Title: Merlin R. Doggett oral history interviews

Identifier: OH0001   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10917)

Description: Merlin R. Doggett, a retired tobacconist of Washington, North Carolina, lived in China from 1917 until 1935 as an employee of the British-American Tobacco Company and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company of China, Inc. He was involved in both sales and leaf operations and taught farmers in the interior of China to grow American tobaccos. Mr. Doggett discusses bright leaf flue-cured tobacco culture and marketing in China. Included are his descriptions of problems between the foreign tobacco companies and Chinese labor; Chinese law, courts, and justice, especially public executions; treatment of the Chinese and Japanese by foreigners; relations among foreign missionaries and businessmen; turmoil within China; and reminiscences of his life in China. Dates: May 12, 1971, October 27, 1971, and December 9, 1975; Interviewer: Robert W. Gowen.