Martin, Jimmy 1975-07-02
Jimmy Martin describes both his and his father James Lee Martin’s careers in the early Texas newspaper business. He explains how small town weekly newspapers were started and what it took to keep them going.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Jimmy Martin
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 02, 1975
Location: Abilene, Texas
Interviewer: David Murrah
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Personal background,
Began newspaper career with father on Heart of Texas News in Brady,
Worked there from 1928 to 1943,
Father, James Lee Martin’s background,
Grandfather’s background,
Father’s buying and selling of various newspapers in Texas,
Father’s organization of the West Texas Press Association with Webb Reed,
in the 1920s and service as its first President,
Financial aspects of buying and selling newspapers,
Explanation of different types of presses and methods of setting type,
Father’s philosophies as a news gatherer and editorialist,
Methods of gathering and writing news,
Methods of gaining support from town businessmen,
Problems involved with conflicts caused by editorials,
General content of weekly newspapers,
Effect of oil booms of 1930s and 1940s on newspaper business,
Subscription-selling campaigns and other methods of increasing circulation,
Living conditions in oil field town of Mexia and resultant crime clean-up,
Financial aspects of surviving in the newspaper business.
Tape 1, Side 2: Reasons for selling the newspaper business,
Describes being paymaster at Curtis Field, contract flying school, during World War II,
Work with the West Texas Utilities Company,
Old country editors who are still living,
Desire to get back into newspaper.
Range Dates: 1928-1975
Bulk Dates: 1928-1943
Access Information
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Transcript:
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