Pipes, Brann 1983-09-14
Brann Pipes discusses his life and experiences in and around Thurber, Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Brann Pipes
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: September 14, 1983
Location: Stephenville, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Background,
Employment history,
Hamilton, Texas,
Thurber, Texas,
Met and married wife,
Employment (again),
Texas-Pacific Mercantile and Manufacture,
Other businesses in Thurber,
Texas-Pacific Coal and Oil, Ranger, Texas,
Moved operation to Thurber,
Ranger compared to Thurber,
Size,
Streets,
Electricity,
Mercantile and Manufacturing operation (again),
Pipes worked as mechanic,
Anecdote: teaching a man to drive,
Description of Overland automobile,
Sales in Thurber,
W. K. Gordon,
Anecdote: meeting Gordon’s daughter,
Death of daughter,
Personality,
Mrs. Gordon,
Extended family environment in Thurber,
Texas-Pacific Coal and Oil, Ranger,
Location,
Availability of work in Ranger,
Farming,
Change from cotton to peanuts,
Fire in Texas-Pacific office,
Ranger farming (again),
Oil boom at Ranger provided employment for farmers hurt by boll weevil,
Coal mines,
Anecdote: Ambulance run in Thurber.
Tape 1, Side 2: Union operation of mines,
Non-union operation,
John L. Lewis, Union representative,
Strikes,
Teamsters Union,
Benefits of Union membership,
Wages,
Entertainment in Thurber,
Anecdote: Tall man from the circus,
Sunday in town,
Work schedule,
Effect of oil field work on vehicles and garage work,
Churches in Thurber,
Baptist,
Presbyterian,
Church of Christ,
"Holiness" Church,
Catholic Church,
Blacks in Thurber,
Neighborhood location,
Dairy operations in Thurber,
Area lakes,
Fishing,
Flood.
Tape 2, Side 1: Flood (continued),
Water supply,
Dangers of swimming at the dam,
Baptism,
Decline of Thurber,
Sale of homes,
Texas-Pacific garage moves to Stephenville, Texas,
Work schedule (again),
Depression,
Joe security with Texas-Pacific,
Collecting tools after Texas-Pacific fire,
Welding a tool box,
Decline of Thurber (again).
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1898-1983
Bulk Dates: 1900-1930
Access Information
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Transcript:
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