Pettey, Dr Weston 1997-07-17
Dr. Pettey, pioneer Lubbock optometrist and historian, recounts his lengthy career and historical interests. He includes recollections on his important role in the founding of the University of Houston’s Optometry School and the Texas Optometry Association.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Dr. Weston Pettey
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 17, 1997
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Lori Lawson
Length: 2 hours 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Weston Pettey, background,
Born: January 3, 1908, in Dubberly, Louisiana,
Father—sawmill business,
Move to Arcadia, Louisiana,
Newspaper work at age 12,
Influence of "literate" associates,
Interest in medicine,
Influence of family doctor and dentist,
University of Southern California Optometry School,
Early Lubbock doctors,
Medical Practices Act (1907),
Types of doctors,
Effect on early doctors,
Dr. M. C. Overton,
Description,
"Founder of Lubbock medicine",
College educated,
Dr. J. T. Hutchinson,
Predictions borne out,
Changes in eye surgery,
"Butchery",
Referring patients,
Pilot’s surgery in World War II,
Cataracts,
Replacing retinas,
Eye medications,
Cornea transplants,
Work in color blindness,
World War II pilots.
Tape 1, Side 2: Weston Pettey (continued),
Work in color blindness (continued),
Early Lubbock doctors,
Dr. J. T. Hutchinson on draft board during World War II,
Sending doctors into service,
Dr. O. W. English,
Dr. Euell Hunt,
Dr. William Hunt,
Founder of Estacado community,
Delivered Paris Cox’s wife,
Dr. Nixon’s books on medical history,
Attack on doctors who defend quackery,
Early Lubbock doctors (again),
Dr.s Hunt, English, Cross and Clark,
First floor of Myrick Building (Green Building),
Dr. Cross’ loss of vision,
Weston Pettey (again),
Personal health—almost 90 years old,
Writing history,
Southwest Collection,
Access to high quality people,
Training at USC,
Doctor/optometrist relationship,
Ohio State University research,
President of Texas Optometric Association,
Improvements,
African-American optometrist,
Open Heart Club,
African-American speaker,
Description and service,
Description of by-pass surgery,
Texas Optometric Association,
Membership,
Disciplining,
Rising medical costs.
Tape 2, Side 1: African-American optometrist (again),
Weston Pettey (again),
University of Houston names library after him,
U of H College of Optometry origins,
Dr. Tate at Southern Methodist University,
Family,
Move to Arcadia, Louisiana (again)
Schools
Father’s death
Schools (again)
Sports
Optometrists’ education
Brain/eye relationship
Optometrist/ophthalmologist differences
Interest in history
Panhandle history
Lubbock’s founding
Military roads
Writings
Golden Gazette
Photos
Lions’ Club magazine
Memoirs.
Tape 2, Side 2: Weston Pettey (continued),
Mother,
Description,
Oldest sister, Effie,
Hatmaker,
Oldest brother,
World War I effects,
Mother’s influence,
Oldest brother (again),
Second brother,
Pleurisy,
Death,
At USC,
Work as a printer,
Third brother,
State road engineer,
Opposition to Huey P. Long,
Bibliophile,
Fourth brother,
Electrician,
Killed in hurricane (1937),
Dr. John Mosely’s experience with Huey Long,
Death of Huey Long,
Marriage (1939) to Ruth,
Courtship,
Honeymoon, Kerrville, Texas,
Writing (again),
Son-in-law, Dr. John Bradford,
Grandchildren, great-grandchild,
USC (again),
Costs of education,
Changes,
U of H allegiance,
Writing (again).
Tape 3, Side 1: Weston Pettey (again),
Granddaughter Penny,
Baylor Medical Foundation,
Lions Club Eye Bank picnic,
Interest in medicine and writing/publishing,
Linotype machine description,
Offer to run linotype for newspaper, age 14,
"Led" into medicine,
Dr. Ted Downs, multidiscipline: ministry, music, medicine,
Texas Optometric Association (TOA) (again),
U of H (again),
Journal of TOA started,
Interest in history (again),
History groups membership,
Golden Gazette (again),
Article on Lubbock brick streets,
Thurber, Texas,
Lubbock tornado (May 11, 1970),
In Dallas,
Commercial building investments,
Return to Lubbock,
More tornadoes,
Buildings destroyed,
Rebuilding,
Opening Lubbock practice (1929),
Borger, Texas,
Crime,
District Attorney Johnny Holmes murdered,
Left town,
Owned own practice in Lubbock (1932),
Great Depression,
Slow business,
Paid in barter,
Dr. Ewing,
Inoculations.
Tape 3, Side 2: Laprascopic surgery,
First done at Texas Tech Veterinarian School,
Dr. Fred Harbaugh,
Window in cow’s stomach,
Description,
Syphilis,
Medicine 606,
Advancements in medicine,
Physician’s snobbery, World War II,
Weston Pettey (again),
Grandfather, Civil War doctor,
Origins of Texas Medical Association,
Pacemaker surgery, Dr. Paul Walter.
Range Dates: 1908-1998
Bulk Dates: 1929-1980
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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