OH025 William Pryor Oral History
Collection Title
Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - World War I
Series Number
OH025
Interviewee
Pryror, William 1890-
Interviewer
Peyton, Bill
Date Interviewed
September 27th, 1979
Processed by
Sheree Wise
Date Processed
February 8th, 2010
Description
1 sound disc (1 hour, 3 minutes)
Abstract
William Pryor, a resident of Paducah, Kentucky, discusses his experiences in World War I. They include recollections in military training camps, his voyage across the ocean to Europe in a navy convoy and conflicts amongst black and white soldiers. He recalls when he returned home from the war and the fact that the president of the company where he worked killed a man. Pryor mentions his mother who was a slave. He shares the stories she told such as being taught to read by white children, receiving punishment from owners and being set freed. In conclusion, Pryor tells of his move to Paducah, his marriage and the documents he lost in the flood of 1937.
Biographical/Historical Note
William Pryor was born March 23, 1890 in Benton, Kentucky. He was drafted into the army and sent to Camp Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. He then reported to Newport News, Virginia where he remained a month before going to Brest, France by ship. He traveled to places such as Bardou, France and Jazz, France. He remained in Europe until a year after the Armistice was signed.
General Information
No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings/Descriptors
Benton, Kentucky
Camp Taylor, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Newport News, Virginia
Brest, France
Bardou, France
Jazz, France
Recommended Citation
Bill, Peyton, "OH025 William Pryor Oral History" (2025). World War I. 25.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/oh-wwi/25
Audio Transcript
