Interview with John Pearce

Partial Transcript: Give me your full name.

Segment Synopsis: Pearce gives a brief background before discussing the Turner family. He says that he had a negative impression of Breathitt County. He claims that Treva and Marie did not get along because Marie did not approve of Treva's husband.

Keywords: Breathitt County; Courier Journal; Turner, Ervine; Turner, Marie; Turner, Treva

Subjects: United States. Navy

Partial Transcript: How would you compare the Turners and their influence in Breathitt County?

Segment Synopsis: Pearce says that Marie Turner was more influential than her husband. He says that she got to know people as superintendent and held power over jobs because of that.

Keywords: Breathitt County; Great Depression; Turner, Ervine; Turner, Marie; WPA

Subjects: Circuit courts--United States Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985 Democratic party (Ky.) Education--Kentucky School boards--Elections School superintendents

Partial Transcript: What are the good things that Marie Turner meant to Breathitt County?

Segment Synopsis: Pearce says that Turners improved Breathitt County by building better roads and getting funding for education. He claims that Marie would isolate teachers who did not vote the way she wanted them to.

Keywords: Breathitt County; Turner, Ervine; Turner, Marie

Subjects: Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Education--Kentucky Roads--Construction

Partial Transcript: How did the Turners fit into state politics?

Segment Synopsis: Pearce says that a governor could not win Breahitt County without the Turners and they expected political favors for helping to swing the vote.

Keywords: Breathitt County; Turner, Ervine; Turner, Marie

Subjects: Clements, Earle C. (Earle Chester), 1896-1985 Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Democratic party (Ky.) Elections Governors--Kentucky Kentucky--Politics and government Turner, Jackie Turner, John Raymond

Partial Transcript: I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask you about the change of ownership at the Courier Journal.

Segment Synopsis: Pearce says the was saddened by the change.

Keywords: Courier Journal; Ethridge, Mark

Subjects: Newspapers