Robnett, Yantis 1970, 1972
Yantis Robnett discusses the Robnett, Yantis and Lee families, the early days of Brownwood and Howard Payne University, his tenure as a professor of English at Texas Tech, and information concerning the administration of Texas prisons in the 1930s.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Yantis Robnett
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 1, 1970; November 13, 1972
Location: Brownwood, Texas
Interviewer: Fred A. Carpenter
Length: 3 hours 5 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Article about Dr. James B. Robnett,
Born: 1845 in Missouri,
Minister of Baptist Church in Brownwood (1883-1890),
Worked on campaign to establish Howard Payne College (1888-1890),
President of Howard Payne (1893),
Dr. Robnett’s death and burial at Howard Payne College,
Article about John J. Ramey (?), Treasurer of Howard Payne (1902),
Robnett Family,
James Robnett, grandfather,
Settled in Fulton, Missouri,
Story of Civil War experience,
Story about Jesse James really being Henry Ford,
Came to Brownwood and founded Howard Payne College,
Story about a fire in Baylor University Chapel,
Dolly Powell Robnett, grandmother,
Story of how Yantis Robnett got his name.
Tape 1, Side 2: James P. Robnett, father,
Died of meningitis (1900),
Pastor of First Baptist Church of Amarillo, Texas,
Mrs. James P. Robnett, mother,
Early Brownwood, Texas,
Picnics,
Saloons,
Schools and teachers,
Lyceum Courses,
Music and plays presented,
Story about Senator Baugh,
Yantis Robnett,
Education,
J. B. Robnett, Jr., uncle,
Teaching at San Marcos and Hillsboro,
Secretary of State Highway Commission,
Secretary of Texas Prison Board,
Huntsville, Texas,
Teaching at Tech as associate professor of English (1927-1932),
Early Texas Tech campus,
Paul W. Horn, 1st President of Tech.
Tape 2, Side 1: Tech’s early football,
Howard Payne College,
Professor’s life at Howard Payne,
J. A. Walker’s contributions to Brownwood and to Howard Payne,
Story of the naming of Howard Payne,
Yantis family,
Tom and Ellen Yantis, grandparents,
President of old Brownwood National Bank,
The Yantis children,
Lee Family,
John G. Lee,
Brownwood civic leader,
Mrs. John Lee,
Her children,
Early Brownwood,
Business district,
Brownwood Bulletin newspaper,
Baseball games.
Tape 2, Side 2: Coggin family,
Mr. Bencini (?), first Brownwood millionaire,
G. N. Harrison, lawyer,
Swendlen (?) Dam,
Story of Methodists feeding Governor Thomas M. Campbell at Brownwood,
Mr. K. R. Looney,
Mr. D. S. Camp, druggist,
Elks Club,
Lubbock, Texas,
Early population (c. 1927),
Early city limits,
Dr. R. C. Goodwin, Tech President.
Tape 3, Side 1: John G. Lee’s career examined,
Lee moved to Texas in 1891,
Brownwood Milling and Feed Company recalled,
Physical description of Lee,
Discussion of Lee family,
Speculation about Lee Street’s name,
Lee’s civic leadership mentioned,
Review of the Chandler family,
Texas governor James E. Ferguson remembered,
Anecdote told concerning the pardon of a black criminal.
Tape 3, Side 2: Relates experiences working with the Texas Prison,
Board at Huntsville,
Prison investigation explored,
Female Texas prison reformer remembered,
Impractical aspect of Texas liquor laws cited,
Description of women prisoners’ protest march,
Punishment by whipping condemned,
Comments on death penalties,
Governor Ferguson’s policy on pardoning prisoners revealed,
Lists Brownwood citizens holding state offices,
Recollections of Texas Tech,
Howard Payne-Daniel Baker sports contest remembered.
Tape 4, Side 1: Clarence Early’s career recalled,
Sorting out relationships,
Further mention of Douglas Coalson,
Anecdote about illness of Mary E. Jones,
Recollections of J. A. Walker and his family.
Tape 4, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1845-1930s
Bulk Dates: 1883-1930s
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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