Interview with John Peoples, 1957 June 13 [audio](part 2)

Hagley ID:
Download
  • Repairing kegs; Christmas gifts from Frank du Pont; The Spanish American War; Peoples' sons and family; Safety measures in the powder yards; Fire in the keg mill
    Partial Transcript: "Frank du Pont always came down about a half past one the day before Christmas..."
    Synopsis: Peoples talks about Christmas gifts from Frank du Pont. He talks about working in the yards during the Spanish American War. He says that they packed shells and shipped them out on passenger trains. He talks about his sons and family. The interviewers show him a photo and he names some of the people in it. He talks about safety measures in the powder yards, like replacing a shoe's nails with wooden pegs. He talks about the Keg Mill which burned down. He says that he worked there and describes the keg making process.
    Keywords: Brandywine Creek; Christmas; Du Pont, Francis Gurney, 1850-1904; Keg Mill; Safety; Spanish American War (1898)
  • Peeling willows for charcoal; Neighborhood characters; Contacts with members of the du Pont family; Testing gunpowder
    Partial Transcript: "I don't know whether they came from Pennsylvania or not..."
    Synopsis: Peoples talks about peeling willows for making charcoal. He describes how he peeled willows and notes that the smaller trees were thought to make better powder. Peoples talks about local characters and neighbors and reminisces about a man named "Yabba" Buchanan who blasted stumps for extra money. He talks about some members of the du Pont family that he had contact with. He talks about how the company tested gunpowder. He talks about the local area and the location where Squirrel Run stood.
    Keywords: Bells; Charcoal; Du Pont, Francis I. (Francis Iré né e), 1873-1942; Du Pont, Henry, 1812-1889; Gibbons House; Hunter's Corner; Knives; Peeling willows; Peoples Railway Company (Wilmington, Del.); Springs; Squirrel Run (Del.: Village); Street-railroads; Water; Willow trees
Details
Title

Interview with John Peoples, 1957 June 13 [audio](part 2)

Date Created

1957-06-13

Scope and Content

Peoples describes his job and working conditions in detail, his impressions of Frank du Pont, flooding along the Brandywine, explosions, life at Squirrel Run, and anecdotes about his neighbors.

Interviewee

Peoples, John

Interviewer

Monigle, Joseph P. (Joseph Patrick), 1924-2007
Wilkinson, Norman B.

Biographical Note

John Peoples (b. 1871) emigrated from Donegal, Ireland and worked in the Keg Mill during his career at DuPont.

Note

Interview summary-not a direct transcript

Place

Wilmington (Del.)

Subject(s)

Reminiscing
Gunpowder industry--Employees
Explosives industry--Employees
Explosives

Subject(s) - Name

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Find all items with name(s)

Peoples, John
Monigle, Joseph P. (Joseph Patrick), 1924-2007
Wilkinson, Norman B.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Genre

oral histories

Brand Information

Webcor Electronic Memory, 1200 ft., No. 2906

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

1 sound tape reel : 3.75 ips. TRT part 1 - 0:32:17, part 2 - 0:30:35.

Physical Details

A and B
Part 1: 0:32:17 Part 2: 0:30:35

Repository

Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Original Collection

Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)

Original Identifier

1970.370.053

Finding Aid

http://findingaids.hagley.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/1970_370.xml

Item Location

Box 2, Reel 53

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_62813_peoples_part2, Box 2, Reel 53, Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Access Condition

Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this material. If you would like more information, please contact askhagley@hagley.org

Hagley ID

1970370_62813_peoples_part2

Other Format (Identifier)

2026_060313_12

PID

islandora:2277674

Digitized material in this online archive may document imagery or language that reflects racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive and harmful beliefs and actions in history. Hagley Library is engaged in ongoing efforts to address and responsibly present evidence of oppression and injustice in our collections. If you are concerned about the archival material presented here, or want to learn more about our ongoing work, please contact us at research@hagley.org.