Mitchell, Virgil 1979-06-29

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Virgil Mitchell, a construction engineer and insurance agent, tells about the construction of suspension bridges and other jobs he has held. He also describes the border town of Brownsville, Texas, and talks about his insurance business there. Note: The end of Tape 1 is garbled.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Virgil Mitchell

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: June 29, 1979

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Bobby Weaver

Length: 1 hour 15 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Weatherford, Texas, H. F. Mitchell, father, Suspension bridge patent, Formation of partnership, John W. Pig, partner, Virgil Mitchell, Jobs, Construction, Oil pipeline work, Anecdote, Bootlegging, Oil workers, Types, Descriptions, Bridge construction, South Canadian River, Oklahoma, Procedure, Tension, Stress and strength, Opening festivities, Stone piers, Bridge length, Red River.

Tape 1, Side 2: Toll bridges, Suspension bridge locations, Weight limits, Mitchell and Pig Company, Expansion, General contractors, Methods of payment, Hunting, Bounty hunter, Roads, Caliche, Prairie fires, Mitchell and Pig Co. (1906-1925), Oil business, Fort Worth, Texas, Well drilling, Business, Highs and lows, (End of tape garbled).

Tape 2, Side 1: Brownsville, Texas (1937), Lodging, Bridge, Mexican-American population, Farming, Failing citrus orchards, Cotton, Uses, Military clothing, Vegetables, Insurance business, Formation of partnership, "Snowbirds", Retired northern citizens, Education, Mexican-Americans.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1906-1979

Bulk Dates: 1906-1937


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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