History Ago Go

Author, historian and filmmaker Dr. Graham Peck speaks about his award winning book, Making and Antislavery Nation.  The conversation covers the early controversy over slavery in the United States, including the agreements to maintain the Union.  The Compromise of 1820 and 1850 are discussed in detail.  Dr. Peck does a masterful job of articulating the vision and philosophy of both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.  He explains idea of Manifest Destiny and the issues with the territorial expansion of the United States including the Louisiana Purchase and the land acquired from Mexico after the Mexican War.  He also describes the importance of Illinois in the national political landscape of the 1850s.  Peck includes the rise of the Republican Party, the Election of 1856, and the impact of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates on the national dialog on slavery.  He concludes with the Election of 1860 to include Stephen Douglas's nationalist vision of America and Lincoln's belief in American democracy.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pabst Brewing Company, Los Angeles, CA

BOOK:  Making an Antislavery Nation: Lincoln, Douglas, and the Battle Over Freedom, University of Illinois Press, 2017

WEBSITE:  www.civilwarprof.com

MUSIC:  Bones Fork

Dr. Scott Giltner explains the ugly legacy of white supremacy and Jim Crow in America in the period after Reconstruction.  He discusses the immediate impact of the 13th Amendment and how Southern leaders attempted to maintain power and economic control.  The discussion includes the philosophy that formed the basis for white supremacy and how it was used to justify repression of the black population.  Dr. Giltner continues with an explanation of the origins of the term Jim Crow and the impact of those laws on black citizens in the 1880s to the 1960s.  He offers examples of segregation laws, how they started and how far they went.  He explains early opposition to Jim Crow including the Plessy v. Ferguson case which established the concept of "separate, but equal".  He speaks about the political impact of Jim Crow in the form of the "grandfather clause", poll taxes and literacy tests.  The conversation ends with Jim Crow during the Cold War and  vestiges that still remain.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Zwickel Bavarian-Style Lager (Urban Chestnut Brewing Company)

BOOK:  Hunting and Fishing in the New South: Black Labor and White Leisure after the Civil War, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.

MUSIC:  Bones Fork

Historian and Librarian Iris Nelson details the interesting story of COL George V. Rutherford and his duties on the night that Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth.  After being called to the house of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, COL Rutherford was ordered to the Peterson House where Lincoln was dying from his wound.  Nelson discusses the night of April 14, 1865 and the early morning hours of the next day.  Rob and Iris detail the assassination attempt on Secretary of State William Seward and the gruesome scene left by the assailant Lewis Powell.  The discussion covers COL Rutherford being ordered by Stanton to place silver half-dollars on Lincoln's eyes after his death at 7:22 am on April 15, 1865 and the COL accompanying the body of the President to the White House.  The talk includes the history behind the ancient funerary tradition of placing obols (coins) on the eyes of the dead.  Iris also speaks about the military tribunal that convicted Mary Surratt and the other conspirators.  Mary Surratt was the first woman in the history of the United States to be executed by the U.S. Government.  She explains the connection of Orville Hickman Browning of Quincy to Lincoln and his role after the assassination in the Surratt case.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Newcastle Brown Ale (Lagunitas Brewing Company, California)

MUSIC:  Bones Fork

Dr. Justin Coffey discusses the early years of Richard Nixon and his political rise.  Coffey stresses the development of Nixon's work ethic and social resentments which form his politics.  Nixon's school years and service in the Navy eventually lead to a congressional run in 1946.  Dr. Coffey talks about the 12th Congressional District win by Nixon against Jerry Voorhis and his placement on the House American Activities Committee (HUAC).  The conversation covers the HUAC and the investigation into the "Hollywood Ten" and the Alger Hiss case.  The section on the Alger Hiss case encompasses more modern revelations such as the "Venona Decrypts".  Coffey finishes with Nixon's election to the U.S. Senate in 1950, his political rivalry with John F. Kennedy, and his selection to be the VP nominee for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952.  The election of 1952 features the famous "Checkers Speech" which saved Richard Nixon's political career.

Host:  Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  Mischief Hoppy Belgian-Style Ale (The Bruery, Yorba Linda, CA)

Music:  Bones Fork

Author and researcher Phil Reyburn tells the history of the Illinois National Guard unit of Black Soldiers the 8th Illinois.  Their service on the Mexican border and in the Spanish-American War.  The 8th Illinois was an anomaly because it was the only regiment in the U.S. Army at the time with almost a complete compliment of Black Officers from Colonel to Private.  The 8th was designated the 370th Regiment and assigned to the 93rd Division in WWI.  General Pershing transferred the two Black Divisions the 92nd and 93rd to the French during the last counter offensive of the war.  The draft of WWI and the segregation of Black Soldiers is explained to include the treatment of African-Americans in the Army.  Reyburn also covers the training of Black Officers in the U.S. Army during the Great War.  He then details the amazing and heroic service of LT Robinson and SGT Thompson culminating in those Soldiers being awarded French and American medals.  The talk concludes with a conversation on the race riots in 1919 at the conclusion of the war.

Host:  Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  Fantasyland Midwest Coast IPA Ale (Urban Chestnut Brewing Company - St. Louis, MO)

Music:  Bones Fork

Dr. Tim Jacobs the Commander of the Quincy Civil War Roundtable discusses the curious and amazing story of the sword in the wall detailing the tale of the Ruddell family.  The talk included the history of CPT William Ruddell and his service with the Union Army and the Battle of Atlanta.  The Ruddell family history traces back to Stephen Ruddell and his life with the Shawnee after being captured during the American Revolution.  Stephen became brothers with Tecumseh and the Prophet.  The Battle of Tippecanoe is discussed and the separation of the Shawnee brothers.  Dr. Jacobs also discusses Civil War generals Grant, Sherman and Jackson.

Host:  Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  #6 Classic American Lager (Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, St. Louis, Missouri)

Music:  Bones Fork available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify

History professor Dr. Wendell Mauter details the political environment in Germany after WWI and how Adolf Hitler used the chaotic time to gain power.  Mauter describes Hitler's life in Vienna and his time in the German Army.  He covers the different groups that made up the political right in Germany and how the Nazis gained traction in a divided political landscape.  The professor explains Hitler's world view and his rise to prominence after the failed coup in 1923.  If you want to understand the National Socialist system - Dr. Mauter gives a description of the SA, SS, Gestapo and the SD, as well as, key Nazi figures Goebbels, Rohm, Goring, Himmler, Borman and Hess.  The fascinating talk helps answer the question how someone like Hitler could come to power in a cultured and educated society.

Host:  Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  Hofbrau Hefe Weizen (Hofbrau Munchen HB)  Munich Wheat Specialty

Music:  Bones Fork

Historian and author Reg Ankrom discusses his book Stephen A. Douglas: The Political Apprenticeship 1833-1843.  The talk includes the early days of Douglas and his move west to Illinois.  Reg details the political growth of the "Little Giant" and describes his competition with Abraham Lincoln.  He also describes the nature of Stephen Douglas's engagement to Mary Todd (Lincoln).  The discussion includes Douglas's time as the State's Attorney and Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.  The episode covers the Illinois politician's life in Jacksonville, Springfield and Quincy.

Host: Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  Prairie Path Golden Ale (Two Brothers Brewing Company)

Music:  Bones Fork