Oral History

The following is an oral history interview with Lee Foster, conducted on August 21, 2017 and September 6, 2017 in his home in South Ogden, Utah, by Lorrie Rands. Lee discusses his life and his memories involving World War II. Alyssa Chaffee, the video technician, is also present during this interview.

Wilford G. Fowers discusses his education at the Weber College, working for Cal Pack, and later for the Tanner Clothing Company. He talks about the low wages and hardships of the Depression and entering the military. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Frank Francis Jr. talks about his experiences working in the Ogden State Bank at the time of the Depression and the reasons for the bank closure. He discusses the importance of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which began as an outcome of the Depression. He also talks about the need to repossess and foreclose on loans due to nonpayment. As a musician during that time, he talks about studying under Red Nichols’ father, playing at the White City ballroom, etc. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Nancy Freeman shares her recollections of working for Utah Construction Utah International for over forty years, and serving as the administrative assistant to Edmund Wattis Littlefield. The interview took place on May 30, 2006.

Raymond Freeman recounts his experiences at Weber College as an athlete and African-American minority, graduating in 1941. The interview took place on June 26, 1986.

Weber County Commissioner George T. Frost discusses going into the automobile business and becoming a mail carrier during the Depression. He also talks about various federal programs, and the need to economize. The interview took place circa 1960s.

W. Earl Garr discusses the closing of the Ogden State Bank, bank runs in Weber County, and the federal bank holiday declared by President Roosevelt. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Bettye Gillespie talks about her life and education, along with the life and activism within the NAACP of her husband, James Harding Gillespie. James Harding Gillespie was the chair of the Ogden, Utah NAACP chapter for over thirty years. Bettye joined “Jim” in his work as a civil rights leader. Bettye also speaks of attending Ogden High School, then continuing her education in politics and later at the University of Utah in the Human Resources Management master’s level program. Bettye served and retired as the first female Equal Opportunity Director at Hill Air Force Base.

Dean Gillman shares his experiences with having WWII prisoners of war work on his orchard in Orem. He discusses the prisoners' work ethic and the Utah State Labor Association. The interview took place on November 28, 2005.

Glade Gillman discusses the presence of POWs on his farm in Orem during World War II. He discusses picking up and driving the prisoners to the orchard to pick their quota of fifty bushels of apples. The interview took place on November 28, 2005.