Interview. with PERCY BROWN. May 18,1995. by Karen Kruse Thomas. Indexed by Karen Kruse Thomas

Transcription

1 ^-3^ Interview with PERCY BROWN May 18,1995 by Karen Kruse Thomas Indexed by Karen Kruse Thomas The Southern Oral History Program University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -Oririnnl trnmrript nn rlnpnrrit-rrt The Southern Historical Collection Louis Round Wilson Library Citation of this interview should be as follows: "Southern Oral History Program, in the Southern Historical Collection Manuscripts Department, Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill" Copyright 1996 The University of North Carolina

2 INTERVIEWER: Karen Kruse Thomas TAPE NO.: PB INTERVIEWEE: Percy Brown Original, Mono, Dolby NO. OF SIDES: 2 NO. OF TAPES: 1 INTERVIEW DATE: May 18, 1995, 8PM LOCATION: At the home of Percy Brown, Catherine's Lake, NC TOPIC: How the construction of Camp Lejeune Marine Base affected Percy Brown's family and the surrounding farming communities. This tape covers Mr. Brown's childhood on his family's farm near Catherine's Lake; community life before World War II (farming, education, entertainment); construction of the base; locals' reactions to the base, the influx of soldiers and defense workers, and the war itself; relations between locals and the military, including race relations; and changes in farming during and after World War II. Counter No. Topic [Side A] TAPE INDEX 001 Mr. Brown's early life on a 50-acre farm, education at a country school in Richlands, NC. "We did without more during the war than we did during the Depression." 030 Farming community depended on each other to pool labor necessary to subsistence farm. 048 Recreation during Brown's childhood included seeing movies, ice cream socials, fishing, visiting relatives. 061 Brown says that most blacks moved out of his community after the war. 070 Older local residents who had to move for the base were especially bitter. 078 Local people gathered to watch the military convoys that began to cross Onslow County around Brown first heard the base was going to be built through newspaper and radio advertisements, as well as talking to the families who had to move. Tent camps, such as Camp Geiger, were built to house the first

3 ^ - - % ^ Marines stationed at the base. Many local farmers abandoned their farms for the higher wages at the base. Farm laborers became scarce, since farmers couldn't compete with the base's wages. 125 Brown says Pearl Harbor didn't affect him directly, but remembers, "I'd been out of [high] school eleven days when I got a greeting from the President of the United States." Brown was drafted in the army, and served in the occupation forces in Germany in Locals were often disturbed at night by troops on maneuvers. Local farmers signed leases with the government to allow troops to use their land for exercises. Brown recounts stories about being surrounded by soldiers unexpectedly one night, escaping tear gas, and finding soldiers' fox holes around his farm. 175 During Brown's childhood, locals had picnics at Catherine's Lake and Alum Springs, some put on by Brown's father and uncle. Around the turn of the century, there was a rest home and stables at Alum Springs. Around 1941, Camp Lejeune rented Alum Springs and put on a burlesque show for the troops. Brown was hired to help set up and clean up, in return for watching the show. In the nineteenth century, there was a turpentine still at Catherine's Lake. According to local legend, during the Civil War, Confederates rolled barrels of turpentine into the lake to hide them from Union troops. Story about Brown's father, who used a broad ax to make railroad ties out of long leaf pines. 244 Rumors about spies and U-boats during World War II. Topsail Beach was used by the military during the war. 268 Effects of Camp Lejeune on Jacksonville: "If it wasn't for the military, Jacksonville wouldn't be there. It'd be just like Richlands a hick town that you could jump over. Jacksonville has catered more to the military than to the farmers." Locals resent that most public officials are transplants, who have moved to the area after the base was built. 278 Housing shortage during the war. Many local farmers rented rooms and even outbuildings to soldiers, defense workers, and their families. Description of temporary trailer parks, with central bathhouses. Brown says there were relatively few "modern," more permanent trailer parks until after the war. 308 Relations between locals and soldiers: locals were hesitant to pick up Marines because they thought that many were delinquents who had been given the choice of enlisting or jail. 333 Alludes to prostitution on Court Street.

4 xs-^ 357 Many local women married soldiers. During the Korean War, Brown and other Catherine's Lake residents boarded draftees in their homes. 394 Some local businesses were prejudiced against blacks, some against soldiers in general. Different prices were charged to soldiers than to locals, and some businesses barred blacks. Story about refusing to eat at a restaurant that did not serve a black co-worker in the early 1960s. Brown believes racial prejudice still exists in Jacksonville, especially among the older generation. 480 Effects of rationing during the war. 510 Many local women worked on the base, especially as secretaries. Some worked in the shipyard at Wilmington. 536 Entertainment during the war: drive-ins became popular in the 1940s. [side B] 001 Growth of Jacksonville into surrounding farm country: "I measured tobacco where the mall is." 006 Meeting at country store to listen to the Grand Ole Opry. Lists different radio programs popular in the 1930s and '40s, popular musicians such as Earl Scruggs, square dancing. 029 Story of how Brown and his wife met. 035 Effects of war news, impact of seeing activity at Camp Lejeune during the war. Brown's memories of V-E day, dropping of the atomic bomb. 063 Soldiers often came to Brown's place to do farm work or fish "just to get off the base." 080 Effects of Camp Lejeune on Onslow County: contributed to decline of farming, but brought economic prosperity. 098 Returning veterans Brown knew were deeply scarred by the war. 118 Community interdependence has extended to include military families as well. Brown describes community efforts to help needy families, holding cookouts for soldiers on maneuvers. 160 Memories of Catherine's Lake before the war: lumber company shipped lumber on a tram line.

5 H-^-SK 190 Effect of base on race relations: according to Brown, locals resented the military after Truman made desegregation mandatory. 235 Brown remembers returning home after serving in World War II: many local people had left the area. Describes the changes in farming in Onslow County after the war. Story about being discharged and excitement at returning home to farm. "I've never had any desire to move any place else." 300 Arrowheads Brown found on his farm. 345 The most important things to Mr. Brown have been his upbringing and his family. [end of interview]