Interview with Joseph H. Martin, 1956 November 8-9 [audio](part 1)
- Knowledge of the du Pont family; Talking about chemistry; Talking about Alfred I. du PontPartial Transcript: "Bidermann was a great single taxer, Coleman was somewhat..."Synopsis: Martin talks about members of the du Pont family and their single tax advocacy. He talks about Francis I. du Pont's work as a chemist. He compares the du Pont family's advocacy for a single tax to their ancestor's interests in physiocracy. He talks about Alfred I. du Pont's life and wives. He continues to talk about Alfred I. du Pont's work habits and notes that he tended to pay his workers low wages, but gave to them, generously.Keywords: Chemistry; Du Pont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irenee), 1864-1935; Du Pont, Bidermann, 1837-1923; Du Pont, Francis I. (Francis Iré né e), 1873-1942; Du Pont, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1863-1930; Nemours Alfred I. du Pont Hospital for Children; Physiocracy; Single Tax
- Memories of T. Coleman du Pont; The DuPont Highway; Impact of the du Ponts on WilmingtonPartial Transcript: "He was very much interested in politics and I was able to help him..."Synopsis: Martin talks about T. Coleman du Pont's political career. He says that at the time he was the owner of the Wilmington Star News. He says that he sold the newspaper in 1946 and it went out of existence in 1949. He talks about T. Coleman du Pont's interest in building a highway through Delaware. He talks about the highway's construction and du Pont's original plans for the road. Martin and one of the interviewers offer their thoughts on the impact of the du Pont family on Wilmington and the state of Delaware.Keywords: Delaware; Du Pont, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1863-1930; DuPont Highway; Newspapers; Wilmington Star News; Wilmington, Del.
- Building the DuPont Building and Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Del.; T. Coleman du Pont's autobiographyPartial Transcript: "...the genius who might recall... was John Raskob..."Synopsis: Martin talks about the construction of the DuPont building and Hotel DuPont in downtown Wilmington. He says that T. Coleman du Pont and John Raskob were key figures leading to the development of these buildings. He talks about T. Coleman du Pont's attempts to write his biography. He talks about Delaware history.Keywords: Du Pont, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1863-1930; DuPont building; Hotel DuPont; Raskob, John J. (John Jakob), 1879-1950; Wilmington, Del.
- Covering the 1890 explosions at Hagley and working as a newspaper reporter; Hagley barn burnings; Memories of General Henry du Pont and Colonel Henry A. du Pont; Laflin & Rand's attempt to buy DuPontPartial Transcript: "I doubt I could tell you anything brilliant as an ordinary reporter..."Synopsis: Martin talks about newspaper coverage of an 1890 explosion at Hagley. He says that at the time of the explosion he was on the opposite side of Wilmington but made his way toward Hagley Yard and gained entry. He describes the scene of the explosion. He says that he ate dinner with a family in Squirrel Run. He says that the village of Henry Clay was a separate entity from Wilmington as opposed to a part of Wilmington. He talks about Hagley barn burning s the late 19th century. He says that many of the arsonists were laid off wagoners who took issue with their firing. He talks about general Henry du Pont and Colonel Henry A. du Pont. He talks about Henry A. du Pont's public life and political career. He talks about Laflin & Rand's attempt to purchase DuPont. He talks about Alfred I. du Pont's opposition to selling and explains how he and his cousins kept the business in the du Pont family.Keywords: American Civil War (1861-1865); Barn burnings; Du Pont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irenee), 1864-1935; Du Pont, H. A. (Henry Algernon), 1838-1926; Du Pont, Henry, 1812-1889; Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954; Du Pont, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1863-1930; Explosions; Hagley Yard; Ham; Henry Clay (Del.: Village); Laflin & Rand Powder Company; Squirrel Run (Del.: Village); Wilmington Star News; Wilmington, Del.
- The Wilmington Star News and politics; Hearsay about the du Pont familyPartial Transcript: "I didn't start the star, it was started by a man named Jerome Bell..."Synopsis: Martin talks about the Wilmington star News. He talks about politics, relationships, and the du Pont family. He talks about DuPont company history and World War I.Keywords: du Pont family; Politics; Wilmington Star News; World War (1914-1918)
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.