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Oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague, 1962 July 18
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Sprague, Charles A. (Charles Arthur), 1887-1969
- Title
- Oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague
- Dates
- 1962 July 181962-07-181962-07-18
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (2 audiotape reels (41 min., 22 sec.) + index (3 pages)) : 7 in. open reels; 7 1/2 ips
- Collection Number
- SR 155
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague conducted by Robert Bruce on July 18, 1962, for the Living History Series, broadcast on radio. Sprague was editor and publisher of the Oregon Statesman newspaper and served as governor of Oregon from 1939 to 1943.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Charles Arthur Sprague was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on November 12, 1887. He attended Monmouth College in Illinois, where he was editor of the college newspaper. After his graduation in 1910, he became superintendent of schools in Waitsburg, Washington. He and Blanche Chamberlain were married on August 8, 1912, and they later had two children. In 1915, Sprague purchased the local paper, the Ritzville Journal Times. In 1925, he moved to Oregon, where he was business manager for the Corvallis Gazette-Times. In 1929, he purchased a two-thirds interest in the Oregon Statesman in Salem and was its editor and publisher for 40 years. He was a Republican and was elected governor of Oregon, serving from 1939 to 1943. He died in 1969.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This interview with Charles A. Sprague was conducted by Robert Bruce of the Capitol News Bureau in Sprague's office at the Oregon Statesman in Salem on July 18, 1962. It was broadcast on the radio as part of the Living History Series. In the interview, Sprague briefly discusses his family history and early life in the Midwest. He then talks about his career in journalism and ownership of the Corvallis Gazette-Times and the Statesman, as well as big news stories during that time, including the labor movement. Sprague also discusses his involvement with the Republican Party and his term as governor of Oregon during World War II. He also talks about landmark legislation that was passed during his term, particularly the establishment of the state forest system, as well as his thoughts on amending the Oregon Constitution. He closes the interview with a discussion about contemporary American culture.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and index available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague, by Robert Bruce, SR 155, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
In Copyright – Rights-Holder(s) Unlocatable or Unidentifiable statement: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel | ||
| 1-2 | Oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague | 1962 July 18 |
| Folder | ||
| SR155 | Index to oral history interview with Charles A. Sprague | 1962 July 18 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Forestry law and legislation--Oregon
- Governors--Oregon
- Labor movement--United States--History--20th century
Personal Names
- Sprague, Charles A. (Charles Arthur), 1887-1969
Corporate Names
- Republican Party (Or.)
Geographical Names
- Oregon--Politics and government--20th century
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Bruce, Robert (interviewer)
