Guy, Charles A

Charlie Guy, longtime editor of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, relates various aspects of his journalistic career and life as a community political and civic leader. He discusses his early years in Lubbock, state politics, his tenure on the Zoning Commission, area race relations, the medical community, outstanding community leaders and his relationship with Governor Preston Smith.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Charles A. Guy

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: May 2, 1969; June 21, 1972; April 25, 1973; October 19, 1976; February 7, 1979; August 4, 1979; April 21, 1982

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Bob Nash, Robert Foster, Alice Johnson, David Murrah, Etta Lynch, William Dunnagan, Richard Mason

Length: 7 hours

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: February 7, 1979 by Bob Nash Miriam Ferguson Governor (1933), Newspaper opposition, Surrogate for husband, Jim Ferguson actual governor, Board of Education, Lubbock Texas, Lack of statewide recognition, Finance committee’s visit to Texas Tech (1925), Texas Tech Board of Regents appointments, Newspaper influence, Charles Guy, Texas Tech Board of Regents position offered (1935), "The Kitchen Cabinet", Coke Stevenson, Appointments, State Safety Commission, A. B. Davis, Lubbock, Charlie Guy, Newspaper career (1924), Civic activities, Chamber of Commerce Board, Fairground board, 1930s Depression, Chamber of Commerce, City administration, A. C. Jackson City Manager, Politics, Post-Second World War, Bank closings, Mayors, Overton Ribble, Ross Edwards.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: May 2, 1969 by Robert Foster History of blacks in Lubbock, Black population small in 1924, Early impressions, Black section of town, Names Carver Heights, First black policemen, Blacks who contributed to good race relations, Adverse effect—Dr. Oliver, Marriage, Race relations, Efforts toward good race relations, Dinners with white leaders, Crime, Race relations discussed, Effect of Depression, Max Coleman—rented to blacks.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Black section of Lubbock, Carver Heights, African-American leaders in Lubbock, Leonard Means, Dr. J. A. Chatman, Ed Struggs, Mae Simmons, Dr. Joel Oliver, Dr. Thompson, Black settlement, Racism in Lubbock, Interracial Cooperation, Chatman Clinic, U. S. Senator Tom Connally, Race and crime in Lubbock, Race relations.

Tape 3, Side 2: Race relations (continued), Great Depression, Effects on black community, Max Coleman.

Tape 4, Side 1: June 21, 1972 by Alice Johnson Member of Planning Commission (1943-1950), Zoning theory and common sense, Character of Planning Commission, Reasons for initiation of zoning, Activities of the City Plan Committee (1930s), Nature of city politics, Wesley Reed’s resignation from the Planning Commission and the Zoning, Commission (1945), Lubbock Club organized, Deed restrictions discussed, Dr. M. C. Overton’s lawsuit, Planning Commission and the City Commission, First Baptist Church and zoning regulations, Churches and off-street parking, Servants’ quarters a problem, Zoning of 34th Street.

Tape 4, Side 2: Zoning of 34th Street (continued), Disagreement with Oscar Koch (1948-49), Post World War II annexation, Work of subcommittees of the Planning Commission, Planning Commission and Zoning Commission combined (1945), Resignation from the Commission (1950), Evaluation of zoning in Lubbock, Opposition to Indiana Gardens shopping center, Warlick Carr lawyer, Zoning for need and public attitudes, Zoning in Houston and Juarez, Mexico, Minority zoning, Ethnic groups in El Paso discussed.

Tape 5, Side 1: April 25, 1973 by David Murrah Recalls association with Preston Smith, Notes Smith’s contribution to personal campaigning, John Connally’s campaign reviewed, Points out turning points in Smith’s career, Speculates on Smith’s innovations, Summarizes the excellence of Smith’s governorship particularly for West Texas, Benefits to Texas Tech mentioned, Discusses Smith’s campaign for governor, John Connally’s and Price Daniel’s campaigns, Recalls Smith’s poor relationship with the press, Comments on Smith’s part in the stock scandal, Lists issues for future interviews with others, Remarks on Smith’s rise to power, Recommends H. J. "Doc" Blanchard Dorsey Hardeman and Ben Ramsey for interviews.

Tape 5, Side 2: Continues to discuss Ben Ramsey, Discusses the relationship between Waggoner Carr and Smith, Recommends other people to interview about Smith, Talks about an oral history project with Bob Nash.

Tape 6, Side 1: October 19, 1976 by Etta Lynch Telephone conversation with Charlie Guy about interview, Charlie Guy, Editor of Lubbock Journal, Personal friend of Gene Howe, Jason Nix, Bought newspaper (1924), Lindsey Nunn, Owned Amarillo paper, Hart and Hanks partnership, Corpus Christi Times, El Paso Herald and Times, Ed Howe (Gene Howe’s father), Wilbur Hawk, Amarillo Globe-News, Gene Howe, Outdoorsman, Liked to hunt, Ed Howe (again), Cataract operation (1934), Baltimore visit, Gene Howe (again), Bridge player, Wife Gail, Generosity, Attitude toward women, Opposed hiring women during World War II, Women on night shifts, Temper.

Tape 6, Side 2:[Oct 19 cont] Gene Howe (continued), Treatment of employees, Health conscious, Anecdote about mole removal, Not a hard worker, Bad driver, Irresponsibility with a car, Discussion of biography, Expenses of paper, Financial status, Interests, Criticism of father Ed Howe, Religion, Father (again).

Tape 7, Side 1: Texas Governor Jim Ferguson, Miriam A. (Ma) Ferguson, Anecdote: appointment of Guy to State Education, Commission, Texas Technological College, Little recognition, Visit by Texas Senate Finance Committee, Anecdote: sandstorm, Lubbock Avalanche, Gubernatorial elections, Texas Tech Board of Regents appointments, Guy offered appointment by Gov. Jimmy Allred, Parker Prouty Avalanche president, Offered appointments by Gov. Coke Stevenson, A. B. Davis, Garnet Reeves assistant, Guy on Chamber of Commerce Board, A. B. Davis, Chamber of Commerce leader, A. C. Jackson business manager, Mr. Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce chairman, Ross Edwards, mayor (1934), Overton Ribble mayor, City government (1930s).

Tape 7, Side 2: Blank

Tape 8, Side 1: August 4, 1979 by William Dunnigan Lubbock Texas, "Center of the South Plains", Factors, Ranch land division, Texas Tech, Irrigation, Geographic location, A. B. Davis, Lubbock, Doctors (1920s), Specialists, Dr. Charles Waggoner, Dr. M. C. Overton, Philanthropy, Medical business, Economic growth, Outstanding doctors, Julius Krueger, Sam Dunn, Charles Waggoner (again), M. C. Overton (again), Robert T. Cannon, Public relations, Public Health program.

Tape 8, Side 2: [August 4 cont] Lubbock-Crosby County Medical Society (1924), Dr. J. T. Hutchinson, Indigent patients, Socialized medicine, Medical profession, Negative aspects, Prohibition, Baptists, Prescriptions for alcohol, Nurses, Lubbock medicine, Specialization, Split fees, Ethics.

Tape 9, Side 1: [August 4 cont] Drugs, Distribution system, Community hospitals, Government funding, Sam Arnett, Lubbock Sanitarium, Julius T. Krueger surgeon, Sam Dunn (again), Medical prices, Doctors, Competition, Kidnapped child, Anecdote, Advertising, Rotary Club.

Tape 9, Side 2: Blank

Tape 10, Side 1: April 21, 1982 by Richard Mason Lubbock Texas, Irving Hunt, Mrs. George R. Bean, University of Oklahoma (1923), El Reno American, Bristow Oklahoma, Plains Journal Lubbock (1924), Dorrance Roderick partner, Sale of partial interests, Lindsay Nunn Amarillo Texas, Bernard Hicks Abilene Texas, Houston Harte San Angelo Texas, Afternoon edition (1925), Acquisition of Avalanche (1926), El Paso Times (editorial consultant), Lubbock Texas, First impressions, Skyline (1923), Texas Technological College, Division of big ranches, Irrigation, Impact on town growth, Railroads, Santa Fe (1909), Fort Worth and Denver (1926), Lack of paved roads, Abbott Brothers.

Tape 10, Side 2: [April 21 cont] Lubbock Texas (continued), Texas Technological College, First offices Ave. H and 13th Street, Wyatt Hedrick architect, Land speculation, Image as "poor kids’ school", Dr. Paul Horn, Personality, John C. Granbery, Bill Jackson, Dr. Paul Horn, Death, Burial, Rivalry with Amarillo, Population growth, Reasons, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Tree planting, Walter S. Posey, Freighter, Lubbock State Bank, Elections, Alcohol legalization, Motion pictures.

Tape 11, Side 1: [April 21 cont] Patent medicines, Jamaica ginger, Harmful effects, Bootlegging, Attorneys, Owen McWhorter, Walter C. Witcher, Speaking ability, Anti-Klansman, Lubbock District Attorney, Hill Stewart, George W. Dupree, Senator William H. Bledsoe, Role in bringing Tech to Lubbock, John W. Carpenter, Richard M. Chitwood, Clark M. Millican.

Tape 11, Side 2: [April 21 cont] Clark M. Millican (continued), Texas Technological College, 1930s Depression, "Town-gown" relationship, Presidents, Robert C. Goodwin, Grover E. Murray, Cecil Mackey, Lauro Cavazos, William M. Whyburn, Clifford B. Jones.

Range Dates: 1911-1982

Bulk Dates: 1924-1982

Access Information

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