History Commons^™

Oral History Interview: Frank Brooks, Frank Brooks

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Frank Brooks was born in Fayette County, WV, but grew up in Carter County, KY, in the early 1900s. He attended a one room school house through the third grade. Mr. Brooks began working in coal mines with his father in Borderland, WV, when he was 13 years old. In the audio clip provided, he discusses his first time in a coal mine. He focuses on how he tried to appear bigger than he was in order to be able to work. In his interview, Mr. Brooks compares and contrasts the labor conditions in the mines before and after unionization. …

Oral History Interview: Dr. Don V. Hatton And Jane Hatton, Don V. Hatton, Jane Hatton

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Dr. Don V. Hatton was a physician and public health specialist in both West Virginia and Kentucky beginning in the 1930s. During his interview, Dr. Hatton discusses Appalachia and focuses on the definition of the region and what it means to be Appalachian. He also discusses his transition from being a public health specialist focused on preventative medicine to a practicing internal medicine physician. In the audio clip provided, he compares and contrasts his public health work in West Virginia and Kentucky through a focus on physical environment, education, and socioeconomic status. Throughout this interview, Dr. Hatton’s wife, Jane Hatton, …

Oral History Interview: Anna Casto Hopkins, Anna Casto Hopkins

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Born in Jackson County, West Virginia, Mrs. Anna Hopkins spent most of her life on a farm near Beech Fork, West Virginia. After breaking her hip in 1971, she moved to Ripley, West Virginia, where she was still residing at the time of the interview. Mrs. Hopkins reminisces about her childhood experiences, farm chores, neighborhood gatherings, and holiday celebrations. She also discusses the Depression and the two world wars.

Oral History 2: Lawrence Purdy Somerville, Lawrence Purdy Somerville

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Mr. Somerville lived on a farm near Ravenswood, West Virginia, until age fourteen. He then enlisted in the army and served in the Spanish-American War as a member of the occupational troops in the Phillipines. Subjects he discusses include: life on the farm, medical and educational facilities and opportunities. Mr. Somerville also discusses the reasons for his enlistement into the army at such an early age. At the time of the interview, Mr. Somerville was residing in Vienna, West Virginia.

0015: Avery L. Graybeal Papers, 1881-1919, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Greenbrier Country, West Virginia, resident. Books contain poetry, notes, breeding and work accounts; includes letters and essays.

0023: Theeta Searcy Lyon Papers, 1923-1941, Marshall University Special Collections

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Marshall College home economics professor. Papers consist of prints and original drawings of costumes and dress from Grecian times to 1941. Includes student drawings executed for classes in applied arts at Marshall and a typescript copy of 'History of American Dress as Affected by Politcial, Social, and Economic Conditions,' by Anna C. Wilson.

0042: Mrs. J. W. Wade Letters, 1913-1918, Marshall University Special Collections

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Point Pleasant, West Virginia, resident. One letter describes concert at the Ashland, Kentucky, Christian Church and activities at the needlework guild.

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection, Marshall University Special Collections

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Tape recordings and transcripts of oral interviews with residents in the West Virginia-Ohio-Kentucky Tri-State region regarding such topics as farming, schools, health care, folk customs, and many others related to life in this Appalachian region.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Marshall University Oral History Collection here.

0086: Ellsworth Vachel Bowers, 1887-1938, Marshall University Special Collections

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Former dean of Marshall College of Arts and Sciences (1939-1945); collection contains postcard albums with views of Ohio towns, a photograph album of Portsmouth, Ohio, scenes, notes, books, and a brief history of the Bowers family.

0162: William Maccorkle Letter, Marshall University Special Collections

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William MacCorkle letter to Rankin Wiley, on West Virginia Executive Mansion Letterhead.

0061: Smith Run Methodist Church History Manuscript, 1952, Marshall University Special Collections

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Anonymous history of Smith Run Methodist Church in Lewis County, W.Va. Includes a list of ministers.

0158: Rena Burnett Autograph Book, 1889-1902, Marshall University Special Collections

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Autograph book containing notes addressed to Rena Burnett. Includes hand-drawn illustrations and colored pencil notes. Also included is a newspaper clipping with a photograph that includes the Huntington High School graduating class of 1896, of which Burnett was a member.