Oral history interview with Hugh Bentley, 1974 Nov. 27 / conducted by Ben Baker.

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Oral history interview with Hugh Bentley, 1974 Nov. 27 / conducted by Ben Baker.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/68467557

Hugh Bentley discusses the efforts of Phenix City citizens to clean up the organized crime and political corruption in their town during the mid-twentieth century. He emphasizes the role of local churches and Columbus, Ga. newspapers, which bolstered the citizens' groups such as the Russell Betterment Association, which he was heavily involved in. Mr. Bentley, who had worked closely with Albert Patterson against crime and corruption also talks about Mr. Patterson's 1954 assassination, the trial and subsequent conviction of Albert Fuller for Mr. Patterson's murder. He describes the aftermath of the assassination and the reform and renewal which resulted.

Typescript: 19 leaves, bound ; 29 cm.Sound recording: 1 sound cassette : analog.Sound recording: part of Track 1 on 1 sound tape reel : analog, 3 3/4 ips, 2 track ; 7 in.

Columbus State University, Simon Schwob Memorial Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 7972809

Columbus State University, Simon Schwob Memorial Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Patterson, Albert, -1954

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60s0f21 (person)

Baker, Benjamin, 1914-2005

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jm2mm8 (person)

Teacher of political science, Rutgers University, and president of Plainfield (N.J.) Board of Education. From the description of Papers, 1964-1972. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 28375602 ...

Bentley, Hugh.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69c9hbh (person)

Hugh Bentley, a Phenix City, Ala. native, grew up around the rampant vice, crime, and corruption which characterized Phenix City in the first half of the twentieth century, but experienced a religious conversion as a young man and eventually became a leader in organizing citizens' efforts to improve conditions in the town. Mr. Bentley also ran unsuccessfully for local office. Mr. Bentley, his son, and several of their associates were threatened and attacked for their stance against crime and cor...