Folks, I admit that sometimes when I am reading contemporary literature from Emmett’s time, I like to listen to some of the hit tunes from his day. It gets me into the “1915” (or whatever year I’m reading) frame of mind.
One of the best places to hear the hits of the past are found on the National Jukebox website.
This is a great resource for any kind of recorded material from the early 1900s (and a few from the 1800s). You can find music, comedy, even speeches from William Howard Taft and others I’m sure Emmett heard on the stump in his time.
William Howard Taft, speaking in 1912, in his campaign for reelection against Woodrow Wilson.
Between you and me, Taft sounds like the way I imagined. If he had a high-pitched, whiny voice, for example, I’d have been really surprised!
It is too bad Emmett’s speeches were not recorded recorded back in the day. The media reported that Emmett was a forceful, clear speaker. His speeches were said to be very good, but I wonder what he ‘sounded’ like.
The National Jukebox resource has a lot of great information. Check it out!
And now, back to the microfilm of 1915, and a funny story by Nat Wills, titled “A Father of 36.” Enjoy!
Categories: Recommended Sources Research Status
jsmith532
Professor,
Communication, Arts, and the Humanities
The University of Maryland Global Campus
Tell my story. 
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