Justin, Enid 1969-06-24
Miss Enid Justin, president of the Nocona Boot Company, discuses her father, H. J. Justin, and the founding, growth and operations of the Justin and Nocona boot factories.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Miss Enid Justin
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 24, 1969
Location: Nocona, Texas
Interviewer: Charles Townsend
Length: 2 hours, 10 minutes (total)
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Father, H. J. Justin,
Moved to Texas from Indiana,
Beginning of boot business in Spanish Fort, Texas,
Married Anna Allen,
Self-measuring system developed,
Father’s character,
Brothers and sisters,
Family moves to Nocona,
Growth of business,
Brothers and sisters (again),
Justin Boot Company,
Changes in boot making,
Wholesale business,
Justin family’s home life,
Anecdotes about boots,
Enid Justin’s work in the business,
Boot-making machines,
Justin Boot Company moved to Fort Worth (1925),
Enid Justin stayed in Nocona,
Business was family owned,
Former employees started other boot companies,
G. C. Bleacher Boot Company,
Carl Olson—learned boot business.
Tape 1, Side 2: Blank
Tape 2, Side 1: Founding of Nocona Boot Company (1925)
Husband, Julius Stellzer (?)
Olsen-Stellzer Boot Company
First salesman, Enid Justin
Incorporation of company (1926)
Boot company in 1930
Quality emphasized
Depression had little effect
World War II—government regulations for boots
Growth of cowboy boot business (1930s)
Employees—local people trained
Publicity
Hollywood films
Only woman cowboy boot maker
Publicity stunt—pony express to California Fair
World War II—labor and materials hard to get
New building and additions.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Tape 3, Side 1: Increase in employment
Lace boots for oil field workers made
Cowboy shoes made
Spur factory
Employment
Unionized one year
Employee benefits and salaries
Different departments and operations in boot making
Use of computer
Company stock and capital
Family members employed
Designing boots
Anecdote about design
Long-time employees and employee benefits
Boots made for famous people
Anecdotes about Nocona boots
Future of boot business
Demands for boots.
Tape 3, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: ?-1969
Bulk Dates: 1925-1969
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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