Weatherby, E J 1969, 1974

Bert Weatherby discusses his family and his early life, his car dealerships (particularly the Weatherby Motor Company), and his work to improve Brown County roads and to build the Brown County Water District.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: E.J. Weatherby

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: October 29, 1969; September 6, 1974

Location: Brownwood, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family background, Grandfather Weatherby’s settlement in Brown County, Weatherby’s mother’s family, the Brookers, Weatherby’s schooling, Love for baseball as a child, Death and burial of Weatherby’s grandparents, Weatherby’s brothers and sister, Story about Weatherby’s two plowing horses and their reaction to a broken harness, Weatherby’s marriage to Myrtle Brown (1908), Making a living in leather goods, Weatherby’s automobile dealership in Goldthwaite (1916), Taking over his brother’s Weatherby Motor Company in Brownwood (1920), Bond issue for road improvements in Brown County, Brown County Water District, Need of water for city use and irrigation.

Tape 1, Side 2: Forming of the district, Building of the dam for the district (1932), Selling water to the city of Brownwood, Inability of inexperienced farmers to use irrigation, Failure of vegetable farms, The total independence of the water district from federal aid, Defeat of bill in Texas Legislature to levy taxes on the water impounded in water districts, Selling water from the district to rice growers at Matagorda Bay.

Tape 2, Side 1: Traces background of Weatherby Motor Company, Brother Norman Weatherby and Ford franchises in Mills and Brown counties after 1912 detailed, Recalls partnership in Goldthwaite, Texas, E. M. Boon mentioned, Accounts for early years, Incorporated (1927), Before his death, Norman Weatherby sold cars without showroom, Assembled cars for delivery in Goldthwaite, World War I interrupted production, Recalls models, trucks, tractors, prices and credit system, Claims first service station in Mills County, Tires lasted 3,000 miles at most, Discusses 1923, selling 800 new units.

Tape 2, Side 2: Continues discussion of 1921-1923 economy, Mentions company and family stock, Comments on Henry Ford’s error with Model A, Recalls other cars and agencies, Tells anecdotes, Discusses various Brownwood buildings and work for Masons.

Range Dates: 1890-1940

Bulk Dates: 1908-1940

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

---

Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.