Labor History Commons^™

Review Of Richard L. Davis And The Color Line In Ohio Coal: A Hocking Valley Mine Labor Organizer, 1862–1900, By Frans H. Doppen, Cicero Fain

History Faculty Research

Much has been written on union organizers' bitter struggle to establish collective bargaining in the coal mines of central and southern Appalachia during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Mine operators regularly employed deprivation, intimidation, black and white strikebreakers, violence, and murder to enforce their will. Thus, one can imagine the enormity of the challenges facing an African American coal mine labor organizer during this era. Yet, this is the task Richard L. Davis took on "among his 'colored brothers'" in the "microregion known as the Little Cities of Black Diamonds," located in southeastern Ohio's Hocking River Valley (p. …

Historic Huntington Businesses: The Birth Of Huntington, W.Va. 1871-1900, Jack L. Dickinson, Alison K. Summer-Ramirez

Manuscripts

In the post-Civil War period of 1871 to 1900 the newly formed city of Huntington boomed in population and industry. Both immigrants and migrants alike flocked to the growing city which offered not only a fresh start and job opportunities but also educational opportunities such as the local Marshall College. This city’s strategic placement was ideal in that not only was it the halfway point between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, but it was also connected to the rest of the country by the growing railroad and the great Ohio River. These factors allowed for businesses of every want and need to …

Buffalo Soldier, Deserter, Criminal: The Remarkably Complicated Life Of Charles Ringo, Cicero Fain

History Faculty Research

This case study chronicles the remarkably complicated life of Charles Ringo who served nearly two enlistments as a Buffalo Soldier before deserting and embarking on a life of petty crime. It details his military service, his nomadic occupational life, his marriage, his acquittal of two sets of murders--one of his stepsons in West Virginia, the other of a white married couple in Illinois, and the assistance of white authorities who intervened to save and protect Ringo from the predations of angry mobs and racist courts. It situates Ringo’s exploits within the oppositional/alternative nature of African American working-class life, the failure …

What's The New Deal With Marshall? Depression Relief And Higher Education, Hubert Wesley Rolling

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Employing archival research, this study examines the history of the New Deal’s influence on higher education, focusing on Marshall University, at the time Marshall College, from approximately 1932-1940. First, it analyzes the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and National Youth Administration (NYA) student part-time employment program’s impact on the college. Second, it discusses the PWA’s (Public Works Administration) and WPA’s (Works Progress Administration) building programs’ and flood relief efforts’ effect on Marshall. Finally, this study explores the political implications of the New Deal with emphasis on state politics and financial problems and their relationship to Marshall. A study of Marshall …

Poland’S Place In The Soviet Bloc: Historical And Cultural Linkages, Political Transformation, And Everyday Economic Alternatives In Gdańsk And Wałbrzych, Stephen W. Mays

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The aim of this study is to arrive at a holistic understanding of Poland’s place in the Soviet Bloc, 1945 – 1989. Throughout, the study considers historical and cultural linkages between Poland and Russia, drawing parallels and contrasts which have shaped the destinies of both nations. It explains how Poland became part of the Soviet system, the successes and failures of the system, and how common people adapted to and eventually altered the system. Special emphasis is placed on the ‘lived experience’ of the last decade of socialism (1979 – 1989), including oral histories of subsistence economic strategies, black market …

0818: Floyd Hoard Stark And Pitt Hoard Stark Collection, 1820-1970, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Charles Brooks Hoard, known as C. B. Hoard within the collection, served in the New York State Assembly from 1837-1838, was Jefferson County Clerk from 1844-1846, and was elected to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1857-1861. During the American Civil War, Hoard attempted to patent the Watertown Musket and was contracted by the federal government to manufacture the muskets for the war effort. C. B. Hoard partnered with Eli Thayer in the development of Ceredo, Virginia, now Ceredo, West Virginia. Thayer, who had hopes of establishing a colony in Ceredo to …

0803: Roy Hatton Collection, 1935-1966, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a 1935 diploma from Huntington High School, an appointment certificate as the Acting Postmaster dated 1965, and one appointment certificate as Postmaster for 1966, certified by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

0809: John Taylor Collection, 1969-2007, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Mr. Taylor is an attorney from Charleston, WV that fought for the legal and labor rights of workers across the United States. The majority of the people that Taylor represented were members of unions, including both the United Auto Workers [UAW] and the United Mine Workers of America [UMWA]. Taylor's clients fought to secure access to health benefits and the improvement of working conditions. A large portion of the collection centers on Black Lung cases in West Virginia. In 1982, Taylor and his colleagues organized a group of clients to travel to Washington, D.C. in order to attend the Black …

0737: George Gunnoe Papers, 1918-1943, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of photographs of Himlerville, the Himler Coal Company town, as well as scanned copies of photographs of 1937 and 1943 flood damage, and a survey book by George H. Gunnoe Jr. containing detailed surveys of Marshall College buildings by engineering students in 1937.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the George Gunnoe Papers, 1918-1943 here.

0720: Washington D.C. Aqueduct Construction Ledger, 1855, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a copy of a 26 page construction ledger from 1855 created while the Washington Aqueduct was under construction. The ledger includes payroll records for bricklayers, masons, and others employed in the construction of the structure. Due to the copied nature of this item, legibility can be limited.

A Union Man: The Life Of C. Frank Keeney, Charles Belmont Keeney Iii

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The problem with West Virginia is that it is not controlled by West Virginians. For over a century coal operators, who do not make this state their home but rather the source of their income, have controlled the destiny of West Virginia and its people. The native mountaineers, unaware of the wealth beneath their feet, were either scattered throughout the state or became coal miners themselves. Since that time all West Virginians, not merely coal miners or former land owners, have been subjected to the will of out of state companies because they not only control the mines and the …

0700: Etna Iron Works Ledger, 1876-1878, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a copy of an approximately 352 page payroll ledger for Etna Iron Works, based in Lawrence County, Ohio. Names of each person being paid are at the top of each page with payments being remitted listed on the page itself. Notes from the person who copied the ledger transcribe some names. Due to the copied nature of this item, legibility is limited. The original ledger is listed as being in the Briggs Public Library in Ironton, Ohio.

0660: Matewan Development Center, Inc., 1989-1995, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of 105 oral histories conducted at the behest of the Matewan Development Center, Inc.. Oral histories are on cassette tapes and include transcripts of the oral histories and floppy disks with some of the transcripts saved on them. The oral histories focus on Matewan history, especially labor issues and conflicts surrounding the Matewan Massacre as well as customs and life in Matewan.

0634: Cary Howard Rayburn Papers, 1804-1985, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Point Pleasant, West Virginia, teacher. Papers consist primarily of letters written to Mrs. Rayburn from West Virginia state legislators regarding her lobbying efforts to raise teacher retirement benefits. Includes material related to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of 1812, and local history of Point Pleasant and Mason Co., West Virginia.

0429: Marguerite Bias Williams Spears Papers, 1979-1982, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Ohio resident; papers relate to her career as a secretary and member of Professional Secretaries International.

0435: Edna Duckworth Typescript, 1984-1996, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

"A Black History of Huntington", includes comments by and material from Nelson L. Barnett Jr. "Ramblings of a Scorched Soul" was added to this collection later.

0393: Phi Alpha Theta, Gamma Chi Chapter, Marshall University, 1815-1967, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Miscellaneous business records: attendance record of Order of Railroad Engineers, 1908-1967; Petit Brothers Electric Company ledger, 1920-1931; and a journal from the Scofield establishment, 1815-1820.

Labor Violence In The Southern West Virginia Coal Fields, Mingo And Logan Counties 1919-1921, Henry Hagon Hodges

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The preoccupation of the American federal government involving the eventual defeat of Imperial Germany helped generate an unprecedented growth in the United Mine Workers of America. Traditional antagonists recognized a temporary truce in the struggle to unionize America’s labor force during World War I as the Wilson administration and the leaders of organized labor avoided confrontations that would disrupt the war effort. Because of the absence of federal regulations the United Mine Workers of America finally managed to gain recognition among the majority of the nation's coal miners during the war. Organized in 1890, the UMWA had 20,000 members out …

0215: Chicago, Parkersburg, And Norfolk Railroad Of Virginia Records, 1887, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a ledger in which the only contents are the incorporation papers of the Chicago, Parkersburg, and Norfolk Railroad of Virginia signed by Isaac Scott, G. B. Gibbens, and S. F. Shaw of West Virginia, and W. M. Morse and W. W. Lucas of Ohio and Covington, Virginia.

Oral History Interview: James A. Harmon, James A. Harmon

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

James A. Harmon was born in 1890 on his grandfather’s farm outside of Red House, WV. Mr. Harmon reminiscences about his childhood growing up on a 350-acre farm. He earned a sixth grade education at a two-room schoolhouse. When he was 14 years old, Mr. Harmon started his career on the river on the Steamer Calvert. During his interview, Mr. Harmon focuses on his varied jobs on many steamboats. Although he performed well in all of his duties, his greatest passion was engineering. He received his engineer’s license when he was 21 years old. In the audio clip provided, …

Oral History Interview: James G. Matthews, James G. Matthews

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

James G. Matthews was a jack-of-all-trades. He worked as a coal miner for James C. Coal Company, worked for United Fuel Gas Company, the Nickel Plant, and as a mail courier. He also performed as part of a singing quartet. Mr. Matthews was born on May 30, 1902. He grew up on a farm near East Lynn, WV. After the death of his mother, Mr. Matthews attended elementary school on a part-time basis in order to work on the family farm. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Matthews discusses alcohol consumption and moonshine stills in East Lynn. During his interview, …

Oral History Interview: Burl Collins, Burl Collins

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Burl Collins was born on October 25, 1903. He was raised in McDowell County, West Virginia. When he was 15 years old, he started his first job in a coal mine. He worked in this mine for 33 years. Mr. Collins married and had 11 children, including eight girls and three boys. He discusses the social, economic, and technological changes during his lifetime. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Collins discusses his wedding and marriage.

Oral History Interview: Helena Venturino Howell, Helena Venturino Howell

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Helena Venturino Howell was born on September 19, 1913. She was the first child of her family to be born in the United States. Her father emigrated from Italy to Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 16. He first worked as a pin boy in a bowling alley and then took a job on the railroad. Her mother immigrated to Williamson, WV, with Mrs. Howell’s older sister in 1912. Mrs. Howell’s family lived in neighborhood in Williamson comprised primarily of Italians. Her family moved to New Boston, OH, when she was a young girl. During her interview, Mrs. Howell …

Oral History Interview: Edward C. Jackson, Edward C. Jackson

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Edward C. Jackson was born on January 17, 1911, in Canfield, Braxton County, WV. In 1926, he moved to Fenwick, Nicholas County, WV, to pursue jobs in saw mills. In his interview, Mr. Jackson describes in great detail the design and structure of the log home he lived in as a child. He focuses on growing up on a farm and places emphasis on the type of work he did and food preparation and preservation. Mr. Jackson also discusses the tight-knit community in which he was raised. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Jackson discusses working in the lumber industry. …

Oral History Interview: William T. Arnold, William T. Arnold

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

William T. Arnold (Bill Arnold), a Native West Virginian, lived the majority of his life in Clay County. Mr. Arnold spent his early childhood on a farm on Galon Mountain. After the death of his father, Mr. Arnold moved with his family to various towns within Clay County. In 1911, when he was eleven years old, Mr. Arnold started his first job in coal mining, working thirteen hours a night as a water dipper. When he was eighteen years old, Mr. Arnold began working as a postman and delivered mail on a route near the New River, between the towns …

Oral History Interview: Forrest Atkinson, Forrest C. Atkinson

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

During his interview, Forrest Atkinson reminisces about growing up on a farm in Cabell County, West Virginia. His father was a tobacco farmer and timber cutter. He focuses on food preservation processes and home entertainment, including music and books. He also focuses on changes in technology during his lifetime. In the audio clip provided, Mr. Atkinson discusses raising and selling tobacco.

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: Charles R. Knightstep, Charles R. Knightstep

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Charles Knightstep was born in Jackson County, WV, but resided in Mason County WV, for the majority of his life. Mr. Knightstep reminiscences about his life growing up on a farm. He describes the process of drying fruits and vegetables and burying apples and potatoes for use during the winter. He explains how his grandmother and mother made lye soap, cottage cheese, and apple butter. He also describes courting his wife and visiting her by horse and buggy. Mr. Knightstep worked for the Kanawha and Michigan railroad beginning in 1915, when he was 15 years old. He describes the changes …

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

Guides to Manuscript Collections

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.