Zesch, Kurt 1976-02-02

Kurt Zesch gives a detailed account of his family history and discusses his role in the restoration of Fort Mason. He also recalls his experiences at Texas A & M and early remembrances of Mason.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Kurt Zesch

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: February 02, 1976

Location: Mason, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Report of Inspector Freeman on Old Fort Mason (1853), Location, Description, Outfitting of troops, Growth of Fort Mason and Mason, Texas, History of Fort Mason by Margaret Birdwell, Ownership of land, Disintegration of fort, Appointment as chairman of restoration effort, Committee, Fund raising, Condition of area at project’s start, Aid of area citizens, Reconstruction procedures and acquisitions, Donation of materials and labor, Model of fort, Family history.

Tape 1, Side 2: Family history (continued), Personal history, Wife, Genellen Hey Zesch, Children named, Grandchildren named, Association with Texas A & M, Education, First car purchased (1917), Chores, Learning to ride, Raising hogs, Childhood pranks, Making sausage, Favorite foods.

Tape 2, Side 1: Career at Texas A & M University, Description of matriculation, Journey to Texas A & M, Hazing, Punishment, Antagonism toward German descendants during World War I, German not spoken, Handicaps of learning English as second language, Return to Mason County as rancher, farmer, Eradication of Texas fever ticks, Dipping cattle, Cattle shipments to Brady, Texas, Cattle drives, Route, First experience in Fort Worth, Texas, Marriage (December 24, 1930), Wife’s biography, Hey family history, Early Mason merchants.

Tape 2, Side 2: Early Mason merchants (continued), Son, Eugene Zesch, professional woodcarver, Training, Herding sheep in Mexico, Partner, Tom Harrison, Ranch located, Visit at Harold Boll Ranch, Anecdote about cattle rustlers, Gene’s woodcarving, Location and description of Zesch home, Interview prospects near Mason, Texas.

Range Dates: 1853-1976

Bulk Dates: 1917-1976

Access Information

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Transcript:

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