Tarpley, Lyle 1974-11-18,19

Lyle Tarpley, former employee of Wooten Wholesale Grocery Company, reminisces about his early life and identifies old photographs of early Abilene and its citizens.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Lyle Tarpley

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: November 18-19, 1974

Location: Abilene, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Photographs discussed, Sketches lives of parents and himself, Father went to Abilene in 1882, Mentions Belle Plain, Texas, Describes Abilene of his childhood, Lists main neighbors, Names 1908 school officials, Identifies photographs, Mentions Guitar family, Puretta Cottonseed Cooking Oil, Mentions Phil Burton, saloons, Green Theater, Will Minter, C. W. Bacon, Jim Redford, W. G., Swenson, J. M. Wagstaff, Simmons College, streetcar.

Tape 1, Side 2: Continues identifying photographs of Abilene.

Tape 2, Side 1: Continues to identify photographs, Reviews his life, Attended Stamford Junior College, Names some of his professors, Worked for grocery or produce companies, except for military service, until retirement, Recalls influenza during service, Black soldiers mentioned, Teachers and administration of Stamford College recalled, Interviewer shares pictures by Dilworth Parramore, Looks at photo of a parade and discusses content, Mentions J. D. Moore.

Tape 2, Side 2: Discusses responsibilities in Wooten and Radford, Wholesale grocery business, Wootens sold to Kimbell grocery, Mentions Tommie Clack, Clarifies differences between J. P. and J. Pink Wooten, Discusses more photographs, including early Cowboy Band.

Range Dates: 1882-1974

Bulk Dates: 1908-1974

Access Information

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Transcript:

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