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Home > Mansfield Library > Archives and Special Collections > Oral Histories > brown

Bob Brown Oral History Project

 

From 2005 to 2015, former Montana legislator Bob Brown conducted oral history interviews with a variety of political figures in Montana. The 70+ interviewees ranged 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 70 interviews.

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  • Alfred Lewis Bishop Interview, August 17, 2007
  • Allen Kolstad Interview, June 3, 2005
  • Antoinette Fraser Rosell Interview, July 6, 2005
  • Bill Norman Interview, May 26, 2006
  • Bob Marks Interview, January 11, 2008
  • Bruce Crippen Interview, May 27, 2010
  • Carle O'Neil Interview, March 18, 2005
  • Clyde Hawks Interview, June 6, 2005
  • Dale McGarvey Interview, March 18, 2005
  • Daniel Kemmis Interview, December 9, 2009
  • Dan W. Harrington Interview, October 8, 2009
  • Dave Lewis Interview, August 22, 2008
  • Dorothy Bradley Interview, September 29, 2009
  • Dorothy Eck Interview, May 22, 2007
  • Edward Smith Interview, July 7, 2005
  • Elin G. Parks Interview, September 4, 2010
  • Eugene C. Tidball Interview, October 1, 2005
  • Fred Thomas Interview, March 31, 2010
  • Fred Van Valkenburg Interview, June 23, 2009
  • Gordon Bennett Interview, June 8, 2005
  • Greg Jergeson Interview, July 29, 2009
  • Harrison Fagg Interview, March 29, 2008
  • Jack Galt and Louise Galt Interview, April 29, 2005
  • Jack Gunderson Interview, April 21, 2005
  • Jack Schiltz Interview, September 17, 2007
  • Jake Frank Interview, August 18, 2007
  • James Haughey Interview, March 12, 2005
  • James Mockler Interview, September 28, 2005
  • James Murry Interview, October 11, 2006
  • James Patten Interview, March 1, 2005
  • James P. Lucas Interview, June 6, 2005
  • Jean A. Turnage Interview, January 3, 2006
  • Jerome Anderson Interview, May 4, 2005
  • J. Michael Pichette Interview, May 5, 2005
  • Joe A. Renders Interview, April 21, 2005
  • Joe Mazurek Interview, September 25, 2008
  • John Cobb Interview, September 29, 2010
  • John C. Sheehy Interview, June 8, 2005
  • John Delano Interview, March 10, 2005
  • John D. Lynch Interview, August 25, 2008
  • John H. Leuthold Interview, July 6, 2005
  • John Lahr Interview, April 27, 2007
  • John Mercer Interview, April 2, 2010
  • John T. Hoag Interview, September 1, 2010
  • John Vincent Interview, April 22, 2010
  • Judy (Rippengale) Paynter Interview, August 1, 2008
  • Karl Ohs Interview, August 4, 2007
  • Leslie Eskildsen Interview, July 8, 2005
  • Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown, Jr. Interview, April 4, 2005
  • Lloyd C. "Sonny" Lockrem Interview, March 29, 2008
  • Magnus Aasheim Interview, July 7, 2005
  • Marshall Murray Interview, April 24, 2005
  • Matt Himsl Interview, April 22, 2005
  • Mike Halligan Interview, July 29, 2009
  • Neil Lynch Interview, November 16, 2007
  • Norris Nichols Interview, April 21, 2005
  • Orvin Fjare Interview, September 28, 2005
  • Robert Poore Interview, April 27, 2005
  • Robert S. Gilluly Interview, April 27, 2005
  • Robert "Ty" Robinson Interview, March 23, 2005
  • Stan Stephens Interview, November 17, 2005
  • Ted Schwinden Interview, August 18, 2006
  • Thomas Judge Interview, May 26, 2006
  • Thomas Towe Interview, February 10, 2006
  • Tim Babcock Interview, April 29, 2005
  • Tom Rolfe Interview, September 27, 2005
  • Ward Shanahan Interview, March 10, 2005
  • W. Gordon McOmber Interview, March 23, 2005
  • William Mathers Interview, Juy 7, 2005
 
  • Alec Hansen Interview, April 15, 2010 by Alec Hansen

    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... Read More

  • Alfred Lewis Bishop Interview, August 17, 2007 by Alfred Lewis Bishop

    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... Read More

  • Allen Kolstad Interview, June 3, 2005 by Allen C. Kolstad

    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... Read More

  • Antoinette Fraser Rosell Interview, July 6, 2005 by Antoinette Fraser Rosell

    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... Read More

  • Bill Norman Interview, May 26, 2006 by William James Norman

    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... Read More

  • Bob Marks Interview, January 11, 2008 by Robert L. Marks

    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... Read More

  • Bruce Crippen Interview, May 27, 2010 by Bruce D. Crippen

    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... Read More

  • Carle O'Neil Interview, March 18, 2005 by Carle O'Neil

    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.... Read More

  • Clyde Hawks Interview, June 6, 2005 by Clyde Hawks

    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... Read More

  • Dale McGarvey Interview, March 18, 2005 by Dale McGarvey

    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... Read More

  • Daniel Kemmis Interview, December 9, 2009 by Daniel Kemmis

    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... Read More

  • Dan W. Harrington Interview, October 8, 2009 by Dan William Harrington

    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... Read More

  • Dave Lewis Interview, August 22, 2008 by David M. Lewis

    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,... Read More

  • Dorothy Bradley Interview, September 29, 2009 by Dorothy M. Bradley

    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... Read More

  • Dorothy Eck Interview, May 22, 2007 by Dorothy Eck

    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.... Read More

  • Edward Smith Interview, July 7, 2005 by Edward Smith

    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.... Read More

  • Elin G. Parks Interview, September 4, 2010 by Elin G. Parks

    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... Read More

  • Eugene C. Tidball Interview, October 1, 2005 by Eugene C. Tidball

    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... Read More

  • Fred Thomas Interview, March 31, 2010 by Fred Thomas

    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... Read More

  • Fred Van Valkenburg Interview, June 23, 2009 by Fred R. Van Valkenburg

    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... Read More

  • Gordon Bennett Interview, June 8, 2005 by Gordon Bennett

    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... Read More

  • Greg Jergeson Interview, July 29, 2009 by Greg Jergeson

    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... Read More

  • Harrison Fagg Interview, March 29, 2008 by Harrison Fagg

    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... Read More

  • Jack Galt and Louise Galt Interview, April 29, 2005 by Louise R. Galt and Jack Galt

    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... Read More

  • Jack Gunderson Interview, April 21, 2005 by Jack Gunderson

    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.... Read More

  • Jack Schiltz Interview, September 17, 2007 by Jack M. Schiltz

    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... Read More

  • Jake Frank Interview, August 18, 2007 by Jake Frank

    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... Read More

  • James Haughey Interview, March 12, 2005 by James Haughey

    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... Read More

  • James Mockler Interview, September 28, 2005 by James Mockler

    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... Read More

  • James Murry Interview, October 11, 2006 by James W. Murry

    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,... Read More

  • James Patten Interview, March 1, 2005 by James Patten

    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... Read More

  • James P. Lucas Interview, June 6, 2005 by James P. Lucas

    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... Read More

  • Jean A. Turnage Interview, January 3, 2006 by Jean A. Turnage

    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... Read More

  • Jerome Anderson Interview, May 4, 2005 by Jerome Anderson

    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... Read More

  • J. Michael Pichette Interview, May 5, 2005 by J. Michael Pichette

    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... Read More

  • Joe A. Renders Interview, April 21, 2005 by Joe A. Renders

    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... Read More

  • Joe Mazurek Interview, September 25, 2008 by Joe Mazurek

    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... Read More

  • John Cobb Interview, September 29, 2010 by John Cobb

    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... Read More

  • John C. Sheehy Interview, June 8, 2005 by John C. Sheehy

    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... Read More

  • John Delano Interview, March 10, 2005 by John Delano

    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... Read More

  • John D. Lynch Interview, August 25, 2008 by John D. Lynch

    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,... Read More

  • John H. Leuthold Interview, July 6, 2005 by John H. Leuthold

    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... Read More

  • John Lahr Interview, April 27, 2007 by John Lahr

    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... Read More

  • John Mercer Interview, April 2, 2010 by John A. Mercer

    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,... Read More

  • John T. Hoag Interview, September 1, 2010 by John T. Hoag

    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... Read More

  • John Vincent Interview, April 22, 2010 by John C. Vincent

    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... Read More

  • Judy (Rippengale) Paynter Interview, August 1, 2008 by Judy (Rippengale) Paynter

    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... Read More

  • Karl Ohs Interview, August 4, 2007 by Karl Ohs

    Karl Ohs Interview, August 4, 2007

    Karl Ohs

    Former lieutenant governor and legislator, Karl Ohs, provides an in depth look at his involvement as a negotiator during the Freemen standoff near Jordan, Montana in 1996, the Freeman trial,... Read More

  • Leslie Eskildsen Interview, July 8, 2005 by Leslie Eskildsen

    Leslie Eskildsen Interview, July 8, 2005

    Leslie Eskildsen

    Leslie Eskildsen explains his personal relationships with prominent Montana legislators, congressmen including Mansfield and Metcalf, and governors Babcock, Judge, Schwinden, especially during his terms in the Montana House of Representatives... Read More

  • Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown, Jr. Interview, April 4, 2005 by Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown Jr.

    Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown, Jr. Interview, April 4, 2005

    Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown Jr.

    Lloyd Crippen and R. Lewis Brown, Jr. describe how they became connected with the Anaconda Company, Crippen initially through his father-in-law and Brown after army service, law school and government... Read More

 
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