Donnell, Bill 1983-05-24
Bill Donnell reminisces about the characteristics of Wichita Falls, circa 1908 to 1950.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Bill Donnell
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: May 24, 1983
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Oil industry as growth factor in Wichita Falls, Texas,
Natural gas, pre-1910,
Industrial growth,
Oil discovery; Electra, Texas;
April 1, 1911,
Petrolia field,
Natural gas (again),
Cities supplied
Helium extracted,
World War I,
Plant closings,
PPT flow glass plant,
Oil industry, circa 1910-1929,
Refined production,
Factors in decline,
Bankruptcy of American,
Refining company,
Factors involved,
Burke oil boom,
Deep Oil Development Company,
Chalk hill,
KMA Field,
Drilling Technology, pre-1930,
Investors,
North Texas Oil Gas Association,
Stock exchanges,
Oil companies,
Texoma Oil and Refinery Company, 1926,
Humble Oil Company,
Burke oil boom (again),
Oil industry, 1940-1944,
Saving of potentially abandoned stripper wells,
Oil industry, post war,
Arab arbitrary pricing 1980s,
Acidization,
Alternative recovery methods,
Unitization of fields,
Independent producers versus large oil companies,
Historical significance,
Homes of independent producers
Tape 1, Side 2:
Homes of independent producers (continued),
Harry Hines,
Independent producers,
Crime in Wichita Falls (1920),
Oil boom as a factor,
Texas-Oklahoma dispute over Red River Oil,
Boundary commission, 1924,
Nature of oil booms,
Reaction of city,
Law enforcement,
Famous outlaws,
Liquor laws,
Gun battle,
Ellis Sommers gun battle (late 1930s),
Arch Greenwood,
Famous outlaws (again),
Ellis Sommers (again),
Anecdote: chasing a check forger with Buster Hanaway,
George Fairtrace, City Manager (1928),
Background,
Problems faced,
Public facilities,
Non-regulation of development,
Economic depression,
Populists,
Crime,
Robbery of commodity store room
Range Dates: circa 1908- circa 1950
Bulk Dates: circa 1908- circa 1950
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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