Learning About Latah County from the Oral History Collection

By Brandon Kreyling, LCHS Intern, University of Idaho undergraduate in History and Political Science

The LCHS Oral History Collection page hosted by the University of Idaho Library at lib.uidaho.edu/digital/lcoh/

I have had the absolute pleasure to intern for the Latah County Historical Society during my final fall semester at the University of Idaho. My work included transcribing oral histories so researchers and the public are able to access and utilize these oral histories without having to listen to the entire recording. This includes listening to the full audio of the interview and reworking the initial AI-generated transcript it produced to be fully accurate, including fixing words, sentences, and clarifying points. Then I would create an index for individuals to see common themes and be able to find them within the audited transcription file. All seven of these individuals either lived in or near surrounding areas and gave wonderful insight into the diverse history of Idaho and the Palouse. With some of the interviews occurring during the 1980s all the way to the 2010s, it gave wonderful insight into how people who came before me lived and interacted with the surrounding areas. It was an absolute pleasure getting this opportunity, and it taught me valuable life skills that I will be able to use in my future endeavors.

A performer at a Tabikat Drag Show in 2024.

In one of my first interviews, I was given the opportunity to transcribe and audit the Sarah and Porter Fogarty interview from 2025. This was one of the most interesting interviews that I worked on, as they discussed for a portion of it being queer in the Palouse, something I often do not read or know much about, given our rural setting in Moscow. Within their group interview, they discussed many different topics, one of which I found to be most interesting was the queer scene within their lives. They discussed going out in Spokane and how they came to get to know each other. I recommend either listening to or skimming the transcript, as I found this interview to be insightful and a joy to learn more about them and their journey.

Another interview I had the pleasure of listening to and auditing this semester was with Allen Bowles. Allen was a University of Idaho Law graduate and had a prosperous legal career here in Idaho, with his first case coming from the City of Potlach. One of his notable cases includes going all the way to the Ninth Circuit Appellate Court, which he traveled all the way to San Francisco to partake in. As well, what I would consider to be the most notable is when he got to take a case all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States. Discussing how, although polarizing, it was not much different than other cases as he came prepared and ready to do his work on behalf of this case. I found Allen’s interview to be very interesting as I am currently double majoring in history and political science as a pre-law major. As I heard his recollection of his time as an attorney I found it to be very valuable as I strive to pursue a similar career field.

A mock trial at the University of Idaho Law School. LCHS Photo: 17-11-047

One other interview I found to be very interesting as I learned more about a field was Carolynne Merrell’s interview. Her discussion of the hierarchy of academia I found to be very interesting, as her work was just on-par with people with more advanced degrees, yet since she lacked it she was often left behind in conversations or undermined. Yet, she continued to persevere, and she eventually did obtain her masters at the University of Idaho where her husband was a part of the faculty. She worked a lot with nature: surveying land and giving many localities more information on the land. I found her passion for her work to be something that should be highlighted. As she continued, she helped develop new technology that would advance her field and truly was amazing to see a University of Idaho graduate so passionate for her studies.

Fourth of July parade in Troy, Idaho. 1925. LCHS Photo: 15-08-020

Overall, I am super thankful for the opportunity to spend some of my time during my final semester at the University of Idaho interning with the Latah County Historical Society.

Working within some of the archives has given me so much insight into our local history and it was so interesting getting to hear so many different people’s life stories. From being born in neighboring cities, being here for studies, to living out their retirement nearby, I truly find it rewarding to hear how these different people impacted our community within different ways, and how they navigated our rural settings. Thank you so much to the Latah County Historical Society, and its amazing staff for an enjoyable internship.