Eplen, Tom 1975-01-14
Tom Eplen, former Taylor County Judge, discusses his father’s meat market and other businesses and people in early Abilene.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Tom Eplen
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: January 14, 1975
Location: Abilene, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Autobiographical data given,
Family lived in Milam and McLennan Counties,
Came to Abilene in 1908,
Education summarized,
Early residents recalled,
Dr. J. M. Alexander, Mr. Laughter, undertaker, Mr. Radford,
Sales family very prominent in Texas law,
Father's partnership with J. R. and Austin Bertrand in meat market,
Father purchased meat for market,
Merchant family and D. D. Parramore were Abilene's founders,
Meat market described,
Cooled vault with blocks of ice,
Deliveries made in horse carts
Tape 1, Side 2:
Continues remembrances of meat market,
Helped father ship cattle,
Recalls driving stock,
Returned to Abilene from law school in June 1924,
Served as county judge 1926-1932,
Paved streets in Taylor County during his term as judge,
Membership in Texas Good Roads Association discussed,
Presidency of Chamber of Commerce,
Depression in Abilene described,
Remembers father roping a goat,
Recalls old Abilene families
Range Dates: 1908-1932
Bulk Dates: 1908-1932
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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