Pendleton, Alfred M 1969, 1970

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Alfred M. Pendleton, Cotton Ginning Engineer at the Federal Extension Service, discusses his career and his father’s career in the cotton industry and the federal government’s cotton research work, especially its educational work in cotton ginning and mechanization.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Alfred M. Pendleton

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: July 28, 1969; February 4, 1970

Location: Dallas, Texas

Interviewer: David B. Gracy II and Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Father in cotton seed oil business, Cotton industry in North Texas, Owned cotton seed oil mill in Farmersville, Texas, Managed cotton oil mill in Durant, Oklahoma, Worked for Col. Singleton (1930s), Pendleton becomes operator of cotton gins (1932-1943), Specialist in cotton ginning for U.S. Department of Agriculture (1943), Concerned with making available research on cotton ginning and mechanization, Cotton ginning research laboratories built, Reasons for federal government research and educational work, Pendleton in charge of cotton educational work, Cotton ginning industry similar throughout the U. S., Differences due to harvesting methods and land ownership, Adoption of basic recommendations.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: A. M. Pendleton’s beginnings in the cotton industry, Father’s work in the cotton industry, Cotton industry during Great Depression, Pendleton joins the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Transition in cotton growing from plantation style to commercial, Reconstruction of oldest gin on Texas Tech campus, Ginners move from the farm to the city, Use of cotton seed, Strong towns built around cotton, Lubbock as center of cotton economy in Texas, Change in cotton—genetically, Prices of cotton during Depression.

Tape 2, Side 2: Cost of building a gin in 1932, Wages then and now, Fred Carpenter explains the cotton project, Collection of ginning research offered, Suggestion to contact gin machinery companies, List of cotton industry-related books, Mr. Holmes, ginner of Lubbock area, Mr. Davis and Mr. Spencer mentioned.

Range Dates: 1930s-1970

Bulk Dates: 1932-1970


Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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