Speakers-Ben J. Keasler, Yolanda Harrell

Audio Quality-Good

Location-Clemson, SC

Cassette 1

Side 1

1:00--Mr. Keasler's paternal grandparents were Ben and Phyllis Keasler. His maternal grandparents were Joe and Alice Harper.

2:11--Mr. Keasler grew up in Clemson, behind the local National Guard Armory. He talks about the town of Calhoun and its connection to Clemson (Calhoun was often called east Clemson), Fort Hill, Lake Hartwell, and local bottoms (swamps).

8:07--His family did not own its own home. His father worked at Clemson College for 30 years; the family lived on a tract of land known as Houston Place. Houston was the name of a professor at Clemson who rented land. Mr. Keasler explains how the rental system worked.

10:50--Growing up, he knew an older relative of his father who people called Aunt Linda White. She had grown up in slavery times, but by the time Mr. Keasler knew her, her mind had become poor and could not recall stories of her experiences.

12:11--Mr. Keasler's family is buried at Holly Springs, Mountains Springs, and New Light cemeteries.

13:37--The family was originally from Anderson County, where they were involved in farming. At some point, farming became less and less profitable, so Mr. Keasler's father moved the family closer to Clemson in order that he could work for the college. Mr. Keasler's mother stayed at home and raised the children. His grandparents were farmers.

16:04--Mr. Keasler states that employment for black men when he was young usually involved "...mules, picks, and shovels." Women did domestic work.

17:00--Mr. Keasler worked for Clemson's SC Experiment Station for 52 years. The interviewer reads from the many certificates and awards that are displayed in the house, and Mr. Keasler identifies some individuals he is pictured with. He worked under Clemson Presidents Sikes, Poole, Edwards, and Atchley. Mr. Keasler started working for Clemson when he was 10 years old. He explains aspects of his job responsibilities, identifies some of his foremen, tells a humorous story regarding occasional run-ins with snakes, and explains the evolution of the typical workday over the many years that he worked at Clemson.

31:24--Audio ends.

Cassette 1

Side 2

00:34--Employment issues continue to be discussed such as lunch breaks and the typical hiring process that occurred around August of each year.

3:30--Mr. Keasler discusses aspects of agriculture and how it has improved, and recalls the lay of the land in regards to local cotton fields and bottoms.

9:21--He explains the evolution of tractors, from the first, which was not much better than a mule in his estimation, to more modern versions.

10:59--Mr. Keasler recalls meeting at Gillsion's barn before work, some of the old buildings around Clemson, and the typical number of workers who worked the fields.

18:11--He discusses aspects of shopping and raising food when he was a youth.

20:04--He discusses where furniture was usually obtained, and recalls the process of changing the straw mattresses every year.

21:10--Mr. Keasler owns 60 or 70 year old baskets made by an old local man named George Robinson. He also owns old farm equipment passed down from his father.

25:14--Church--his family were members of New Holly Light Baptist (now Holly Springs) in Anderson County. He can remember Reverend T. B. Williams being a pastor there when he was young and that his parents were both in the choir.

29:30--Education--Mr. Keasler got very little schooling, on account that he had to work. He did attend through the fifth grade. His parents were educated, and his siblings got about the same amount of education that he did. He names a few of his teachers.

31:44--Audio ends.

Cassette 2

Side 1

00:07--Educational issues continue as Mr. Keasler discusses the typical hours of the school day, lunch, recess, and curriculum. His children were the first individuals in the family to attend college; all were graduates. He gives their occupations and where they now live.

5:50--Mr. Keasler and his wife were the first ones in the family who voted. His parents weren't really interested in politics because they were more focused on raising a family and day to day living.

7:30--White/black relationships--Mr. Keasler was advised at a young age the best way to act around whites in order that people got along.

9:55--His family lived in the Anderson area for many years and would attended the County Fair. They also very occasionally traveled to Greenville, but most items could be purchased at the local Keller and Abbot stores.

11:30--Celebrations/Holidays--July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were common holidays. Birthdays were celebrated with cake and ice-cream. Another common celebration was the local "fish-fry."

17:00--Mr. Keasler recalls some of his favorite childhood memories such as making a playhouse, and shooting horseshoes. He explains the "fire-ball" throwing and "jack-in-the-bush" games.

22:15--Mr. Keasler wouldn't change anything about his life; he has been well pleased.

23:51--Audio ends.

Cassette 2

Side 2

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