Shaw, Rodrick 1998-07-15
Retired County Judge Rodrick Shaw talks about his childhood and education at Texas Tech University. He talks about running for county judge and the county court system.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Rodrick Shaw
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 15, 1998
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Gene B. Preuss
Length: 1 hour 40 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: [First 15 minutes hard to hear],
Background,
Born: November 28, 1923 in Milo, Iowa,
Parents,
Father: Arthur Shaw Sr.,
Mother: Beauta Blanche Green,
Married: December 1918,
Had seven children,
Father’s holdings,
Lost most due to Depression,
Salvaged two sections in Olton, Texas,
Moved to Denver, Colorado (1929),
Moved to Olton, Texas (1931),
House in Olton,
15 people lived in the house,
Farmed the land,
Electricity,
Lights,
Fence,
House struck by lightning,
Electricity blown out,
No running water,
[Tape becomes easier to hear],
Dust storms,
Sand in the house,
Illnesses due to dust,
School,
Olton High School,
School bus,
Model T truck,
Salutatorian of Olton High School,
Texas Technological College (1940),
Stadium burning,
Owned cow,
Sold milk to neighbors,
Dairy cow shot,
Worked for Dr. Davis in Government department,
Majored in Government,
Pre-law,
Went to Dallas to apply for Navy Training, Deck Officer or Staff Officer,
Rejected due to physical characteristics,
Naval Aviation.
Tape 1, Side 2: Enrolled for Naval Aviation,
Approved,
Reported for duty (August 1943),
Father died (June 29, 1942),
Naval Aviation,
Training,
University of Texas,
Athens, Georgia,
Memphis, Tennessee,
Corpus Christi, Texas,
Received wings after 19 months,
Training (again),
Miami, Florida,
Freshmen training,
Simulated aircraft carrier landings,
Chicago,
Actual carrier landings in Lake Michigan,
Sent to Pasco, Washington to fly in squadron,
War ended while in Pasco,
Finished school at Tech,
Went on to Law School on GI Bill,
SMU Law School,
15 in graduating class,
Married after law school,
Law practice in Lubbock, Texas,
Worked with Casey Charness (1950),
Hired Ralph Daniel (1951),
Went out on own with Daniel (1955),
Started Shaw, Daniel and Bowmen law firm,
Daniel left,
Worked with Bowmen until 1964,
County Judge (1964),
Campaign,
Otis Green, public relations,
Madison Sowder, campaign manager,
Elected,
Charles Smith, first opponent,
Re-elected,
Retired (1990),
Relationship with local lawyers,
County Judge (again),
County Library system,
Lubbock County Hospital district,
Texas Tech Medical School,
Community service,
Lubbock County Youth Center,
Fire Departments,
Volunteer departments,
Emergency medical system,
Voting, punch card system,
County jail,
City prisoners,
Central Jury system,
Lubbock State School for Mentally Retarded (1968),
South Plains Association of Governments,
First president,
George H. Mahon, U. S. representative,
Lubbock Federal Building,
Jail expansion,
City-County Library.
Tape 2, Side 1: [They are looking at articles and awards], Law practice, General practice, Advertising, Pre-advertising, Clients, Referrals, Texas County Judges, Judges who are not lawyers, Don McBeath, Campaigning, Liquor elections in Lubbock, Change to a wet county, Bootleggers, State Association of County Judges and Commissioners, County governments, Road and Bridge System, Taxes, Unit Road System, Desegregation, Voting Rights Act, Voting precincts, Justice of the Peace precinct lines, Elected minorities, Metro Government. <br
Tape 2, Side 2: Metro Government (continued),
Nashville, Tennessee,
Smaller government,
Future of Lubbock,
Farmers,
Water supply,
Population,
Courts,
Political party views,
Followings,
Party tickets,
Running as a Democrat,
Sheriff Sonny Keesee,
Sheriff candidates,
Commissary,
Starting a legal career,
Advice.
Range Dates: 1923-1998
Bulk Dates: 1940-1980
Access Information
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Transcript:
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