Boydston, Claude 1976-03-09

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Claude Boydston speaks of his early experiences in the West Texas oil fields and later with transportation services in West Texas. In Tape 2, he recalls a little of his grandfather’s past as well as his own.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Claude Boydston

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: March 9, 1976

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Joanna Shurbet

Length: 1 hour, 15 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: First oil field job (1922), Born, Mills Count, Texas (1904), Family relocation in Mesa, Arizona (1918), Schooling, Return to Mills County, Texas (1919), Return to Mesa, Arizona (1921), Employment in Electra, Texas, oil fields (1922), High school at Mesa, Arizona, First oil field job, Training for oil drilling, Injury to foot (1924), Opening of garage, Lockney, Texas (1924), Return to Electra, Texas (1924), Anecdote about being fired by Guy Waggoner, Jitney Bus (1925), Mail contracts, Bosses (Zed Owens and Mr. Crow), Mail routes, Quannah, Texas (1925), Lubbock, Texas, compared with Plainview, Texas, Effect of Depression on oil fields, Move to Morton, Texas (1929-1930), Money shortage, Anecdote about drilling successful water well, Trucking business, Oak Union, Texas, Association with the Galveston Truck Lines, Aid of Rube Loften, attorney, Red Star Stages ownership, Clyde Williams, partner, Route, Headquarters, Growth, Profits, Effects of Depression on Plainview, Texas, Move to Clovis, New Mexico, and Floydada, Texas, Position with Wichita Bus Lines, Clyde, Texas

Tape 1, Side 2: Employment in Big Spring, Texas (1938-1939), Opening of lumber yard (1939-1940), Anecdote about H. R. Bond, Government employment, Alamogordo, New Mexico, Anecdote about captain, Purchase of Montgomery moving business, Success, Work with North American Van Lines, Set up first commissioned agents, Offices located, Merger of Montgomery and Dean Van Lines, Profits, Building office, Heart attack's effect on business (1963), Sold interest (1965), Sponsorship of race car, Built trailers (1967-1970), Trailer rental (1970-1976), Hard work, Driving in tumbleweeds and sand (1933-1934), Dangers, Trip from Lubbock, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, Highway patrol (1940-1950), CB craze, Truck drivers' "exemption" from speed laws, Weight limits

Tape 2, Side 1: Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma coaches, Organization, Changes in people, Grandfather, Parents from Scotland, Filed land in Mills County, Texas, Tea Pot Dome, Roads, Telephones, "Jake leg", Union workers

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1904-1976

Bulk Dates: 1904-1976


Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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