Scope and Contents Harmful Content Policy: Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection’s collection houses materials collected to elucidate the past. We recognize that users may encounter some items within these collections that contain offensive language, viewpoints, imagery or other forms of objectionable content. Such materials document the past and should be viewed within the context of their original time period. Providing online access to these historical materials does not...

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Georgia residents during the Depression era, 1920's-40's.

Scope and Contents Ed Lightsey(1944-2014) was a native of Valdosta, Ga, and an alumnus of VSU. Lightsey’s life included turns as a writer, television anchorman, author, auctioneer, disc jockey, public speaker, soldier, and numerous positions in politics and government. He served as a senior correspondent for Georgia Trend magazine. Prior to that, his career included a decade as an independent contractor and auctioneer; a stint as district director and campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Charles Hatcher;...

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Relates the story of the November 30, 1935 kidnapping, torture and murder of Joseph Shoemaker, and kidnapping and torture of other members of the Modern Democrats political organization, who were assisting cigar factory workers in Tampa, Fla. Mr. Shoemaker died 9 days later in a Tampa hospital. The police and others involved in the kidnappings were reported to be members of the Ku Klux Klan.

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Pictures include photos, artwork, and posters from the era.

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Front page headline reads: "Klan Burns Cross Here Last Night." Article with photo describes a Klan rally in Valdosta.

Scope and Contents Digitized 16mm film from WALB-TV (Albany, Georgia, United States), mostly from the 1970's, donated by Ed Lightsey. Raw newsreel compilations include segments on Jimmy Carter; Ku Klux Klan rally in Plains, Georgia; 1980 Georgia 2nd District Congress campaign spots for Charles Hatcher; Dwight Eisenhower heart attack news report; Escaped convicts; Football; 1973 National Meat boycott; The Georgians at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave w/ H. Jordan and J. Powell; "Insight with Ed Lightsey" interview with...