Freeman, Bennett B 1980-11-11

Bennett Freeman discusses the boom days in the towns of Ranger and Desdemona. Among other things he talks about the construction of various railroad lines through the area, the oil boom, and pecan raising.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Bennett B. Freeman

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: November 11, 1980

Location: Ranger, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1:Southwest Collection, Wichita Falls, Ranger and Fort Worth Railroad, Construction rate, Crew, Steam powered machinery, St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railway Company, (Frisco System), Jake L. Hamon, Characteristics, Political appointments, Death, Desdemona, Texas, Wichita Ranger Railroad (again), Equipment, Construction (again), Sub-contractors, Jake L. Hamon (again), Supervision of construction work, Construction sites, Jake L. Hamon (again), New township, Bennett B. Freeman, Railroad construction (again), Arrival in Ranger, Texas, Ranger Texas, Prices, Old hotels, Prices (again), Breakfast, Roads, Truckers, Prohibition, Impact of oil boom, Economic, Crime, Liquor, Christmas 1919, Influenza 1918, Housing, Cooking, Anecdote: Breaking out windows in Breckenridge, Jake L. Hamon (again), Oil discovery, Railway construction, Duration, Economic depression (1919-1921), Unemployment, Railroad right of way, Ranger Texas 1920s, Depot, Oil field supplies, Equipment, Sand storms, Surveying sticks, Oil strikes, Excess of money, Drinking water, Hauling, Sidewalks, Buildings,

Tape 1, Side 2:Railroad (again), Construction (again), Techniques, Competition among rail companies (again), Entertainment (again), Box Suppers, Track crews (again), Local attitudes toward (again), Oil wells, Local attitudes (again), Banks (again), Great Depression (1930s), Pecan orchard (again), Ranger Texas, Local businessmen, Great Depression, World War II, Railroad (again), Work, Hours, Wages, Experience, Engineering, Pecan orchard (again), Proper maintenance, Production/yields, Prices 1945 and 1980, Beginnings, Varieties grown, Business cycles, Texas Pecan Growers Association, Brownwood Pecan Breeding Station,

Range Dates:1918-1980

Bulk Dates:1918-circa 1930

Access Information

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