Interview with James W. Martin, November 11, 1980

Interview Summary

In this interview with James W. Martin, former director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Kentucky, Martin describes in detail his childhood in Oklahoma and Texas during the late 1800s and early 1900s. His father was a tenant farmer and Martin discusses his experiences raising animals and crops. He talks about crossing the Canadian River during one move from Oklahoma to Texas, and tells a story about finding a rattlesnake in his bed as a child. He describes farm life and the division of chores in his family, as well as the food they ate and how they celebrated holidays.

Martin describes his early education at an "Indian school" among Creek and Cherokee Indians, which influenced his views on race relations. He talks about later attending East Texas Normal College (now called Texas A&M University?Commerce in Commerce, Texas) and teaching in public schools while attending college.

Interview Keyword

Canadian River College students--Social conditions Education, Higher Indians of North America. Montague County (Tex.) Muskogee (Okla.) Native Americans Nocona (Tex.) Rattlesnakes United States--Economic conditions--1865-1918. United States--Race relations. Universities and colleges. Young County (Tex.)

Interview LC Subject

Childhood Education Educators Family farms Farm life. Farm tenancy Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990 Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990--Interviews Rural conditions Teachers Teaching Traditional farming University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Families

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.