Engdahl, George 1969-10-09

In Fred Carpenter’s second interview, George Engdahl discusses the origin and history of East Sweden, a community of Swedish emigrants in Central Texas. He and others examine pictures and records relating to the community’s history. Frank Hurd also provides numerous comments.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: George Engdahl

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: October 9, 1969; February 13, 1970; July 23, 1970

Location: East Sweden, Texas and Rochelle, McCulloch County, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter and Elmer Kelton

Length: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: October 9, 1969, East Sweden, Texas, Interviewer: Fred Carpenter, 1 hour
History of Swenson family read from printed sheets, Mentions Swedish emigrants to Texas, Discussion of the origin of East Sweden and Hurd family, Engdahl family history recalled, Early East Sweden and Rochelle described, Cotton industry in central Texas reviewed, Anecdote about traveling in central Texas

Tape 1, Side 2: Anecdote (continued), Description of country dances, Relation of prairie dogs and mesquite brush stated, Speculation on future of small farms, Recollections of cattle drives, Explains experiences with cattle shoot program, Deer hunting, past and present, examined, Family relations clarified, Discusses Swedish emigration, Jenny Lind mentioned and Swenson's friendship with Sam Houston cited

Tape 2, Side 1: 20 minutes
Pictures and records examined, Changed from Lutheran to Presbyterian faith because of frontier conditions, Discussion of photographs (continued), Persons in photographs identified

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: February 13, 1970, Rochelle, McCulloch County, Texas, Interviewer: Elmer Kelton, 30 minutes
Outlaw story from Grandmother Metcalf, 1887, Stagecoach driver and outlaw incident, 1850, Horse thief and posse anecdote, Unmarked graves around Soldier's Waterhole, Old Rochelle affected by railroad, Old stores, Covered wagon trip to Georgetown, 1899, Incident of rebuilding wagon wheel, Outlaws of San Saba, Beauty of Colorado River recalled, Homesteading attempt near Taos, New Mexico, Anecdote concerning Indian John, Story of New Mexico cliff dwellings, South Plains land description, Use of burros to freight gasoline, ($0.20 in Texas, $0.40 in New Mexico)

Tape 3, Side 2: New Mexico terrain, Irrigated land near Amarillo, Engdahl stock farm described, Prairie dog control of brush

Tape 4, Side 1: July 23, 1970, 45 minutes
Prairie dogs control mesquite brush, Story of buried treasure and marked oak trees - 1900, Mine shaft - quartz on Davis Ranch, Mine found in 1930s, Story of Spanish mines, Indian tools found, Stories of finding lead and silver, Anecdote concerning Jim Bowie, Spanish mines around Menard

Tape 4, Side 2: Copper mining by Spaniards, Mission treasure story, Spider Rock incident (J. Frank Dobie story), Treasure hunters around Soldier's Waterhole

Range Dates: 1850-1930s

Bulk Dates: 1850-1930s

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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