Alexander Braun oral history
Creator: Keckeisen, Sara J. (Sara Ellen Judge)
Date: 2006
An oral interview with Alexander Braun conducted by Sara Keckeisen. He was born July 10, 1923 in Wernersdorf the Ukraine the son of Peter and Katharina (Braeul) Braun. After World War II, Mr. Braun fled west from the former Soviet Union. Eventually he immigrated to Canada (1949) on contract with the Canadian Government to work as a miner in Northern Quebec. After years of persistent attempts, in 1953 he was able to come to the United States from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to join his wife and her parents in Kansas. Alexander worked in auto body repair. He later was employed by the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) and the State of Kansas as a Master Electrician before his retirement in 1991. These are long clips. The first clip is sixty-three minutes, the second is seventy-three minutes. A searchable transcription of the interview is available by clicking on Text Version below.

Brian Baggett playing Henry Worrall's Carmencita
Creator: Baggett, Brian
Date: 2012
This is an audio recording of Henry Worrall's original composition Carmencita interpreted from the original manuscript and performed by guitarist Brian Baggett. Worrall published his solo instrumental "Carmencita Series of Mexican Dances" with E.B. Guild music publisher of Topeka, Kansas, about 1896. In the early twentieth century, Worrall's popular guitar instrumentals played a key role in the development of the guitar styles of southern rural folk musicians and country and blues musical idioms. Worrall moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1868 where he died in 1902. Worrall's original manuscript of this piece is available on Kansas Memory as unit 208647. For more information on Kansas guitarist Brian Baggett see the external link below.

Brian Baggett playing Henry Worrall's Sebastopol
Creator: Baggett, Brian
Date: 2012
This is an audio recording of Henry Worrall's original composition Sebastopol interpreted from the original manuscript and performed by guitarist Brian Baggett. Worrall initially published "Sebastopol" in the 1850s with W. C. Peters and Sons of Cincinnati, Ohio. In the early twentieth century, Worrall's popular guitar instrumentals played a key role in the development of the guitar styles of southern rural folk musicians and country and blues musical idioms. Worrall moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1868 where he died in 1902. Worrall's original manuscript of this piece is available on Kansas Memory as unit 208654. For more information on Kansas guitarist Brian Baggett see the external link below.

Charles I. Baston interview
Creator: Baston, Charles I.
Date: May 14, 1992
Charles Baston was born in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on April 24, 1917. He attended grade school and junior high school while still living in Lee's Summit, and after junior high he moved to Topeka to attend the Kansas Vocational Technical School. He moved to Topeka permanently after his World War II discharge. Baston was a member of the executive committee of the local chapter of the NAACP during the Brown v. Board hearings. Much of his interview deals with the NAACPs role in finding plaintiffs in the Brown case, the problem with busing students to segregated schools, and other individuals who were instrumental to the success of this suit. Towards the end of the interview he also talks about how the Brown decision has not reached its full potential because of the racial prejudices that still exist today. Jean VanDelinder conducted the interview. The Brown v. Board oral history project was funded by Hallmark Cards Inc., the Shawnee County Historical Society, the Brown Foundation for Educational Excellence, Equity, and Research, the National Park Service, and the Kansas Humanities Council. Parts of the interview may be difficult to hear due to the quality of the original recording.

Christina Jackson interview
Creator: Jackson, Christina
Date: September 20, 1991
Christina Jackson was born on August 15, 1926, in Topeka, Kansas, to Georgia and Jess Edwards. In this interview, Jackson speaks about her experiences at the segregated Washington Elementary School and then at the integrated East Topeka Junior High and Topeka High School. According to Jackson, Washington had very strict teachers who emphasized the importance of learning about African American history. Her children attended Monroe School and, after desegregation, moved to State Street School, which had formerly been a school for white children only. Her children recalled that the faculty at State Street worked hard to integrate the black students, who were for the most part accepted by their peers. It was not until her children entered Holliday Junior High that they struggled with racial discrimination and derogatory comments. Jackson also discusses her work experiences and involvement in social clubs and volunteer organizations. This interview was conducted by Jean VanDelinder and Ralph Crowder. The Brown v. Board oral history project was funded by Hallmark Cards Inc., the Shawnee County Historical Society, the Brown Foundation for Educational Excellence, Equity, and Research, the National Park Service and the Kansas Humanities Council. Parts of the interview may be difficult to hear due to the quality of the original recording.

David H. Fisher Jr. oral history
Creator: Fisher, David H. Jr.
Date: April 4, 2008
Topeka, Kansas, resident David H. Fisher, Jr. relates his experience during the June 8, 1966, tornado in Topeka.

Donald Rohrbaugh and Gene Hilker's experiences in World War II (transcript)
Creator: Warner, Sidney
Date: February 21-22, 2007
This is an audio interview with Sidney Warner, Buford Rohrbaugh (son of Donald Rohrbaugh), and Steve Hilker (son of Gene Hilker) about the final months of the war in Europe, primarily at the Battle of the Bulge. Sidney Warner was a friend of Donald Rohrbaugh and Gene Hilker, both now deceased. Rohrbaugh served as a radioman and Hilker was a paratrooper. They fought in the Battle of the Bulge and told many stories about that experience to sons Buford Rohrbaugh and Steve Hilker. Both Rohrbaugh and Hilker were wounded more than once and in their last years told their friend, Sidney Warner, and their sons some of their wartime experiences. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Everett Ray Call interviews
Creator: Call, Everett Ray, 1932 -
Date: 2007
Three interviews with former Emporia Gazette editor Everett Ray Call conducted by Emporia State University professor Loren E. Pennington. The first interview addresses Call's boyhood days in Sedan, Kansas, his early days as a newspaper photographer, and his commentary on William Allen White. The second interview continues Call's comments on William Allen White and follows with his commentary and analysis of the Emporia Gazette under William Lindsay White as editor and publisher. The third interview covers events of his own career with the Gazette, including famous murder cases, local, state, and national politics, and the newspaper's relations with Emporia State University and its presidents and with the Emporia Chamber of Commerce.

Fred Rausch Jr. interview
Creator: Rausch, Fred
Date: October 12, 1994
Fred Rausch, Jr. grew up in East Topeka and attended Parkdale Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High, and East Topeka Junior High. Rausch was elected to the Topeka School Board in 1957, shortly after the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision that declared segregated educational facilities unconstitutional. He was partially responsible for the integration of teachers. When the school board attempted to place African American teachers in positions at formerly white schools they encountered harsh opposition from both white and black parents. He recalls that this furor died down after a few years. Rausch also discusses how the school districts were rearranged so that children attended a grade school that was no more than six blocks from their home, although he vehemently maintains that the school board never gerrymandered districts for racial purposes. While he admits that, sociologically, integration may have improved students' feelings of self-worth, he is not convinced that integration has improved students' learning abilities and overall education. Rausch left the Topeka Board of Education two years before the Brown case was reopened in 1979. Cheryl Brown Henderson conducted the interview. The Brown v. Board oral history project was funded by Hallmark Cards Inc., the Shawnee County Historical Society, the Brown Foundation for Educational Excellence, Equity, and Research, the National Park Service and the Kansas Humanities Council. Parts of the interview may be difficult to hear due to the quality of the original recording.

Governor John Carlin interview
Creator: Beatty, Bob, 1966-
Date: March 10, 2008
An audio recording of an interview with John Carlin discussing his experience as governor of Kansas from January 8, 1979 to January 12, 1987, and his 1990 re-election bid. Bob Beatty and Mark Peterson, Political Science Department, Washburn University, conduct the interview as part of the Kansas Governors Recorded History and Documentary Project, Dr. Bob Beatty and Washburn University, 2005. The interview took place in Manhattan, Kansas, in 2008. A complete transcript of the interview is available by clicking Text Version below. This and a previous interview conducted in 2004 are the basis for Beatty's article "'Be Willing to Take Some Risks to Make Things Happen': A Conversation with Former Governor John Carlin." Kansas History, v31 n2 (Summer 2007/2008). The 2004 interview is available on Kansas Memory as item #212931.

Governor Mike Hayden interview
Creator: Beatty, Bob, 1966-
Date: September 29, 2008
Click the thumbnail images below for different segments of an audio recording of an interview with former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden, who discusses his early life, military service in Vietnam, years in the Kansas Legislature, and experience as governor of Kansas from January 12, 1987 - January 14, 1991. Bob Beatty and Mark Peterson, Political Science Department, Washburn University, conducted the interview in Topeka on September 29, 2008; a complete transcript of the interview is available by clicking Text Version below. It and a previous interview conducted at Cedar Crest in 2004 are the basis for Beatty's article "'Being close to the People': A Conversation with Former Governor Mike Hayden," Kansas History, v32 n1 (Spring 2009). The 2004 interview is available on Kansas Memory as item 215739.

Interview on experiences in World War I
Creator: Christensen, Ellis G.
Date: November 9, 1977
Ellis Christensen enlisted in the United States Army in 1917 and served in Company L. Interviewed by Steven Hanschu on November 9, 1977, Christensen talked about military experiences in World War I. Christensen also served in World War II and the Korean War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the community institutions receiving grants who also used the grant funds to digitize and transcribe previously recorded interviews from World War I. The transcript of the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Cox, Jr., J. T.
Date: 21 June 2006
Sergeant Cox, Jr. was drafted into the Army (Infantry) in 1943 and served until 1945 in the 82nd Airborne Division, 17th Airborne Division, 13th Airborne Division. Interviewed by Joyce Suellentrop on Jun 21, 2006, Cox, Jr. talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Crocker, George Charles
Date: 1 December 2005
Crocker entered the Navy in 1943 and served until 1946. Interviewed by Robert Ecklund on Dec 1, 2005, Crocker talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Crockett, Walter Hobson
Date: 30 April 2006
First Lieutenant Crockett enlisted in the Army (Infantry) in 1937 and served until 1945 in the Company B, 137th Army Infantry, Air Transport Command. Interviewed by Loren Pennington on Apr 30, 2006, Crockett talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Davis, Cecil
Date: 21 February 2007
Staff Sergeant Davis entered the Army in 1941 and served until 1945 in the 115th General Hospital Unit. Interviewed by Joyce Suellentrop on Feb 21, 2007, Davis talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Dohrmann, Glenn
Date: 30 November 2005
Dohrmann enlisted in the Army (Air Force) in 1942 and served until 1945. Interviewed by Joyce Suellentrop on Nov 30, 2005, Dohrmann talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Ecklund, Robert Dean
Date: 18 October 2005
Captain Ecklund enlisted in the Army (Air Force) in 1941 and served until 1950 in the 5th Photo Reconnaisssance Squadron, 12th Air Force. Interviewed by Loren Pennington on Oct 18, 2005, Ecklund talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Elkins, Jack Daniel, Sr.
Date: 1 September 2006
Elkins enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served until 1946 in the 18th Special Stevedore Battalion (Seabees). Interviewed by George Walters on Sep 1, 2006, Elkins talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Flowers, Johnny
Date: 6 March 2006
Flowers was drafted into the Navy and served until 1946 in the U.S.S. Coleman. Interviewed by Joyce Suellentrop on Mar 6, 2006, Flowers talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: George, Virgel
Date: 17 October 2005
Private George was drafted into the Army (Infantry) in 1945 and served until 1946 in the Quartermaster Corps. Interviewed by Joyce Suellentrop on Oct 17, 2005, George talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Gerber, Richard
Date: 13 July 2006
Petty Officer Third Class Gerber enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served until 1946 in the U.S.S. Mount Vernon. Interviewed by John McLoughlin on Jul 13, 2006, Gerber talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Gray County Veterans Memorial & Archives and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Gomez, Bennie Mike
Date: 25 April 2006
Gomez enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served until 1946 in the U.S.S. Sproston DD577, Destroyer Squadrons 49 and 55. Interviewed by Loren Pennington on Apr 25, 2006, Gomez talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Elbl, William M.
Date: December 9, 2006
Elbl was inducted into the United States Army in 1943 and served until 1946 in the Medical Corp. Interviewed by Marian Poe on Dec 9, 2006, Elbl talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the community institutions receiving grants. The transcript of the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Rice County Historical Society (Lyons) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.

Interview on experiences in World War II
Creator: Goodwin, Howard Rhaoul
Date: 19 May 2006
Private First Class [PFC] Goodwin was drafted into the Army (Artillery) in 1943 and served until 1946 in the 548th Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapons Batt., 102nd Infantry Div., 9th Army. Interviewed by Loren Pennington on May 19, 2006, Goodwin talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the nine community institutions that received these grants. The transcript from the interview is presented here; the original audio copy of the interview is available through the Emporia State University (Flint Hills) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.