Civil Rights Movement

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Interview with Herman K. Harris

Herman K. Harris

Rev. Herman K. Harris II (1939-1988) discusses his family background, growing up in Heath Springs, SC, the Civil Rights movement in the south (Rock Hill in particular), the Freedom Riders, Friendship College, drugs, students in general and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Rev. Harris was involved in the movement from 1959 through 1964 and was arrested 33 times in the process. He participated in the Freedom Rides and was among those beaten in Anniston, Alabama. He attended Friendship College in Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Morris College in 1964. This interview took place on May 7, 1979 and May 11, 1979 and was conducted by Mr. Kenneth M. Nelson.
Interview with Edward "Ed" Harris, Brenda Dow, and Sylvester King

Edward Harris, Brenda Dow, and Sylvester King

In May of 2013 Mr. Edward Harris sat down and discussed his brother, Herman K. Harris, who was a part of the freedom riders. Mr. Harris also discusses his military service and his tour of duty in Vietnam. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with Doris "Dorothy" Ezell Schmitz

Doris Ezell-Schmitz

In her December 11, 2012 interview with Robert Ryals, Doris Schmitz detailed her time at Winthrop during the era of desegregation and social unrest. Schmitz recalls the Civil Rights movement in Rock Hill and her family’s involvement. In particular, Schmitz describes her perception of the similarities and differences between white and black students during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Schmitz also recalls the courses and professors that had a profound effect on her future career as an educator. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with John Gaines

John Gaines
Interview with Clarence Henry Graham

Clarence Henry Graham

This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Clarence Graham. Clarence Henry Graham (1942-2016) grew up in Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1959. He attended Friendship Junior College and was one of the chief organizers of the Friendship Nine civil rights group that participated in nonviolent protests in Rock Hill. He spent 30 days in jail in 1961 after being convicted of trespassing after sitting down at an all-white McCrory’s lunch counter in Rock Hill. Mr. Graham later served in the United States Air force in Vietnam and worked in social services until he retired. In this interview Mr., Graham discusses his experiences growing up in Rock Hill, attending Emmett Scott High School and Friendship College, as well as participating in the Civil Rights Movement in Rock Hill with the Friendship Nine.
Interview with James F. Wells

James F. Wells

This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with James Wells with a focus on the History of Emmett Scott High School. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African-Americans, which was named after Emmett Scott, a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school opened in 1920 and was closed in 1970 when full integration was implemented in Rock Hill, SC schools. Mr. James F. Wells (b. ca. 1942 - d. 2018) was a native of Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1959 and attended Friendship Junior College. He was a member of a South Carolina civil rights group known as the Friendship Nine and spent a month in jail in 1961 after he and eight other black men were charged with trespassing at a whites-only lunch counter (McCrory’s) in Rock Hill. The men, who were attending nearby Friendship Junior College, chose to spend time in jail rather than pay a fine in what was called the "jail, no bail" movement. Their time on a chain gang in York County encouraged protesters to stay in jail to fight segregation, Jim Crow laws and other forms of racism. In the interview Mr. Wells discusses his experiences growing up in the area, attending the Emmett Scott High School and Friendship Junior College, his role in the Friendship Nine, and the Civil Rights movement in general.
Interview with David Williamson, Jr.

David Williamson Jr., Emmett Scott High School, Friendship College, Friendship Nine, and Civil Rights

This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with David Williamson. David Williamson grew up in Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Emmett Scott High School. He attended Friendship Junior College and was one the members of the Friendship Nine civil rights group that participated in nonviolent protests in Rock Hill. He spent 30 days in jail in 1961 after being convicted of trespassing after sitting down at an all-white McCrory’s lunch counter in Rock Hill. In this interview, Mr. Graham discusses his experiences growing up in Rock Hill, attending Emmett Scott High School and Friendship College, as well as participating in the Civil Rights Movement in Rock Hill with the Friendship Nine.
Interview with Gladys Boulware

Gladys Boulware

This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Gladys Boulware with a focus on the History of Emmett Scott High School. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African-Americans, which was named after Emmett Scott, a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school opened in 1920 and was closed in 1970 when full integration was implemented in Rock Hill, SC schools. Gladys Boulware is a South Carolina native and taught at Emmett Scott High School from 1949 through 1970 and then at Castle Hieghts after integration. She discusses her recollections of the Civil Rights Movement in Rock Hill, SC including the integration of schools and the Friendship Nine. She also discusses her childhood and later living in the Rock Hill area and her husband who was the first black principal of Belleview.
Interview with Jane Adams

Jane H. Adams

In her 1996 interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Jane Adams described her time as a 1960s radical. She covered various topics, including bohemians, socialism, beatniks, civil rights, women’s liberation and consciousness, the Vietnam War, counterculture, and World War II. Adams also discussed the Student Peace Union, SNCC and its factions, Progressive Labor, prairie populism, feminism, the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings, and other ‘60s activists. Adams also briefly discussed her current work with the indigenous people of Latin America and her work as a professor. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with St. Julian F. Devine

St. Julian F. Devine

In his interview with Michael Cooke, St. Julian F. Devine (1916-2000) discusses his life and experiences in the Charleston, South Carolina area. Mr. Devine details his work with the South Carolina Progressive Democratic Party as well as various other political organizations such as the Palmetto Voters Association. He also details his political work in the Charleston, South Carolina area. Devine served on the Charleston City Council from 1967 to 1975, making him the first African American member on the council since Reconstruction. He also served as Mayor Pro Tem in 1975. Mr. Devine was a very active participant in the Civil Rights Movement and efforts to improve the lives of the black community.
Interview with John H. McCray

John Henry McCray

IN PROCESSING

John H. McCray was instrumental in forming the Progressive Democratic Party which was the African American party of choice throughout the South including many counties in South Carolina. This interview also discusses Jim Crow Laws and African American voter registration. A newspaper called the Black National Farmer's Paper which was founded by John McCray is also discussed. This newspaper was an early voice for civil rights.
Interview with Reverend T. J. Moore

T. J. Moore

In his interview with Michael Cooke, Reverend T.J. Moore discusses his participation in the Progressive Democratic Party and their efforts during the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Moore details his experiences growing up and living in Marion South Carolina. He discusses the impact the Progressive Democratic Party had on the area around Marion as well as the State of South Carolina in improving the lives of the black community. He also discusses the Warring Decision which did away with the Literacy Test in South Carolina, African American voter registration, and Jim Crow Laws.
Interview with Mary Agnes Morgan

Mary Agnes Morgan

In her interview with Michael Cooke, Mary Agnes Morgan discusses growing up in South Carolina, her education, and her experience with the Progressive Democratic Party. Mrs. Morgan details the impact the Progressive Democratic Party had on the local black community of Mullins, South Carolina. She also discusses how private education was established in the South for African Americans, the rise of African American politics in the South and race equality.
Interview with John Hope Franklin

John Hope Franklin

IN PROCESSING

Subjects include family background of Dr. Franklin, educational experiences, racial discrimination, popularity of his books, participation in the march with Martin Luther King from Selma to Montgomery, opinion of current status of African Americans and Reagan Administration policies, naming of orchid in honor of Dr. Franklin, and family life.
Interview with James L. Felder

James L. Felder
Interview with Septima P. Clark

Septima Poinsette Clark

IN PROCESSING

Civil rights activist from Charleston, South Carolina, Septima Clark discusses her background, teaching, influences on her life, handwriting clinics, discrimination of teachers, the National Association for the Advancements of Colored People (NAACP), discrimination in general, organizations, awards, degrees, and books written.
Interview with Queen A. Davis

Queen A. Davis

IN PROCESSING

Subjects include influences on her life, background information, integration, and formation of SNCC.
Interview with Sam J. Ervin

Sam J. Ervin Jr.

In his March 7, 1981 interview with John Cissell, Sam Ervin recounts his work as a U.S. Senator for North Carolina. Ervin explains his defense of Jim Crow Laws and his involvement in an investigative committee that unveiled the Watergate Scandal. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with James T. Funderbunk

James T. Funderbunk

IN PROCESSING

Subjects include a story about civil rights in Chester, South Carolina, death of a young African-American and unrest among African Americans in Chester.
Interview with Horace Goggins

Horace Goggins

In his April 29, 1981 interview with Viola Sherrill, Horace Goggins shares the story of how he became a dentist, his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and how he supports his wife’s political career. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with Margaret Gregg

Margaret Gregg

A professor of English at Winthrop College from 1941 to 1973, Margaret Gregg discusses local, state and national civil rights struggles in the 1960s and her role. Professor Gregg discusses, among other topics, the lunch counter sit-ins in Rock Hill, her participation in the Rock Hill Council on Human Relations, her decision to write a letter to the newspaper voicing her support for equal rights for all races and the consequences of that decision, supporters and detractors of her point of view, and her view of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Interview with Alberta T. Grimes

Alberta T. Grimes

IN PROCESSING

Educator and counselor from Greenville, South Carolina, Grimes discusses her background as an educator, her education in the African American schools and her teaching career on boards and committees. The interview also includes information about Charles Hall, a famous psychologist in Washington, Jessie Jackson as a student and financing of African American education.
Interview with Isaac Samuel Leevy Johnson

Isaac Samuel Leevy Johnson

The former South Carolina General Assembly member discusses his family background, influences, first experience with racism, philosophies, the federal desegregation plan, work in the South Carolina House of Representatives, absence of African Americans in the South Carolina Senate and problems and solutions concerning African Americans.
Interview with W. T. "Dub" Massey

W. T. Massey

In his April 27^th, 1981 interview with Phil O’Quinn, W.T. Massey recollects his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement as one of the Friendship 9 protestors and non-violent activists. Massey retells the preparation and events leading up to the sit-in at McCrory’s lunch counter. Massey also shares the negative effects he experienced with his involvement as an activist and leader in the Civil Rights Movement, in particular, his arrest from the McCrory’s sit-in. Massey concludes his interview with advice and hope for the black community. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
Interview with Ernie Nunnery

Ernie Nunnery

IN PROCESSING

Ernie Nunnery discusses Black Caucus legislator Golden Frinks and Chester Civil Rights.