Since 2005, former Montana legislator Bob Brown has conducted oral history interviews with a variety of political figures in Montana. The interviewees range from state legislators, lobbyists, attorneys and journalists, to Montana Constitutional Convention delegates and officials in administrative and financial branches of the Montana State government. Interview topics include Montana and the Anaconda Company, the recurring sales tax debate, mining, elections, deregulation, and the legislative process over time. The original interviews are held as Oral History collection OH 396 at Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection includes 80 interviews.
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Alec Hansen Interview, April 15, 2010
Alec Hansen
Alec Hansen reminisces about growing up in Butte, Montana during the 1940s and 1950s. He details working for Montana Governor Forrest Anderson, describing the governor's work style and vision for Montana state politics. Hansen also mentions his work as a lobbyist for the Montana League ... Read More
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Alfred Lewis Bishop Interview, August 17, 2007
Alfred Lewis Bishop
Alfred Lewis Bishop tells of issues that he was involved with during his time as Fish and Game commissioner. He recalls anecdotes during his earlier years as a Billings attorney and other influential lawyers. He describes his various campaigns for the legislature and for the ... Read More
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Allen Kolstad Interview, June 3, 2005
Allen C. Kolstad
Allen Kolstad reviews his time in politics in Montana including descriptions of influential legislators, issues, and lobbyists. He describes his campaign with Stan Stephens. Kolstad explains his involvement in national politics including relationships with Montana congressmen in the U.S. legislature and with Presidents Reagan, Bush ... Read More
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Antoinette Fraser Rosell Interview, July 6, 2005
Antoinette Fraser Rosell
Antoinette Fraser Rosell describes influences leading to her party affiliation, her early legislative work, and relationships with other members of the Montana legislature. She recalls the trend in female interest in politics while she was in the legislature. The new and old state constitution is ... Read More
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Bill Norman Interview, May 26, 2006
William James Norman
Bill Norman recalls growing up in Minnesota and the earliest political influences that led him to become a Democrat. He credits his first political interest and activity with interest in Minnesotan Gene McCarthy, a U.S. senator. He discusses the legislature and provides stories about his ... Read More
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Bob Marks Interview, January 11, 2008
Robert L. Marks
Bob Marks of Helena, Montana, describes how he became interested in politics at a young age and his affiliation with the Republican Party. He contrasts his campaign for election to the House of Representatives with today's methods and he describes his first impressions of the ... Read More
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Bruce Crippen Interview, May 27, 2010
Bruce D. Crippen
Bruce Crippen talks about his twenty years of service as a Montana state senator. He describes working with Montana governors Stan Stephens, Marc Racicot, and Judy Martz. He also discusses his involvement in Marc Racicot's gubernatorial campaign.
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Carle O'Neil Interview, March 18, 2005
Carle O'Neil
Carle O'Neil discusses how his career began in politics, various legislators that were influential, various important issues in the legislature, and influences of the Anaconda Company and Montana Power Company. He ends by describing his campaign for re-election.
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Clyde Hawks Interview, June 6, 2005
Clyde Hawks
Clyde Hawks discusses his first congressional race in 1948 and many of the politicians he served with; the influence of the Anaconda Company and Montana Power Company on state politics and the lobbyists who worked for them; the establishment of the prison ranch in Deer ... Read More
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Dale McGarvey Interview, March 18, 2005
Dale McGarvey
Dale McGarvey discusses legislation he either supported or encountered in the House education, occupational disease/silicosis/workers' compensation, public utility districts); the Anaconda Company lobbyists and their influence in politics; his relationship with other Montana politicians; McCarthyist accusations against him; and suspected vote-buying by Montana corporations.
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Daniel Kemmis Interview, December 9, 2009
Daniel Kemmis
Daniel Kemmis reminisces about his family's politics and his college years at Harvard and how they influenced him to run for public office. He talks about Montana governors Tom Judge and Ted Schwinden. He discusses different lobbyists with whom he worked and the role the ... Read More
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Dan W. Harrington Interview, October 8, 2009
Dan William Harrington
Dan W. Harrington discusses the Anaconda Company and its influence on Butte, mining operations, and Montana state politics. He describes the deregulation of electricity in the state and Montana Power Company lobbyists. He also talks about the Montana Constitutional Convention and the changes made to ... Read More
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Dave Lewis Interview, August 22, 2008
David M. Lewis
Dave Lewis describes his 40 year participation in politics including his work as budget director, campaign contributor, director of the Department of Administration, director of the State Board of Investments, and as a member of the Montana legislature where he served as chairman of the ... Read More
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Dorothy Bradley Interview, September 29, 2009
Dorothy M. Bradley
Dorothy Bradley describes the events that drew her to run for the Montana House of Representatives at the age of twenty-three. She talks about being the only woman in the Montana House during 1971 and her introduction of the abortion bill in Montana. She discusses ... Read More
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Dorothy Eck Interview, May 22, 2007
Dorothy Eck
Dorothy Eck explains the events that guided her interests in politics, her eventual membership and presidency of the Montana League of Women Voters, and discusses issues backed by that organization. She discusses her experience in the Montana Senate, 1980-2000, and describes former political leaders such ... Read More
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Edward Smith Interview, July 7, 2005
Edward Smith
Edward Smith describes his involvement on important legislation, the Wheat Commission, resolving the rural electricity issue by amending a previous bill, and participation in the Senate Finance Commission in Montana. He gives his impressions of former governors, legislators, and running for governor.
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Elin G. Parks Interview, September 4, 2010
Elin G. Parks
Elin G. Parks talks about her grandfather, former U.S. Senator Thomas Walsh. She discusses his career and the details surrounding his death. She also talks about her life as the wife of a naval officer and Mobil Oil employee.
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Eugene C. Tidball Interview, October 1, 2005
Eugene C. Tidball
Eugene C. Tidball discusses his work as the first director of the Montana Legislative Council, which attempted to make the legislative process more modern, functional and efficient. From there, he assesses legislators who stood out to him. Tidball began working as a lawyer and sometime-lobbyist ... Read More
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Frederica Wheeler Johnson Interview, July 8, 2012
Frederica Wheeler Johnson
Frederica Wheeler Johnson reminisces about her grandfather, Burton K. Wheeler’s life and career as a United States senator from Montana, and later, lawyer, from the 1920s through 1970s. Wheeler Johnson recalls spending summers at the family’s cabin on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and ... Read More
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Fred Thomas Interview, March 31, 2010
Fred Thomas
Fred Thomas discusses his twenty-plus years serving in the Montana State Legislature. He describes how his family's involvement in politics encouraged him to become a politician. He briefly talks about fellow legislators including Elmer Severson, Bill Groff, Bob Marks, Jack Ramirez, and Bob Thoft. He ... Read More
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Fred Van Valkenburg Interview, June 23, 2009
Fred R. Van Valkenburg
Fred Van Valkenburg, describes his Catholic upbringing and how that, along with John Kennedy's presidency, inspired him to run for public office. He reminisces about his years as the Montana Senate's Majority Leader and serving with Representatives Jean Turnage, Matt Himsl, Francis Bardanouve, and others. ... Read More
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Gordon Bennett Interview, June 8, 2005
Gordon Bennett
Gordon Bennett begins by discussing his childhood in the Depression and drought era in Scobey, Montana, mentioning the desperation that led to the election of communists in the '30s. He talks about the rise of the Farmers Union in Montana and the business of farming ... Read More
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Greg Jergeson Interview, July 29, 2009
Greg Jergeson
Greg Jergeson describes over thirty years in the Montana State Senate mostly in terms of fellow politicians. He talks about Francis Bardanouve's mentorship during the early part of his political career. He also reminisces about fellow legislators including Fred Van Valkenburg, John Mercer, Bruce Crippen ... Read More
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Harrison Fagg Interview, March 29, 2008
Harrison Fagg
Harrison Fagg of Billings, Montana, recalls his family's political nature and that influence on his political philosophy, his involvement with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and his eventual relationship with Congressman Jim Batten. He explains his initial reactions to being in the legislature, relationships with ... Read More
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Jack Galt and Louise Galt Interview, April 29, 2005
Louise R. Galt and Jack Galt
Jack Galt and Louise Galt discuss their families' backgrounds in Montana politics and their own evolving political awareness and activity. Both give impressions of governors and legislators in Montana, as well as the role of the Anaconda Company in state politics. Louise talks extensively about ... Read More
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Jack Gunderson Interview, April 21, 2005
Jack Gunderson
Jack Gunderson recalls being raised in as a Democrat, the Farmers Union, the Farm Labor Coalition, the 1972 Constitutional Convention and its ongoing impact, Anaconda Company influence, and various legislation. He describes his interactions with legislators, former governors, and his relationships with other Montana political ... Read More
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Jack Schiltz Interview, September 17, 2007
Jack M. Schiltz
Jack Schiltz describes the influence of the Montana Power Company and the Anaconda Company on Montana politics during the 1950s and his term on the Constitutional Convention. Schiltz is a former Montana legislator.
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Jake Frank Interview, August 18, 2007
Jake Frank
Jake Frank describes issues in the legislature including rural electric co-ops. He ends by describing his work in the Rural Electrification Association and Farmers Home Association and discusses issues in agriculture.
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James Haughey Interview, March 12, 2005
James Haughey
James Haughey describes the legislature in 1945 and onward; Anaconda lobbyists and hospitality room; governors and politicians; hunting trips with politicians; and sales tax reform and other political issues of his day.
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James Mockler Interview, September 28, 2005
James Mockler
James Mockler describes his background in Wyoming; he moves to the effects of Montana and Wyoming's coal taxes in 1975. Mockler explains the effect of the coal tax on Montana's coal business contracts, his relationship with Governor Schwinden and the "window of opportunity." He ends ... Read More
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James Murry Interview, October 11, 2006
James W. Murry
James Murry discusses his involvement with the AFL/CIO from 1968-1991, the labor movement in Montana, and worker's rights. He discusses various influential leaders including Lee Metcalf, Mike Mansfield, Arnold Olsen, and Chet Blaylock.
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James Patten Interview, March 1, 2005
James Patten
James Patten discusses his work as a lobbyist in Montana during the sixties. He also talks about working with Governor Tim Babcock. He reminisces about Governors Donald Nutter and Ted Schwinden and other lobbyists with whom he worked.
The background noise is very high, and ... Read More
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James P. Lucas Interview, June 6, 2005
James P. Lucas
James P. Lucas describes how he became interested in politics and his political philosophy. He discussed some of the lobbyists, (Montana governors Aronson, Babcock, Nutter) and fellow legislators with whom he worked. He also provides anecdotes about various pieces of legislation during his 1962-1972 stint ... Read More
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Jean A. Turnage Interview, January 3, 2006
Jean A. Turnage
Former Montana State Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jean A. Turnage, describes his past involvement in law and his inspirations to run for public offices. He describes his time in the legislature, introduced bills, and ends by describing his time at the Supreme Court. He explains ... Read More
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Jerome Anderson Interview, May 4, 2005
Jerome Anderson
Jerome Anderson discusses his involvement in state politics and his relationship with other state politicians, beginning with recollections of his father's political career before turning to his first congressional session in 1947. Anderson also discusses some of the key issues during his terms in office ... Read More
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Jerry Driscoll Interview, January 23, 2016
Jerry Driscoll
Jerry Driscoll recounts highlights of his involvement in Montana government and politics as a labor union member and official, and a member of the Montana House of Representatives in the mid-to-late 20th century. He recalls his initial involvement in labor unions as a young construction ... Read More
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J. Michael Pichette Interview, May 5, 2005
J. Michael Pichette
J. Michael Pichette describes working for Montana Congressmen Olson and Melcher in Washington, D.C.; organizing political campaigns for and general impressions of Montana politicians, including Governor Ted Schwinden; the Constitutional Convention of 1972; the coal severance tax; changes in the Democratic Party; electrical deregulation; and ... Read More
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Joe A. Renders Interview, April 21, 2005
Joe A. Renders
Joe A. Renders describes his liberal political background; the personalities of politicians he has known in his career; the Anaconda Company's involvement in state politics; control of the press in Montana; dynamics at the Great Falls Tribune; and advice for future liberals.
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Joe Mazurek Interview, September 25, 2008
Joe Mazurek
Joe Mazurek begins with his involvement in ASUM while attending The University of Montana-Missoula. He briefly discusses influential politicians through his years in the Senate, the Montana Power Company and Anaconda Company's role in Montana politics, various lobbyists, controversial bills, and past governors Ted Schwinden ... Read More
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Joe Quilici Interview, January 23, 2016
Joe Quilici
Joe Quilici recalls growing up in Butte, Montana, in the 20th century, and his tenure in the Montana House of Representatives during the latter half of the century. He discusses his Butte Italian and Swedish heritage, and his first run for office in 1970. Quilici ... Read More
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John Cobb Interview, September 29, 2010
John Cobb
John Cobb discusses his introduction to politics and why he decided to run for the Montana State Legislature. He describes his years in the Legislature and fellow legislators including Bob Marks, Chuck Swysgood, Leo Giacometto, and John Mercer. He also talks about the different governors ... Read More
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John C. Sheehy Interview, June 8, 2005
John C. Sheehy
John C. Sheehy talks about his interest in politics at a young age and the political and social climate of Butte when he was growing up. He describes Montana politicians he has known: Jerry O'Connell, Jim Murray, Wellington Rankin, Mike Mansfield, John Metcalf, Ted Schwinden, ... Read More
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John Delano Interview, March 10, 2005
John Delano
John Delano talks about his career as a lobbyist and describes some of the other lobbyists he knew. He discusses various changes in Montana politics from the 1950s to 2005 including: the 1972 Constitutional Convention, term limitations, and the role lobbyists play in Montana politics. ... Read More
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John D. Lynch Interview, August 25, 2008
John D. Lynch
John D. Lynch discusses his family history and the events leading up to his work in Montana politics. He describes campaigning in Butte, his work on the House Appropriations Committee, the influence of the Montana Power Company and the Anaconda Company on Montana politics, and ... Read More
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John H. Leuthold Interview, July 6, 2005
John H. Leuthold
John H. Leuthold provides his recollections of former governors Nutter, Babcock, Schwinden and influential legislators during his term in the Montana House of Representatives, 1950-1968. He also recalls his experience in the Montana Constitutional Convention.
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John Lahr Interview, April 27, 2007
John Lahr
John Lahr discusses the workings of the Montana Power Company during the 1960s up until the 1980s. Included are stories of interaction between former legislators, governors, and other lobbyists and subjects such as territorial integrity, the Constitutional Convention, relationship with the Anaconda Company, and history ... Read More
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John Mercer Interview, April 2, 2010
John A. Mercer
John Mercer describes his early experiences in the Montana House and fellow legislators including Dave Brown, Francis Bardanouve, Jack Ramirez, John Vincent, Hal Harper, Bob Thoft, John Harp, Fred Thomas, and Fred Van Valkenburg. He talks about his leadership philosophy as Speaker and the role ... Read More
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John T. Hoag Interview, September 1, 2010
John T. Hoag
John T. Hoag talks about living on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. He reminisces about spending time with two Montana senators, Tom Walsh and Burton K. Wheeler, and their families.
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John Vincent Interview, April 22, 2010
John C. Vincent
John Vincent, describes his interest in political science and how that influenced him to run for public office. He discusses his leadership roles in the Montana House of Representatives as Speaker of the House, Minority Leader, and Majority Whip. He talks about some of the ... Read More
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Judy (Rippengale) Paynter Interview, August 1, 2008
Judy (Rippengale) Paynter
Judy (Rippengale) Paynter discusses her experiences relating to financial affairs in the Montana legislature over more than 25 years. She explains her fiscal responsibilities including budget preparation, tax increases, and revenue estimation. She discusses Governors Schwinden, Stephens, Racicot, Martz, and Schweitzer comparing administrations and their ... Read More