Shield, Mr and Mrs Elgean 1973
Elgean Shield, a businessman and rancher, discusses his life and dealings in Texas, his military career and role in the oil business. His wife then discusses the Shield Ranch operation and her family. Note: Tapes 1 and 2 are unclear in some places due to background noise.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Mr. and Mrs. Elgean Shield
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 26, August 16, and October 8, 1973
Location: Santa Anna, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 4 hours 35 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Gives background information,
Born: September 14, 1901,
Parents remembered,
Father owned general store,
Talks about Shield Ranch,
Beginnings of fence war recalled,
Santa Anna, Texas described,
Comments on bankers’ conventions,
Schooling discussed.
Tape 1, Side 2: Schooling experiences (continued),
Became geological surveyor,
Oil stratifications mapped,
Own office set up in finance,
Comments on military career,
Marriage mentioned,
Real estate dealings catalogued.
Tape 2, Side 1: Discussion of his marriage (continued),
Depression discussed,
Military career resumed,
Comments on court martial.
Tape 2, Side 2: Continues to talk about his military career,
Volunteered for paratroopers,
Became general staff officer,
Problems in Army recounted.
Tape 3, Side 1: Military career (continued),
Explains problems with large amount of money won betting,
Played poker with Colonel at new base to get acquainted,
Describes "no limit" game,
Presidential Citation for World War II actions received,
Comments on General Douglas MacArthur’s activities.
Tape 3, Side 2: Military strategy discussed,
Expounds on MacArthur’s faults,
His priorities in war stated,
Recounts differences between Russia and China,
Notes great leaders.
Tape 4, Side 1: Stories about military career recounted,
Gives summary of career,
Service assignment in China remembered,
Tells about his sickness,
Comments on political situation in China,
Anecdotes about China told.
Tape 4, Side 2: Continues anecdotes about China,
Return to United States recalled,
Talks about oil business.
Tape 5, Side 1: Remembers entry into oil business,
Recounts geology work,
Fry Oil Pool located,
Bought mineral rights on land,
Ranching business entered,
Started drilling for oil after World War II,
Maps described.
Tape 5, Side 2: Blank
Tape 6, Side 1: Mrs. Shield gives family background,
Born in Columbus, Georgia in 1908,
Plantation living recounted,
Her husband and children talked about,
Discusses supervision of ranch work during World War II,
Construction of ranch house described,
Recalls growth of ranch.
Tape 6, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1901-1973
Bulk Dates: 1940s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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