Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Lifestyles
Series Number: OH096
Interviewee: Boyd, Oneida
Interviewer: Anderson, Margaret R.
Date interviewed: October 26, 1988 and November 15, 1988
Processed by: Tara Marcum
Date processed: April 25, 2011
Description: 2 sound discs
Abstract: Oneida Boyd describes life in Murray, Kentucky during the Great Depression and the Second World War. She discusses that many homes in Calloway County, prior to the construction of the Kentucky Dam in the 1940s, had no electricity. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Murray and community organizations. Oneida discusses difficult economic times; the struggles of the working class, the introduction of social security and local and national politics. She mentioned the effects of the depression on her family and community. Oneida recalled hearing President Roosevelt's Sunday morning radio chats and the announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She described her job at Western Union during the Second World War when she delivered telegrams to families of recently deceased soldiers. She also recalled a visit to Murray by President Truman.
Biographical / Historical note: Oneida Boyd was a lifelong resident of Murray, Kentucky. She was baptized at Locust Grove Baptist Church but later attended the First Baptist Church of Murray. She graduated from Murray Training School and briefly attended Murray State College. Prior to the Second World War, she worked at Boones Laundry and Dry Cleaners in Murray. During the war, she worked for Western Union delivering telegrams. Following the war, she became manager of Western Union and continued to work there until the office closed. After that, she worked for the Bank of Murray until her retirement in 1978.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Boyd, Oneida (1923-
Murray (Ky.) – History.
Calloway County (Ky.) – History.
First Baptist Church (Murray, Ky.)
Murray Training School (Murray, Ky.)
Western Union (Murray, Ky.)
