Oral history interview with Harold Coulter, 1974 Nov. 11 / conducted by Susan L. Chappell.

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Oral history interview with Harold Coulter, 1974 Nov. 11 / conducted by Susan L. Chappell.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71823773

Harold Coulter discusses the efforts of Phenix City citizens to clean up the organized crime and political corruption in their town during the mid-twentieth century. Mr. Coulter talks about E.K. "Gene" Garrett's activities in organizing a Junior Chamber of Commerce and bringing a weekly newspaper (the Phenix City Herald) to Phenix City. He also discusses Hugh Bentley's role as leader of the reform group and Bentley's work with Albert Patterson, who was later assassinated in 1954 as a result of his efforts at reform. He describes several significant incidents including a late night meeting between Bentley, Mayor Cobb, and himself. Mr. Coulter shares his thoughts on why many good citizens did not take a stand against the crime and corruption and the role of the local newspapers, including the Columbus Ledger, in the reform work. He also gives a brief history of Phenix City (originally known as Girard).

Typescript: 11 leaves, bound ; 29 cm.Sound recording: 1 sound cassette : analog.Sound recording: part of Track 2 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: 8085969

Columbus State University, Simon Schwob Memorial Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Coulter, Harold,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w695f8 (person)

Harold Coulter, a Phenix City, Ala. native, helped lead the town's reform and cleanup efforts in the 1940s and 1950s. From the description of Oral history interview with Harold Coulter, 1974 Nov. 11 / conducted by Susan L. Chappell. (Columbus State University). WorldCat record id: 71823773 ...

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...

Chappell, Susan

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w693255q (person)