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Letter and envelope from Mary Etta Syphus, Provo, Utah to John M. Bunker, Logan, Utah
Date
1894-04-07
Archival Collection
Description
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
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Letter and envelope from Mary Etta Syphus, Provo, Utah to John M. Bunker, Logan, Utah
Date
1894-05-05
Archival Collection
Description
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
Text
Transcript of interview with Billy Paul Smith by Claytee White, October 3, 2013
Date
2013-10-03
Archival Collection
Description
Chemist, mathematician, and health physicist Billy Paul Smith donates time to tutor young people in hopes of attracting more youth into the fields of math and science. Born in 1942 and schooled in segregated black schools in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Texarkana, Texas, he graduated from high school at age fifteen and enrolled at Prairie View A&M University, where he trained with the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and earned his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and in 1964 his Master’s degrees in chemistry and math. Most young U.S. Army officers in 1964 went to Vietnam, but Billy’s math and science background steered him to the Army Chemical Corps, where he was quickly selected to join a new team. The team was to develop responses to nuclear weapon accidents and worked under the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the same time, Billy completed the Weapons Ordinance Army course on classified information relating to the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. In this interview, Billy talks about his service with DASA and his subsequent twenty-seven years working at the Nevada Test Site in a variety of positions with Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company, Inc. (REECo), a company that had “percentagewise more blacks in management positions than any other [Las Vegas] company.” He experienced the quiet racism of Las Vegas residential segregation when he tried to purchase a house in a neighborhood he liked and the unexpected kindness of the REECo general manager, Ron Keen, who made sure the Smith family could live where they wanted to live. He talks about Area 51 and explains underground testing activity and offers the scientific and ecological reasons why scientists deemed Yucca Mountain safe to store nuclear waste. After retiring at fifty-two, Billy and a colleague formed an independent instrumentation company, which, from 1995–2005 provided and calibrated radiological measurement and detection instruments for the decommissioning and closure of the Rocky Flats nuclear plant in Golden, Colorado. During that time, Billy rented an apartment in Boulder, but he and Jackie maintained their Las Vegas home, where they still reside. Billy shares memories of places he and his wife used to enjoy on the Westside and tells of their longtime friends in the black community. He also talks about developing his philosophy of philanthropy through Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and discusses becoming a member of the Knowledge Fund Advisory Council for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the advisory council for the Nevada System of Higher Education.
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Transcript of interview with Dennis Ortwein by Claytee White, May 6, 2009
Date
2009-05-06
Archival Collection
Description
Dennis Ortwein arrived in Las Vegas in 1956. He shares many details about growing up in Montana, his parents and siblings, his education, and the moment in time when he was offered an opportunity to work in Las Vegas. He also lays out the path his singing career took, starting with school plays, duets with his sister, and high school quartets. Once in Las Vegas, Dennis taught for a while, served as principal, and was involved in creating programs that helped integrate schools. He also talks about his church choir work, entertainment in early Las Vegas, above-ground testing at the Nevada Test Site, and anti-nuclear protests. Dennis served as lab school and student teaching coordinator in Nigeria. He offers several anecdotes and stories about the time he and his family spent there. After retiring early (age 53), Dennis acted as consultant to the Esmeralda County school board, executive director for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and wrote a book. He is currently enjoying his singing career by appearing at conventions, in musicals, and at weddings and memorials.
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Film strip of individuals or Hoover Dam construction, image 007: photographic print
Date
1930 (year approximate) to 1939 (year approximate)
Archival Collection
Description
This photograph has four images. The first one (0272_0052) with the upside-down picture, has a handwritten inscription that reads, "View of hi-line and carriages on a double cable. First used on buckets. Was a little slow. These hi-lines stretching across the dam on a huge cable. Consist of several small cables in center, weaved together. In the center, outside, the carriages ride on smooth surface of one inch wide steel strips wrapped around the cables for a tight and smooth surface." The second image (0272_0053) reads, "'Pipe fitters' raising air and water pipe to a higher elevation for easier access." The third one (0272_0054) reads "'The water bag', a very popular item on Dam. Warning signs placed around, 'Do not drink water from taps on dam'. Arsenic in the water and in the mts. Once you get an open cut, you must avoid getting water from the dam in it. You have a good chance of arsenic poisoning. A boy in my dormitory got it. He broke out in sores at some spot. After long treatments it would heal, but two or three weeks break in another spot. Once in the blood, too bad." The fourth image (0272_0055) reads "Another good view. Stiffleg making a pour on dam nearest and #7 working in a lower pour - pours are numbered - from face to upstream face. 1-2-3 etc. across from wall to wall by alphabet, the slot (center) is between J & K."
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Jon E. Cobain Papers
Identifier
MS-01105
Abstract
The Jon E. Cobain Papers (1963-2009) contains material representing Cobain's experience as the first official graduate of Nevada Southern University (later University of Nevada, Las Vegas) in 1964. Materials include photographs of Cobain and his family, a scrapbook from his 1964 graduation day, newsletters, a copy of Beau's Bits Handbook, personal correspondence, and his diploma. This collection is comprised exclusively of digital surrogates.
Archival Collection
Stella Champo Iaconis Papers
Identifier
MS-00122
Abstract
The Stella Champo Iaconis Papers consist of a certificate for proficiency in Rapid Legible Business Writing from the Palmer Method of Business Writing given on May 11, 1927; a certificate of promotion to high school in Clark County, Nevada dated May 25, 1927; and an autograph book signed by classmates at Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1928.
Archival Collection
River Mountains Trail Partnership Records
Identifier
MS-00796
Abstract
The River Mountains Trail Partnership Records date from 1995 to 2015 and document the planning and construction of the River Mountains Loop Trail in Clark County, Nevada. The collection contains meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, project notes, trail maps, land surveys, grant applications, photographic slides of the trail and Lake Mead, environmental assessments, ephemera from National Trails Day, trail guides, interpretive plans, and development reports.
Archival Collection
Stephen Nasser Papers
Identifier
MS-00898
Abstract
The Stephen Nasser Papers (1992-2018) mainly contain letters written from school children to Nasser who travels to schools, churches, and organizations around Las Vegas, Nevada to share his story of surviving the Holocaust during World War II. Materials in this collection document his captivity in various prison camps and includes photographs, awards, and newspaper clippings. Also included are speeches given by Nasser and book reviews and a teacher's guide of his book My Brother's Voice written by students of Dixie College, St. George, Utah. This collection includes a copy of
Archival Collection