Gus DEMUS(b. 1892)

Interviews

Interview #1, 8/7/1975

Topics:Working and living for Greeks in Potlatch; their social separation from Americans. Railroad labor in eastern Washington: boxcar living. Growing up in Dedemah. Departure of Greeks from Potlatch during depression. 8-7-75 2.5 hr 37p
Duration:2:12:43Interviewer:Sam Schrager
Keywords: Great Depression Greek Americans Italian-Americans businesses churches death drinking families foremen friendship games immigrants languages logging camps railroads religion sawmills stores strikes workers world wars
Locations:Potlatch Walla Walla Oregon

Interview #2, 9/12/1975

Topics:Laboring in the Northwest: language barrier, foreman-crew relations. Sending father back to Greece. Ten hour day at Potlatch. IWW radicalism. Getting ahead in America. 9-12-75 2 hr 33p
Duration:1:55:39Interviewer:Sam Schrager
Keywords:Greek Americans IWW bootlegging families foremen gambling languages prostitutes railroads strikes unions winter workers world wars
Locations:Potlatch Oregon Washington

Interview #3, 10/24/1975

Topics:Work as trimmer in mill: disagreements, foremen, sign language, accidents. Greek living arrangements and lack of security. Company profits. Prostitution. 10-24-75 2.5 hr 47p
Duration:4:38:02Interviewer:Sam Schrager
Keywords:Greek Americans Japanese Americans accidents automobiles foremen illness immigrants languages marriage mills prostitutes railroads sawmills unskilled workers women world wars
Locations:Potlatch Pullman Washington

Interview #4, 9/24/1976

Topics:Brother's paranoia. Surviving the depression. Slow advancement in sawmill. Greek bachelors. Visiting Greece after retirement. 9-24-76 1.4 hr 26p
Duration:1:23:08Interviewer:Sam Schrager
Keywords:Great Depression Greek Americans families foremen illness sawmills unions
Locations:Potlatch Lewiston Spokane