Title
Emma Varnum Interview, ca. 1977
Files
Download Emma Varnum Interview Transcript (215 KB)
Document Type
Book
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Interviewer
Lee Tempte
Interviewee
Emma Varnum
Date Recorded
1977
Date Digital
7-29-2020
County
Stevens County
Keywords
Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931; Albuquerque (N.M.); Frontier and pioneer life; Wagon trains; Train robberies; Drinking water; Morris (Minn.); Liquor stores--Minnesota--Morris; Bars (Drinking establishments)--Minnesota--Morris; Red-light districts--Minnesota--Morris
Description
Emma Varnum was 95 years old and lived in Morris. She was born in Illinois and her father was a farmer. She knew Thomas Edison when she was a child. After she was married, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico traveling by covered wagon. In 1906 she moved to Morris.
In this interview, she discusses travelling by wagon train to New Mexico and what they ate and drank along the way. She discusses train robberies and what it was like to live in New Mexico, including how they got and rationed potable water. She talks about early Morris, the many liquor stores and the "red light" district.
Run Time
00:12:45
Language
English
Original Format
Reel-to-Reel
Digital Identifier
KMRSVarnum01
Repository
West Central Minnesota Historical Research Center (WCMHRC)
Local Identifier
1019
Recommended Citation
Varnum, Emma, "Emma Varnum Interview, ca. 1977" (1977). Reminiscing in West Central Minnesota (KMRS Feature). 69.
https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/kmrs/69
Primo Type
Audio
Notes
The digitization and transcription of this oral history was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.