Akers, Mrs Helen 1982-12-05

Mrs. Helen Akers tells about her past as a student at Texas Tech during World War II and her reminiscences about Post, Texas.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Mrs. Helen Akers

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: December 5, 1982

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Mark Wells

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Helen Mack Hume Akers, Born 10-29-1924 in Post, Texas, History of Post, Texas, C. W. Post, Cereal, Grandparents were pioneers, Arrived circa 1909 from Missouri, Nearest train was in Big Spring, Traveled two years by covered wagon, Grandfather ran a mule for supplies, He raised prize mules, Lived in tents, Mr. Post's ideas for choosing location of Post, Texas, Agriculture, Grandparents name, David Hume, Father, Rural mail carrier, Died 1935, Education, Attended school in Post, Came to Texas Tech, Lubbock was the magnet of the plains, Shopping trips to Lubbock, Roads, Life in Post during the depression of the 1930s, Were not extensively effected, Dad had a good job, Hoboes, Entertainment, Subjects of conversations, Depression and War, Entertainment, School, Homes, Dating, Movies, Musicals, College (again), Majored in Accounting, Wanted to go to Washington to work, Mother thought it was too far to go, Connections with George Mahon, Future Husband, Job options after graduation, IBM, Population of Lubbock (1941), Texas Tech, Enrollment numbers, Room and Board rates, Dress code and customs, Changes in campus, Academic groups, Classes, Standard, Engineering School, Music, Arts and Sciences, Impact of War on College Life, Announcement of Pearl Harbor attack, School mates drafted, Hatred toward Japanese, Rationing, Book rationing, City of Lubbock - Entertainment, Dry city, "The Cotton Club", Location, Night clubs off limits to students, Amarillo was wet, Drinking was not widespread, Smoking

Tape 1, Side 2: Impressions of Air Base opening, Help economy, College girls meeting cadets (1942), Hanger dances, Chaperoned buses, Guys older than girls, Marriages, Poem by Margorie Holmes, Tech student, Fell in love with cadet who was killed in the war, Feelings and times described that were typical during the war, "A Moments Hault" - poem, Published in school paper, Attitudes of war time romances, Graduated in 1945, South Plains Army Airfield and Glider Club, Trained for a particular mission, Closed in 1946, Watching the flying, Wind and snow storm, Cadets had to break dates to hold down planes in the wind, Dates with cadets, Few civilian men, Attitudes towards cadets, Graduated with honors, Worked in Registrar's Office, Administration Building, Women's recognition ceremony, W. P. Clement - Registrar, Work (again), Manual work, Salary and hours, Married after the war, Father died young, No social security, Mother's adjustment hard, Mother remarried, FDR's death, Affair, Voting age, Moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico after graduation, Job, Engagement, Husband's job, Chicken Hatchery business with father, Wholesale Distributor Business, Her work during marriage

Range Dates: 1924-1982

Bulk Dates: 1940s

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