Combs, Don 1984-10-10

Don Combs of Munday, Texas, discusses working for the Bradford Supply Company, an irrigation well drilling company, from Plainview.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Don Combs

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: October 10, 1984

Location: Munday, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: West Texas land formation, Olton, Texas, Water source, Drilling irrigation wells, Texas Land and Development Company (prior to 1900), D. L. McDonald (Amarillo, Texas), Drilled wells, Motors on wells, Fuel source, Bradford Supply Company (begin 1934), Reasons to Plainview, Texas (1934), Drilled wells (1935), Financing, Origins, Fairbanks Morris, Bradford Supply Company (again), Gear drives, Manufacturer, Peerless Pump Division, J. C. Cook, Bradford Supply Company (again), Various well sites, Operation, Rotary types (1938 or 1939), Hereford, Texas, office (1938), Other branch offices, Drilling companies, Green Machinery (1932 or 1933)

Tape 1, Side 2: Drilling companies (continued), Green Machinery (continued), Peerless Pump Division (circa 1936), Other companies, Bradford Supply Company (again), Well engines, Operations, Gear drives, Engines (again), Butane fuel source, Problems, Anecdote: Engine wear caused by sulfur in butane, Drilling operation, Pumps, Crews (prior to 1942), Duration, Agriculture, Problems, Cash crops, Bradford Supply Company (again), Advertising, Company policy, President Donald Mackey, (Bradford, Pennsylvania), Bradford Supply Company (continued), Collection policy

Tape 2, Side 1: Bradford Supply Company (continued), Collection Policy (continued), Irrigation, Hereford, Texas, Cash crops, Well pockets, Acuff, Texas (1938-1942), Monroe and Molly D. Abernathy (husband and wife), Anecdote: Molly Abernathy's tendency to delay, payments on her debts, Well pockets, Wheat, Borders, Open ditch, Underground pipes, Pivot sprinklers, Water table, Drought (1953), Recharge, Drilling companies, Paymaster

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1900-1984

Bulk Dates: 1932-1953

Access Information

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