See full text of memoir - Brookens Library

Preface
This mnuscxipt is the product of a tape recorded interview conducted by
Kevin Corley for a special project , "I1 lhois Coal : The Legacy of an
Industrial Society." The project ms sponsored by the Illinois State
Historical Society and funded in part by the Illinois Jlumanities &mil
and the National EM-nt for the Jkmadties. kdditional support canae
frm the Oral Xstory Office of Fangaron State University. Joyce fisher
transcribed the tapes and Susan Jones edited the transcript.
Mr. Albert Howard Fbrris was born rn M.~.~hakimk, Iowa on July 2, 1911.
He grew up near Bmton, Iom until his family wed to Sawyerville. He
began wrk in Number Two Sawyemille Superior Coal Company on September
6, 1928 delivering materials on the nightshift. Ekom 1939 to 1946 he
worked as tracklayer, timbering, coupling cars and haulage. He was also
vice-president of the local. In 1946 he bet- form of the mine until
1948 nhen be becam state mine inspector and also served on the mine
rescue team until his retirarent in 1975.
Readers of the oral history mir should bear in mind that it is a
transcript of the spoh mrd, and that the intervie~r, narrator and
editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is
inherent in such historical sources. Sangarmn State University and the
Illinois State Historical Library are not responsible for the factual
accuracy of the mir, nor for views apressed therein; these are for
the reader to judge.
The manuscript may be read, quoted and cited tieely. It may not be
reproduced in *ole or in part by any m s , electronic or mhanical,
without permission in writing kam the Oral History Office, Sanganon
State Wiversity , Springfield, Illinois, 62708.