Chenoweth, Dean 1983-02-24

Dean Chenoweth discusses his career with the San Angelo Standard-Times, as well as his memories of Houston Harte.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dean Chenoweth

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 24, 1983

Location: San Angelo, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Attraction to Newspaper business, Childhood memories of reading newspaper, Houston Harte, Job in Springfield, Missouri, Job in Lawton, Oklahoma, Job in San Angelo, Texas, Anecdote: Chenoweth borrowing money, Butcher shop, 40th Anniversary addition of San Angelo Standard Times, Mrs. W. W. Carson, Building a reporting team, Houston Harte (again), Voice for West Texas, Concept of presentation of local news, Millard Cope, Dave Rodgers, Method of finding reporters, Recognizing the importance of local news, Flood (1936), First coverage, Anecdote: getting governor's speech over the phone, Interviews and articles by Chenoweth, President of Associated Press, Managing Editors of Texas, Anecdote: C. B. Metcalf offering advice, Reception of midwesterner in San Angelo, Texas, Standard Times team, Everett White, Robert Jacobs, Herbert McDowell, Ledgerwood Stone, C. B. Metcalf, Taxation of the University, Early days of oil exploration, Standard Times coverage, Standard Times' red rooster

Tape 1, Side 2: Oil exploration (continued), John Benton Breer, "Runnin' High and Lookin' Good", Millard Cope

Tape 2, Side 1: Former employee, World War II, Informing next of kin, Troy Hudspeth, Run on the bank, Depression, Anecdotes: responses to editorials, Ku Klux Klan, Suicide, Houston Harte and the bankers divorce, Chenoweth's approach to life, Expanding circulation of the Standard Times, Blondie Cross, Problem with newspapers today, Oil, Effect on population, McKamey, Texas, Cactus Hotel, Midland as "oil center", Growth of San Angelo area, Establishment of Lions Clubs, Cowboy band, Houston Harte as promoter, Resources of area, Water shortage (1920s), Area lakes, Houston Harte and 1930 Census, River parks

Tape 2, Side 2: Role of the newspaper in a community, Houston Harte-Bernard Hanks partnership, Harte's banking connections, Pension fund, Chenoweth's life, World War I, Julius Openheimer, Correspondents for Standard Times, Characteristics of a good reporter, Characteristics of a good editor, Houston Harte's philosophy, Chenoweth's early stories, Offer of bribe, Changes in the newspaper industry (1920-1966), Water shortage (again), Comparison of reporters in 1920 and 1966

Tape 3, Side 1: Comparison (continued), Editor's (again), Chenoweth's contributions to Lion's Club, Changes in role of advertising, Houston Harte and public relations, "In Our Image", Value of the news to advertising, Charlie Guy, "Tactless Texan," Amarillo, Texas, Power of reporters vs. power of the press, Quality of Wall Street Journal, Recognition of good reporters on Standard Times, Lions club program for veterans, O. C. Fisher Dam (1937), Water conservation in San Angelo, Diversion of water for drought and flood control, Coverage of oil, religion and agriculture, Promotion of agriculture

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1920-1983

Bulk Dates: 1920-1966

Access Information

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