company union cards

Jack Davis as the union leader--sitdown--company promotion of Jack Davis

Company reaction to union after the sitdown strike--the development of Ben Gordon's interest in the union, influence of the Chicago Defender

Introduction

The union and discrimination--eventual breakdown of job discrimination at F-M, government rules for defense contractors during World War II

AFL craft unions at F-M, no black members--interracial cooperation in organising the CIO local, forced by national leadership--Neal Harris and Herron Johnson as black union leaders

Neal Harris as a grievance committee man--job classification under the union, grievances

Need for union, wages and working conditions--broke power of foremen--Ben Gordon fired, took case to Industrial Commission and won--foremen lose power

Company reaction to the union--community reaction to the union, much support--running grocery bills--exploitation by some grocers and support from others

Leaving Fairbanks-Morse for Walsh brothers Farm--George Zabel wanted B.G. to stay at F-M--pay cut at Walsh's, but free home and produce--Ben Gordon as herdsmen for prize swine--good experience for Gordon children, son became a veterinarian

The swine business--offers to Ben Gordon from other producers--purebred breeding stock, sold nationwide--B.G. as the swine manager--fellow workers

Ben Gordon made a partner in the Walsh Farm--Walshes as prosperous farmers--Gordon children at the state fair, blue ribbon winners--left farm in 1954 after first wife's death--schooling for children

Back to F-M, opposed piston division--then into the atomic energy project--subsequent work experiences

Story of half-brother James H. Gordon, hurt by foundry work in St. Louis--reason for James leaving Mississippi, refused to call a white friend “Mister,” became an issue between the families, James eventually left as a result

Series: Lorenzo Grady
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; family as Republican; farming practices; class distinctions among Mississippi black people; influence of Methodist Church on LG; move to Beloit; work at Fairbanks-Morse; comparison between prejudice in Beloit and Pontotoc, Mississippi; Rev. W.E.W. Brown; Rev. Zimmerman; Kennedy Lodge; black people and Beloit business.

Session I, 1976 June 9
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Lorenzo Grady, June 9, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Mississippi--loss of family farm caused move to Beloit--farming in Mississippi

Black land ownership near Pontotoc, Mississippi--good white people--father as a cotton farmer--much timber land, timber not valuable

Interracial relations in Pontotoc--learning how to act--L.G.'s wife unwilling to be deferential in return trip to Mississippi, problem--inward hurt--calling white boys “mister”--standing up for your rights, the cow in the pasture

Voting rights--family as Republican--L.G. associates Democratic party with white southerners

Farming practices--livestock

Mississippi as a changeless society--mother's background in Water Valley, Mississippi--problems with poor people

Class distinctions among black people--the importance of “the way you were raised”

The influence of the Methodist Church on Lorenzo Grady--the difference between Methodist and Baptist

Leaving Pontotoc for Arkansas--return to Pontotoc in secret

Father's decision to move to Beloit--recruited by John McCord--availability of job as key to decision--family reaction to move--father came to Beloit before family

Lorenzo Grady come to Beloit later--wife did not like Beloit, resulting divorce

L.G.'s job at Fairbanks-Morse--hard time--work in the power house--learning combustion, problem getting into technical school in Beloit--attitude toward superintendent and foreman--blacks as cheap labor

Early recollection of Beloit--hard work at F.M., seven days a week in the power house

Introduction

Negative reaction to Beloit, stayed because of job--positive reaction to Fairbanks-Morse--Mr. Pease, the superintendent--problems with white workers

Comparison or Beloit and Pontotoc regarding prejudice--exposure to prejudice in Beloit--problem with building contractor and bank

Achieving independence--marriage in 1931--problems during the Depression

Reaction to the organization of the Steelworkers Union at Fairbanks-Morse

Knowledge of J.D. Stephenson--reaction to W.S. Williams, members of the same club

Recollection of Rev. W.E.W. Brown--other black community leaders--Rev. Zimmerman--problems caused at A.M.E. church by Rev. Gibson

Membership in Kennedy Lodge, through Alva Curtis--Woodmen Lodge in Mississippi, benevolent group

Black people and Beloit businesses--no service in the restaurants--no problem being served in other stores--never garnisheed in Beloit

Move to Beloit worthwhile

Series: Anne Harris
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; move to Beloit; comparison of Mississippi and Beloit schools; discrimination in Beloit; Women's Community Club; involvement in civil rights activities; domestic work in Beloit; organization of the Women's Culture Club; marriage to Neal Harris; “radicalism” of Neal H. Jr.; family reunions.

Session I, 1976 March 19
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Anne Harris, March 19, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Houston, Mississippi area--family received land from slave master--uncles moved north in 1914, father in 1921--more on Gordon family as landowners

Grandparents as slaves in Mississippi--the Ike Gordon family

The Gordon farm in Mississippi--good relations with white people in and around Houston--father as a church deacon--the country school--children sheltered from racial hostility--the Gordons as relatively comfortable

The decision to leave Mississippi--early problems in Beloit, no work available--especially difficult for mother Gordon--Anne Gordon Harris's positive elementary sohool experience in Beloit--mother's refusal to go to Chicago--train ride to Beloit from Houston

Early impressions of Beloit--J.D. Stephenson and the YMCA for black people in Beloit

Parents misgivings about Beloit--father obtained depression-proof job in Fairbanks-Morse power house--father as a man of faith--absence of hostility toward white people--Beloit teachers helped Anne's sister, Ethel, after mother died--scholarship offer to Ben Gordon from Fisk University--parents cooperated with school teachers

Comparison of schools in Beloit and Mississippi--value of integrated schooling--father's attitudes toward children, child-rearing--“you learn something from everybody”--“homes where people didn't understand Negroes”

The Gordon family and the church--father Gordon sought freedom in Beloit

No recollection of discrimination in Beloit schools--no recollection of exclusion along racial lines

Discrimination in Beloit businesses--segregated public swimming pool in Beloit--Anne's son, Gordon, helped to integrate the city swimming pool--painting of Gordon by Mrs. Neese--comparison of Beloit and Houston--race relations in Beloit worse in 1976 than in early days

Black professionals in Beloit in the early days

Continuation of comments on black professionals--Dr. Marshall not accepted on hospital staff, did not accept when finally asked--Celestine Smith, the singer--Dr. Parks, dentist

Recollections of the Women's Community Club--emphasis on the WCC's social aspects--Rubie Bond led the club into civil rights activities--Anne's sister, Ethel, also an activist in the WCC--difference between Ethel and Anne, Ethel's “concern for advancement”

Domestic work in Beloit--travels with Mrs. Arnold--cooking for Beta house when John Erickson and John Orr were members--work for the Neese family--using the cookbook--trip to England and Spain with the Gages

Work at Hobart and Wingers--pay scale--pay scale for domestic work

Organization of the Women's Culture Club

Ethel Conwell as organizer of the Women's Culture Club

Reaction to husband Neal's union activities--marriage and courtship practices--Neal Jr.'s “radicalism”--enterprising children--grandmother Harris in the household

More on Neal Jr., as a radical--comments on other children, daughter as a public health nurse

Comments on family reunions

Series: Neal Harris
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; farming in Mississippi; work in Alabama lumber mill; experiences at and reflections on Tuskegee College; importance of fair-skinned color; recruitment by J.D. Stephenson for work at Fairbanks-Morse; impressions of J.D.S.; segregation at Beloit YMCA; difficulties in organizing against segregation; organization of Steelworkers local at F-M; CIO policy of non-discrimination; service as union shop steward; sit-down strike at F-M; participation in strike; the black church in Beloit; Ku Klux Klan in Beloit; NH as a Republican.

Session I, 1976 February 27
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Neal Harris, February 27, 1976 available online.

Introduction

The Harris family background in Starkville, Mississippi--conditions in Mississippi

Going to school in Mississippi--working as a young boy, harvesting speckled peas, banking potatoes--the necessity of obeying white people--limitations on black people

Farming as a young man in Mississippi

Landlords, good ones and mean ones--dealing with the neighbors, swindlers--Mr. Ware and the bank account--Negroes and mean landlords, treated black people “just like you'd do your children”

Neal Harris “running to live”--beatings--keeping black people down

Neal Harris' efforts to get an education--ordered magazines--hand-me-down books in school--limited opportunities

Work in north Alabama lumber mill--use of guns--fair mill owner, but unequal pay for black workers--life in the lumber camp

Neal Harris left the lumber camp from fear of a mob--foundry work in Birmingham

Application for college at Tuskegee, Alabama

Learning a trade at Tuskegee--meeting with Dr. Robert Moton, the successor to Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee Institute--problems with the chief engineer at Tuskegee--learning the baker's trade, cakes for Dr. Moton--Mr. Owens, the math teacher--the student body

The importance of color--fair skin preferred--problems with being able to pass

Neal Harris' reaction to the influence of Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee--training the hands and the mind--lack of professional and skilled jobs for black people in Beloit

Further comments on the lack of professional and skilled jobs for black people in Beloit--segregated clubs in Beloit

Session II, 1976 March 12
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Neal Harris, March 12, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Neal Harris comes to Beloit from Tuskegee, recruited by J.D. Stephenson--opportunity at Fairbanks-Morse--May 8 as Emancipation holiday in Mississippi--freeing of slaves

Work opportunity at Fairbanks-Morse--transportation to Beloit--the role of J.D. Stephenson--originally came as a summer employee--absence of any opportunity in the South--further comments on J.D. Stephenson and jobs with Fairbanks-Morse

Other workers who came from Tuskegee at that time--they eventually left Beloit--World War I veterans returned to reclaim jobs, caused black unemployment--work in Birmingham

Neal Harris' trip from Tuskegee to Beloit--segregated car to Evansville, Indiana--thoughts on the train

Further comments on the trip to Beloit

Neal Harris' first impressions of Beloit--comparison to Mississippi--segregation in Beloit, but no fear--first residence in Beloit

The importance of J.D. Stephenson--limitations of his work

Neal Harris' early years as a Fairbanks-Morse worker--no opportunity to advance to a trade--inequalities at Fairbanks-Morse

Segregation in the YMCA--segregated Hi-Y clubs

Difficulties in organizing against discrimination in Beloit--soliciting from blacks for segregated institutions--efforts of local NAACP to desegregate civic activities--Johnny Watts

Blacks had to excel to be recognized

Neal Harris recalls the organization of the Steelworkers local at Fairbanks-Morse--CIO policy of non-discrimination--company efforts to prevent organization--overcoming racial antagonism in organizing the union

Neal Harris' service as union shop steward--dealing with grievances

Threat of jail during World War II for pushing grievances--closed shop--union forced uncooperative workers out

Leaders of the union--grievances

Session III, 1976 March 16
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Neal Harris, March 12, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Fairbanks-Morse workers choose the CIO over the AFL for their Steelworkers local--AFL closed to blacks and less skilled workers--skilled workers vs. unskilled workers

Sitdown strike at Fairbanks-Morse--no strike during World War II--strike of 1946 resulted from backlog of World War II grievances

Union leadership--Neal Harris recalls an organizer from Birmingham, Alabama, who preached cooperation between black and white workers--blacks as strikebreakers in Beloit--dirty work

Anti-union workers--“clamping down” on a non-union worker--need for unity

Union organizers--Neal Harris' reaction to John L. Lewis--Emil Costello as a Wisconsin CIO organizer--stalling a strike

Survival during a strike

Reaction of Harris family to Neal's participation in strike--Hostility of most Beloit residents

Communists and the union--the need for unity--pay cut as a motive for union organization

The union as a “godsend for the poor people”

Neal Harris and the church--church as a focus for unity in the black community--church activities at Tuskegee--Veterans Hospital and segregation in Tuskegee--KKK in Tuskegee

The KKK in Beloit

Neal Harris' church activity in Beloit, joined church right away

Church little different from South--Neal Harris comfortable in black churches

Difference between the South and Beloit in exercise of voting rights--fear of courts and police in the South, absent in Beloit

Neal Harris as a Republican--“effects“ of Woodrow Wilson--desire to enter the army during World War I--Neal Harris in Tuskegee ROTC under Benjamin 0. Davis

Stories about the North which circulated in the South--tough stories about Chicago

Series: Walter Ingram
Scope and Content Note: Family background near Pontotoc, Mississippi; mother's recollection of Yankee troops during Civil War and incidents under slavery; family's land-owning in Mississippi; experiences as a baseball player in Pontotoc and in Racine; move to Beloit; work at Fairbanks-Morse; problems with foreman; confrontations with Italian workers; recruiting for F-M in the 1920s; move to Racine; Eugene Burlingame; black businesses in Beloit; decision to quit recruiting after seeing Memphis lynch mob; decision to leave Beloit for Racine; work at Walker in Racine; development of union at Walker; Blue Jenkins.

Session 1, 1976 September 13
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Walter Ingram, September 13, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Mississippi--parents as slaves, uncles sold and lost track of--Walter Ingram born in Pontotoc, Mississippi in 1892

Mother recalled Yankee troops during the Civil War---house saved by a Masonic ring--grandfather as a “tough boy,” encounter with owner, refused whipping and prevailed--grandmother was an Indian

Incidents under slavery--relative barely escaped over the Ohio River--importance of family on stories

Ingrams as landowners in Mississippi after the War--cheap land, mother wanted to buy more, father feared debt--log house

Walter Ingram's father worked for the railroad

Family religious background--father Baptist, mother Methodist

Schooling in Mississippi--W.I. as self-made--most teaching from parents and the Church

Interacial relations in Mississippi--white neighbors--W.I. refused to work for a man in debt to him, angry confrontation

Further comments on confrontation with W.I.'s debtor, “can't live on air”--visit to Uncle Frank in Jackson

Father's fear of debt--taught W.I. to run from a fight--father helped build local cotton oil mill

Walter Ingram' s work in Mississippi--cleaning and pressing--restaurant business, problem with white men

Leaving Mississippi for Beloit, the influence of John McCord who wanted W.I. as a baseball player

W.I. as a hunter in Pontotoc, supplied local hotel and doctors

W.I. as a baseball player, second baseman--triple play--played with Pontotoc team---played at Rust College once, they won by cheating

McCord wanted W.I. to help challenge white teams in Beloit area--W.I.'s decision to play on Sunday

Introduction

more on baseball playing--W.I. as first black in the CIO baseball league in Racine--others followed, “we got one” story

No returning to Mississippi--warned to leave Pontotoc, refused to leave until later

Decision to leave Mississippi, the year of the boll weevil--W.I. as one of the first to leave for Beloit

The trip to Beloit

Andrew Davis story, the Yankee beggar in St. Louis

Differences in Beloit--Mississippi migrants resented by original Beloit black families, feared trouble with whites

John McCord's pitch about Beloit--better opportunities, no fear of lynching--encounter with Sheriff Woods of Pontotoc

First job at Fairbanks-Morse--work in the power house--problem with foreman who fired blacks indiscriminately

Further comments on problem with the foreman--W.I. relationship with Eugene Burlingame, F-M personnel director--problem with Italian-American workers, fights---fight with “Monk”--Italian workers threatened to quit--W.I. worked in the power house while recruiting workers from Missisippi

Further comments on confrontation with Italians--Italians briefly quit work, marched downtown, 1916

Further comments on work at F-M--W.I. tried to get along with everbody--hunting with friend Miles in Pontotoc, confrontation between Miles and W.I.--Miles later killed in auto accident

Walter Ingram begins recruiting for Fairbanks-Morse--wages at F-M, more than John McCord, McCord confronted manager

McCord introduced W.I. to recruiting--recruiting money appropriated by George Ingersoll--W.I. operated out of Memphis, made contacts from there in the Pontotoc area

W.I. went to Chicago during the 1921 recession---returned to F-M in 1922

Introduction

Walter Ingram's first recruiting experience--special car for groups over eighteen--Mr. Moore of the Illinois Central in Memphis, problem with tickets, lawyer needed to settle it

W.I.'s reaction to Eugene Burlingame--recollection of Edgewater Apts

Burlingame considered W.I. dependable--foundry work too hard for white workers

Moving to Racine--getting a job from Mel Ward at Walker Manufacturing

Need to organize a union at Walker

Further comments on recruiting--used church-going people as contacts in Pontotoc area--emphasized wages--man willing to come north

Story about John Reneau

W.I. began recruiting soon after his arrival in Beloit--W.I. told Burlingame that he knew more people in Mississippi than anyone else in Beloit

Dangers of recruiting, W.I. succeeded in avoiding most of them

Duration of W.I.'s recruiting--comments concerning Charles Simmons--no additional pay for recruiting

Seymour's impact on Fairbanks-Morse--spread work over entire year, Seymour as W.I.'s superintendent

W.I. saw recruiting as a way to help his people--caused worry to his family--the next recruitor, Rogers, was arrested in Mississippi, too careless

Burlingame made trip to Memphis with W.I. in 1917--W.I. laid off by F-M even though he was a steady worker--George Ingersoll took care of brother Jim's problem in the foundry

W.I. considered recruiting to be the Lord's work, helped others to prosper--1957 trip to Pontotoc

Session II, 1976 October 26
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Walter Ingram, October 26, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Ice business in Beloit, Ed Branigan

Black-owned grocery store in Beloit

Race relations in Beloit--no discrimination at first--story about J.D. Stephenson encouraging separation in a Beloit restaurant--holdup at hotel--W.I. wanted to drive J.D. Stephenson from Beloit, he taught the “Tuskegee Way”--States Restaurant

Attempt to segregate W.I. out of the Planning Department office at F-M--further comments on the impact of W.E. Seymour on F-M--big order for English submarines

Family reaction to W.I.'s recruiting activities, mother worried--recruiting techniques, staying in Memphis

Decision to quit recruiting, observed Memphis lynch mob--recollections of that case--mob took prisoner from train

Further comments on Memphis lynch mob--W.I. saw the lynched man's dismembered head--souvenir crosses from lynch rope--gruesome stories--W.I. left Memphis as soon as possible

The drowning of a friend in Memphis, sailor on a torpedo boat

Upon return to Boloit W.I. was frightened by the approach of three white, female friends of his, reaction to the Memphis experience

W.I.'s decision to leave Beloit, laid off and not rehired according to seniority--not treated “like a man”--F-M tried to hire him back

Introduction

Further comments on F-M efforts to rehire him--W.I. feared his temper, didn't want to be played with--too many “stool pigeons” in Beloit

Decision to move to Racine, attracted by baseball team--further comments on hiring by Walker Manufacturing

Work as a grinder at Walker--incident with fellow worker, later became good friends

Development of the union at Walker--organized by the UAW, Ed Hall as organizer--decision to fight company, willing to “starve like a peckerwood”--W.I. elected as steward--anger at cowardly workers, W.I. used pick handle to steel their courage in one incident

Encounter in company office--problem with piece work rates--problem with timing jobs, Lovin' Babe and pacing work

Further comments on work at Walker--the foreman's beer garden, favoritism toward customers--dealing with foreman's favoritism--Problem with unemployed friend

A striker hit a protesting woman--impact of call to Madison by Ed Hall,“they started treating us like people”

Recollections of “Blue” Jenkins, baseball teammates--incidents with the baseball team

Further comments on Walker Manufacturing--“key men” to thwart the union--dealing with “stool pigeons”--other problems at Walker

Series: Dr. Robert Irrmann
Scope and Content Note: Family background in New York State and Chicago; RI's decision to teach; experience with polio; life as student at Beloit College in 1930s; black students at the college in the 1930s; RI at Harvard and at Indiana for graduate school; teaching at Beloit; liberal humanist philosophy of Beloit College; Neese family support of BC; financial difficulty of college; relationship between BC and Fairbanks-Morse and BC and Beloit Iron Works.

Session I, 1976 November 4
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Dr. Robert Irrman, November 4, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background--influence of German Revolution of 1848--to Buffalo, New York--grandfather in Civil War in spite of mother's opposition, cigar maker after War--move to Chicago

Maternal grandparents in Chicago pre-Civil War--maternal grandfather as a teacher--the cigar business on the Irrmann side

Family religious background--Irrmanns not particulorty religious--mother Missouri Synod Lutheran

R.I.'s decision to become a teacher--Spalding School for Handicapped Children--no taste for education courses at Beloit College, advised by Professor McGranahan to skip them and concentrate on college teaching

R.I.'s experience with polio, epidemic of 1930--unfulfilled desire to dance--began to read more, gifts from aunt--importance of Spalding School

Choice of college influenced by disability--family tour of Beloit in 1934, met President Mowrer

Extent of disability not as serious then

Further comments on ancestors fleeing Germany to avoid conscription

Funny political background--grandfather Irrmann as Democratic Cook County commissioner

Comments on Beloit College student during the 1930s, Chicago influence--President Brannan's vocational bent

Irving Mowrer's presidency, conservative influence--Brannan as founder of local Chamber of Commerce

Further comments on student body

Influential professors for R.I.--Robert K. Richardson--Floyd McGranahan--Frederick Sweet

The college and the community during the 1930s--influence or the First Congregationnl Church--intellectual aristocracy--importance of the basketball team

Beloit College expelled from the basketball conference

Recollection of black students on campus during the 1930s--Judge Edith Sampson in Chicago--George Hilliard--Eddie May--only discrimination from tuition costs--non-discriminatory tradition

R.I. as a graduate student at Harvard for an M.A., one year for $1300, influential professors

Introduction

Further comments on Harvard years--lecture series, John Mason Brown

Going to Indiana University from Harvard, financial reasons--good years at Indiana

Influential professors at Indiana--Warmoth in political theory--F. Lee Benz in modern European history--lecture techniques

Getting a teaching job--first at Denison University--then, back to Beloit as a professor

The Beloit history department in the mid-1940s--interdepartmental relationships--Great Books course--Wisconsin Conference on Christianity and Scholarship, interdisciplinary course--interdisciplinary activities as after World War II

Central ideas behind Beloit College--liberal humanism--liberal Christian faith, religious emphasis declined after World War II--influence of the art department

Mrs. Neese as an artist, sales of watercolors donated to the College--story about the finding of “Tomb of the Poet”

Building up the geology and onthropology departments under President Kroneis--decline of the anthropology fund--flush times for Beloit College

Financial difficulties for Beloit College--first in the early 1950s--flush years of the sixties--problems again by the end of the 1960s--Beloit not first choice for many students

The relationship between Beloit College and Fairbanks-Morse--Morse-Ingersoll Hall

Beloit Iron Works and Beloit College--anonymous gifts from Beloit Corporation--money-raising ability of President Martha Peterson

Series: Rev. D.W. Johnson
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; family's move to Murphysboro, Ill.; railroad work; move to Beloit in 1920 following recruitment by J.D. Stephenson; work at Fairbanks-Morse; character of J.D. Stephenson; labor recruiting in the 1920s; religious faith; involvement in the ministry.

Session I, 1976 February 20
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rev. D.W. Johnson, February 20, 1976 available online.

Introduction

The Johnson family background in Macon, Mississippi--D.W. Johnson's father as a minister who “scuffled to get along”

Working as a young man in Macon--first railroad experience for D.W. Johnson--first experience as a labor agent or recruiter--D.W.'s confrontation with three white men who threatened to kill Negroes with railroad passes--railroad work at Murphysboro, Illinois---father moved family to Murphysboro

Further comments on the Johnson family and life in Mississippi--D.W. Johnson's grandfather, “a spunky man”--growing up in Macon--father as a preacher--fear of being beaten--father's instructions to his son, D.W.--D.W. Johnson's attitude toward Mississippi

D.W. Johnson's return to Macon in 1952, preached in father's church

The family decision to leave Mississippi--threats from D.W. Johnson's white bosses, the Bonds--evil befalls those who threatened D.W.--reasons for leaving Mississippi--“angry” period in Mississippi

Dangerous to leave Mississippi--D.W. Johnson acted like “a mole”--the activities of “the mob crowd”--Macon as a “mean” town

D.W. Johnson comes to Beloit in 1920--recruited by J.D. Stephenson from Murphysboro, Illinois--Stephenson's account of conditions in Beloit--the importance of living conditions and wages in deciding to move--work at Fairbanks-Morse--working with Swedes and Norwegians who were “more mechanically inclined”

Comparison of Beloit and Macon, Mississippi--Beloit as the “promised land”--J.D. Stephenson's role in Beloit--Stephenson problems as a recruiter--D.W. Johnson at Fairbanks-Morse--D.W. Johnson as a minister in South Beloit in later years

D.W. Johnson leaves Beloit in 1921 for Ft. Scott, Kansas--recruiting out of Murphysboro in the 1920s--recruiting techniques--making contacts--dangers of recruiting, equal danger for white recruiters

D.W. Johnson interprets recruiting as helping people to attain freedom--helping people in Beloit as a continuation of those efforts

Further comments on J.D. Stephenson-- Stephenson as a “masterly-minded man”--W.S. Williams, the barber, a progressive man--the Gordon family in Beloit--the Hobson family in Beloit, Jess Hobson as “heat treatment” expert

Adjustment to factory work easy for D.W. Johnson due to previous experience as a blacksmith--work at Kaiser Aluminum in Seattle during World War II

D.W. Johnson's religious faith--the importance of “behavior”--“I don't run every time the wind blows”--letter of appreciation from Wesley C.M.E. Church--“good name better than great riches”

Session II, 1976 May 7
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rev. D.W. Johnson, May 7, 1976 available online.

Introduction

The use of passes in recruiting

D.W. Johnson recruited over a long period--some recruits left Murphysboro and the railroad soon after arrival--reaction of foreman to recruits leaving--incident over recruits leaving

D.W. Johnson's relations with foremen

Working along the Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio track--servicing track

Recollection of severe back injury

More on back injury, attempts to return to work--severe pain

D.W. Johnson's father moves to Murphysboro--problems for father in Macon

Life in Murphysboro for D.W. Johnson--influence of Bob Gray and Abbe Woods--Bible correspondence course

Studying psychology, useful in ministry

Decision to enter the ministry--problems in the ministry--suffering--father's problems--“harsh words don't win”--pulled into ministry

Doing the “unheard of things”--problem with lack of schooling for ministry--problems at Community Baptist in South Beloit--owning houses in Beloit as a way of doing good

The call to the ministry--being able to borrow at the bank--importance of property--trying to be an example

Balance of time between recruiting and linework when with railroad--recruiting on weekends--pay for recruiting--“dead man's check”

Further comments on recruiting

Brother-in-law's experience--violence done to family--attempted hanging by mob crowd

Help for family

Introduction

D.W. Johnson's mother and the Bible--Bible as the source of discipline--family success

Reverend D.W. Johnson's religious attitudes--situation at South Beloit Community Baptist Church--ill befell his opponents

Belief in illness as a punishment or curse--Reverend Johnson and the drunk man at Fairbanks-Morse--“the Lord works through Nature”

Worshipping God through the Son

Jesus on the side of the oppressed--personal responsibility

More on the Bonds family--“mean people brought low”

The boarding car where the road gang lived--more on recruiting and railroad work

Power of positive thinking--further comments on railroading

Learning to fire an engine--construction work to supplement railroad income

Recollection of Walter Ingram, recruiter for Fairbanks-Morse--further comments on J.D. Stephenson

More on recruiting

“Rolled in a tornado”

More on tornado experience

Session III, 1976 May 19
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Rev. D.W. Johnson, May 19, 1976 available online.

Note

No abstract available.

Johnson discusses his mother's use of the bible in raising him and his religious beliefs. Johnson also discusses recruiting, his work on the railroad, and his experience in a tornado.

Series: Ocie Peterson
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Wicliffe, Kentucky (near Cairo, Ill.); marriage to Leon Peterson; Indian and white ancestry; recollections of Cairo; father as a railroad worker; husband's background and work with Wis. Power and Light; his involvement with NAACP; relationship between NAACP and the black churches; white membership in NAACP.

Session I, 1976 April 9
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Ocie Peterson, April 9, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Kentucky--only daughter--mother as a churchwoman--marriage in Kentucky--married Leon in 1921---born and raised in Wycliffe, near Cairo, Ill.

Backgrounds of father and mother, both of part Indian blood--white grandfather on father's side--father ashamed of white ancestor, but not of the Indian

Recollections of Cairo, Ill.--Dr. Parks and the bucket of blood--desire to visit Kentucky

Great-aunt's recollection of slavery--ran away twice, hid for a year once--hair cut off as punishment

Father as a railroad worker, watchman for the G. M. and O--floods at that time

Education in Wycliffe, no high school

Going to St. Louis to further education--lived with sister

Leon's background--father as a Methodist minister and barber--Leon's mother born in Pennsylvania--Leon graduated from Beloit high school in 1910

Leon Peterson in the army--work with Wisconsin Power and Light--Leon's father and Bethel Church--Leon's opposition to present Bethel site

Leon Peterson's work with Wisconsin Power and Light, began as janitor and finished an repairman--Leon's recollections of the army during World War I--French girl friend--Leon considered France more open than the U.S.

Leon's involvement with the NAACP--Black people in Beloit got along well until the Mississippi migration--Leon never attended segregated schools

Ocie's initial impressions of Beloit--Leon's self-education--working for Mr. Lyons and caring for Rasey House--Leon didn't want to continue in service work

Leon and Ocie met in 1920--getting marriage license in Crown Point, Ind.--big snow storm upon returning to Beloit

Leon Peterson and the NAACP in Beloit--organized by church people--J.D. Stephenson and the Edgewater Flats--NAACP connection to churches--Beloit restaurants closed to blacks by 1920

NAACP started by Professor Crawford, first meeting in his home--many white members--brought Dubois and other black leaders to Beloit

Series: Charles Simmons
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Kentucky; move to Beloit before Mississippi migration; work at Fairbanks-Morse; John McCord and Walter Ingram as recruiters; race relations while living in Louisville; Zach White; Leon Peterson; J.D. Stephenson's influence; Kennedy Lodge; Emmanuel Baptist Church location; Chicago riot of 1919; fair-skinned color situation; Ku Klux Klan; CS's membership in the Kiwanis; health care problems for blacks.

Session I, 1976 March 31 and April 9
Alternate Format

Audio recording of interview with Charles Simmons, March 31, 1976 available online.

Audio recording of interview with Charles Simmons, April 9, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Kentucky--grandfather as a carpenter in Louisville--family came to Beloit before the Mississippi migration

Charles Simmons work as a guide at Fairbanks-Morse--recollection of John McCord as a recruiter in Mississippi for F-M--problems at F-M holding work force--Walter Ingram as a recruiter--poor whites followed black migrants from Mississippi

Further comments on John McCord-the “Potato,” Mississippi story--Cliff White and the exhaust fan

John McCord's job responsibilities--problems at F-M with workers from Chicago--McCord and Eugene Burlingame, F-M personnel manager

McCord's recruiting tactics--potential workers told about additional freedoms in Beloit--McCord recruited for a brief time because of fear, quit because of danger

Walter Ingram as a recruiter--better at “maneuvering” than McCord

Reaction to terms, “black” as a fighting word

Further comments on Walter Ingram--Ingram family--Walter currently a minister in Racine--migrants to Beloit as less established in Mississippi

Most of their contemporaries as moved away or dead--comments on Zach White

Recording break

Further comments on life in Louisville--living near the Ohio River--race relations in Louisville--story about grandmother's white half-brother

Grandparents coming to Beloit--Charles Simmons' first impressions of Beloit--interim in St. Louis, “too congested”--little recreation in Beloit, played with white children--problem in court

Comments on Leon Petersib

Introduction

Robert Mayo, Charles' stepfather, as a 20th Century Club member at Fairbanks-Morse--Robert Mayo's religious background--fair treatment at F-M

Mr. Taylor and safety at F-M--Charles Simmons' work at F-M--at the Foremen's Club as a young office worker--reaction against foundry work--absence of discrimination in work experience--pay scale

Charles Simmons attitude toward younger generation

Recollections of first migrants from Mississippi--language differences between Charles Simmons and the migrants from Mississippi

Different customs of the Mississippi migrants--migrants prejudiced against light-complected Negroes

Mrs. Simmons from Indianola, Mississippi--relatives wanted to return to Mississippi, but not Charles Simmons--negative reaction to Mississippi from earlier trip--reaction against blacks in Mississippi using “nigger” in conversation

Further comments on customs, F-M story

Reactions of white people to migrants--sweaty workers on the streetcar

J.D. Stephenson's influence, also Reverend Brown and Leon --“money” as a cause of black migrants “going overboard”--problem of getting used to factory work--movement to other cities

Session II, 1976 April 21
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Charles Simmons, April 21, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Beloit black people and the post-World War I recession--movement of black people out of Beloit at that time

Leaders of Beloit's black community--J.D. Stephenson--Alva Curtis, engineer at Fairbanks-Morse

The organization of the W.B. Kennedy lodge of the Masonic order--acceptance of segregated lodges--“separate families” analogy

Charles Simmons' reasons for joining the Kennedy lodge--the importance of brotherly love and charity--the lodge as a male organization--examples of charitable aid

More on black community leaders--Alva Curtis--Reverend W.E.W. Brown

Original location of Emmanuel Baptist Church, move to present location--Rev. Brown and the athletic club

W.S. Williams and politics at the barber shop--black people and the railroad tracks--barber shop as a center of political discussion

Recollection of the Chicago Riot of 1919--opposition to violence

Migration from Mississippi--blacks and the Daily News--prefers racial separation

More recollections of the migrants from Mississippi--using the interurban

Introduction

Charles Simmons and the church--change from Baptist to Methodist--influence of older sister, Emma Thomas from Cleveland--differences between churches in Louisville and Beloit--the church and the black community

Ku Klux Klan cross burning at the Mayo home--reaction of Mrs. Mayo--NAACP protest to Governor Blaine and the resulting proclamation

Membership in the Kiwanis for Charles Simmons

Charles Simmons and fear--snakes--police and jail

Awareness of dark vs. fair skin--related incident involving baseball team at Harvard, Ill.--incident on street crew

More on street crew incident

Health care problems for blacks in Beloit--role of schools in health care--black hospital in Louisville, not in Beloit--black doctors and dentist in Beloit--flu epidemic of 1918--black doctors and Beloit's hospital

Problem of young black people leaving Beloit--conclusion

Series: Georgette Smith
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Louisville, Kentucky; first impressions of Beloit; work at Fairbanks-Morse.

Session I, 1976 April 28
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Georgette Smith, April 28, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Louisville, Kentucky--grandparents as slaves in Kentucky, good masters--story about Courier-Journal executive visiting grandmother

Grandfather's reaction to master, no hard feelings--grandfather a carpenter in Louisville

Growing up in Louisville--quit school for lack of streetcar fare

Flooding in Louisville--grandfather highly respected in Louisville--story about election day bribe

Religious background--church morning in Louisville--church activities

Asperation to be a school teacher--reaction to move to Beloit

First impressions of Beloit--getting used to a smaller city--work at Fairbanks-Morse

Further comments on first impressions of Beloit

New girl in town--getting acquainted

Father in Spanish-American War--worked as a janitress at Fairbanks-Morse under John McCord

Husband's family in Beloit

Series: Raymond Wright
Scope and Content Note: Family background in Mississippi; early experiences in Beloit; Turtle Creek; school experiences; experience at Fairbanks-Morse as first black foreman; Rumer-Collins incident, circa 1951; Dee Gilliam's election as first black president of Steelworkers Local 1533; parents' reaction to Beloit; civil rights efforts of Rev. Oliver Gibson in early 1960s.

Session I, 1976 April 2
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Raymond Wright, April 2, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Family background in Mississippi--Richard and Catherine White Wright--reasons for leaving Mississippi, self-improvement and education for children--father's emphasis on manners

Coming to Beloit in 1917--the influence of recruiters--“Dad owed no one” in Mississippi--story about arrival in Chicago--father Wright came to Beloit earlier, rent for family

Early experiences in Beloit--recollections of Athletic Avenue--youthful encounter with the KKK passing through Beloit--“on the hill” as out of bounds for black children

Family gardens

Living near the railroad tracks--helping to meet family needs from the railroad

Playing on the railroad tracks

Further comments on play--playing with white children--the Wright's new home--fond recollection of the Hillcrest district

Recollections of Turtle Greek--fishing, the stoneroller

Recollections of Strong Elementary School--the “portable” for slow learners--large playground--Mr. Carr, the janitor

Further comments on Strong School--Mrs. Glenn, the principal--no recollection of discrimination at Strong School

Raymond Wright as first black student at Todd School--sixth grade at Todd after move to new home--positive experiences

Session II, 1976 June 2
Alternate Format: Audio recording of interview with Raymond Wright, June 2, 1976 available online.

Introduction

Experiences as Fairbank-Morse's first black foreman--job as crane operator--F-M better than other area companies in opening opportunities for blacks--comments on Rumer-Collins incident, circa 1951

Election of Dee Gilliam as first black president of Steelworkers Local 1533

Ray Wright's decision to stay in Beloit--father happy with move to Beloit--father's feeling for Mississippi--family travels in the South--reaction to segregation

Mother's reaction to Beloit--mother as family decision-maker

Fears, not being accepted by other people

Comments about Reverend W.E.W. Brown--Reverend Hermie Zimmerman of 2d Methodist

Further comments concerning Rev. Zimmerman

Mr. Wright's term as NAACP president

Civil rights efforts in the early 1960s--Reverend Oliver Gibson

Ray Wright as a Republican, now an independent