Nash, D O 1976-07-20
D. O. Nash speaks of his career with the Fort Worth and Denver Railway, the railroad’s impact on Childress, and the effect of World War I on the railroad. He concludes his discussion with the decreasing profits of the railroads.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: D.O. Nash
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 20, 1976
Location: Childress, Texas
Interviewer: Richie Cravens
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Personal background,
Corsicana, Texas, early railroad center,
Houston and Texas Central Railroad,
Father’s occupations,
Bootlegging,
Move to Childress, Texas (1906),
Population,
Father’s employment with Fort Worth and Denver,
Railway,
Education,
Work with railroad during summers,
Typical day described,
"Boomers",
Varied experience of boilermakers,
Saturday night baths,
YMCA,
Library,
Anecdote about illiterate railroad man,
Hiring practices,
Boilermakers,
"Boomers" improvements,
Apprenticeship,
Strikes,
Living arrangements,
Promotion to clerk,
Transfer to Palestine, Texas,
Work in oil house,
Typical day described,
Duties.
Tape 1, Side 2: Work in Palestine, Texas (1918-1922),
Family homes described,
Obtaining water,
Gyp water (water with gypsum),
Building Greenbelt Lake,
Aid of Dr. Townsend,
Position of master mechanic,
Innovations of Mr. Preisler,
Decreasing labor force,
Aid of labor unions,
Strikes,
Union membership,
Effects of World War I on railroads,
Government takeover,
Inventory,
Effects of government intervention,
Flu epidemic,
Treatment,
Transport bodies,
Brother’s military service.
Tape 2, Side 1: Wagon trip to Texas,
Anecdote about prayers before breakfast,
Impersonality of present times,
River crossing,
Reasons for moving to Childress, Texas,
Fort Worth and Denver Railway baseball team,
Director, Roy Falthaw,
Company support,
Building park,
Selling land,
Position as Chief Clerk,
Duties,
Stock reduction,
Description of business (1920s),
Decreasing business.
Tape 2, Side 2: Government regulations,
Killing weeds,
Railroad taxation,
Reducing facilities to save money,
Ownership of Fort Worth and Denver Railway,
Difficulty of showing profit,
Reduction of labor force,
Labor saving processes,
Railroad influence on towns,
Lubbock force described,
Reduction,
Future for Amtrak,
Other modes of transportation,
Effects of consolidation,
Compensation for employee’s early retirement,
Retirement,
Training replacement,
Continued interest in railroads,
Membership in veterans’ organizations,
Business trips,
Job as rail inspector.
Range Dates: 1906-1976
Bulk Dates: 1906-1976
Access Information
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Transcript:
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