Moore, Elmer 1981-02-25

Elmer Moore, a longtime Lubbock resident and one of the first cheerleaders at Texas Tech, tells of his past and experiences in the early days of Lubbock. He also recalls Texas Tech’s early years, with emphasis on sports and several Tech "firsts."

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Elmer Moore

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: February 25, 1981

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 2 hours

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Land owners (Tech campus area), Ferns, Alexander, Annual (1926), Celebration, Dr. Holden, Lubbock Avalanche, Amon J. Carter—first president of Tech Board, Poll taxing, Early Chamber of Commerce activities, Literary contest, Athletic contest, Ranson Percy Walker—Letterman’s Lounge, Greatest athlete, Year book, Came to Lubbock at age 7, Father helped build railroad, Born (1906), Father’s vocation, Construction of railroads and highways, Graded first 20 miles of road (1913), Parents’ history, Father—G. T. Moore, Came from West Virginia, Mother, Maiden name was Bell, First white child born in Borden County, Father came to Texas (1900), Reasons, To improve economic situation, To get out on his own, Anecdote: How parents met, Mule training, Jockeys, Buy and trade animals, Brick paving, Broadway brick paving (1923), Attraction of immigrants to this region, Cheap land, Good place to live, Never a big promotion or township, Jorgem Hunt Jr. High, Reasons Lubbock grew, Location, Railroads, Railway center, Cotton—cash crop, Oil and gas (1930s), Wholesale housing (1930s), Manufacturing, Medical care—two hospitals, Lubbock Sanitarium, Methodist Hospital, Lubbock ahead of other surrounding cities, Early stores, First Hunt grocery store, Davidson grain and coal, White Face Café, Other town businesses, Hotel, Theatre, Pool hall, Childhood chores, Milk cows, Feed animals, Make school lunch, Biscuits with ham, jelly, jam and cookie, Study at night, School, Location, 13th-15th and Ave. P, Two rooms of first graders, 30 children per room, Four men in high school, Two became county judges, High school subjects, Math, English, Latin, No activities in school, Chapel, Lecture, Pray, Announcements, Songs, Friday night literary society, Vernon Brown recited poem.

Tape 1, Side 2: Vernon Brown (continued), High school declaration, Prose, not poetry, Football started (1911), 1917 game, Wayland College was only team to score on, Lubbock football team, Town grew rapidly (1918-1928), Built more schools, Anecdote: How Tech location came to be, Texas A & M considered, Mr. Fergerson, Passed location (1923), Abilene considered, National Guard, Traffic director, Broadway and Main Street, Texas Tech, Dr. Paul W. Horn—first President, Graduating class (1923), Dr. Horn spoke at commencement, Ground breaking (July 5, 1924), Anecdote: Ground breaking and plowing, Anecdote: Cornerstone laying (Nov. 11, 1924), School opened September 25, 1925, Football at Tech, Prospects for Tech football team, Ernie Wilson, Stubble Theo, Sheriff Miller, Wester Felt, First football practices, Games, First game was against McMurry College, Dr. Holden just joined McMurry, Played Austin College, Coached by Pete Cawthon who came to Tech, in 1930, First touchdown, Calf donation, Gene Author, George Crow, First major injury, Broke vertebrae, Died a few days later, First pep meeting, Dr. Jackson, Dean Stangel, Mr. Freeman, Ruth Horn (Andrews), Wrote First Thirty Years, First to register, Debatable, Sports at Tech, Baseball, Windy Watkin, Shortstop on baseball team, Member of Texas Tech Board of Directors, Basketball, First basketball game, Gene Author—shot first goal, Track team, Coach Hagembothen, Relays, Texas Relays, Rice Relays in Houston, Texas, Darrell Woodard, Clyde Brown, Vaughn Carlie, Elmer Moore, Anecdote: Cushion selling, Sophomore Hodge Podge, First game with Southwest Conference (Fall 1926), Texas Christian University (TCU), Elmer Moore—yell leader, Texas Tech Chamber of Commerce, Tech students eligible to vote, Advertised for school song, Still Matador, Percy Walker, Got first ring, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Waghorne, Fraternities, First paper, Harry Montgomery, John Falkner, No dormitories, First coaching school with Pete Cawthon.

Range Dates: 1900-1981

Bulk Dates: 1920s-1930s

Access Information

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