Kansas Oral History Collection | FHSU Digital Collections

The Kansas Oral History Collection originated from the office of Dr. James L. Forsythe, professor for the History Department at Fort Hays Kansas State College. The majority of the interviews were collected by students as an element of their coursework under Dr. Forsythe. The subject matter covered in the student collected oral histories directly relates to the coursework students were covering in their respective courses. Interview dates range from 1971 through 1977. Some interviews are only available to the campus community. Users may request access to restricted materials by contacting ScholarsRepository@fhsu.edu For more information, see the finding aid.

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Interview with Walter Newton

Bill McLeish

An interview with Walter Newton on early farming techniques. Audio is on tape MS016_13-1_00-004.
Interview with Anton Samuelson

H. R. Samuelson

An interview with Anton T. Samuelson (1896-1979) on early 20th century farming techniques. Audio is on tape MS016_13-1_00-003 and is available by request.
Interview with Blanche Crosson

Sheldon Hamilton

An interview with Blanche Evelyn Gatten Crosson (1905-1972) on the topic of life during the Great Depression.

00:00:15 - Biographical information
00:01:37 - Entertainment on the farm
00:02:27 - Every day life
00:03:03 - Childhood illnesses
00:04:19 - Schooling
00:05:25 - The Great Depression
00:08:00 - Prohibition
00:10:00 - Entertainment during the period
00:11:10 - Surviving economically during the Depression
00:12:05 - World War II
00:15:20 - Work as a nurse in Dighton, KS
Interview with Roy Horton

Rita Vendetti

An interview with Roy Horton about life as a mail carrier in Palco, KS

00:00:10 - Biographical information
01:01:30 - Life as a post master in Palco, KS
00:04:17 - World War I
00:06:23 - Transition from teaching to delivering mail
00:07:50 - Father's work as a mail carrier
00:08:30 - Mail delivery times
00:09:35 - Post office operations and list of post masters
00:14:09 - Changes to the mail service over the years 1923-1965
00:15:20 - Carrying mail during dust storms and finding a lost child
00:16:37 - Carrying mail during snow storms
00:20:00 - Memorable interactions
00:21:53 - Motorized vehicles for mail carriers
00:24:37 - Difficulties delivering the mail in 1911
00:26:53 - Delivering mail during dust storms
00:28:00 - Sorting mail
00:30:00 - Life during the Great Depression
00:31:47 - World War II
00:33:10 - Transition away from rail service
00:36:47 - Role of the mail system
00:40:17 - Introduction of the computer to the mail system and doubts that computers will be used in the mail system
00:42:40 - Tornadoes on the route
Interview with Joe D. Jones

James L. Forsythe

An interview with Joe Dean Jones about his experiences in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Audio is on tape MS016_15-1_73-054.
Interview with Mary Coulter

Rex Mauck

An interview with Mary Lucretia "Manie" Husted Coulter (1896-1977) about life during the dust bowl. Audio is on tape MS016_14-3_73-050
Interview with Vince Burghart

Patty McAvoy

An interview with Vince Burghart about his experiences in in Vietnam. Audio is on tape MS016_14-3_73-051
Interview with Paul Venturella

Pat Stansfield

An interview with Paul Venturella about his experiences in Vietnam. Audio is on tape MS016_15-1_73-053.
Interview with Valentine J. Kramer

Blaine E. Waggoner

An interview with Valentine J "Smokey" Kramer Jr. (1915-1996) about working in the oil fields. Audio is on tape MS016_14-3_73-052
Interview with Al Krannawitter

Rex Mauck

An interview with Alois J. "Al" Krannawitter (1915-1986) about his experience in the CCC Camp in Minnesota as a young man. Audio is on tape MS016_14-3_73-049.
Interview with Rex Mayo

Philip Mayo

An interview with Rex Mayo about the role of Kansas in postponing the energy crisis. Audio is on tape MS016_14-3_73-048
Interview with Francis C. Egert

Doug Blandman

An interview with Francis C. Egert about his life experiences. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-004
An interview with Lloyd Conner

Otis Toll

An interview with Lloyd Conner about his experiences as a farmer in Kansas. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-023
Interview with Salvador Tambascio

Mark Massaglia

An interview with Salvador Tambascio about his life experiences immigrating to the United States from Italy. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-006
Interview with Mrs. M.J. Anderson

Mike Ediger

An interview with Mrs. M.J. Anderson about her life experiences. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-015
Interview with Eva Malady Morrison

Larry Mostreim

An interview with Eva Malady Morrison about her life experiences. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-002
Interview with Herbert Roenfeldt

Rick Roenfeldt

An interview with Herbert Roenfeldt about his experiences as a farmer in Kansas. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-022
Interview with Edna Cauble

John Markham

An interview with Edna Cauble about life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-003
Interview with Leo Poskey

Tom Poskey

An interview with Leo Poskey about his experiences in the Army during World War II. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-008
Interview with Gerald W. Tomanek

An interview with Gerald Tomanek about his experiences as president of Fort Hays State University. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-009
Interview with Otto Pruter

Charles Frankenfeld

An interview with Otto Pruter about his life experiences. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-017
Interview with Mabel Fansler

Pam Henderson

An interview with Mabel Fansler about life during the Dust Bowl. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-016
Interiew with Helen Ruble

John R. Hipp

An interview with Helen Ruble about life during the Dusk Bowl. Audio is on tape MS016_18-1_77-021
Interview with Dr. Bungardt

An interview with Dr. Brungardt about his experiences as the head of the Foreign Language Department at Fort Hays Kansas State College. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-005
Interview with Ralph Huffman

James L. Forsythe

An interview with Ralph Huffman about his life experiences. Audio is on tape MS016_17-2_77-007