Transcript
Index
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:20 - Family background in Kentucky--only daughter--mother as a churchwoman--marriage in Kentucky--married Leon in 1921---born and raised in Wycliffe, near Cairo, Ill.
00:07:40 - Backgrounds of father and mother, both of part Indian blood--white grandfather on father's side--father ashamed of white ancestor, but not of the Indian
00:12:50 - Recollections of Cairo, Ill.--Dr. Parks and the bucket of blood--desire to visit Kentucky
00:16:46 - Great-aunt's recollection of slavery--ran away twice, hid for a year once--hair cut off as punishment
00:19:09 - Father as a railroad worker, watchman for the G. M. and O--floods at that time
00:22:09 - Education in Wycliffe, no high school
00:23:53 - Going to St. Louis to further education--lived with sister
00:24:36 - Leon's background--father as a Methodist minister and barber--Leon's mother born in Pennsylvania--Leon graduated from Beloit high school in 1910
00:27:50 - Leon Peterson in the army--work with Wisconsin Power and Light--Leon's father and Bethel Church--Leon's opposition to present Bethel site
00:31:57 - Leon Peterson's work with Wisconsin Power and Light, began as janitor and finished an repairman--Leon's recollections of the army during World War I--French girl friend--Leon considered France more open than the U.S.
00:36:21 - Leon's involvement with the NAACP--Black people in Beloit got along well until the Mississippi migration--Leon never attended segregated schools
00:38:22 - Ocie's initial impressions of Beloit--Leon's self-education--working for Mr. Lyons and caring for Rasey House--Leon didn't want to continue in service work
00:49:07 - Leon and Ocie met in 1920--getting marriage license in Crown Point, Ind.--big snow storm upon returning to Beloit
00:55:22 - Leon Peterson and the NAACP in Beloit--organized by church people--J.D. Stephenson and the Edgewater Flats--NAACP connection to churches--Beloit restaurants closed to blacks by 1920
01:00:52 - NAACP started by Professor Crawford, first meeting in his home--many white members--brought Dubois and other black leaders to Beloit
