Akron Beacon Journal, "Remembering May 4," Responses from Readers,
1990
May 4 Collection -- Box 74
Finding Aid
Prepared by Nancy Birk, June 1993
1 document case, .33 cubic foot, 12th floor
Historical Note
On April 1, 1990, the Akron Beacon Journal printed a request, inviting
readers to share their memories of May 4, 1970. They received over 90 replies
and published excerpts from 12 of the letters on April 29, 1990. Regina Brett,
a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal and graduate of Kent State University,
donated the 54 letters of response that comprise this collection on May 2, 1990
(Accession Number: U90/23). The collection does not contain the letters that were printed in the
Beacon Journal article. However, a copy of that article is included.
Letters include responses from people in all walks of life. Filtered through
the memory of 20 years, eyewitnesses recount the trauma of their experience.
Students, faculty, National Guardsmen, Vietnam veterans and townspeople all
responded. Some respondents expressed their anger and others their tears. This
collection will be of interest particularly to sociologists and to anyone interested
in the continuing impact of this event on Kent State's and our nation's history.
Some respondents have requested anonymity and the researcher is reminded that
these requests must be respected.
Scope and Content
This collection contains 54 reader responses submitted to the Akron Beacon Journal. Letters are arranged in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Some submissions are anonymous. All items date from 1990.
May 4 Collection -- Box 74
Folder -- Contents
- Finding Aid
- Akron Beacon Journal Article, April 29, 1990
- Anonymous--Akron, Ohio
- Anonymous--Canton, Ohio
- Anonymous--Kent, Ohio
- Anonymous--Akron, Ohio
- "Concerned Viet Vet"--Akron, Ohio
- "Sandy" Norton, Ohio
- "Tom"--Canton, Ohio
- Augustein, P.C. --Alliance, Ohio
- Barnett, Robert R.--Akron, Ohio
- Barnetson, Margaret--Broadview Hts, Ohio
- Beaudoin, Mrs. J.F.--Broadview Hts, Ohio
- Bennett, Jeanne Moore--Tallmadge, Ohio
- Bobby, Mary Lynn--Kent, Ohio
- Broadway, Albert J.--Kent, Ohio
- Cater-Akers, Rebecca--Akron, Ohio
- Cath, Edna--Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
- Covey, Jan--Akron, Ohio
- Deist, Warren E.--Akron, Ohio
- Durosko, Al--Akron, Ohio
- Egan, Berta K.--Kent, Ohio
- Feinberg, Steven F.--Chicago, Illinois
- Felver, G.R.--Akron, Ohio
- Fraatz, Donald B.--Kent, Ohio
- Gesing, Joseph B.--Stow, Ohio
- Grayshock, Richard E.--Uniontown, Ohio
- Hodges, Karen Stahler--Canal Fulton, Ohio
- Katz, Kay L.--Decatur, Georgia
- Kleinschmidt, D.--Greensburg, Ohio
- Koster, William H.--Akron, Ohio
- Kramer, Katherine--Kent, Ohio
- Loshkin, James--Canton, Ohio
- London, Mark and Cheryl--Akron, Ohio
- Madison, Sherry--Kent, Ohio
- Mesko, Phyllis--Stow, Ohio
- Meyers, Kathy--Kent, Ohio
- Miller, Edward--Millersburg, Ohio
- Nelson, Arland--Wadsworth, Ohio
- Orr, Betty--Akron, Ohio
- Pisanello, Ron--Alliance, Ohio
- Pope, Willis--Akron, Ohio
- Sanderfer, Diane--Norton, Ohio
- Seeley, George--Akron, Ohio
- Slusarski, Peter--Kent, Ohio
- Snediker, John--Kent, Ohio
- Stone, David--Stow, Ohio
- Swords, Harry--Garrettsville, Ohio
- Taylor, Daniel--Alliance, Ohio
- Tilton, Phyllis--Hudson, Ohio
- Vardaris, Kay--Ravenna, Ohio
- Walker, D--Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
- Weiser, James--Akron, Ohio
- Williams, Edward--Cincinnati, Ohio
- Wilson, Sara--Vienna, Virginia