94 years old at the time of the interview, Jess Eller recalls the details of the Will Banks hanging, his career working for the highways and railroad, and lore surrounding the Devil's Stairs. Jess Eller's sister, Gertrude Waddell, is featured in a separate interview.
Part 1
1:01 Birthdate
1:30 Description of the Will Banks hanging
Part 2
1:21 Working for the State
2:25 Building the railroad
6:20 Marriage
7:44 Early farming
10:30 Early roads
13:18 Prison labor
Part 3
1:10 Railroad related accidents
5:50 Origin of Devil’s Stairs
12:55 Managing convicts
Part 4
:45 Temperament of convicts
6:05 Fields Absher murder
8:50 Devil’s Stairs stories
11:10 reflections on change