Hagy, Lawrence R

Lawrence Hagy recalls conditions in Amarillo during the Depression of the 1930s. He also speaks about his career as an early-day geologist in the Texas Panhandle, particularly with his experiences in Borger, Texas, during its boom days.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Lawrence R. Hagy

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: January 14, 1971; August 1, 1975

Location: Amarillo, Texas

Interviewer: David Nail, Neil Sapper

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes (total)

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Depression of the 1930s discussed, Active in the oil and gas industry in the 1930s, Opinion of Herbert Hoover expressed, Recalls friendship with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Effects of the Depression and New Deal on the oil and gas industry, Newspaperman Gene Howe characterized, Mentions Eleanor Roosevelt’s trip to town, Traces beginnings of the Mother-in-Law Club, Dust storms described, Cites problems of the farmers, Lack of jobs noted, WPA and other relief measures discussed, Explains public attitude toward world events of the late 1930s, Activities in the gas industry (again), Dust storms (again), Conchas Dam was a WPA project, List problems of the banks in the 1930s.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Education, University of Oklahoma (1919-1923), Father’s occupations, Hagy and Thatcher Implement Company, Quanah Parker, Education (continued), St. John’s Military School, University of Oklahoma, Enrollment, Living arrangements, Fraternity system, Campus offices, Purposes of college education, Playing polo, Football, Automobiles, Geology as profession, Need for geologists, Work in Burkburnett oil fields, Finding oil in early days, Prerequisites for oil fields, Growth of business around Amarillo, John Wray Dome, 6666 Dome, Role of Dr. Charles N. Gould, First success.

Tape 2, Side 2: Oil discovery near Canadian River, Dixon Creek well, Borger, Texas oil boom, Asa P. "Ace" Borger, Building of town, Drillers, Routes to oil fields, Stock exchange in Amarillo, Rain (1936), First pipeline, Pantex Texas to Amarillo (1926), Carbon black plants, Use of natural gas, Beginning of firm, Growth of Borger, Lawlessness, Anecdote, Self-protection, Recollections of W. A. "Tex" Thornton, Son Bates Thornton, Dance halls, Tourists from Amarillo, Anecdote about getting water, Texas Rangers’ influence (1927), Borger described (1975), Death of Johnny Holmes (September 1929), Growth of oil industry, Price increase, Energy crisis, Causes, Advantages of deep wells, Praise of Amarillo.

Range Dates: 1919-1975

Bulk Dates: 1926-1975

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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