Kahlich, Odilia Bednarz 1980-06-26
Odilia Bednarz Kahlich reminisces on her life in Slaton and the history of the area.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Odilia Bednarz Kahlich
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 26, 1980
Location: Slaton, Texas
Interviewer: Elaine Brock
Length: 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family research,
Odilia Kahlich,
Moved to West Texas (1916),
Parents from Austria,
Immigration (c. 1860),
Father’s evasion of service during the Civil War,
Parents lived in High Hill, Texas,
Farmers,
Mrs. Kalich met husband in High Hill,
Bednarz Family,
13 children,
Childhood memories,
Games,
Married,
Moved to West Texas,
House built (1951),
Mr. Kahlich died (1953),
Sandstorms,
Field work,
Changes in responsibilities of women,
Lifestyle (Early 20th century),
Sausage making,
Livestock raising,
House work,
Lack of conveniences,
Homes,
First home,
Slaton home,
Construction,
World War I,
Food rationing,
Husband never drafted,
Two sons,
Ages 2 years and 1 year,
School,
German spoken to children,
Difficulty in adapting to English,
Difficulties of Germans in Slaton,
World War I (again),
World War II,
Relationship with neighboring farmers,
Financial problems (with banks),
Depression,
Weather,
Rains,
Cotton crop failure (1934),
Sandstorms,
Anti-German sentiment settled,
Government subsidizes killing of cattle,
World War II (again),
Three boys served.
Tape 1, Side 2: Boys’ service in World War II (continued),
Sold farm when last son was drafted,
Difficulties with being Catholic,
World War I (again),
Rumors,
Personal experience,
Social life,
German customs,
Father Keller,
Father French,
Father Bryan,
Contributions to Slaton,
Father Keller (again),
Difficulties of Germans in Slaton (again),
Entertainment,
Garden,
Life in Slaton today,
Children,
Correspondence with relatives.
Range Dates: 1860-1980
Bulk Dates: 1914-1960
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