Robert Saunders' parents and maternal grandparents came to Roslyn, Washinton from South Carolina in 1900. They were brought on the Northern Pacific Railroad as strike breakers for mining work. The family moved to Seattle ca. 1903 after Saunders' grandfather was killed in a mining accident. Saunders' father got a job as a fireman at Seattle Gas Company through Jim Hill, who owned stock in Railroad, Mines, and Seattle Gas. Robert was born in Roslyn in 1901.
Tape recorded interview conducted by Larry Gossett on 20 Mar 1968.
Saunders talks about childhood and schooling at Broadway and Franklin High Schools, and later job discrimination against Negroes who were trained in special vocational programs in high school. He talks about experiences playing pro baseball in black leagues before Blacks were allowed into major league baseball (ca. 1918-1926?) He talks about experiences on ships as a cook. He gives several anecdotes about experiences in Bombay, Africa, and the Orient, relevant to racial feelings toward Blacks.
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Donated by Robert Saunders