Gum, Florence 1998-09-14

Florence Gum, a retired legal secretary, discusses her career and community involvement, especially her involvement with the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Florence Gum

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: September 14, 1998

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Allison

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Florence Gum, Born: September 23 1924, in Pearland Texas, Youngest of 12 children, Parents: Burt and Martha Jamison, Pearland Texas, At the time was 20-30 miles outside of Houston, Currently almost in the city limits, Burt Jamison, A haymaker, Died when Florence was 21/2 years old, Liberty County, Texas, Farmed from 1930-1939, Pearland, Texas (again), Graduated from high school (1941), Graduated from business school in Houston, Employment, State Department of Public Welfare, First law firm—Smith and Patilla (5 years), Donald Gum, Married in 1946, Houston Texas, Lived there until 1950, Lubbock Texas, Moved in 1950, Employment, Worked 6 months for McWhorter Howard and Cobb law firm (1952), Returned to McWhorter Howard and Cobb (1954- 1956), Westminster Presbyterian Church Secretary (1961- 1974), McWhorter Howard and Cobb (1974-1991), Depression era, Lived off the land, Farm/home, Description, Lights—kerosene, Radio—battery operated, Phonograph, Growing up in a large family, New Deal, Family—all Democrats, Cattle slaughtering, Schools, Consolidation, Indoor gymnasium, Education, Segregation, Socializing with African-Americans, Being a working woman, Jobs, Wages, $90 a month (raises $5), Advanced to $115 a month, Law firm $125 a month, Smith and Patilla (again), World War II, Had friends and family in service, USO dances, Donald Gum, Attitude of civilians towards service men, Dancing, Family history.

Tape 1, Side 2: Family history (continued), Adam Neuthard—great-grandfather, Education, Religion, Dancing (again), Religion (again), Lubbock Texas (again), Business/industry, Working women, Pregnancy, Children, Daughter Susan, Son, Brian, Musical talents in family, McWhorter Howard and Cobb (again), Clients, Lubbock Independent School District (LISD), Frank Gray, Farmed land with processed sewage bought from Lubbock Banks, Types of law the firm practiced, Owen McWhorter, Charles Cobb, L. A. Howard, Opinions, Owen McWhorter (again), Opinions, Charles Cobb (again), Opinions, Office supplies (then), Electric typewriter, No copy machines used carbon paper, McWhorter Cobb and Johnson law firm, LISD, Desegregation case, School prayer, Busing case, Lubbock Bar Association, Active, Changes, Number of women, Duties of a legal secretary, It’s helped in professional and personal life.

Tape 2, Side 1: McWhorter Cobb and Johnson (again), Went from general practice to departments, Helped firm work effectively, Types of law, Family law, Impact of computers, Female attorneys, Impact of Texas Tech University School of Law on the Lubbock Community, Provided more opportunities for students and law firms, Size of law firms, Has decreased over the years, Legal fees, Charges, Used to charge a flat fee, Now charge clients by the hour, Types of services charged for, Legal assistant, Had formal training charge less, 1970s--$50 an hour or $35 an hour, Now $125 an hour to $150 an hour, Billing for time, Retainer clients, Pay certain amount per month, Covers everything but litigation, Pro-bono work, Criminal cases, Lubbock Bar Association (again), Presbyterian Church, A member since 1950, Westminster Presbyterian Church (1955), Church secretary (1961-1974), Member service, Donald Gum (again), Member service, Church organization set-up, Similar to federal government, Church positions held, History of Presbyterian Church, Personal thoughts, Hester family, Afterthoughts, Public Perceptions of attorneys, Opinions, advertising.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1924-1998

Bulk Dates: 1950-1998

Access Information

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