Mitchell, Virgil 1979-06-29
Virgil Mitchell, a construction engineer and insurance agent, tells about the construction of suspension bridges and other jobs he has held. He also describes the border town of Brownsville, Texas, and talks about his insurance business there. Note: The end of Tape 1 is garbled.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Virgil Mitchell
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 29, 1979
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Bobby Weaver
Length: 1 hour 15 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Weatherford, Texas,
H. F. Mitchell, father,
Suspension bridge patent,
Formation of partnership,
John W. Pig, partner,
Virgil Mitchell,
Jobs,
Construction,
Oil pipeline work,
Anecdote,
Bootlegging,
Oil workers,
Types,
Descriptions,
Bridge construction,
South Canadian River, Oklahoma,
Procedure,
Tension,
Stress and strength,
Opening festivities,
Stone piers,
Bridge length,
Red River.
Tape 1, Side 2: Toll bridges,
Suspension bridge locations,
Weight limits,
Mitchell and Pig Company,
Expansion,
General contractors,
Methods of payment,
Hunting,
Bounty hunter,
Roads,
Caliche,
Prairie fires,
Mitchell and Pig Co. (1906-1925),
Oil business, Fort Worth, Texas,
Well drilling,
Business,
Highs and lows,
(End of tape garbled).
Tape 2, Side 1: Brownsville, Texas (1937),
Lodging,
Bridge,
Mexican-American population,
Farming,
Failing citrus orchards,
Cotton,
Uses,
Military clothing,
Vegetables,
Insurance business,
Formation of partnership,
"Snowbirds",
Retired northern citizens,
Education,
Mexican-Americans.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1906-1979
Bulk Dates: 1906-1937
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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