Heladio "Lalo" Zavala was born in Asherton, Texas. Zavala decided to move to Minnesota to attend Moorhead State College and studied social work and Spanish. He became involved with the Latino community by becoming the chairman of Migrant Health Services, executive director of the Minnesota Migrant Council, and CEO of Midwest Association of Farmworker Organizations. Zavala is married with three children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - Latino culture in Texas - agriculture in
KROC Radio host Butch Morganson broadcasts this episode of the series, "The Hum of Industry" live from the Rochester Fire Station at the corner of Sixth Street and Broadway Avenue. Fire Chief Cecil E. Ginther is interviewed about the daily life of a fireman as they walk through the building describing the various rooms. Also heard are Assistant Chief Frank Adair and Fireman Dan McLaughlin.
This is the recording of an autobiography of Elizabeth Ridenour Arnold. She discusses her arrival in Bemidji in 1898 and the local overreaction to an Objibwe uprising (Battle of Sugar Point) at Leech Lake. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Wellington G. Schroeder discusses his building on Third Street; other buildings that were standing when he built it; his recollection of Guy Remore; the area called Moose; selling out to his brother and starting his own store; early livery barns; some immoral business going on in town, possibly prostitution; how strong he was; a dispute with a man over a bridge; his homestead on Lake Hattie; when he began farming; making a profit in the corn market and flour; building the Winter Block; his idea to introduce hydroelectric power; buying up land along the river; the first electric light plant; going into business with the Warfields; constructing the dam; local brick-making; and being injured in a train wreck.
The multi-part recording is John G. Morrison, Jr., showing a small group his collections, which were the basis for the original BCHS collections. On the tour, he describes a violin that belonged to his father; his collection of pipes; Navajo rugs; his grandfather's snuffbox and wallet; an assortment of drums and their purposes; bowls; a shopping bag; a battle flag; baby boards; snowshoes; a model tipi; a gambling game; tools and utensils; buckskin bags to carry food; a flint-lock musket; lacrosse sticks; war clubs; powder horns; a quiver; the knuckle game; sashes; headdresses; a stick detailing the training of a warrior; necklaces; and tobacco pouches.He discusses headdresses; water drums; grand medicine; beading; what the Ojibwe used before beads; a doll; dancing regalia; a bead sack; the differences between Sioux and Ojibwe beading designs; how different tribes recognized one another; a battle between the Sioux and Ojibwe; how Red Lake got its name; how the Ojibwe tanned leather; a tobacco sack; a shopping bag; a medicine rattle; a deer tail headdress; and the knuckle game. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Several different clips of interviews are present in the first quarter of the recording; the bulk of the recording is an interview with Charlie Wight. The first clip of significant length is an interview with a man, possibly Albert D. Johnson, who tells Vandersluis about the men who helped prepare legislation for the state game preserve. The recording then jumps to an interview between Vandersluis and timber cruiser Charlie Wight. Wight talks about S. C. Bagley's work on the Schoolcraft River, and what other companies Bagley worked for. Then the recording returns to Johnson, about how Lake of the Woods County was also invested in a state game preserve; whether beavers spoiled the ditches; and the boundaries of the game reserve. Finally, Wight discusses how the Wells brothers owned the Brainerd Lumber Company; how Clark and Dempsey sued the Brainerd Lumber Company for damage on a drive; a narrow-gauge railroad built by the Gull River Lumber Company; conversion to standard gauge; working for Irwin and O'Brien; early history of the Duluth and Winnipeg right-of-way; other trails and canoe routes; how the dam affected Lake Winnibigoshish; what other companies he worked for; working for the Crookston Lumber Company; about R. E. White and White and McDevitt; the Freestone boys; Old Man Dixon; how settlers used scrip; bits about early Kelliher; and other early loggers he knew.
An unidentified man discusses when he began working for the Crookston Lumber Company's railroad; the Island Lake railroad; going back and forth to short railroad jobs; the spur to Island Lake; the siding at Spaulding; the trestle near August Becker's house; early Holt; and people he worked with. In Part 2 he recounts a Y in the railroad at Kelliher; hauling logs from the Battle River; where Crookston Lumber Company had a camp near Waskish; hauling logs out of Blackduck Lake; an argument with a straw boss at the Taft II spur; and various railroads and projects.
The recording is an interview with an unkown lumberman who worked near Grand Forks. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Dr. Vandersluis interviews his father, Charles William Vandersluis. Vandersluis discusses a man named Dick Palmer, who had a saloon; when Dick shot a man; when Fred Wightman had his pocketbook stolen at a boarding house; the popularity of gambling; gamblers leaving Bemidji for Nevada in 1915; singer Hank Underwood; when Solway burned down; Sieb Vandersluis, who was a printer in Solway; when Ernie [Flemming or Plummer?]'s logs freed themselves after three years; how Ernie Flemming met his wife; how Ernie made money; a man whose horses froze in Lake Winnibigoshish; how Ernie's daughter got sick with a painful skin ailment; making trips to Canada [to get liquor?]; Joe Markham selling his hotel, then digging a hole to pretend he was building another; Fred Brinkman turning his hotel into a theater; a series of theaters; serving on the building committee for the Elks building; Ernie Flemming helping finance the building; Al Jester and his resort; S. D. [Werks?] bringing in sheep; the area of Guthrie; changes to the city hall building when he was mayor; his memories of Buena Vista; and whether Bemidji put up money to have the terminal of the Red Lake, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad.
This is the recording of a presentation on the history of music in Minnesota presented by an anonymous person. The presenter speaks about music history, sings a song arranged by Frances Densmore in some way representing Ojibwe music, sings a French Canadian voyageur song, and sings a song dating to territorial Minnesota arranged by Bessie Stanchfield called "The Beauty of the West" with the audience joining in. The final part of the recording seems to be Dr. Charles Vandersluis showing the recording device to his family or a private group. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is Dr. Charles Vandersluis interviewing his father, Charles W. Vandersluis (CWV). Vandersluis (CWV) talks about his own father's work as an interpreter at a St. Cloud hardware store; the Red River carts going through St. Cloud; his parents, grandparents, and siblings; their house in St. Cloud; and log drives on the Mississippi. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is an interview with Charlie Wight and unidentified others. Due to glitches in the recording, the content is disjointed, but includes some discussion of snowshoes and possibly horse bridles. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
This is the recording of a presentation on the history of music in Minnesota presented by an anonymous person. The presenter speaks about music history, sings a song arranged by Frances Densmore in some way representing Ojibwe music, sings a French Canadian voyageur song, and sings a song dating to territorial Minnesota arranged by Bessie Stanchfield called "The Beauty of the West" with the audience joining in. The final part of the recording seems to be Dr. Charles Vandersluis showing the recording device to his family or a private group. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Borgerding discusses early non-Catholic churches in the Red Lake area, the Red Lake-Leech Lake Trail, early mills in the Redby area, Moose Dung and the legal battle among his heirs over his land at Thief River Falls, his acquaintance with the Meehan brothers, steamboats on Red Lake, his acquaintance with Joe Jerome, his acquaintance with Bob Neving and his wife, his knowledge of Father Gilfillan, the Episcopal mission west of Cass Lake and the couple who lived there, and biographical information about Father Roman Homar and his great-uncle, Father Pierz.
Thomas Borgerding talks about the logging industry. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is an interview with Father Thomas Borgerding. He discusses whether the Indian agencies are effective; whether he thinks the Ojibwe are more impoverished than the average white family; and whether an increasing number of babies are born out of wedlock and Catholic views related. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The interview is with a man, probably Gus A. Anderson. A woman is also present, possibly a niece. Anderson discusses when he first came up into the Bigfork area for hunting; coming up to claim a homestead with a friend in 1902; how he made money while proving up; the lumber camps he worked for; early Canadians driving the Big Fork River; Busticogan helping ill surveyors; who was logging the Bigfork area in the early 1900s; a hoist at Craig; the Farm Camp logging camp; how they got supplies; where sawmills were; and logging his own timber.
There are at least four men in the group being interviewed, including Harry Carson and Earl Geil, and a man named Warner, probably Carl Warner. Quote attributed to "unkown" may refer to more than one man. One of the unidentified men could be a brother of Geil's, possibly Harry Geil. The group discusses the names of Chief Bemidji's children; the relationship between the Carsons and Chief Bemidji; a man named Hinch sketching Chief Bemidji for a statue; coming to Bemidji before the mill started; whether early Bemidji was safe for women; when the Geil family came to Bemidji; the Geils freighting for the Carsons; the Geils building a house; Geil and McTaggart purchasing the Remore Hotel; about Guy Remore; running the Remore Hotel; fleas, lice and bedbugs; the Markham Hotel; settlers who were in Bemidji before the Geils; hauling in a boiler from Park Rapids; working at the Steidl mills; the Swedback mill; about Warner's travels from North Dakota by covered wagon; Earl Geil stopping Willis Brannon's runaway team; their memories of the local panic about the Leech Lake uprising; when a group of Ojibwe raided a liquor delivery; the mission between Lake Andrusia and Cass Lake; the city opera house; early doctors, hospitals, and smallpox; the origin of the Bemidji fire department; and the fire on Whiskey Row. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
John G. Morrison, Jr., discusses the location of the Ponemah school, meeting his wife, Edith E. MacArthur; arriving at Ponemah school; the struggle to get the school supplied and started; about smallpox epidemic around 1901; a battle between Ojibwe and Sioux tribes; what the schoolchildren wore; how Ponemah got its name; a federal lawsuit he filed; his father's store and business practices; his allotment and homestead; and swamp land. In the second portion of the recording, Morrison and a small group of unidentified others discusss his own homestead and ditching around Upper red Lake.
John G. Morrison, Jr. describes grand medicine item; how Fosston relocated; about Beaulieu family; family relative being near Hole-in-the-Day when he died; father's friendship with Hole-in-the-Day; death of Helen MacArthur and lynching; Red River Trail; Red and Leech Lake trails; other local trails; getting supplies to Ponemah School; how Ojibwe handled being responsible for a death; and style of houses around Ponemah in 1900. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
John G. Morrison, Jr., discusses a canoe trail to Winnipeg; part of a voyageur's travel account, explaining why General Pike mislabeled the source of the Mississippi; his ancestors' voyageur activity; some of his siblings' birthplaces; what Red Lake was like in 1893; a "beau gang" or hobos; how Ponemah got its name; stopping place owner Truman Warren and his wife; the distances between cities and stopping places; the area known as Fowlds; steamboats on Red Lake; the Nelson Act; and the origins of the Red Lake Game Preserve. Morrison then discusses the origins of the Red Lake Game Preserve; A. E. Andrews' model farm north of Waskish and boat service for settlers; ditch liens; how Native American land was settled after the Nelson Act; how timber companies worked together to buy cheaper timber land; Page Morris's effort to move from estimators to bank scales; how lumber companies took advantage of settlers selling timber; Native Americans who had lived around Lake of the Woods; whether the people at Pembina were Ojibwe; the Ojibwe reservations; trust patents; whether Allan Jourdain loaned an old Hudson Bay building to the Catholic school; how they kept a fire burning overnight while hauling freight; logging on the Mud River; the Meehans' logging activities; and Episcopal missionaries. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Morrison discusses his arrival at the Ponemah school; orders from the agency to break up Native American customs; a smallpox epidemic at Ponemah; and a doctor teaching him to pull teeth, establishing a post office at Ponemah; a storm that left a windfall of trees in the early 1900s; memories of Billy Burce; the dock at Ponemah; vaccinating people against smallpox; the lack of law and order; steamboats and other boats on Red Lake; A. E. Andrews' attempts to settle Upper Red Lake; Morrison's opinion of how the government handles its interactions with Native Americans; gardening habits of the Red Lake Ojibwe; the decline of basket weaving and beadwork on the Red Lake Reservation; local produce theft; his opinion on compelling families to garden; his opinion on the work ethic of Native Americans; and his opinion on the quality of education provided to Native American children; his opinions about reducing economic support for Native Americans; resources available to Native Americans on the reservations; the fishing industry on the Red Lake Reservation; early staff members at the Ponemah school; his store, Chippewa Trading, at Red Lake; early law enforcement on the reservation; his time as a traveling salesman; his time at Nett Lake; his time at Onigum, including WPA work; whether Native Americans can get jobs; Native American population in the Twin Cities, and the regulations and challenges for traders on reservations. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
John G. Morrison, Jr., shows a group some of his collection, tells them about his forefathers who were among the earliest European settlers in Minnesota; and reads a list of family births and deaths. Morrison then discusses his family and their move from Crow Wing to White Earth; when he first came to Red Lake and his movements before settling in Ponemah; the trail to Detroit Lakes; steamboats on Red Lake; the remainder of his freighting betweeen White Earth and Detroit Lakes; his recollections of early Bemidji and Chief Bemidji; a legend of Nanabozho; the earliest settlements at Red Lake; a local caucus in 1894; a pipe he received from a grave near an Episcopal church; "Grandma How" Josette Jourdain Warren How; early settlers on Upper Red Lake; and early Catholic priests. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Kate Hines Erickson is interviewed by an unknown man with Dr. Charles Vandersluis present. Vandersluis refers to man with something rhyming with "rig," possibly Marvin J. Briggs of the Bemidji Pioneer. Erickson discusses where her parents were from and when and where they settled; how her uncle conceived of the Farmer-Hines Railroad; her recollection of the land as a child; her early work for the Crookston Lumber Company; being transferred to Shevlin-Hixon at Blind River, Ontario; whether she remembered the Bemidji mill; the 1924 fire at the Bemidji mill; where lumber milled at Bemidji came from; working for Weyerhaeuser for 9 years; how much lumber Minnesota produced; where Leonard Carpenter might be; how the plant's closing affected Bemdiji; jobs that she said native people preferred; how the Canadian lumber company hired eastern Europeans to build the mill; and Finnish nobility who came to Canada to learn the trade. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is a multi-part interview with Sam Dolgaard, early resident of Saum area. Dolgaard talks about the location of Saum, the Matsons donating land for a school; Matson's sawmill; the election of 1903; the names of various Saum residents; whether Foy had a Post office; and starting a post office at Saum; scouting out his land prior to homesteading; arriving at Battle River, where Joe Jerome had a store and post office; his work contracting with logging companies; switching to work in scaling; building the Battle River dam; where he got materials to build his house; working for the Thief River Falls Lumber Company; wildfires; his recollection of J. J. Upsahl; timber moving from Funkley to Kelliher by railroad; the cedar business; how Kelliher got its name; early residents of Woodrow and Battle townships; what the area looked like when he arrived; getting merchandise from Golden and Thompson in Blackduck; what livestock they brought to Saum; and early schools. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The first part of the recording was made August 1, 1951, in St. Paul. Ralph Carson interviews his father, Joseph Evan Carson, about when his mother died; and where his parents came from. Ralph then reads the flyleaf of the Pondsfordian, by Reverend Benno Watrin, regarding some Carson family history. Evan then talks about the names of his family; their leaving Carsonville; when and where his brothers started their stores where they got their stock; when and where his father built a stopping place; the Beltrami Eagle; his mother's hotel; early Bemidji buildings; earliest Bemidji residents; the Alex Cameron family as the first family at their hotel; memories of Chief Bemidji; where the first school was and early teachers; receiving Chief Bemidji's gun from Mary Carson; and the swimming hole. Evan's wife, Jennie Newell Carson, makes a few suggestions. The recording then transitions to an interview of Evan Carson by Dr. Charles Vandersluis in Bemidji. Carson describes some photographs; street grading; unmarked burials; lumberjacks trying to protect their money; his father serving as probate judge. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Reverend Samuel Blair discusses when and how he first came to Bemidji; what Bemidji looked like when he arrived; the service he held the first night he arrived; the timeline of his work; the first Presbyterian church in Bemidji; patroness Mrs. Cyrus H. McCormick; the first ministers; services in tents; his memories of Chief Bemidji; memories of Reverend Frank Higgins; his service in Buena Vista; his service in Nebish; the Presbyterian church in Kelliher; Higgins' sled dogs; and the Bemidji overreaction to the uprising at Leech Lake. In the next part of the recording, Blair discusses his recollection of Moose; when Malzahn building was finished; when the Northern Hotel was finished; the territories that he and Dr. Adams covered; whether any Sunday Schools have persisted without parent churches; how modern roads are changing church-going habits; why he quit the American Sunday School Union; his personal background; his blacksmith work in lumber camps; and working his way through Moody Institute. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
In the first section of the four-part recording, Roy Bailey discusses the owners of the Red Lake railroad having found iron there; his arrival at Redby and the condition of the railroad then; how that railroad used to dump logs into the lake; how they loaded logs onto the train; Molander's background; early challenges with the Crookston Lumber Company; where logs hauled to Bemidji were landed; the railroad's ownership of a steamboat, the Michael Kelly; summer excursions to Red Lake from Bemidji; what early Redby was like; the relationship between the railroad and the post office in Redby; friends from Wahpeton telling him that Red Lake was a hard country; selling partridges to out-of-towners at a profit; trouble with a man named Joe Jourdain; and annoyances with cattle running wild in Redby area. Next, Bailey discusses a dispute between Newman and Pat Cassin; a prank he pulled on Charlie Vandersluis and Bill Browning; the layout of the Redby depot; stops and fares along the railroad; government waste in shipping items to the school at Ponemah; when Captain Eberhard gave him a boat; memories of the boat the J. P. K.; a description of the steamboat the Mudhen; what happened to some of the steamboats; the background of the Thief River Falls Lumber Company; the first automobile in Redby; local saw mills; memories of A. C. Goddard; the robbery at Puposky; and killing bedbugs at the depot. There are two additional portions of the recording.
Four part interview with surveyor Euclid "Ernie" Bourgeois discusses the logging industry, S.C. Bagley, spur 75, Red Lake steamers, platting and civil engineering, recollections of Farley and Turtle River, histories of local railroads, Markham Hotel, and early Bemidji saloons' involvement with railroads. In part 2, Bourgeois discusses his early memories of Bemidji and Buena Vista, early Bemidji infrastructure, platting and civil engineering, Marcus D. Stoner, the town site of Turtle, and his work on spur 75. In later portions, Bourgeois discusses the evaluation of local land for dairy production and/or clover or seed; logging on Clearwater River; his experience with the Brainerd Lumber Company near LaSalle Lake and log unloading during winter; whether logs were driven on the Mississippi; spreading clover seed on drive to Baudette; name of cruisers for whom creeks might be named; knowledge of surveyor Thomas H. Croswell, plats of small settlements in the area; naming of Buena Vista and plats of Tenstrike, Hidewood, Kelliher, Funkley, and Dexter; the Red Lake Transportation Company; how Bemidji business owners chipped in to induce a railroad to come to town; surveying for a railroad near the Blakeslee farm; breaking out to survey on his own; recollection of the Delphine post office; the Red Lake-Leech Lake trail; early history of Lavinia; platted communities of Jens Opsahl; early history of Grand Forks Bay; and comparing old Nebish to modern Nebish.
Otterstad recounts when he first came to Beltrami County; his recollections on early Bemidji and its settlers, early Fosston, Leech Lake-Red Lake trail used by Native Americans, early mills, steamboats, homsteading, log transportation on Mississippi River, and Tom Joy.
Fred Cyr discusses biographical information; memories of logging drives on the Clearwater River when he was a child; how logging drives worked; his experience toting supplies for J.C. Parker; what wanigans were like; how logs were sorted; and the role of the swamper. The recording continues with Cyr's experience in logging industry; when Cyr's father came to Red Lake Falls; locations of high and low water on the Clearwater River; his experience in a logging camp in winter; how lumberjacks dealt with lice; delays at a sorting gap; his experience with Native American loggers; logging near Cass Lake; and whether logs were transported on the Mississippi River. In the final portion of the recording, Cyr discusses logging at Portage Lake near Bena; how logs were hoisted onto trains near Cass Lake; getting injured as a lumberjack; driving on the river, possibly Clearwater; knowledge of J. C. Parker; how lumberjacks ate; the contents of some unidentified photographs; and fishing on the Battle River. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Chippewa Region Historical Society; Beltrami County Historical Society
Date Created:
1952-11-11
Description:
The recording is a joint meeting of the Chippewa Region Historical Society and BCHS on Oct 11, 1952, at the Catholic High School; Dr. Charles Vandersluis provides the initial voiceover; a woman talks about two Ojibwe women she knew who were students at a boarding school; a man speaks about the Ojibwe men who studied under Bishop Whipple; another man speaks about Joseph Renville; John G. Morrison, Jr., speaks about the Battle at Sugar Point. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is presentation before the BCHS about the history of the Red Lake fisheries with John G. Morrison, Jr., and an unnamed fishery employee. Morrison explains how the Ojibwe kept fish for winter use; and how he helped write a bill regulating the fishing industry on Red Lake. Morrison discusses consulting with state officials to get the fisheries set up. The unnamed fishery employee discusses a lawsuit in 1927 accusing the state of participating in a competitive enterprise; the first board of directors; total fish produced; condition of fish; fishing nets; types of fish in the lake; the current number of participating fishermen and employees; how Native Americans get paid; decreasing demand for whole fish; how fish are shipped; how much ice they harvest; the threat of the lamprey eel; and a cash journal in his possession from the fisheries in 1919. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Carson, Joseph Evan; Falls, Jack; Falls, Vera; Carson, Mary; Carson, Eva
Date Created:
1953-03
Description:
The first part of the recording is a group interview with Joseph Evan Carson and family. Those speaking include Evan Carson; his wife Jennie (Newell) Carson; their daughter Leonore (Carson) Gardner; and Leonore's husband, Gordon Gardener. They discuss Chief Bemidji's real name; where Chief Bemidji's family went to after Bemidji started to grow; Chief Bemidji's children; Chief Bemidji's death; the Carson Brothers' trading posts and how they started; Jessie Carson hauling mail and El Carson as first postmaster; the Carsons' homesteads; Bemidji's first school; the first brickyard; a Bemidji swimming hole; Harry Geil's dairy; who owned Bemidji townsite; Evan Carson learning printing business; origins of Beltrami Eagle; Mrs. Carson building a hotel; where Willis Brannon had his first hardware store; early schools and teachers; Mrs. Carson selling out to Charlie [Miles?]; and Evan Carson's pet bear cubs. Then members of Evan Carson family record greetings to family of Mary Carson. The next part of the recording is an interview with Jack and Vera Falls of Mission, Texas. They discuss a group of photos; Bank of Bemidji; Charlie Schroeder and his building; when Vera began teaching and her schoolhouse. They discuss a group of photos; what Charlie Schroeder's business sold; early Bemidji fire department and loss of Rex Hotel; Vera's family arrival in Bemidji; memories of John Smith; beginning of Falls and Cameron Store; where Vera taught school; the town pump in Bemidji; and the background of Judge Spooner. The final portion of the recording is an interview with Mary Carson, widow of El and daughter of Chief Bemidji, with her daughter, Eva Carson Woodson. Carson discusses where Chief Bemidji was born; who her brothers and sisters were; whether there was a Native American village on the south shore of Lake Bemidji; where they lived in summer and winter; what foods her family ate; making maple sugar; her father making canoes; how they harvested rice; why Chief Bemidji went to the eventual Bemidji area; the first white settlers; what they bought from the Carson brothers; when she was born and where she was registered; how much they got for rice, sugar, and hides; whether her brother Canoe took over after her father's death; a group of photographs; and about Eva's schoolhouse. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Vandersluis speaks with Charlie Wight, timber cruiser, on March 14, 1953, in the doctor's office. Wight talks about where he was born; his family's move to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; lumbering activity in Western Wisconsin; whether there were any Native Americans living at Chippewa Falls; birch bark canoes on the Chippewa River; his grandfather helping install the first turbine wheel at the Chippewa River; his grandfather helping install the first turbine wheel at the Chippewa Falls mill; the reaches of the Weyerhaeuser company; how they moved lumber down river by rafts; brailing logs; and pool companies that took over on the Mississippi. Wight then discusses working as a cookee at a camp in Wisconsin; driving a one-horse tram car at the mill; where men from the mills went in the winter; toting supplies; learning the timber estimating business as a compass man with Billy Woods; how they travelled to the land they were cruising; supplies they packed; what areas they cruised; finding section corners scribed into trees; seeing the Red Lake-Leech Lake trail and other trails; what they saw on the north shore of Lake Bemidji; a bridge near Lake Andrusia and any other bridges; about the Farmer-Hines railroad; where he went after that first trip; mills and bridges at Brainerd; the Gull River Lumber Company's narrow gauge railroad; other cruising jobs; and early fires. Next, Wight discusses his acquaintances with Marcus D. Stoner and Sam Dolgaard; some logging operations around Turtle River; Dan Freeman logging at Long Lake; Freeman and Gray splitting up; where Bagley started working for Walker; about S. C. Bagley; Bagley's nephew, Buzzle; where logs went from Mallard Lake; and which loggers collaborated. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Photographer Niels Hakkerup discusses how he first came to Bemidji; his acquaintance with Chief Bemidji; taking photographs in lumber camps; his first studio on Third Street; where he got his equipment and training; photographing the Catholic church on Third Street; doing corporate work; burning his hand with magnesium; photographing lumberjacks; and a popular photograph of old John Smith. Hakkerup then discusses a photograph of Little Cloud published in the Minneapolis Journal; Charles W. Vandersluis interjects with a story about Long John dying of diphtheria; an award-winning photo of Mrs. Danielson; other award-winning photographs; a photograph of a young Ojibwe man standing on the shore with his bow in the air; and the lumber waste of undersized trees. He also identies a number of phograph subjects. One background speaker might be Dr. Vandersluis's father, Charles W. Vandersluis. At one point. Dr. Vandersluis addresses his brother, Angus.
Van House recalls businesses in Kelliher, Cann and Whitting, Beltrami Timber Company, toting freight from Solway to Red Lake, homestead rush after reservation opening, Bob Nevins, and many various lumber companies and their camps in the Kelliher area; Joe Jerome's post office at Battle River; when he homesteaded; the locations of Craig's Hotel, Linnon's saloon, and other saloons and businesses in Kelliher; a flowing well near Foy; and the steamboat Dahlburg, on which he ran the engine for three years. The woman speaking in the interview is probably is his wife, Catherine Van House. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Charlie Wight discusses first meeting the McAllister brothers; cruising Balsam Lake with McAllister; his memories of a woodsman named William Taft; the Taft spurs; a spur from Red Lake to Lake Julia and the logging around Lake Julia; hoisting logs out of Mud Lake; what determined whether a company would trestle or hoist logs; Scanlon-Gipson operations around Little Turtle Lake in 1901-1902; his acquaintance with Dave Conners; Irwin and O'Brien landing logs in Whitefish Lake; where lumber was sawed; the first road into Funkley; whether he saw any Native Americans living around Bemidji early on; whether he noticed old native trails; the names of different portages; scouting out homesteads; early logging by the Keewatin Company; the equipment his outfit used on their trips; trying to find a folding-up oven to demonstrate baking biscuits; the length of his first cruising trip; where else he cruised; how Weyerhaeuser moved his timber to Little Falls; the type of ties used for an inland logging railroad; the operation at Cross Lake; how moving logs by rail is like portaging; the amount of timber in the Cross Lake area; who he worked for after leaving Weyerhaeuser and Billy Woods; buying his own timber; losing almost everything in the Panic of 1932; about his family; what he did after the panic; his knowledge of Billy Woods; and his method of cruising. Then Wight discusses how he burnt slash; trying to talk another cruiser out of burning in poor conditions; how state policies hindered safe burning conditions; claims that were heavily timbered, and buyers who sold low; cruising for Clerk of Court Rasmussen; his health; a tree scale table by Frank Hasty; Frank Hasty; his sight; where the best timber was; whether you drive timber from Clearwater to Winnipeg in a year; Eau Claire area timer companies; the interviewer briefly tells about Weyerhaeuser difficulties north of Grand Rapids; Wight's visit at Cloquet; value of stumpage. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is a tour by John G. Morrison, Jr., of items he donated to the BCHS, before a small group. Morrison discusses baby boards; snowshoes; an item that depicts the life of a Sioux hunter and warrior; war clubs; a tomahawk; a Paiute root that was chewed; a doll; moccasins; dancing regalia; several pipes; tobacco pouches; and grand medicine paraphernalia. In the middle of the recording, a man is singing Native American (probably Ojibwe) songs. Brown Oak Grove could be the man singing or drumming. Morrison discusses headdresses; the knuckle game; dancing regalia; a water drum; and other drums. Next, one man is singing Native American songs; either the same man or another person is drumming. One of the songs was written by Robert Gibbs about his son, who died in World War II. Finally, a man demonstrates a water drum and Morrison answers a few questions. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Father Thomas Borgerding discusses the first year of the boarding school; enforcing the English-only rule among students; translating letters for people; disease; early doctors; Ojibwe healers; how old the Red Lake settlement was; wildfires; timber on the reservation; other missionaries; how many people spoke English when he arrived; local chiefs; and the Moose Dung section of Thief River Falls and the legal battle around it; lumber drives on the Thief River and Clearwater River; early Redby; the Red Lake Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad; early Buena Vista; the Red Lake-Leech Lake trail by canoe; his visit to Leech Lake; where Bugonaygeshig lived; his memory of the Battle of Sugar Point; and his opinion of the character of the Red Lake Ojibwe.
Father Thomas Borgerding discusses where he was born; where his parents came from; his family; when and why they came to Minnesota; his first school in Minnesota; the national secularization of public schools; what languages they spoke at school; his years at St. John's University; training for the priesthood; about his order; going to his first parish at Millerville; his abbott appointing him to mission work; first arrival at Red Lake; and their first church building, the nuns who first came to Red Lake; the nuns' first attempt at a day school in 1888; where the Ojibwe families had sugar camps; financial assistance from the Drexel sisters; whether the church owned its land; how they got lumber to build church buildings; the other government school; the role of missionaries in ""civilizing"" Native Americans; changes in school funding over time; the school's dairy farm; and his role at the school.
Otterstad discusses his family's arrival in the Turtle River area in 1900; the early buildings of Turtle River; the logging industry; the town of Farley; the Red Lake-Leech Lake Indian trails; and early Turtle River newspapers. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
This is the recording of a presentation on the history of music in Minnesota presented by an anonymous person. The presenter speaks about music history, sings a song arranged by Frances Densmore in some way representing Ojibwe music, sings a French Canadian voyageur song, and sings a song dating to territorial Minnesota arranged by Bessie Stanchfield called "The Beauty of the West" with the audience joining in. The final part of the recording seems to be Dr. Charles Vandersluis showing the recording device to his family or a private group. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is John G. Morrison, Jr., providing a tour of a museum in Bemidji, featuring artifacts he donated, probably to members of the Beltrami County Historical Society. On the tour, he describes a violin that belonged to his father; his collection of pipes; Navajo rugs; his grandfather's snuffbox and wallet; an assortment of drums and their purposes; bowls; a shopping bag; a battle flag; baby boards; snowshoes; a model tipi; a gambling game; tools and utensils; buckskin bags to carry food; a flint-lock musket; lacrosse sticks; war clubs; powder horns; a quiver; the knuckle game; sashes; headdresses; a stick detailing the training of a warrior; necklaces; and tobacco pouches. The tour continues as he describes necklaces; ladies' gowns; a beaded sack; a skirt; a doll; a necklace made of human bones; ladies' shopping bags; more beaded sacks; leggings; gloves; a dancing costume; a display of sugar-making equipment; baskets; birchbark floral designs; moccasins; belts; moose hides; sweet grass blankets; grand medicine bags and paraphernalia; and drums of medicine men. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is a 90th birthday celebration for John G. Morrison, Jr., probably featuring members of the Beltrami County Historical Society. Morrison's birthday was October 30, 1963; he died less than three months later. The recording may have been made by Dr. Charles Vandersluis. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The first part of the interview features Laura Carson Moore, daughter of El and Mary Carson and granddaughter of Chief Bemidji. Moore talks about her parents' names, when and where she was born, how her parents met, her family, her childhood, her family's move to Texas, how she met her husband, their golden wedding anniversary, her Ojibwe grandparents, her grandfather drinking, trying to find their homestead, her Carson grandparents, her pet deer, her grandchildren, any artifacts she owns, and how quickly her mother forgot the Ojibwe language. The second part of the interview features Moore's cousin, Ralph Carson. Carson dicusses his history, his early memories fishing, his aunt Jessie Carson Spain and her family, his father's pet bears, and his father stealing feathers out of Chief Bemidji's headdress. Other people during the interview include Moore's husband, William Moore, their daughter Eva Mae Moore Long, Carson's wife Grace White Carson, and a secondary interviewer possibly Theo Johnson. The final part of the recording features Ralph Carson, son of Evan Carson. Carson discusses family stories of his grandmother, Susannah Carson, scaring away a bear and making bread from horse feed; family artifacts; and his family history in newspaper work. Other people present during the interview include his cousin Laura Carson Moore, her husband William Moore, their daughter Eva Mae Moore Long, and a secondary interviewer, possibly Theo Johnson. Carson's wife, Grace White Carson, also briefly speaks about her own family; her memories of Susannah Carson, and two of Susannah Carson's platters.
Albert G. Minda was born July 30, 1895, in Holton, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1918, did postgraduate work at the Universities of Chicago, Columbia and Minnesota, and was ordained rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1919. He served as rabbi at Temple Beth El in South Bend, Indiana, from 1919 to 1922, when he became rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. He was granted an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1947 by the Hebrew Union College. In 1963 he was appointed Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Israel. He died in 1977. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Personal history, including his education, early rabbinical duties in Indiana, marriage and writing - history and development of Temple Israel - the Jewish community in Minneapolis, Talmud Torah, Jewish charity and community services - anti-Semitism and the status of Jews in Minneapolis - duties of a rabbi - and his travels, lectures and participation in Jewish and inter-faith organizations. COMENTS ON INTERVIEW: MHS received the interview material in 1972 from Mrs. Nathan Berman of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service.
Rabbi David Aronson's father was from White Russia, and his mother was from Latvia. Aronson was born in White Russia and came to the United States with his family at age eleven. The family lived on New York's East Side. Aronson went to day school for one year, then high school, college and seminary. He became a rabbi at Beth El Synagogue in Minneapolis in September of 1924. At the time of the interview he was professor of rabbinics in the graduate school of the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The 1924 replacement of crosses by Stars of David on markers along Victory Memorial Drive for Jewish soldiers killed in World War I - family history - Jews living on Minneapolis's North Side - first impressions of Minneapolis - the status of Jews in the community - and Jewish organizations including Beth El, Talmud Torah, and Menorah and Hillel at the University of Minnesota. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: MHS received the interview material in 1972 from Mrs. Nathan Berman of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service.
In an oral history, Bill Van Essen talks about his family's restaurant, Van's Cafe, which was a Brainerd landmark. He also discusses other lone-gone Brainerd restaurants, and how eating out and the business community has evolved.
In an oral history, Ed Ruttger tells of his father, who came from Germany and was a machinist, got started in the resort business on Bay Lake near Deerwood, and his family's involvement.
Lawrence Arnesen interviews Henry Asmus on commercial fishing in the first half of the 20th century on Lake of the Woods with a focus on Long Point and Rocky Point. Later they discuss steamboats which traveled on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River.
Anna Lee (Mrs. Maurice) Wolff was born in Minneapolis in 1886. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1908 and married Maurice Wolff in 1909. In 1914 she was the first president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Temple of Aaron. In 1918 she was a founder of the local organization of the National Council of Jewish Women, and for two terms she was president of the Minneapolis World Affairs Council. At the time of the interview she had been a member of a local writers' group for twenty-five years. Maurice Wolff was born in Minneapolis in 1884. His parents were very active in Temple Shore Tov (later Temple Israel). He graduated from high school in 1902 and went to work for the Rothchild advertising agency about five days later. He worked there until 1919, when he went to work in his wife's family's business. Later he was business editor of Lancet Publications, which included the medical journal Lancet. Wolff was president of the Jewish welfare board during World War I and was active in Masonry and skating. He was also a member of the board for Family and Children's Services of Hennepin County and lectured in advertising at the University of Minnesota, College of St. Thomas, and local business colleges. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Anna Lee Wolff--her early life in Minneapolis - activities in public and religious affairs - general absence of anti-Semitism - and her pacifist beliefs. Maurice Wolff--his career in advertising - interests in skating and social clubs - community service - and an absence of anti-Semitism. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: MHS received the interview material in 1972 from Mrs. Nathan Berman of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service. The interview consists of two parts: part one is an interview with Anna Lee Wolff, and part two is an interview with Maurice Wolff.
Moses Barron was born in Russia in 1883, son of a Hebrew scholar. He came to the United States in 1888 and lived on a farm in Stevens County. Barron attended elementary school in Fargo, North Dakota, and in 1911 he graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He served in France in World War I, married in 1919 and has four children. Barron taught and practiced medicine in Minneapolis until 1964, when he moved to Los Angeles. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Childhood, including his father's immigration and peddling of tinware from New York to Minneapolis, and finally farming in Stevens County - hard life on the farm - education at the University of Minnesota - teaching and practicing medicine, including work on pancreas secretions and on pathology - visitors to his home in Minneapolis, including doctors and Jewish scholars - Jewish literary and cultural organizations - an editorial in the Minneapolis Star - and his move to Los Angeles and his life in that area. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Barron speaks very slowly. It is more a narrative than an oral history interview. MHS received the interview material in 1972 from Mrs. Nathan Berman of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service.
The promotional audio describes Bethel College and Seminary campuses, academic and extra-curricular opportunities, and encourages listeners to support Bethel financially.
Contributing Institution:
The History Center, Archives of Bethel University and Converge Worldwide - BGC
Interview with Lee H. Johnson. Lee was born January 23, 1894 in a sod house in Windom, Minnesota. He describes his life in the Army during World War I in 1918. He went to work for Coca-Cola in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1924. His first car had the Coca-Cola trademark painted on it. He later opened a Coca-Cola bottling operation in 1936 in Alexandria, Minnesota. In 1952, he opened Sun-Rise Corporation bottling company. He discusses the funding of the Runestone Museum in 1958. He was also involved in the establishment of the television station in 1958. Lee also served as the president of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in 1955.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University librarians Norman Clarke and Lawrence Busse on February 14, 1974, February 25, 1975, November 26, 1975, and February 18, 1976, Harvey Waugh discussed his family background and a wide range of topics related to St. Cloud State. Born in Clarksville, Iowa, in 1902, Waugh worked at the Iowa State Teacher's College before offered a position at St. Cloud State by President George Selke. Waugh described how different things were when he first came to St. Cloud State, and how there was a great lack of organization, of departments, and of staff, along with very poor buildings. Other faculty members are also discussed including presidents George Selke, Dudley Brainard, and George Budd, music faculty Helen Grime, Roger Barrett, and Helen Hulls, also Amy Dale of English, who wrote the lyrics of the school hymn which Waugh set to music. Waugh talked about the various buildings that were part of campus in his early years here. He discussed Eastman Hall, as well as the wonderful Christmas parties that were held in Shoemaker Hall, by invitation. Other aspects of campus living are touched upon, including Mrs. Alice Whitney's presence, being head of a men's dorm, and Quonset huts. He mentioned Selke's great oratorical ability, especially in convincing young people from the Iron Range to come to St. Cloud State. Waugh discussed St. Cloud State president George Budd and his reputation at the university. Waugh described the various programs and plays he helped produce during his time at St. Cloud State, from ""South Pacific"" to ""West Side Story."" He mentioned taking one of his productions, ""The Pajama Game,"" on a European tour in the 1960s. Waugh proudly said that the plays always had a full orchestra and that his choir was called upon to give performances at various conferences and prestigious events. The status of buildings around as well as the construction of new ones, are a frequent topic in the interviews. The plans and building of the current Performing Arts Center as well as his tri-collegiate choral group are mentioned in detail. Information relating to Stewart Hall's construction, the Kiehle library, the Old Main Building and having to share space with other departments is also referenced.
In an oral history, Ernie Cate discusses his early family life near Brainerd, his elementary schooling, being in the service during World War I, and working with Indians in his business.
In an oral history, Herb Anderson describes his family coming to Crow Wing County from Sweden experiences he had as a youngster, encounters his famly had with Indians, his parents starting a resort, and general information about the area in the early part of the 20th century.
In an oral history, Mrs. Ed (Jessie) Berg describes her family coming to Crow Wing County, her experiences as a teacher starting in 1903, her husband's work, and her thoughts on various historical events.
In an oral history, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dropping talks about various topics including his family moving to the Jenkins area in 1901, his life growing up on a farm, her career as a teacher, and life during the Depression years.
In an oral history, Oscar Gravdahl talks about growing up on a farm near Pequot lakes in the ealy 1900s, his schooling, his work in a logging camp and with the railroad, what Pequot Lakes was like and conditions that existed during the Depression, and his service with the fire department.
In an oral history, Vernon Davis, a local historian, discusses various topics such as people he has known, artifacts he'd found at the site of an old Northwest Trade Post, and logging camps.
Interview with Anne Nordstrom Fremberg. Fremberg discusses growing up on her family's farm inside Sibley State Park, including her memories of the Great Depression. Her daughter Lorraine Danielson conducted the interview.
In an oral history given on February 13, 1975, Ruth M. Alexander relates her family history, her experiences as a teacher, and dealing with rationing during World War II.
In an oral history, Burton Stanley tells of arriving in the Pequot Lakes area in 1900, riding on a logging train on a 50 below zero February day. He also talks about his work in the logging industry working with a team of horses, repairing early autos, harness making, and horseshoe making. He explains how he thinks that people were better off in the ""old days"" than they are in 1975, when this interview was recorded.
In an oral history, Mrs. Burton (Clara) Stanley relates the tough times as a child, not being able to start school until 8 years old in 1903, and only going until the 4th grade because she then had to go to work. She also talks about what various things were like in the early part of the 20th century, her husband's place of business burning down, and wildlife that existed.
In an oral history, Emery Dibble discusses several topics including moving to Crow Wing County via a covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen, a fire destroying all of his family's possessions, his mother having to work to support the family, his life growing up, and jobs he's had over the years.
In an oral history, Severn Flatagraf relates that his parents came from Norway, how they went about homesteading west of Pequot Lakes in 1896, his schooling, and life growing up on the farm.
In an oral history, Carl Byers describes his early work as a lumberjack, working for the WPA during the depression, his dealings with Indians, and returning to the logging industry.
In an oral history, Frank Gutz talks about moving to Pequot Lakes after his wife died during the flu epidemic of 1918 to keep his children from going into an orphanage. He also discusses what Peqout lakes was like during the 1920s and the Depression, his work as a painter, rationing during World War II, and various other things.
In an oral history, Albert Bye describes his parents coming from Norway to Minnesota, his family life growing up starting with his birth in 1894, him being drafted during World War I, and his life as a young adult.
In an oral history, Mrs. Annie Bragstadt describes her family life in Norway, the journey from there to Minnesota in 1903, and her life as a young adult, before and after her marriage in 1914.
In an oral History, Nora Bye describes her parents coming to Crow Wing County from Norway, her family life from her birth in 1901 until her marriage in 1920, and her elementary school experience.
In an oral history, Mrs. Emily Cline describes her family coming to Crow Wing County in 1896, her life as a youngster in the Pequot Lakes area, and job working at a resort during the Depression, where she met several Hollywood movie stars.
Tony Martinez was born in St. Paul on Oct. 31, 1932, and attended Lafayette, Franklin and Lincoln schools in St. Paul before graduating from Johnson High School. He worked in the fields with the Cortez family, entered the military in 1950, and worked with a private mapping company and the state highway department's mapping department. Later he established the Martinez Orthography Company, of which he is owner and president. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His life as a worker in the fields - schools - the armed forces - and his start as the owner of a business.
The Rev. Juan L. Rios, pastor of the Latin American Gospel Mission on St. Paul's West Side, was born in Texas in 1922 and moved to St. Paul in 1960 to serve as minister for a Pentecostal congregation. Subjects discussed include: Early life in Texas and Michigan - reasons for entering the Assembly of God ministry - establishment of the Latin American Gospel Mission - and the Spanish Speaking Pentecostal Congregation in St. Paul.
Matthew Casillas was born Aug. 24, 1931, the fourth of ten children. He was educated locally and entered the armed services. For ten years he lived and worked in California, where he went to college and earned a degree. He returned to St. Paul and went into business for himself in 1965. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: St. Paul's West Side community - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church - the Neighborhood House - new programs by and for Mexican Americans in the local community - family history - family ties - and community cohesiveness. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Much traffic noise from Concord Street. Three or four interruptions from customers entering to do business required recesses from the interview.
Gregory Gonzalez was born in Oklahoma in 1920, came to St. Paul in 1924, entered the military in 1942, attended Macalester College in St. Paul, and works for the Minnesota Department of Revenue. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Establishment of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Credit Union in 1948 - personal history and work experiences - and views on the community.
In an oral history, Henry Mattson tells about his father coming from Sweden to homestead near Brainerd about 1896. He also talks about things he remembers from his childhood up to World War I like life on the farm, his schooling, and cutting wood to sell. He also speaks of things concerning the 1920s and 1930s and how he help to build the telephone lines in the area.
Henry Capiz was born in St. Paul on Feb. 18, 1926. He was drafted into the Army in 1944, graduated from college in 1957 with a degree in pharmacy and became chief pharmacist at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Paul in 1960. He was president of a parent-teacher association, commander of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Subjects discussed include: Educational experiences - background of his parents and family - military service - and civic and social organizations.
Frank Rodriguez was born March 28, 1920, in Sheridan, Wyoming, moved to St. Paul at age two, and was educated in the St. Paul schools. Subjects discussed include: Family life on the lower West Side of St. Paul while he was growing up during the Depression - his interest in athletics - his activities with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party - his work with the Hod Carriers' Building and Common Laborers' Union, Local 132 - his involvement in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and various civic organizations - and the importance of his Mexican heritage.
Crecencia Rangel was born in Mexico City in the early 1900s and married in 1921 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She and her husband settled in St. Paul in 1928 after living in Kansas for some time. She worked in rural and urban Minnesota and was an active member of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul. Subjects discussed include: Early life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - working for the railroad in Kansas - work in Minnesota beet fields in Bird Island, Chaska and St. Bonifacius - problems and development of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul - social and religious groups - observance of special days among Mexican Americans - and her husband's appointment as Mexican consul in 1948 and his involvement in community affairs and in handling language problems and Mexican immigrants in St. Paul.
In an oral history, Mrs. William Dickson discusses her family coming to Crow Wing County in the late 1800s, her early schooling, her German-born father's feelings about World War I, and the Depression years.
Esiquia Monita was born in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1902. In 1906 she crossed the border to El Paso, Texas, with her mother. She grew up in Kansas, working in beet fields. She married once in Kansas and moved with her husband to Chicago. She married again while in Chicago and came to St. Paul with her second husband. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - early Mexican settlers in St. Paul - harvesting beets and corn in Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota - her husband's occupations - and food. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. Part of the tape is garbled and difficult to understand.
Frank Chavez was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1928. He moved to Minnesota in 1934 and worked in the beet fields with his parents. After high school he joined the Navy, and in 1960 he went into the printing business in St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: His family - business - and the Navy.
Guadalupe Cruz was born in 1894 in Tepatlitan, Jalisco, Mexico. Her parents were Braulio Jimenez and Silvina Gutierrez. She was married in 1914 and entered the United States at El Paso, Texas, in 1921. Cruz lived and worked in California, Arizona and Colorado. Upon the death of her mother, she returned to Mexico for eight months. In April of 1929 she arrived in Minnesota with her husband and immediately became involved with activities in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and in other activities of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family and life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - travel and lice infestation on trains going to the border at Juarez, Mexico - life in the beet fields - life, activities and festivals for the early Mexican-American community in St. Paul - beginnings of activities of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church - leaders of the West Side community - songs sung for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 - and family history and family problems. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. Cruz is one of the oldest members of St. Paul's Mexican-American community. She knew many of the first leaders and was involved with many of the first activities of the church and community.
Alfonso de Leon was born in Antila de Nopales, Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 1902. He traveled with a military band during the Mexican Revolution and in 1918 came to the United States, where he worked in a mine in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He got married in 1922 in Bridgeport, Texas, where their first child was born. From 1923 to 1929 he worked in beet fields in Wyoming, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota. They moved to Minnesota in 1929, and he started working in the Armour Packing House. He became involved in Mexican-American community organizations and activities in St. Paul. He retired from Armour in 1965. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early life in Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - life in Texas - work in the beet fields - the early Mexican-American community in St. Paul, including its organizations and festivals - his family - and personal views and philosophy of life. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English. This is an extremely valuable interview on the early history of the Mexican-American community on St. Paul's West Side.
Angelo Elizondo was born in Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in 1909. At the age of three he came to the United State with his parents, who were seeking employment. He grew up working in Texas coal mines during the winter and in beet fields in other states during the summer. Marcella Elizondo was born in Taft, Texas, in 1919. She grew up working in beet fields and came to Minnesota in 1929. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Their families, including parents and siblings - their children's names and occupations - experiences in Marcella's life which include several visits by apparitions - the evil eye" - remedies made from herbs - and advice for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish
Carlos Urvina was born Nov. 11, 1922, in Piedad, Michoac_n, Mexico, and came to the United States under a contract to lay railroad tracks when he was eighteen years old. He also worked for a streetcar company. At the time of the interview he worked for the Mason Booth Company. Marcelina Urvina was born Feb. 1, 1918, in Dallas, Texas. Although she was a U.S. citizen, her family had difficulties working in the fields. At age twelve she came to Minnesota with her mother and worked the beet fields near St. Clair, Minn., and at the Green Giant Company in Le Sueur, Minn., until she was sixteen. She is now working for Harrison Elementary School as a nurse's aide. Subjects discussed include: Carlos Urvina describes coming to the United States - working for the railroad and as an iron and metal worker - and the beauty of knowing two languages. Marcelina Urvina describes coming to Minnesota - troubles her mother had as a result of not speaking English - working in beet fields - bringing up their children - the importance of a good education - and Mexican customs in the home. Both emphasize the value of education and bilingualism. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
Maria J. Bosquez was born Maria de Jesus Gutierrez in Saqualco de Torres, Jalisco, Mexico, on May 30, 1906. She remembers the Mexican Revolution's effects on her home town. She took training and became a teacher. At age 21 she married Concepcion Bosquez of Villita de Encarnacion, San Juan de Los Lagos, Mexico. On Feb. 5, 1928, they entered the United States at Laredo, Texas. They arrived in Minneapolis on Feb. 11 or Feb. 12. Mr. Bosquez had been employed by the Milwaukee Railroad. Both she and her husband immediately became involved in the activities of the Mexican-American community in St. Paul, although they lived in Minneapolis. Her family of eight was born and raised in Minneapolis. She was employed by Woolworth's for 15 years. She retired in 1968. Subjects discussed include: Early life in Mexico - the St. Paul Mexican-American community, including its families, activities, leaders and organizations - problems of adjusting to life in the United States - her husband's activities at work and in the Mexican-American community - her family in Minneapolis and Mexico - the Mexican Revolution - the Christeros War in Mexico - her philosophy for living. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The interview is in Spanish, transcribed into English. Bosquez was very involved in Mexican Independence Day programs and remembers many names.
Sebastian Hernandez was born in 1930, served in the military, taught in St. Paul schools from 1961 to 1971 and became the Mexican-American consultant to the school system in 1973.
Dionisa "Nicha" Coates was born in Cambria, Minn., on Oct. 9, 1928. She attended kindergarten in Chaska, Minn., and finished schooling in St. Paul. She worked for the government in Washington, D.C., for three and a half years, then returned to St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Experiences of her youth - personal history - the Spanish Speaking Cultural Club - the bilingual/bicultural program in the St. Paul public schools - educational opportunities for young people - organizations she is a
Interview with Charles Norman Hicks. Charles was born in 1906. His wife was Dorothy May Haines. He was the grandson of William Everett Hicks and Theresa Thomas Hicks, early founders of Alexandria, Minnesota. The Hicks family donated the land for the courthouse, as well as the land for the Methodist and Congregational Churches. He recounts his early childhood in Alexandria, Minnesota. He also discusses his later life events in California, including his education at UCLA, USC and his later teaching career.
Frank Guzman was born in Mexico in 1934, moved to the United States, served in the armed forces, and was director of Migrants in Action, Inc., of St. Paul at the time of the interview. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Migrants in Action program, including its foundation, history, present status and hopes for the future - and personal history.
George Galvin was born May 25, 1910, in El Paso, Texas. He spent his early years living in various places, and in March of 1920 he came to Minnesota. As a young man, Galvin pursued a boxing career. In his adult years he held a variety of jobs and was active in organizing unions and the Minnesota branch of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family history - boxing career - unions he helped to organize - LULAC - his store and bar - employment record - future hopes and advice for younger people.
Manuel Contreras was born in Durango, Mexico, in 1904. He was raised by his sisters because his father was shot in a fight and his mother died at childbirth. He and his sisters had ranches that were taken away from them during the Mexican Revolution, in which Contreras fought at the age of ten. Fearing for his life, he escaped from the country in 1924. In that year he and a sister traveled from Texas to Minnesota. Later he worked in the fields in Lake Lillian and Chaska, and in 1933 he came to St. Paul. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Mexican Revolution, including its leaders and its effect on Contreras's family - life in St. Paul in the 1930s - work in sugar beet fields in rural Minnesota and in meat packing plants in South St. Paul - work in a munitions plant in New Brighton - family life and history - and the people and customs of St. Paul's Mexican-American community. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: In Spanish, transcribed into English.
