Clingan, Berniece 1977-11-29
Berniece Clingan reviewed childhood in Anadarko, Oklahoma, and World War II years in West Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Berniece Clingan
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: November 29, 1977
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Kim Mills
Length: 25 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Clingan, Berniece
She lives now at 2630 22nd Street in Lubbock, Texas
She was born January 29, 1911 in Anadarko, Oklahoma
Her parents were W. R. and Dorothy McCullough
Father was in auto business, mother taught school before marriage
Grandparents were farmers
She had one brother and one sister
Her father made the decisions, but mother gave in-put
Housing: in the summer father would drill wells on the lease
They would stay in a tent on the lease
Discipline by parents, two spankings from her father
She had skipped school, also had sassed her mother
After she and her sister finished school, they helped parents in Depression time
Her sister had divorced after marrying too young
Pre-marital pregnancy was not approved of, women voting was supported
Her mother voted and she voted first for Franklin Roosevelt
Smoking: her father did, mother did to cure nerves later by Doctor’s orders
Drinking: her parents did some, he served her friends at home before dances
They had to walk a string in the house before they could go to dances
The family was close-knit
She married at age 25 but couldn’t cook or keep a house
Sunday mornings her father would read the comics to the children in bed
He encouraged the daughters to get an education
Dating
Her 1st date informally at age 13, age 17 to her 1st dance
Rules for dating
Her brother started working after age 18, was independent
Rules of the home and disobedience
School was 2 miles away, they walked
High School and other schools at the same site
Junior College was adjacent, she took a business course
She became a legal secretary
School discipline, some corporal punishment
One girl was “spastic” with learning problems
Typical dating
Tape 1, Side 2: Clingan, Berniece (again)
They lived 1½ miles from town and carried pillow to the theater
Saturday morning matinee
Dances when young with their parents
Dates for dances at age 18 as Senior in High School
Light drinking and smoking in High School
She smoked until age 50
She married in 1936 to Conway Clingan at Pecos, Texas at sister’s home
They lived in Wink, Texas for 2½ years
Depression problems (again)
Father had debts
She was out of business college and he paid 1st month rent
First payment on a stenotype machine
Her father had $17 left
Her 1st check was $75 and she sent $45 home to parents
Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde
They kidnapped the sheriff in Carlsbad, New Mexico
She and friends were at Carlsbad Caverns and driving back to Wink
Same car as the outlaw’s, stopped 7-8 times going home
Two or three days later the outlaws were killed
Her husband served in World War II as Master Sergeant in Air Corp
They were in the gasoline business, she worked it for 6 months
They sold the business and moved to Lubbock
She kept books for her husband’s business
He had volunteered to serve in the war
She originally liked Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Current poor government programs originated with FDR
[Tape ends after 10 minutes]
Range Dates: 1911-1977
Bulk Dates: 1920-1940
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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