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Below you will find a collection of our oral history transcripts we have
digitized so far. Roll over the "abstract" link to view a brief summary of each interview. Click on the underlined "download pdf" link to download the full transcript file.
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| Asher, Inez Thompson |
July 1984 |
abstractInterview 38a : In this lengthy interview with Megan Lamber and An Sweeny, Inez Thompson Asher reminisces about living in Fastrill as a child. She remembers the houses, the people who lived there, the boarding house, the school, swimming in the Neches, and shopping in the commissary. Mrs. Thompson compares her years in Fastrill, Diboll, and Houston and recalls the Great Depression in Fastrill. She had a happy childhood and remembers Fastrill with fondness. |
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| Ashworth, Wesley |
July 1984 |
abstractInterview 41a : Life-long Angelina County native and long-time Southern Pine Lumber Company employee Wesley Ashworth recalls how life in Diboll changed from 1922 to 1984. He remembers the Great Depression, the burning of the box factory, the changes Arthur Temple, Jr. made to Diboll when he came to town in 1948, and how Diboll has evolved from small sawmill town with dirt roads to a real city. For the most part, he approves of the changes to his home town and looks back with great happiness when recalling his over 48 years of service to Southern Pine Lumber Company. |
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| Baker, Bobby R. |
January 31, 2007 |
abstractInterview 168a : A 1965 graduate of Diboll High School, Bobby Baker tells interviewer Becky Donahoe of his career in public education as part of Donahoe's project of interviewing superintendents of Diboll Independent School District. Baker discusses his experiences as a life-long educator, including teaching, coaching, and administrating in East Texas public schools, including Lufkin, Diboll, Central, and Hemphill. Focusing on his Diboll years, Baker discusses a number of education subjects including student population growth as well as decline, capital improvements, campus relocation, working with school boards, evolving student population ethnicities, financial management, and standardized testing. Baker also shares biographical insight, including his Christian faith. |
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| Baker, Marvin |
July 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 66a : In this interview with Sandra Ingram, Marvin Baker reminisces about the Baker and Fairchild family histories, attending school in Burke, helping his mother after the death of his father, and farming. He also discusses his time reforesting areas of East Texas with the C.C.C. during the Great Depression. |
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| Ballenger, Dewey |
June 20, 1984 |
abstractInterview 32a : Dewey Ballenger reminisces about life in Burke and Diboll from the beginning of the 20th century. He remembers Diboll's saloons, his mother's boarding house, riding the train, Emporia, Ryan's Chapel, the Calaboose, the Jail, and Jay Boren. He worked for Southern Pine Lumber Company for his entire career and watched as Diboll and the company changed. He also recalls the Methodist and Baptist churches, Clyde Thompson, and Mr. H.G. Temple. |
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| Ballenger, Dewey |
July 06, 1984 |
abstractInterview 32b : In this interview Dewey Ballenger reminisces about his years working for Southern Pine Lumber Company, especially Mills One, Two, and Three. He remembers the company's executives and their leadership styles: T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple, Jr., Watson Walker, H.G. Temple, and Clyde Thompson. He also recalls his mother's boarding house, The Beanery, living through the Depression, the Baptist Church, and the Methodist Church. |
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| Beale, Arthur C. "Pat" |
February 17, 1985 |
abstractInterview 52a : In this interview with Sheila Billingsley, former firebrick salesman Arthur C. “Pat” Beale remembers his time as a salesman calling on the forest products industry in East Texas. Mr. Beale sold firebricks, primarily for kilns, to Kurth mills and to the Temple mills in Diboll. He explains the use of firebricks and kilns and details the process of manufacturing lumber, from raw tree to finished product. |
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| Beidleman, Beula |
November 09, 1982 |
abstractInterview 3a : Diboll Assistant Librarian Beulah Beidleman tells interviewer Becky Bailey about life during the Depression in Crowell, Texas and New London, Texas. She recalls the hard times, the way her family made ends meet, and the relief when she and her husband found steady jobs. The New London oil fields provided both hard times and work and she remembers the New London School explosion as well. She and her husband did not receive any poor relief during the Depression, but they did benefit from a small business loan. |
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| Breazeale, Nannie |
March 23, 2000 |
abstractInterview 150b : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Nannie Breazeale reminisces about Mrs. Fannie Farrington, the Diboll commissary, living at the Alcedo logging camp, swimming in the Neches River, picking cotton in West Texas, and working at the Diboll box factory. Mrs. Breazeale remembers the 1946 box factory fire and the speculation that it was related to union activities. |
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| Breazeale, Nannie |
June 02, 2000 |
abstractInterview 150a : In this interview with Clara Breazeale, Nanny Breazeale reminisces about life in Alcedo, a Southern Pine Lumber Company logging camp. She remembers the boxcar houses, the outhouses, church, school, commissary, Dr. Evans, and Mrs. Bonner’s boarding house. |
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| Bullock, Margaret Rogers |
August 19, 1985 |
abstractInterview 77a : Dana Copes Rogers and her daughter Margaret Rogers Bullock, descendants of the Copes family that owned the land that would later become Diboll, tell their memories of Copes family history and life in Diboll at the beginning of the 20th Century. Mrs. Rogers recalls her parents, attending church and school, Mable and Asenath Phelps, Copestown, and working for Franklin Farrington at the Diboll Post Office. Her husband worked in several drug stores in Diboll and Pineland before opening his own stores in Hemphill and Lufkin. |
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| Burke, Ward |
October 23, 1985 |
abstractInterview 82a : Ward Burke reminisces about his personal history and his dealings with the Temple Foundation. He recalls assisting, as a lawyer, Arthur Temple and Temple Webber through all of the legalities of building up the Southern Pine Lumber Company. He also talks about mergers, liquor sale restrictions, and the effects of the Great Depression. Also mentioned are: Arthur Temple, Jr., Temple Webber, Arthur Lee Burke, Phillip M. Leach, and Georgie Temple Munz. |
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| Burkhalter, Beatrice |
May 25, 1982 |
abstractInterview 4a : Mrs. Beatrice Burkhalter reminisces about life in Diboll in the 1920s through the 1940s in this interview with Rebecca Bailey. A longtime educator, Mrs. Burkhalter talks about being a widow and single mother in the 1930s, attending college and working while mothering her son in an effort to earn a teaching certificate. She came to Diboll as a teacher in 1937 and eventually finished her bachelors degree in 1939. In addition to her teaching memories, Mrs. Burkhalter recalls the Depression, the beginnings of Social Security and the Teacher Retirement System, entertainment as a teenager, and Weeks family genealogy. |
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| Burkhalter, Beatrice |
February 04, 1984 |
abstractInterview 18b : In this group interview, Becky Bailey interviews Neil Pickett about his time as the Federal Housing Administration Director in Houston and his efforts to bring affordable public housing to Diboll, particularly the Walter Allen addition. He discusses the procedures for getting FHA loans and Mr. Arthur Temple’s involvement in the large projects in Diboll, now owned by the Diboll Housing Authority. Beatrice Burkhalter, Fenner Roth, and Herbert Weeks also contributed to the interview. |
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| Burkhalter, Beatrice |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 4b : Long-time Diboll resident and educator Beatrice Burkhalter reminisces for Sherri Sheridan about her school days in early Diboll. She recalls the separation of boys and girls, the 2 person desks, and that many of the wealthier families sent their children away for the last several years of their education. Mrs. Burkhalter recalled some of the pranks boys would play on the teachers and the long school days with long recesses. She was in the Diboll High School graduating class of 1922, the first class to graduate from Diboll. |
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| Burkhalter, Beatrice |
December 1987 |
abstractInterview 4c : Long-time Diboll resident and educator Beatrice Burkhalter answers questions about Coan and Weeks family history and genealogy and remembers her early life. Her family moved around Texas and Louisiana before settling in Diboll, where her father worked in the sawmill and then for the Texas Southeastern Railroad. She recalls details about children lives in the early 20th century their chores and games in particular. She also talks about home remedies that families relied on in the absence of reliable medical care, such as asafetida, sulfa and grease, and castor oil. |
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| Burkhalter, Vernon |
December 31, 1985 |
abstractInterview 85a : Longtime Temple employee Vernon Burkhalter reminisces about life in Diboll through the years. After growing up in Diboll as the son of a local teacher, Mr. Burkhalter worked his way up through the Company ranks as Personnel Director. He talks about growing up and starting work and then recalls all of the changes that have occurred in the company and the lumber industry. He is very complimentary of Arthur Temple, Jr. and Joe Denman and other company executives and credits the company's culture and management for balancing the respect for longtime employees and their knowledge with the need to mechanize and change processes and mentalities with the times. |
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| Burkhalter, Vernon |
November 12, 1987 |
abstractInterview 85b : In an interview with Todd Kellam, Vernon Burkhalter reminisces about growing up in Diboll, going to school, hunting, fishing, and harvesting mayhaws. He also remembers working for Southern Pine Lumber Company during the summers while in high school, cleaning out ditches, cutting weeds, and painting fences. He compares the lives of teenagers today with life when he was in high school and notes positive and negative changes. |
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| Bush, E. H. "Buddy" |
January 11, 2000 |
abstractInterview 155a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, E.H. "Buddy" Bush, Jr. reminisces about growing up in Diboll and Newton and Lufkin and working for Temple-White, TexLam, and Deep East Texas Council of Governments. He talks about the Believe It Or Not Cafe, working for Paul Durham as photographer and film developer at The Free Press, and running Buddy's Cash Only store. |
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| Campbell, Gary |
July 25, 1994 |
abstractInterview 146a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Diboll Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Campbell talks about his teaching career in various East Texas and Houston area schools and then his progression to the position of Superintendent of Diboll. He talks about the need to work with the teachers, principals, and school board to raise the district's test scores, to update the curriculum and facilities, and utilize the district's money in a way that will benefit the students and teachers. He is especially excited about technology and computer upgrades for the classrooms. |
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| Capps, Billie Jean |
May 10, 2010 |
abstractInterview 193a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, long-time Diboll teacher Billie Jean Capps reminisces about her 38 years in local education. The interview focuses on the integration of Diboll’s schools, and Mrs. Capps discusses her experiences as an elementary teacher during that process. Mrs. Capps talks about Mr. Pate and the other administrator, the details involved with combining classes and teachers, and the attitudes of fellow teachers and parents. She mentions Odyessa Wallace and the Masseys, Valerie Anderson, and Odyessa Bray. Mrs. Capps grew up in the area and graduated from Diboll High School, and offers the perspective of someone who as observed the local schools as a student, teacher, and parent. |
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| Capps, Jewel |
July 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 65a : In this interview with her granddaughter-in-law Billie Jean Capps, Mrs. Jewel Capps recalls life in Angelina County from the beginning of the 20th Century. She reminisces about taking care of her siblings, washing clothes outside by the creek, killing and preserving hogs, recreation, school, and discipline.
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| Capps, Marshall |
February 03, 2010 |
abstractInterview 189a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, long-time Diboll Independent School District board member Marshall Capps reminisces about his 12-year tenure on the board, including the years of integration. Mr. Capps began his school board position when the Beulah Common School District consolidated with Diboll in 1962. Shortly thereafter, the Diboll board began the integration process with a Freedom of Choice plan. Mr. Capps remembers it to be a relatively painless process in which the board recognized that desegregation would happen and wanted to control the process in their town. |
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| Carr, Earl |
December 12, 1986 |
abstractInterview 106a : In this interview with student Billy Kujala, Earl Carr recalls going to school in Diboll in the 1940s and 1950s. He talks about his teachers Mrs. Dixie Cook and Mrs. Beatrice Burkhalter, walking to and from school, his favorite subjects, and what he remembers of World War II and the Korean War as a child. He also touches on the differences between schools in the 1940s and the 1980s. |
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| Caton, W.T. Carter |
August 30, 1976 |
abstractInterview 5a : In this interview with Marge Shepherd, W.T. Carter Caton reminisces about growing up in Camden and working for the Carter Lumber Company until 1970 (with a short stint in Oregon during the late 1920s). He remembers helping the logging railroad convert from narrow gauge to standard gauge and refinishing some furniture for one of the Carter daughters. |
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| Chandler, Annie |
August 10, 1984 |
abstractInterview 104a : In a short 1954 interview with Clyde Thompson, Annie Chandler reminisces about her early life in Diboll. Her father was involved in Southern Pine Lumber Company’s Diboll mill starting in 1895 and Mrs. Chandler spent the rest of her life in Diboll. She married and raised her children there. She remembers getting off the train in Diboll before there was a town. Mrs. Chandler’s son, O’Hara was a longtime company executive, and two of her daughters, Rhoda Faye and Finney, worked in the office. |
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| Chandler, O'Hara |
September 08, 1984 |
abstractInterview 44a : Early Dibollians Fenner Roth, Herbert Weeks, and O'Hara Chandler, each born in or about 1908, tell of life in Diboll during the 1910s and 1920s during a 1984 interview by leaders of the Diboll Historical Society. The men recall railroad travel, eateries, childhood entertainments, early automobiles, alligators in the mill pond, school teachers, yard work, bitter weeds, and the communities of Emporia and Copestown. Persons discussed include Frank Farrington, Watson Walker, George Johnson, and John Oliver. |
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| Chandler, O'Hara |
June 18, 1999 |
abstractInterview 148a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, longtime educator O'Hara Chandler reminisces about growing up in and around Diboll, working at the sawmill, going to school, and teaching school all over the state. He recalls swimming in the Emporia millpond, Dred Devereaux and his bridges, and his family's time spent working for Southern Pine Lumber Company. |
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| Chandler, O'Hara |
August 17, 1999 |
abstractInterview 148b : In August, 1999, Howard Daniel asked O'Hara Chandler to speak to a meeting of the Diboll Rotary Club about his memories of growing up in Diboll. He talks about going to school in Diboll and leaving town for college, using checks at the company store, attending and participating in a traveling circus that stopped in town each year, and a traveling stack cleaner. |
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| Chandler, Rhoda Faye |
September 07, 1982 |
abstractInterview 6a : Diboll native Rhoda Faye Chandler tells interviewer Becky Bailey about growing up in Diboll and working for Southern Pine Lumber Company as a young woman. Miss Chandler started working in the accounting office during the Depression for $35/week but was laid off after three months. She was rehired to work by the day (at $3.50/day) and ended up making more money that way than when she was on salary. She recalls the early days of electric service in Diboll, recreation for young people, going to Lufkin for the movies, Depression-era programs like the CCC and the WPA, and the SPLCo. payroll system. |
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| Chandler, Rhoda Faye |
August 08, 1985 |
abstractInterview 6b : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Rhoda Faye Chandler, and her brother O'Hara Chandler recall life during the Depression and how Southern Pine Lumber Company took care of its employees and their families when times were hard. Miss Chandler describes going to the homes of Diboll residents in need to asses their situations so that the company could help them out after an accident or death, or when hard times made feeding and clothing a family difficult. She describes the care the company took to ensure that everyone had a home and enough food to eat, and how they worked with local churches and other citizens to care for each other. |
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| Christian, Mary Jane |
July 10, 1985 |
abstractInterview 67a : In this interview with Diboll teacher Gayle Beene, Diboll native and life-long teacher Mary Jane Christian reminisces about growing up in Diboll, going to college at Stephen F. Austin State University, and teaching for 42 years. Mrs. Christian recalls her teachers and the school buildings, she remembers living through the depression and World War II, and she details how the teaching profession has changed throughout her 4-decade long career. |
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| Christian, Mary Jane |
September 29, 1987 |
abstractInterview 67b : In this interview with student Elvia Esteves, Mary Jane Christian recalls racial relations in the Diboll schools throughout her life. She grew up in Diboll when the schools were segregated and also began teaching before integration. Mrs. Christian remembers integration from the perspective of a teacher in the elementary school grades. |
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| Cooke, Stacy |
February 01, 2010 |
abstractInterview 188a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Stacy Cooke reminisces about the 14 years he spent as a member of the Diboll Independent School District School Board. The interview focuses on the years 1966-1970, during the integration of Diboll’s schools. He credits the board, the school administration, the teachers, the students, the local community, and Arthur Temple, Jr. for ensuring that Diboll experienced desegregation without many problems. |
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| Cornick, Ilene |
May 05, 2009 |
abstractInterview 181a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Ilene Cornick reminisces about her life as a World War II widow, member of the Red Cross, teacher, and member of the United States Army Special Services Branch. Mrs. Cornick's husband, Ray, died when his P-42 crashed in the North Sea in 1944. She joined the Red Cross the following year and traveled to Europe to run service clubs for American soldiers in Luxembourg and Germany. She taught school in San Augustine, Diboll, and Houston, and ran the YMCA in El Paso. Mrs. Cornick also traveled to Korea with the U.S. Army, where she taught at an international school and worked for the Special Services in the service clubs. While in Korea, Mrs. Cornick was acquainted with Syngman Rhee, the eventual President of Korea. She also worked for the Special Services in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Germany. |
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| Craft, Oleta |
1987 |
abstractInterview 124a : Oleta Craft, owner of the Dress Craft clothing store, recalls working at the Mize Factory in Nacogdoches and opening her store in Diboll. She remembers how she built up her stock and gained loyal customers, dealt with salesmen, kept the store going when times were tough. She also recalls her encounter with a cross dresser who came to buy women’s clothing at her store. |
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| Crager, Harold |
November 30, 1987 |
abstractInterview 117a : Harold Crager recalls his entrance into the Air Force in 1948. He remembers signing up and shipping out to San Antonio, enduring basic training, and the skills he gained in those 13 weeks. |
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| Currie, Ruth |
March 18, 1986 |
abstractInterview 95a : Mrs. Ruth Currie reminisces about her life as a railroader’s wife in White City, Fastrill, and Diboll. A native of Louisiana, Mrs. Currie followed her husband from one Southern Pine Lumber Company operation to another. In White City she lived in a boxcar house. When the White City camp closed, her family moved to Fastrill, where they lived until 1939. She fondly remembers her time in Fastrill and the closeness of the families that lived there. She also recalls the Depression and how if affected Fastrill. |
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| Daniel, J. Shirely |
February 15, 1985 |
abstractInterview 48a : Entrepreneur J. Shirley Daniel came to Diboll in 1937 to open the town’s first movie theater. Throughout his association with Diboll, he owned two different theaters, ran the Antler’s Hotel, and worked as a pulpwood contractor. His first theater came to be known as “The Tonk” and the second theater was The Timberland Theater. |
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| Davis, Marie |
September 13, 1993 |
abstractInterview 142a : In this speech to the Angelina County Historical Forum, Marie Davis talks about the Diboll Historical Society's research process for finding the old Southern Pine Lumber Company logging camp Lindsey Springs. They eventually found the campsite, and will erect an historical marker. |
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| Davis, Marie |
May 09, 1995 |
abstractInterview 137a : In this speech to the Angelina Historical Forum on May 9, 1995, Marie Davis presents the results of her research on Clark's Ferry, Clark's Cemetery, and Renova, all areas to the south of Diboll on the Neches River. |
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| Davis, Marjorie Pickle |
July 18, 1984 |
abstractInterview 42a : In this interview with Megan Lambert and Edythe Weeks, Marjorie Pickle Davis reminisces about growing up in Diboll at the Star Hotel. Her father worked for the Texas Southeastern Railroad, but her mother, Ruth Estes Pickle, and grandmother, Emily Estes, ran the Star Hotel boarding house. She describes cooking and cleaning for the boarders – mostly Southern Pine Lumber Company workers from the time she was a young child. |
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| Davis, Tuey McCarty |
August 01, 2006 |
abstractInterview 167a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Tuey McCarty Davis reminisces about growing up in Burke. She mentions attending school in the two-story school building in Burke, driving her father’s Model-T car to school in Diboll and Lufkin, visiting the stores owned by Miss Ina McCall, the Courtney’s, and the Keel’s and the Campbell’s. She also mentions her grandfather Harvey Belote and his Burke sawmill, which closed before she was born. |
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| Denman, Beth |
March 05, 1986 |
abstractInterview 93a : In this interview with Marie Davis, long time Diboll resident Beth Denman talks about her life in Diboll from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. When her husband, Joe Denman, moved to Diboll to work for Southern Pine Lumber Company, she followed him and witnessed the town’s change from dusty company town to thriving small city. She recalls the process to sell citizens their homes, paving the roads and fencing the livestock, all of the amenities and services the town had, and the sense of camaraderie and community that led to close friendships for children and adults. |
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| Denman, Joe C. Jr. |
N/A |
abstractInterview 79b : Joe C. Denman, Joe Denman and Carolyn Elmore discuss the origins Diboll Day and the Diboll Booster Club. Mr. Denman also talks about the beginnings of the plywood operations, land and timber management, and the failed Champion merger. |
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| Denman, Joe C. Jr. |
October 24, 1985 |
abstractInterview 79a : Longtime Temple executive Joe Denman speaks with Megan Lambert about Temple company history. Mr. Denman recalls how he came to work for Arthur Temple, Jr. after graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in architecture. He describes his rise through the company ranks, working in the offices, in the plants, and then as an executive. He also discusses the failed merger with Champion, the successful merger and spin-off with TIME, and other companies like Exeter, Sabine investments. |
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| Denman, Joe C. Jr. |
June 02, 2000 |
abstractInterview 79c : In this speech to the Angelina County Historical Commission, Joe C. Denman, Jr. reminisces about his time as a Navy pilot during World War II. A member of the Navy football team in 1943, Mr. Denman earned his wings and trained as a Corsair pilot landing and taking off from carriers. He was never sent overseas, but stayed in the Navy after the war, graduating from Texas A&M and participating in Naval Reserve activities until the mid-1950’s. Mr. Denman describes his training, his planes, and some of his experiences while in the Navy. |
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| Diboll, C.C. |
1984 |
abstractInterview 72a : Diboll Family descendant C.C. Diboll talks about the Diboll family’s lands and the sale of the lands that eventually became Diboll and its mills. He talks about family history, their land ownership, and their interaction with the Temple family. |
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| Dixon, Johnnie |
June 15, 2010 |
abstractInterview 199a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Johnnie Dixon reminisces about growing up in Diboll and attending Diboll Colored School and H.G. Temple School in the 1950’s and 1960’s before school integration. She remembers several of her teachers, including Inez Smith, Willie Ross, Mr. Jeffero, Mrs. Gilbert, and Mr. Massey. She also recalls Diboll Day and the segregated events, especially in 1964 when she was nominated as one of the Diboll Day Queen candidates for the African American community. After graduation, Mrs. Dixon worked in the Diboll schools for 36 years, starting out as an elementary school P.E. aid and eventually retiring in 2009 as the high school receptionist. Mrs. Dixon recalls going to The Family Affair club, The Timberland Theater, Joe Diamond’s Café, and Pavlic’s and Powell’s grocery stores. |
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| Donovan, Richard |
April 08, 2009 |
abstractInterview 178a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland during a meeting of the Diboll Historical Society, Richard Donovan reminisces about his life in Angelina County and his work as an advocate for the area's rivers and forests. Mr. Donovan recalls growing up in Zavalla and spending his days hunting and fishing in the Angelina and Neches river bottoms. He also talks about working for Temple in Waco, Pineland, and Diboll and starting his Lufkin real estate business with his wife, Bonnie. Mr. Donovan spends most of the interview talking about his efforts as an advocate for the Neches River and the area's national forestlands. He mentions his canoe trips down the Neches, the need to have it declared a Wild and Scenic River, the damage caused by pollution, clear cutting, and replacing the native trees with non-native plantation trees, and the need for the public's awareness and efforts to stop dams like Fastrill and Rockland. |
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| Dover, James |
1978 |
abstractInterview 9a : In an interview with Vivian Holt, Diboll City Manager James Dover explains his job responsibilities and the relationship between the mayor, city council, and city manager. He briefly touches on some of Diboll’s problems and his hopes for the city’s future. |
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| Dunlap, Jim |
June 22, 1985 |
abstractInterview 71a : In this interview with Becky Bailey shortly after beginning his tenure as Superintendent of Diboll Schools, Jim Dunlop talks about his educational background, his experience as an educator, and his hopes and plans for Diboll's schools. Mr. Dunlop taught at Central School from 1969 to 1971, when he moved to Diboll as Civics, P.E., and History teacher. He moved through administrative positions, holding the title of "Director of Special Projects" for 15 months, Elementary School Principal, Business Manager, and Superintendent. He was concerned with Diboll's school facilities, the teachers' working conditions, and providing a quality education for Diboll's children with the money he was given. |
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| Eddington, Estelle |
July 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 70a : In this interview with Marie Cochran, Estelle Eddington reminisces about her life spent in Angelina County. She was born in Nogalis Prairie in Houston County, but her family moved to Lufkin soon after. Through her growing up years she also lived in Ratcliff and back in Lufkin near Ellen Trout Lake. She recalls life during the Depression and during World War II as a young married woman. In 1960, the Eddingtons moved to Diboll, where she worked for Albrecht’s Pharmacy, and she briefly talks about the changes in Diboll from the 1960’s to 1980’s. |
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| Edwards, Elodie Miles |
June 12, 1990 |
abstractInterview 122a : Elodie Miles Edwards recalls her life as a child growing up in Diboll and her time teaching in Diboll as a young woman. Mrs. Edwards remembers Fannie Farrington, who gave her a coat and a dress for graduation, and all of her teachers. She also remembers the flu epidemic, riding in a car for the first time, and playing baseball with the boys at school. Mrs. Edwards went to college in Rusk and Huntsville, and eventually taught in Diboll for six years. After her marriage to Grady Edwards, she moved with him to Baytown, where she continued to teach for many years. |
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| Farley, Eddie |
August 10, 1954 |
abstractInterview 104a : In a 1954 interview with Clyde Thompson, longtime Temple employee Eddie Farley reminisces about working for Southern Pine Lumber Company and the Temple family in Diboll, Pineland, and Hemphill. Mr. Farley was a shipping clerk and later a shipping superintendent in each of the Temple operations. He speaks about T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple, Sr., Henry Temple and Katherine Sage Temple. |
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| Farrington, Fannie |
1954 |
abstractInterview 11a : In this 1954 interview with John Larson of the Forest History Foundation, Fannie Farrington (1876-1967) tells of her experiences in Diboll beginning in 1903, when she and her husband moved there from St. Louis to work in the Southern Pine Lumber company commissary. Mrs. Farrington was extremely active in developing the community's early educational, social, and spiritual life and discusses the Temple family's philanthropy, the schools, churches, and town leaders. She also comments on early recreation and amusements, politics, and World Wars I and II. |
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| Franks, Opal |
July 09, 1985 |
abstractInterview 64a : In an interview with her niece, Deanna Crump, longtime Diboll teacher Diboll teacher Opal Franks reminisces about her life as an educator. Mrs. Franks and her husband moved to Diboll in the late 1940’s, and since she had not finished her degree at SFA, she stayed home to raise her children. The school needed a teacher, however, and she came in as a substitute and stayed on until her retirement. She discusses life in a small sawmill town school, her students, their struggles to get supplies, and the changes in discipline and academics from when she started teaching. |
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| Fred, Paul |
August 1984 |
abstractInterview 46a : Longtime Diboll resident Paul Fred talks about growing up and working as an African American in Diboll during the Great Depression. He mentions salaries, school, recreations, law enforcement, and going to Lufkin to watch football and see movies. |
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| Frederick, Josephine Rutland |
October 13, 1984 |
abstractInterview 45a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Josephine Rutland Frederick, Marion Fuller, and Jim Fuller reminisce about life in Diboll. All three grew up in Diboll and recall school, games, the Depression, going to Lufkin and Houston, the mill whistles, and the visits from the Klu Klux Klan. Mr. Fuller remembers the beginnings of the fire department and working in the commissary and Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Frederick recall growing up as neighbors – supporting World War I efforts as children and going on picnics to Emporia and Ryan’s Lake. They also recall Chester Willis, Mr. Rutland, and T.L.L. Temple. |
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| Fuller, Jim |
October 13, 1984 |
abstractInterview 45a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Josephine Rutland Frederick, Marion Fuller, and Jim Fuller reminisce about life in Diboll. All three grew up in Diboll and recall school, games, the Depression, going to Lufkin and Houston, the mill whistles, and the visits from the Klu Klux Klan. Mr. Fuller remembers the beginnings of the fire department and working in the commissary and Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Frederick recall growing up as neighbors – supporting World War I efforts as children and going on picnics to Emporia and Ryan’s Lake. They also recall Chester Willis, Mr. Rutland, and T.L.L. Temple. |
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| Fuller, Marion |
October 13, 1984 |
abstractInterview 45a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Josephine Rutland Frederick, Marion Fuller, and Jim Fuller reminisce about life in Diboll. All three grew up in Diboll and recall school, games, the Depression, going to Lufkin and Houston, the mill whistles, and the visits from the Klu Klux Klan. Mr. Fuller remembers the beginnings of the fire department and working in the commissary and Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Frederick recall growing up as neighbors – supporting World War I efforts as children and going on picnics to Emporia and Ryan’s Lake. They also recall Chester Willis, Mr. Rutland, and T.L.L. Temple. |
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| Gibson, Johnny Oliver |
1985 |
abstractInterview 89a : This transcript is from two self-interviews from sisters Johnny Oliver Gibson and Jackie Oliver Morehead. They each separately talk about their memories of growing up in Diboll and living in the Southern Pine Lumber Company town when their father was not an employee of the company. They mention their relationships with company leaders, African-American citizens, and other townspeople. |
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| Glass, Mrs. A.B. |
October 21, 1982 |
abstractInterview 12a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Mrs. A.B. Glass recalls growing up as the daughter of a team foreman for Southern Pine Lumber Company in lumber camps (Camp #1 and Berring) and in Diboll. She also recalls how she and her husband survived the Depression by working their land and farming. |
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| Goins, Ruby Smith |
May 08, 2010 |
abstractInterview 192a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, former long-time Diboll Independent School District secretary and business manager Ruby Smith Goins reminisces about her more than 30 years employment with the district. The interview focuses on the integration of Diboll’s schools and Mrs. Goins’ experiences from the perspective of an administrative secretary. She particularly remembers the paperwork required by the Texas Education Administration throughout the integration process. She mentions Mr. Massey, Mr. Ramsey, and Mr. Pate as being instrumental in the process. Mrs. Goins also mentions Bettye Greer, Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Foster, and various school board members. |
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| Gossett, Laymon |
March 26, 1985 |
abstractInterview 53a : In an interview with Marie Davis, longtime Temple employee and champion sawyer Laymon Gossett recalls life as a sawyer and logger throughout Deep East Texas. A native of Anderson County, Mr. Gossett began working with woods crews at an early age and quickly became an expert sawyer. He and his brother were champions, winning competitions throughout East Texas and into Louisiana. Mr. Gossett worked for many different companies and was known as a fast and accurate worker. He could cut trees quickly and could accurately estimate board feet. Mr. Gossett lived and Fastrill and moved with his family when that camp was closed. |
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| Gossett, Laymon |
February 1988 |
abstractInterview 53b : In this interview with Wendy Gossett, Laymon Gossett reminisces about his time as a logger and tree cutter for various East Texas lumber companies. He learned early how to handle and cut trees, and was known throughout the region as a knowledgeable and honest worker. Henry and Arthur Temple, Jr. depended on him to work in their crews. Mr. Gossett also won many logging contests and was eventually prevented from entering because he always won. Mrs. Gossett is also present in the interview. |
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| Graham, Pauline |
December 1986 |
abstractInterview 112a : In this short interview with Gary Rector, Pauline Graham details some home remedies she remembers from her childhood. She remembers remedies for chicken pox, measles, constipation, colds, ringworm, and colic. |
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| Grumbles, Lillian |
November 01, 1987 |
abstractInterview 125a : Lillian Grumbles moved to Cochino Creek in 1939. Most of her time was spent doing housework, garden work, yard work, getting kids to school, and cooking. She mentions creek flooding, playing Forty-Two with neighbors, and owning a car. Other people mentioned are: Bonnie Brown and Clifford Bringe. |
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| Harber, Charlie |
May 04, 2000 |
abstractInterview 157a : Born in 1920, Charlie Harber tells interviewer Jonathan Gerland about his personal experiences living on or near Southern Pine Lumber Company and Temple Industries lands most of his life. He discusses and describes the Company ranch in Trinity County known as Rayville, the practice of “pasture riding” in Houston, Trinity, and Angelina counties, and the Boggy Slough and Eason Lake hunting clubs. Prominent persons mentioned include Dave Kenley, J.J. Ray, Henry Titus Mooney, Dred Devereaux, and Walter Robinson. |
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| Harber, Charlie |
May 26, 2000 |
abstractInterview 157b : In this second recorded visit between Charlie Harber and Jonathan Gerland, Harber tells of logging, cattle ranching, and deer hunting on Southern Pine Lumber Company lands along the Neches River in Angelina, Trinity, and Houston counties during the 1920s and 1930s. Most of the recording occurs while riding through Boggy Slough and Eason Lake hunting clubs, with frequent tape stops and disconnected dialogue. Places mentioned include Black Cat Lake, Johnson Hill, Rayville, Alcedo, and Walkerton. Personalities mentioned include Bonnie Brown, Clyde Thompson, and log train engineer Henry Titus Mooney. |
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| Harber, Charlie |
October 13, 2000 |
abstractInterview 157c : In this mobile interview, Jonathan Gerland and Charlie Harber discuss sites in the Boggy Slough Hunting Club and Rayville Ranch area. The talk about the Lewisville area – where the Mexican goat herders lived, several section foremen (Hardy Cook and Walter Reeves), Judge Robert Minton and his family’s love of hunting, and the Rayville ranch house. |
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| Harber, Charlie |
March 27, 2002 |
abstractInterview 157d : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, former Rayville and Boggy Slough pasture rider Charlie Harber describes some of the sites on the old Temple ranch. He reminisces about his experiences working cattle and stopping poachers, taking those he caught to the Justice of the Peace in Apple Springs. He also mentions mule driver Edgar McAdams, a site suspected of containing remnants of an old Mexican battlefield, the Pan American pipeline site, and the Rayville ranch barbeques. |
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| Harrell, Margie |
October 17, 2008 |
abstractInterview 173a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Margie Harrell reminisces about her life in Diboll. Mrs. Harrell was born in Renova, south of Diboll, but moved into Diboll when she was a child. She graduated from H.G. Temple High School and soon after completing business school in Houston she started working for Mr. Massey at Diboll’s black school. Mrs. Harrell began working for the Diboll Housing Authority after integration, when she lost her job at the school. She was hired by Woodrow Wood and learned the ropes at the Housing Authority, eventually becoming the director. She has worked at the Housing Authority for over 40 years. Mrs. Harrell also discusses her work in the community, with Christian Outreach and the senior citizens lunches. |
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| Harris, Lyndal |
March 16, 2010 |
abstractInterview 190a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Lyndal Harris reminisces about growing up in Burke, Texas. He recalls the Burke School and teachers Tennie Havard, Gladys Dubose, Flossie Thigpen, and Mrs. Pigford, as well as several of the stores and businesses located in the town. Mr. Harris also discusses farming and surviving the Depression, Arrington and Conner family history, picking cotton, and Mrs. Ina McCall. |
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| Havard, Pearl |
August 08, 1985 |
abstractInterview 73a : Born in 1912 as a descendant of early Angelina County settlers, Pearl Weaver Havard spent most of her life in Angelina County. In this interview with Marie Davis, she remembers going to school in Beulah and Diboll, how she played as a child, the fun activities available for teenagers, and the home remedies they relied on when the doctor was too far away. She lived through the Great Depression as a young wife, working her way through WWII at various jobs, including the Box Factory in Diboll. |
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| Havard, Pearl Weaver |
September 09, 2008 |
abstractInterview 73b : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland and Richard Donovan, Pearl Weaver Havard reminisces about growing up in Angelina County near Diboll. Mrs. Havard’s father worked as a pipeline rider and she recalls the oil company’s bridge that was built over the Neches in 1918, killing hogs, preserving food, walking to and from school, recreation and amusements, and life near Diboll throughout the 20th Century. |
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| Hemphill, Carrie |
1983 |
abstractInterview 13a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Carrie Hemphill recalls life as a teacher in Diboll. She remembers teaching several grades at a time, the rules for teachers, the low pay during the Depression, cleaning and heating the classrooms, and buying books. She also recalls integration and sports. Mrs. Hemphill also reflects on the differences between teaching today and teaching in the past. |
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| Henderson, Carolyn |
June 01, 1999 |
abstractInterview 147a : Diboll Superintendent Carolyn Henderson talks with Rebecca Donahoe about her career before becoming superintendent of Diboll Independent School District in 1995 and about the challenges facing Diboll schools. She was the first female superintendent of the Diboll schools as well as two other districts throughout her career, and she comments on the hiring process and her perceptions of it as a woman. The Diboll schools face unique challenges, according to Henderson, due to its lack of population growth and the funding issues that entails, as well as the high rate of poverty among the student population. She worked to bring the district into compliance with legal requirements, manage facility construction, and balance the budget. |
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| Hendrick, Annie |
June 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 61a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Annie and Joe Bob Hendrick reminisce about their lives in Diboll. Mrs. Hendrick recalls growing up in Manning and Diboll and Mr. Hendrick discusses working for Temple at the sawmill and helping with community projects. Mr. Hendrick volunteered to lanscape much of the town, planting trees for the bicentennial and beautifying many city, company, and private buildings. He also discusses the failed unionization of the plywood plant and the sawmill fire. |
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| Hendrick, Joe Bob |
June 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 61a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Annie and Joe Bob Hendrick reminisce about their lives in Diboll. Mrs. Hendrick recalls growing up in Manning and Diboll and Mr. Hendrick discusses working for Temple at the sawmill and helping with community projects. Mr. Hendrick volunteered to lanscape much of the town, planting trees for the bicentennial and beautifying many city, company, and private buildings. He also discusses the failed unionization of the plywood plant and the sawmill fire. |
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| Hendrick, Oneta Conner |
July 12, 1985 |
abstractInterview 68a : Oneta Hendrick describes the realities of farm life from 1922 onward. She talks about her childhood in Burke, TX, later moving to Lufkin, TX, and eventually to Diboll, TX in 1942. Oneta recalls a loaf of bread at 10 cents, waking at 5:30am for chores, and working at Temple White in the handle factory office. She also comments on school life, going to shows, and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp). Persons mentioned include Tennie Havard and Clyde Thompson. |
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| Henley, Gordon |
October 22, 2009 |
abstractInterview 184a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Ellen Trout Zoo Director Gordon Henley reminisces about his 33 years at the zoo in Lufkin, talks about the several stages of expansion, and explains several of the projects the zoo has undertaken. He talks about working with the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Friends of the Zoo, Lufkin City Council, and numerous volunteers. Mr. Henley details the zoo’s expansion projects, including new animal habitats, the replica Mayan ruin jaguar space, the entranceways, and the most recent expansion and building project. He also mentions the Louisiana pine snake conservation project and the process for zoo accreditation. |
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| Henson, James Kay |
May 01, 1991 |
abstractInterview 135a : In this self-interview upon his retirement from Temple-Eastex, Kay Henson reminisces about his job over the years. He worked 40 years, beginning as a brush cutter on a survey crew. He eventually moved up to survey crew chief, Special Inspector, Chief Inspector, Assistant Manager of the Land Department, and finally, Manager of the Land Department. Mr. Henson also discussed the changes in survey technology throughout his career. |
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| Holberg, Jeff |
1978 |
abstractInterview 33a : In this interview with Diane Tate, Diboll City Manager Jeff Holberg (1976-1981) speaks about his job as city manager and the projects underway throughout the city. He speaks about the changes in recreational facilities and the sense of town pride. |
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| Holt, Vivian |
1988 |
abstractInterview 128a : In this speech for a Diboll High School History class in 1988, Vivian Holt describes her childhood in The Philippines as the daughter of an American father and Philippine mother. She survived Japanese bombings, internment in a concentration camp, starvation, and fighting between Japanese and American forces during World War II. After the liberation of Manila, Mrs. Holt, her father, and her 2 brothers came to the United States. |
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| Hook, Ray |
November 18, 1987 |
abstractInterview 131a : In this short interview with his granddaughter Tammy, Ray Hook talks about growing up on a farm in San Augustine County, Texas. He describes their crops and animals and the harvest and planting times. He also describes hog butchering and preserving the meat. |
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| Ingram, Mary |
June 02, 2010 |
abstractInterview 191a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, long-time Diboll teacher and counselor Mary Ingram reminisces about her years in education, particularly during the late 1960’s during racial integration and desegregation in Diboll. Mrs. Ingram talks about teaching mixed race classes for the first time, teaching at H.G. Temple School as a white teacher before full integration, and the interactions between both races of students and teachers. Mrs. Ingram does not remember many difficulties between the races during the integration process. |
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| Jackson, Professor Will |
1968 |
abstractInterview 123a : In this interview with KSPL, Professor Will Jackson reminisces about his time in W.C. Handy’s band and their big hit “The Memphis Blues.” He also tells the interviewer about Dr. Tyler, the man who adopted him and taught him to play several instruments and Harry James, Professor Jackson’s student. |
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| Jackson, Will |
1973 |
abstractInterview 103a : In this interview with student Joseph Phipps, Professor Will Jackson recalls life as a musician during the Depression. He hung paper and did odd jobs during the day, and taught music at night to make ends meet. Eventually, Professor Jackson began to work at the Texas Southeastern Railroad, and the regular salary helped get him through those tough years. |
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| Jeffero, Algianon |
October 10, 2009 |
abstractInterview 183a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Algianon Jeffero reminisces about his life as a child, a student, an educator, and an employee of the Boy Scouts of America. After growing up in Huntsville, Texas, Mr. Jeffero attended Prairie View A&M University where he played on the National Championship football team. He graduated with a degree in Vocational Agriculture and moved to Littlefield, Texas to teach and coach. After one semester in West Texas, Mr. Jeffero returned to East Texas in 1956 and began teaching AG classes at H.G. Temple School, Diboll’s African American school. Mr. Jeffero taught in Diboll and sponsored the New Farmer’s of America club until 1967, when he left education to begin working for the Boy Scouts of America. He left Diboll before the schools were fully integrated, but he does remember the beginnings of the process. |
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| Jones, Minnie |
May 15, 2010 |
abstractInterview 196a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Diboll native Minnie Jones and her friend Lorine Rodgers Smith reminisce about growing up in Diboll’s African American community, the school integration process, and race relations. A high school basketball star before racial integration, Ms. Jones graduated from Diboll High School one year after the process was completed. She spent most of her school days at H.G. Temple High School, Diboll’s African American school, representing the school as Diboll Day Queen Candidate and Rodeo Queen. Mrs. Smith graduated from H.G. Temple High School in 1960 and spent all of her school days in the segregated education system, but had children in elementary school for the first year of full integration. She also worked at the Pine Bough Restaurant as a dishwasher for Mrs. Byrd Davis. Both women remember Mr. Massey, Mrs. Wallace, and Mrs. Schinke, among other notable Diboll educators. |
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| Jordan, Ervelia Holcomb |
December 10, 1985 |
abstractInterview 084a : A native of Houston County, Texas, Mrs. Ervelia Jordan's family was connected to Southern Pine Lumber Company for several generations. She married Willis Jordan and followed him from logging camp to logging camp and finally to Diboll in 1941. Her family lived at Fastrill, Bluff City, and out on "94" in a boxcar house. When her daughter Pat was a small child, several cars left the track, slamming into the boxcar house and amputating her arm. Mrs. Jordan also worked in a boarding house and remembers Dave Kenley, Paul Durham, Mae Ballenger, and Claude Welch. |
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| Junge, Billy |
May 22, 2000 |
abstractInterview 162a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Billy Junge describes Temple-Inland’s Industrial Training Center and its apprenticeship program. In the early 1990’s, Temple began training recent high school graduates as maintenance apprentices to eventually work at their mills. Apprentices learn valuable skills that will enable them to care for and maintain Temple’s high tech and increasingly complex industrial equipment. He describes the requirements for entry into the program, the tasks apprentices must complete, the company’s relationship with Angelina College, and the rational behind the program. Mr. Junge also describes some of the program’s successes and some of the other local companies that have used Temple’s Program as a model for their own apprenticeship programs. |
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| Kenley, Dave |
1954 |
abstractInterview 14a : In this 1954 interview, Dave Kenley (1886-1975), longtime land surveyor and head of Southern Pine Lumber Company’s Land & Timber Department, tells John Larson of the Forest History Foundation (later known as the Forest History Society) about early forest land and timber issues. He describes early forest management practices, including evolving logging methods, concerns with fire prevention, and land and timber purchasing and surveying, including a controversial title suit involving Trinity County lands in the early 1900’s. |
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| Kenley, Edd |
October 05, 2000 |
abstractInterview 158a : Born in 1924, Edd Kenley tells of his life working for his father Dave Kenley in the cattle ranching business in Trinity, Houston, and Angelina counties, mostly on timberlands owned and managed by Southern Pine Lumber Company. He tells of Mexican workers hired to do fence work and chop hardwood brush, and also relates the brief use of goats to control the hardwood brush. He tells of the lumber company cattle rancher J. J. Ray and Rayville Ranch cowboys Dewey Tarwaters, John Silvers, Frank Rushing and others. Other persons mentioned are L. D. Gilbert, T. L. L. Temple, Henry Titus Mooney, Roy Smith, Walter James, and Grady Singletary. |
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| Kenley, Sidney |
1984 |
abstractInterview 39a&b : Born in Leesville, Texas, in 1884, Sidney Walters Kenley discusses life in Diboll from 1918 to the 1990's. She talks about the long hours the men worked, the Klu Klux Klan, and a whiskey still. A teacher by profession, she never worked in Diboll's schools, but stayed home to raise her children. Her family was one of the few who owned a telephone, because of her husband's job. Some people also mentioned are: Mrs. Estes, Clyde Thompson, Chester Willis, and Watson Walker. |
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| Kennedy, Bettie |
August 28, 2007 |
abstractInterview 170a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Rev. Bettie Kennedy discusses her life and memories growing up in Lufkin as the adopted daughter of homebuilder Will Ingram and his wife, Evie. She speaks of her uniquely integrated neighborhood of whites, black, and Jews, attending the segregated Dunbar School in Lufkin, and her family dynamics. Rev. Kennedy gives her thoughts on integration, education, and Lufkin’s historic neighborhoods. |
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| Laing, Frank |
1954 |
abstractInterview 104a : In this short 1954 interview with Clyde Thompson, former Texas Southeastern conductor Frank Laing remembers working on the Texas Southeastern Railroad hauling passengers, freight, and longs from Diboll to Lufkin, and then out to Bluff City. |
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| Landers, Louis Jr. |
January 05, 2010 |
abstractInterview 180b : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Louis Landers reminisces about integration at Diboll High School. A member of the first integrated football, basketball, and track teams, Louis recalls the first football practices, life at school and in classes, and other daily school events surrounding desegregation at Diboll High School. He was good friends with many of the former H.G. Temple High School players, especially sports standout Johnny Jones. Louis also remembers Coach Jim Simmons and Coach Billy Bert as instrumental in helping that first step of the integration process go smoothly. He mentions several instances where Diboll’s early integration caused problems as the teams traveled around East Texas, particularly at a basketball game in Groveton and a restaurant in Nacogdoches. |
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| Lavell, Blair |
February 08, 2002 |
abstractInterview 164a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Texas State Railroad Maintenance Superintendent Blair Lavell reminisces about his years working for the railroad. A veteran of tourist railroads in other areas of the state, Mr. Lavell came to the TSR in the mid-1970’s. He describes the engines, the tracks, and the bridges, the struggles to get the railroad started and to maintain it. Mr. Lavell recalls the politics involved in working with a state organization and he also describes working on movies that have used the TSR tracks and engines. |
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| Lenderman, Mr. |
1973 |
abstractInterview 1973 : In this interview with student Barley Lenderman, Mr. Lenderman briefly recalls working during the Depression. Mr. Lenderman worked at the sawmill and box factory during the Depression, and then for the WPA building roads around Diboll. He blames President Hoover for the Depression and the difficulties during those years. |
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| Ligon, Emma Jean "Pat" Allen |
September 28, 1999 |
abstractInterview 154a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Emma Jean “Pat” Allen Ligon and Lemon Ligon reminisce about growing up in Diboll as members of the African American community. Mrs. Ligon was the daughter of Walter Allen, beloved millpond foreman and namesake of a Diboll park. Mr. Ligon has many family members in the area as well. Both Ligons recall going to school at H.G. Temple School, shopping at the commissary, segregation and integration, Red Town, fishing, hunting, and helping to put out fires. Mr. and Mrs. Ligon were friends as children and each separately moved away from Diboll as teenagers, but both moved back and they were married in 1992. |
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| Ligon, Henry |
April 08, 1988 |
abstractInterview 121a : In an interview with Jim Ligon, Henry Ligon recalls living and working in Diboll as an African-American man. He also discusses the First Methodist Church and its members and pastors since the 1930’s. Mr. Ligon also recalls the baseball team and names many of the players. |
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| Ligon, Jim |
November 06, 2009 |
abstractInterview 185a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Diboll native Jim Ligon reminisces about growing up as part of Diboll’s black community during the Great Depression and in the 1940’s. He talks about his father’s restaurant, The Froggy Bottom Café, the boxers and performers like Count Basie that visited the café, and his famous barbeque. He recalls his years in the segregated school, especially Professor and Mrs. Bradley and their contributions, and his other teachers. He speaks about his time living in Seattle with his brother, where he experienced an integrated society for the first time – riding a bus and sitting anywhere he wanted, as well as attending school and working at Bowing with whites and other races. Mr. Ligon also talks about race relations in Diboll, particularly Jay Boren, the “quarter boss” or “special ranger” that had a quasi-law enforcement job in Diboll. |
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| Ligon, Lemon |
September 28, 1999 |
abstractInterview 154a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Emma Jean “Pat” Allen Ligon and Lemon Ligon reminisce about growing up in Diboll as members of the African American community. Mrs. Ligon was the daughter of Walter Allen, beloved millpond foreman and namesake of a Diboll park. Mr. Ligon has many family members in the area as well. Both Ligons recall going to school at H.G. Temple School, shopping at the commissary, segregation and integration, Red Town, fishing, hunting, and helping to put out fires. Mr. and Mrs. Ligon were friends as children and each separately moved away from Diboll as teenagers, but both moved back and they were married in 1992. |
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| Lindsey, Bill |
December 30, 1985 |
abstractInterview 140a : Pilot Bill Lindsey, in an interview with Carolyn Elmore, recalls his experiences as an Army Air Corps pilot from World War II until 1962. During the war he spent time training all over the United States and then flew missions over the Indian subcontinent in the China Burma India Theater of operations. After the war, Mr. Lindsey was stationed all over the world – Germany (taking part in the Berlin airlift in 1948), Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Lebanon. After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Lindsey began working as the corporate pilot for Temple. He flew all over the country as Temple’s pilot. |
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| Malanders, Jessie |
November 18, 1987 |
abstractInterview 118a : In this interview with John Hernandez, Jessie Malanders recalls growing up in Diboll, going to school, and living through the Great Depression. He also gives his opinions on World War II, Vietnam, and the state of the world in 1987.
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| Malone, Vena |
May 21, 1982 |
abstractInterview 15a : In this interview with her granddaughter, Becky Bailey, Vena Malone reminisces about her life in East Texas. She moved from town to town her whole life, first as a child after the death of her mother and the death of her father in the 1918 flu epidemic, and then as a wife married to a lumber grader. She recalls the Depression, having a garden, canning, and eating armadillos. |
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| Mann, Rox P. |
November 17, 1987 |
abstractInterview 115a : In this interview with Tina McClendon, Rox P. Mann reminisces about the Great Depression. Mr. Mann recalls working in the fields, hunting, and making wooden tools to support his family during the depression. He speculates that a new depression would be worse because modern workers wouldn’t know how to support themselves without a corporate job. |
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| Marshall, H.L. "Red" |
February 27, 2009 |
abstractInterview 177a : In this informal interview with Jonathan Gerland and Richard Donovan, Angelina County native Red Marshall reminisces about growing up in the Neches and Angelina River bottomlands before Lake Sam Rayburn and living in southern Angelina County for most of his life. He discusses raising cattle on National Forest land, hunting with dogs, pineywoods rooter hogs, feuds, moon shining, and working in sawmills. Mr. Marshall also discusses time spent as a child in oil fields. |
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| Martin, Murphy |
May 06, 2000 |
abstractInterview 156a : A 1942 graduate of Lufkin High School, Murphy Martin tells interviewer Jonathan Gerland about being an ABC-TV network anchorman and news correspondent in New York City during the 1960s. He also shares his earlier radio and television broadcasting experiences in Angelina County, including his experiences at stations KRBA and KTRE in Lufkin and KSPL in Diboll, and also relates his experiences at WFAA-TV in Dallas. Martin later served as the stadium voice of the Dallas Cowboys for twenty-four years and relates some of those experiences. Martin mentions or discusses his relationships with baseball players Pete Runnels and Mickey Mantle and football players Emmitt Smith, Michael Irving, Troy Aikman, and Roger Staubach. Martin also mentions his news coverage of civil rights stories as well as relationships with such persons as Dr. Martin Luther King, Alabama Governor George Wallace, Arthur Temple, Ross Perot, and President John F. Kennedy. A brief subject index follows the interview transcript. |
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| Massey, Mamie Warner |
March 24, 1986 |
abstractInterview 96a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Angelina County native Mamie Warner Massey reminisces about life growing up in the Ryan’s Chapel and Burke communities. She recalls living on her family’s farm, walking to the post office and McCall store in Burke, attending school, raising and killing hogs, and raising crops. |
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| Massey, Willie |
April 22, 1986 |
abstractInterview 99a : Born in Trinity County, Texas, in 1911, longtime Diboll educator Willie Massey describes how he worked his way through college and went on to teach for 39 years. He discusses life before integration of the schools, the "no pass, no play" issue, teaching in Diboll, and the effects of integration on schools and the community. Also mentioned are: Butch Davis, Freddie Randolph, Arthur Temple, Jr., Fennie Simmons, Ruby Simmons, Lily Griffin, Mattie Smith, Mr. Foster, Robert Ramsey, Lon Smith, and Walter Pate. |
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| Mathews, Jewel Stovall |
October 05, 1993 |
abstractInterview 141a : Jewel Stovall Mathews remembers life in Alcedo, a Southern Pine Lumber Company lumber camp where she lived in a boxcar house with her family in the early 1920’s. Her father ran the camp commissary, and she recalls their living conditions and the other families that lived near them. Mrs. Mathews’ family eventually moved to Diboll so that she and her brothers could attend school, since the Alcedo School only had six grades. |
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| Maxwell, Harold |
October 08, 1985 |
abstractInterview 81a : Longtime Temple employee Harold Maxwell talks with Megan Lambert about his time working for the Temple companies in Diboll and Pineland. He also discusses company history, the sales department, the unfulfilled Champion Merger, the successful acquisition by Time and eventual spin-off, plywood operations in Diboll and Pineland, company morale, community spirit, and Diboll Day. |
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| McCarty, Violet |
December 07, 1986 |
abstractInterview 108a : In this interview with Jennifer Williams, Violet McCarty reminisces about life during the Great Depression. As a newlywed at the beginning of the Depression, Mrs. McCarty learned to make due and cope during the troubled financial times after her husband lost his job. They moved from Diboll back to family land in Burke, where they grew vegetables and raised livestock and cut firewood for sale to support themselves. She recalls The Cannery and all the tomatoes raised in the Burke area and all of the programs sponsored by the federal, state, and local governments to teach families how to support themselves. |
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| McCurry, Bob |
1973 |
abstractInterview 103a : In an interview with student Terry White, Bob McCurry recalls life as a child during the Depression. He doesn’t remember specific details, but does know that his father, a farmer, worked hard to provide the family with everything they needed. Mr. McCurry is unimpressed with what he sees as liberal policies that give money to those who don’t work. |
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| McGaughey, Gary |
January 03, 1986 |
abstractInterview 87a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Gary McGaughey talks about his career with Temple-Eastex, particularly at the Fiberboard Plant. Mr. McGaughey describes the process for creating fiberboard, from the woods to the finished project. He describes the equipment and various stages the products go through on their way out of the plant. |
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| McGlothlin, C.E. |
1973 |
abstractInterview 103c : This is an interview about the Depression with Mr. C.E. McGlothlin, who is the educational director at the First Baptist Church here in Diboll. Kathy Saxton is the interviewer. This is a “Dunlap Tape” – 1973. |
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| McGlothlin, Ruth |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 111a : In this interview with Patricia Ordaz, Ruth McGlothlin talks about growing up and going to school in Arkansas, where her father was a superintendent during the Depression. She describes her education, her teachers, the teacher’s salary, and some of the activities they did in school. |
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| McGlothlin, Ruth |
November 11, 1987 |
abstractInterview 111b : In this interview with Elvia Esteves, Ruth McGlothlin describes her family life growing up in Arkansas as the daughter of a school superintendent. She talks about the Depression, about teaching, about the similarities and differences in school children now and in the past, and about her desires for the future. |
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| Meadows, Gaston |
April 11, 2005 |
abstractInterview 165a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, East Texas native Gaston Meadows reminisces about his career working on the railroad. Mr. Meadows spent 41 years working for the Southern Pacific Railroad on the Houston East and West Texas line, mostly based in Lufkin. His career saw many changes in the railroad industry, and he comments particularly on the change from steam to diesel locomotives, the evolution of freight cars, the practice of piggybacking, and the evolution of train communication – from very little communication to radio communication within the train to radio communication between train and station. Mr. Meadows also mentions many of his fellow railroaders, like Fred Street, B. B. Scott, Connie Nunn, and George Pouras. He also talks about the terrain and the types of trips he took between Houston and Shreveport on the HE&WT, especially mentioning the hills and spots that took extra effort to travel through. |
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| Miller, Alan |
October 19, 2007 |
abstractInterview 171a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, long-time Temple Public Affairs director Alan Miller discusses his life and career before coming to East Texas to work for Temple and then his experiences in Diboll. He reminisces about his time in the Navy, radio-broadcasting working for the Yakima, Washington Chamber of Commerce and the American Forest Products Association and for U.S. Plywood. He discusses shutting down the town of Camden for U.S. Plywood and moving the townspeople to Corrigan using FHA housing and distributing the W.T. Carter locomotives. He then moves to talking about his twenty years at Temple, starting in 1970, and mentions Clifford Grum, Joe Denman, and Arthur Temple, Jr. He also discusses the failed U.S. Plywood merger, the successful merger with Time and Eastex and eventual spin-off. Mr. Miller’s time in Public Affairs saw the new campaigns that stressed Temple’s desire to be a good neighbor and have responsible forest stewardship and the necessary split between corporate and government affairs with the new complexities in environmental regulations. Mr. Miller spends a lengthy part of the interview talking about working with Arthur Temple, Jr., his treatment of this company and employees, and his visions for both. |
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| Minton, Jewel |
December 09, 1987 |
abstractInterview 120b : In this brief interview with her nephew, Daniel Webster, Jewel Minton tells about her first date, meeting and dating her husband, and her father’s views on dating. She also mentions the CCC camp at Weches. |
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| Minton, Jewel |
October 07, 1988 |
abstractInterview 120a : In an interview with Marie Davis, Mrs. Jewel Minton reminisces about growing up in East Texas and living in Diboll as a married woman. Born in Weches, Mrs. Minton worked hard as a child and continued working all of her life. Her husband, Lewis Minton, worked for the Texas Southeastern Railroad and they lived in Buggerville, a railroad camp, at Rayville and Boggy Slough, and then in Diboll. She raised seven children, cooked, cleaned, sewed, washed, worked at the handle factory painting handles, and cared for the scout group. Mrs. Minton enjoyed caring for her husband, children, and children’s friends and was well known throughout the area for her country breakfasts and frugal living. |
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| Mitchell, Lewis |
June 02, 2010 |
abstractInterview 201a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Diboll native Lewis Mitchell reminisces about growing up in the Red Town section and going to school in Diboll as an African American before integration. A graduate of H.G. Temple School, Mr. Mitchell particularly remembers Mr. Massey, Mr. Bradley, E.A. Gilbert, the Kenyon’s, and Coach Ross as having an influence on his life. He also remembers the school integration process as an alumni, keeping in touch with his brother, Mack, and hearing the stories when he returned home from college. Mr. Mitchell also recalls working at the Housing Authority with Mr. Woodrow Woods and Margie Harrell, and was there the day the first Hispanic workers from the Texas Rio Grande Valley arrived in Diboll. He maintains that race relations were usually cordial before, during, and after integration and credits the Temple family and Southern Pine Lumber Company officials with the largely harmonious atmosphere in the town. Mr. Mitchell is active in the H.G. Temple Alumni Association and is an organizer for the Diboll Juneteenth Celebration. His father was one of the celebration’s organizers, and he has continued the family tradition after returning to Diboll upon his retirement from the Rusk State Hospital. |
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| Monk, John |
February 26, 2009 |
abstractInterview 176a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, former General Manager of Texas and Louisiana Forests for Temple-Inland John Monk reminisces about his life in the forest products industry and the corporate culture at Temple. He also spends a great deal of time detailing their forest management practices and the push to become more standardized within the industry and the company. He particularly talks about Streamside Management Zones. Mr. Monk worked for Owens Illinois in Louisiana as the Forest Manager and Procurement Manager and then came to Temple when Temple bought out Owens Illinois land in 1986. He talks about the transition between the two companies and the differences in their forest management practices. Mr. Monk mentions Clifford Grum, Jack Sweeny, Jim DeCosmo, and Jim Cumbie. |
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| Morehead, Jackie Oliver |
1985 |
abstractInterview 89a : This transcript is from two self-interviews from sisters Johnny Oliver Gibson and Jackie Oliver Morehead. They each separately talk about their memories of growing up in Diboll and living in the Southern Pine Lumber Company town when their father was not an employee of the company. They mention their relationships with company leaders, African-American citizens, and other townspeople. |
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| Nash, Cora |
October 05, 1982 |
abstractInterview 16a : A Diboll resident since 1919, Mrs. Cora Nash, with the help of her daughter, Sara Brown, recalls for interviewer Becky Bailey her experiences in Diboll as an African American working woman from 1919 to the 1980's. She talks about her work as a cook in the various hotels and boarding houses in Diboll, including Mrs. Della William's Beanery, the Star Hotel, and The Antler's Hotel (which she calls The Log Cabin). She talks about the long hours the men worked at the sawmill, the Great Depression (which she calls "The Panic"), Arthur Temple Sr. and Arthur Temple, Jr. |
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| Nelson, Floyd |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 113a : In this short interview with Cheri Luce, Floyd Nelson recalls the home remedies his father would use to keep his family healthy. They included kerosene and turpentine for colds, kerosene for snakebites, and kerosene and tobacco to disinfect a wound caused by a rusty nail. Mr. Nelson also recalls the use of sassafras tea and soda and honey. |
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| Nelson, H. Edwin |
August 04, 1999 |
abstractInterview 151a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Edwin Nelson reminisces about his life in Diboll. The son of Southern Pine Lumber Company’s timekeeper, Nelson talks about growing up and going to school in Diboll and Lufkin, his jobs at the planer and in the car line, and joining the Navy during World War II. He also discusses working at the Believe it or Not Café (and serving Clyde Barrow, of Bonnie and Clyde fame) and starting the first fire department in Diboll. |
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| Nelson, Kenneth |
August 17, 1985 |
abstractInterview 75a : Longtime surveyor and land and timber expert Kenneth Nelson (1915-1992) discusses topics from his time in the Land and Timber Department. He mentions cattle ranching and Dave Kenley's involvement with the cattle on Temple lands. Nelson, who retired from Temple-Inland as vice president of the forestry division, talks about his job as surveyor - how he got his job during the Depression and how he worked for Mr. Kenley and taught himself to be a surveyor. Also mentioned are the sustained yeild program for the timeberlands, the reintroduction of deer to East Texas, Boggy Slough, R.E. Minton, and Dred Devereaux. |
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| Nelson, Kenneth |
September 27, 1985 |
abstractInterview 75b : In this second interview by Megan Lambert, Kenneth Nelson (1915-1992) continues his remembrances of experiences in Southern Pine Lumber Company’s Land & Timber Department. He discusses early land and timber purchases and surveying, logging practices, the beginning of a sustained yield program in forest management, and provides information about his own employment history, including working for Dave Kenley. He also discusses his involvement in numerous civic, government, and professional organizations, including service clubs, forestry associations, the Texas Forestry Museum, water districts, planning and zoning, and the Diboll school board. |
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| Nelson, Kenneth |
November 30, 1987 |
abstractInterview 75c : In this 1987 interview with Joel Cook, Kenneth Nelson (1915-1992) provides some biographical detail not covered in his earlier interviews. He again tells of working in Southern Pine Lumber Company’s Land & Timber Department and working under Dave Kenley, but he does it less anecdotally than in the two interviews with Megan Lambert in 1985. With much insight, Nelson also contrasts the working conditions and attitudes of the 1930’s with those of the 1980’s. |
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| Oakes, Bill |
October 05, 1978 |
abstractInterview 17a : In an interview with Ellen Temple, Bill Oakes reminisces about his life as a member of the roads crews for Southern Pine Lumber Company. He worked grading and maintaining roads in the woods and in Diboll during the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s. He worked with mules in the beginning and then moved up to different types of large equipment. Mr. Oakes lived and worked in White City, Fastrill, and Diboll. |
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| Ordaz, Rebecca |
August 16, 1985 |
abstractInterview 78a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Rebecca Ordaz reminisces about moving to Diboll in 1969 as part of a Manpower initiative to bring Hispanic workers into Diboll. Her family came to Diboll so her father and brothers could work in the sawmill and fiberboard plant, and they were one of the first families to come with this program. She discusses life in an East Texas sawmill town as a Mexican-American woman and also marvels over how much Diboll has changed. |
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| Parker, Jesse |
August 11, 1954 |
abstractInterview 104a : In this 1954 interview with Clyde Thompson, Jesse Parker recalls working for Southern Pine Lumber Company on log cutting crews off and on from 1900-1954. He worked in the woods, living in the lumber camps, spending 12-16 hours a day cutting logs. Mr. Parker eventually worked his way up to the position of saw boss. |
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| Paulsey, Ray |
September 15, 2009 |
abstractInterview 182a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, former Diboll Golf Pro and course manager Ray Paulsey recounts his time spent in Diboll overseeing the golf course. Hired in 1968, Mr. Paulsey oversaw the course’s construction and opening and then managed the course once open, until 1975. During this time, he worked closely with Arthur Temple, Jr. and Horace Stubblefield. Under his management, the course became one of the best in East Texas. This public, nine-hole course attracted players from across the state and hosted many well-regarded tournaments. |
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| Peters, Wilk |
September 28, 1984 |
abstractInterview 19f : Wilk Peters was born in Trinity County, Texas, in 1900, and lived in the Southern Pine Lumber Company company town of Diboll, Angelina County, between 1919 and 1924. He became a college librarian and in this 1984 self-interview vividly recounts his life as a young black man in Diboll during the early 1920s. With much insight he describes working, living, and racial conditions in great detail. More on his fascinating life can be found on pages 2 through 5 of our July 2000 issue of the Pine Bough magazine. |
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| Pickett, C.A. "Neal" |
December 11, 1982 |
abstractInterview 18a : A native of Houston, Texas, Neal Pickett (1902-1990) served as mayor of that city in 1941-1942. He was married to Margaret Yarborough, sister of Ralph W. Yarborough, U.S. senator from Texas. Pickett headed the Houston district of the Federal Housing Administration from 1962 to 1967 and was instrumental in helping Diboll establish its housing authority. Pickett also helped establish the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) in 1967 and served as its first director. In this 1982 interview, Pickett tells mostly of his early experiences as head of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce in the late 1920s and as secretary of the Lumberman’s Association of Texas and manager of an insurance exchange in Houston during the 1930s. Pickett talks mainly of politics, including the Great Depression of the 1930s and the roles of presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, Civil War Reconstruction during the 1860s, and of the early Reagan administration in the 1980s. |
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| Pickett, C.A. "Neal" |
February 04, 1984 |
abstractInterview 18b : In this group interview, Becky Bailey interviews Neil Pickett about his time as the Federal Housing Administration Director in Houston and his efforts to bring affordable public housing to Diboll, particularly the Walter Allen addition. He discusses the procedures for getting FHA loans and Mr. Arthur Temple’s involvement in the large projects in Diboll, now owned by the Diboll Housing Authority. Beatrice Burkhalter, Fenner Roth, and Herbert Weeks also contributed to the interview. |
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| Pickett, C.A. "Neal" |
January 23, 1986 |
abstractInterview 18c : In this interview with Megan Lambert, Neil Pickett recalls his time helping Diboll take advantage of Federal Housing Administration programs to build the Walter Allen Housing Addition. He discusses President Kennedy and Arthur Temple’s similar beliefs about home ownership and the importance it plays in forming responsible citizens. |
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| Platt, Sterling |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 105a : In this short interview with Jeremy Barnes, Sterling Platt describes some of his past jobs. He worked as a shepherd in Utah, in the stockyards in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in slaughterhouses collecting blood and offal for fertilizer. |
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| Poland, Ruth |
July 10, 1985 |
abstractInterview 69a : In this interview with Martha Carswell, Ruth Poland reminisces about her life growing up in Burke, Prairie Grove, and Diboll, Texas and returning to Diboll to teach. Mrs. Poland attended Lon Morris College and Stephen F. Austin State University and taught for 40 years, sponsoring many clubs and associations at Diboll High School. She saw many changes in Diboll and education over the years and discusses integration and the differences in teaching and schools from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. |
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| Powell, Anna Lee |
August 15, 1985 |
abstractInterview 76a : In an interview with Marie Davis, Sherod and Anna Lee Powell reminisce about life in Diboll, where they opened a grocery store in the 1940’s. They discuss rationing during World War II, life in a company town, the changes to the town since the 1940’s, and Sherod’s job as city judge. Mr. and Mrs. Powell did not work for the Temple family or companies, but their livelihood depended on the company and its employees. |
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| Purdy, Cecil |
July 1970 |
abstractInterview 2a : In this interview with Marge Shepherd, Cecil Lightfoot Purdy reminisces about growing up in Garrison, Texas and Pineland, Texas, and moving to Diboll as a married woman. Mrs. Purdy loved music, received a piano as a gift from her father, studied music and was a music and piano teacher to countless Pineland and Diboll children throughout her life. |
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| Purdy, Cecil |
October 05, 1984 |
abstractInterview 2b : Long-time Diboll piano teacher Cecil Lightfoot Purdy recalls her time in Diboll. She began her schooling in Diboll’s two-room schoolhouse with I.D. Fairchild for a teacher, moved to Garrison, and then Pineland with her family, and then returned to Diboll as a married mother of 3 girls. Mrs. Purdy taught music to several generations of Diboll children and was very active in the Methodist Church. |
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| Ramirez, Rosa Miranda |
May 04, 1994 |
abstractInterview 145a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Rosa Miranda Ramirez reminisces about living in White City, Fastrill, and Diboll, Texas. She recalls life at Fastrill with everyone working together and raising food and sugar cane to make it through the Depression. Mrs. Ramirez also talks about race relations, being a Hispanic in Fastrill and Diboll, and her feelings on the company’s efforts to bring in more Hispanics to Diboll. |
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| Ramsey, Robert Sr. |
March 12, 1985 |
abstractInterview 49b : Longtime Diboll teacher and Principal Robert Ramsey reminisces about his time in the Diboll schools. He talks about superintendents Wilbur Pate and David Foster, integration, sports, and racial issues. He particularly recalls some of the difficulties of desegregation and the influx of Mexican Americans into Diboll schools |
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| Ramsey, Robert Sr. |
July 10, 1985 |
abstractInterview 49a : Shelby County, Texas native Robert Ramsey recalls his time as a much loved and respected teacher, coach, and principal in Diboll. In this interview with Becky Bailey, Mr. Ramsey reminisces about coming to Diboll, starting a football team, building sports and educational facilities, working with the citizens and the company to fund the school, and the challenges of running a rural school district with a limited tax base. Mr. Ramsey briefly mentions integration and the African American and Hispanic communities in Diboll. Mr. Ramsey presided over a period of great change within the town and the schools. |
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| Ramsey, Robert |
July 14, 2004 |
abstractInterview 49c : In this interview with former student Patsy Colbert, former Diboll High School Principal Robert Ramsey reminisces about his own school days, college at The College of Marshall and Stephen F. Austin State University, his teaching career at Blair and Mt. Herman, coming to Diboll, and the issues facing the district. He discusses starting the 11-man football team, building the football field, starting the band, the transition to independent school district, building the new high school, and integration. Mr. Ramsey recalls Willie Massey and Walter Pate as effective and important colleagues and talks about the support Arthur Temple, Jr. gave to the Diboll Schools. |
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| Rector, Louise |
October 25, 1984 |
abstractInterview 34b : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Vina Wells and her daughter Louise Rector recall moving to Fastrill from White City and living and working in Fastrill. Mrs. Wells ran the boarding house with her mother, and Mrs. Rector helped with boarding house duties until she moved out to get married. They discuss the trip from White City to Fastrill, the houses in Fastrill, the layout of the town, all of their duties at the boarding house, going to school, the roads, and way of life in this semi-permanent Southern Pine Lumber Company logging camp. |
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| Rhone, James |
April 24, 1986 |
abstractInterview 100a : In this interview with Marie Davis, long-time Diboll resident James Rhone reminisces about growing up as an African-American child in Diboll in the 1930’s through the 1950’s. He talks about the black school, recreation activities for children, and the families they knew. He also recalls starting with the Temple companies and working his way up, to where he was in charge of all the trucks – dispatching them from all of the plants and making sure all orders were filled in time. Mr. Rhone speaks about his race and its influence on his career, and the changes integration brought to Diboll as a member of the school board and the housing authority. |
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| Roach, Robert |
July 29, 1999 |
abstractInterview 152a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Robert Roach reminisces about growing up in Trinity County and working for Southern Pine Lumber Company and the Texas Southeastern Railroad on the railroad tracks in the 1920’s. Mr. Roach recalls his year of work building bridges and caring for the tracks, particularly near Goodrich. He then went to Arizona where he worked for Southern Pacific for a few years. After leaving Arizona, Mr. Roach leased land from Southern Pine Lumber Company and Dave Kenley in Trinity County, where he watched for lumber poachers and farmed. |
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| Robbins, Donald |
June 07, 1985 |
abstractInterview 60a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Diboll Superintendent Don Robbins discusses his long career in education and the challenges and triumphs involved in leading the Diboll Independent School District. He talks about integration and the changing racial makeup of the city and district, the difficulties in raising money for facilities, and the need for expanded buildings and curriculum. |
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| Rogers, Dana Copes |
August 19, 1985 |
abstractInterview 77a : Dana Copes Rogers and her daughter Margaret Rogers Bullock, descendants of the Copes family that owned the land that would later become Diboll, tell their memories of Copes family history and life in Diboll at the beginning of the 20th Century. Mrs. Rogers recalls her parents, attending church and school, Mable and Asenath Phelps, Copestown, and working for Franklin Farrington at the Diboll Post Office. Her husband worked in several drug stores in Diboll and Pineland before opening his own stores in Hemphill and Lufkin. |
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| Roth, Fenner |
February 04, 1984 |
abstractInterview 18b : In this group interview, Becky Bailey interviews Neil Pickett about his time as the Federal Housing Administration Director in Houston and his efforts to bring affordable public housing to Diboll, particularly the Walter Allen addition. He discusses the procedures for getting FHA loans and Mr. Arthur Temple’s involvement in the large projects in Diboll, now owned by the Diboll Housing Authority. Beatrice Burkhalter, Fenner Roth, and Herbert Weeks also contributed to the interview. |
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| Roth, Fenner |
July 04, 1984 |
abstractInterview 35a : In this interview, former Diboll schoolteacher and Superintendent E. H. Bush, Sr. and former teacher Fenner Roth reminisce about teaching school in Diboll during the 1930’s. They talk about discipline problems, dealing with the Great Depression, teacher and superintendent’s pay, and the heavy workload. Mr. Bush tells stories about disciplining students, coaching the basketball and baseball teams, and trying to keep the hogs away from the children as they ate lunch. |
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| Roth, Fenner |
September 08, 1984 |
abstractInterview 44a : Early Dibollians Fenner Roth, Herbert Weeks, and O’Hara Chandler, each born in or about 1908, tell of life in Diboll during the 1910s and 1920s during a 1984 interview by leaders of the Diboll Historical Society. The men recall railroad travel, eateries, childhood entertainments, early automobiles, alligators in the mill pond, school teachers, yard work, bitter weeds, and the communities of Emporia and Copestown. Persons discussed include Frank Farrington, Watson Walker, George Johnson, and John Oliver. |
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| Rowe, Jack |
November 02, 1983 |
abstractInterview 20a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Jack Rowe recalls life in Amarillo and Dumas, Texas during the Great Depression. Mr. Rowe’s family lived in the Texas panhandle and Arkansas while he was growing up, and remembers the hard times as a teenager and as a young married man. He recalls soup lines, CCC camps, dust storms, and low wages. |
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| Ruby, Joe |
N/A |
abstractInterview 136a : In this short interview with Carolyn Elmore, longtime Temple employee Joe Ruby reminisces about his 35 years with the company as a forester in Diboll and Pineland and as a data processor in Diboll. Mr. Ruby remarks about the Pineland merger between Southern Pine Lumber Company and Temple Lumber Company in the 1950’s and the Time merger. |
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| Ruby, Nelda |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 107a : In this interview with Mark Kelmer, Nelda Ruby reminisces about her school days and compares school discipline, rules, and class offerings in the 1940’s and 1950’s to the 1980’s. She recognizes good and bad changes in the education system since her graduation in 1955. |
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| Rushing, Jim |
January 13, 1986 |
abstractInterview 90a : Angelina County native Jim Rushing spent most of his life working for either Southern Pine Lumber Company or the Texas Southeastern Railroad. He worked cattle and fought outlaws at Rayville, served in the Army during World War I, worked on Dred Devereaux's bridge gang, helped John Goodman in the machine shop, and spent most of his career with the TSE Railroad. He also reminisces about the virgin timber, early mornings, and play parties. |
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| Rushing, Myrtle |
March 15, 1986 |
abstractInterview 94a : Born in 1903, Myrtle Rushing's family moved to Diboll when she was nine years old. In this interview she reminisces about life in early Diboll: bed bugs, school life, early mornings, walking to town, the picture show, and the 11:15 whistle. In addition, she discusses working for the PTA and assisting at their fundraisers. She also remembers when Diboll's houses first got electricity, Franklin Farrington, Jim Richards, and Mrs. Arthur Porter. |
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| Samuel, Rueben "Jellie" |
February 05, 2001 |
abstractInterview 160a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Mr. Rueben “Jellie” Samuel reminisces about playing baseball for the Diboll Dragons and the Diboll Eagles, the black community baseball teams in the 1940’s. He recalls their car trips to play other teams around the state of Texas and in Louisiana, his teammates, and the reason the Dragons split up and became the Eagles after a manager swindled them and took their money. Mr. Samuel also talks about his love of peanut patties. |
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| Samuel, Rueben "Jellie" |
February 14, 2005 |
abstractInterview 160b : In this interview/speech at the February 2005 Angelina County Historical Commission Meeting, Rueben “Jellie” Samuel reminisces about his days as a member of the Diboll/Southern Pine Lumber Company African-American baseball team in the 1940’s. Mr. Samuel played for both the Dragons and the Eagles. He recalls practicing on Sunday and traveling around the area playing other company teams. Mr. Samuel also tells how he became associated with peanut patties and how his team dealt with several different managers, one of whom stole their money. He recounts one of his favorite memories, the game between his team and the North Dakota All-Stars, where they packed the white stadium in Diboll. Jonathan Gerland, Johnny McClendon, Bettie Kennedy, and Carol Riggs also take part in the interview. |
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| Schinke, Julia Ashford |
August 01, 1980 |
abstractInterview 21a : Julia Ashford Schinke, a daughter of one of Diboll’s first residents, recalls growing up in Diboll at the beginning of the 20th century, going to school shopping in the commissary, and growing and preserving food. She attended college in Ft. Worth and later came to Diboll where she taught school for 24 years. |
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| Shepherd, Marjorie |
October 22, 1993 |
abstractInterview 144a : In this interview with An Sweeney, Marjorie Shepherd reminisces about her life before coming to Diboll in 1960 and after. Mrs. Shepherd, the wife of C.H. Shepherd, was born in Mississippi, but moved to New Jersey with her husband and worked in the fashion industry in New York and New Jersey. She traveled all over the world for her job at Lord and Taylor and later for a store in New Jersey. The Shepherds moved to Oregon and Michigan before moving to Diboll. After coming to Diboll, Mrs. Shepherd attended Stephen F. Austin State University and received a bachelor’s and master’s in Fine Arts. She taught art in Diboll and throughout Angelina County and continued to travel the world. Mrs. Shepherd was also the founder of the Diboll Garden Club. |
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| Silvers, Joe |
November 12, 2008 |
abstractInterview 174a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Mr. Joe Silvers reminisces about his father and grandfather and their time spent at Rayville Ranch. He remembers the things they told him about the ranch, about J.J. Ray, about being a pasture rider, and the different groups of people who visited the ranch, including a group of Texas Rangers and Southern Pine Lumber Company officials. Mr. Silver also talks about poaching, gunfights, and the railroad in the area. |
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| Smart, Donna |
February 22, 2008 |
abstractInterview 172a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Pete and Donna Smart reminisce about their days working for Temple and living in the southeast and Diboll. Pete joined Temple as a salesman in 1965, working in Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kentucky selling Temple products, particularly plywood, fiberboard and studs. They moved to Diboll in 1973 and lived there until 2007. Donna worked for the company from 1990 until 2008. The Smarts talk about Diboll Day, selling Temple products in the southeast, promoting Temple products, the community spirit in Diboll, Arthur Temple’s vision for his company and Diboll, and other company leaders. They mention Bob Weston, Bert Lindsey, Joe Sample, Joe Denman, Clifford Grum, and Jack Sweeny. |
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| Smart, Pete |
February 22, 2008 |
abstractInterview 172a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Pete and Donna Smart reminisce about their days working for Temple and living in the southeast and Diboll. Pete joined Temple as a salesman in 1965, working in Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kentucky selling Temple products, particularly plywood, fiberboard and studs. They moved to Diboll in 1973 and lived there until 2007. Donna worked for the company from 1990 until 2008. The Smarts talk about Diboll Day, selling Temple products in the southeast, promoting Temple products, the community spirit in Diboll, Arthur Temple’s vision for his company and Diboll, and other company leaders. They mention Bob Weston, Bert Lindsey, Joe Sample, Joe Denman, Clifford Grum, and Jack Sweeny. |
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| Smith, Carey |
September 28, 1982 |
abstractInterview 22a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Carey Smith reminisces about his life in Diboll from the 1920’s through the 1980’s. Mr. Smith was born in Huntington and moved to Diboll as a child. Except for one year spent in the Army during World War I, he lived in Diboll and worked for Southern Pine Lumber Company in the Planer. Mr. Smith recalls the hardships of the Depression, living conditions in Copestown, and life as an African American worker and preacher in the company town. |
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| Smith, L.D. |
February 13, 1986 |
abstractInterview 92a : Diboll native L.D. Smith, in an interview with Marie Davis, reminisces about life in Diboll. He recalls going to school as a child and teenager, the games boys played to amuse themselves, working at the school during the Depression, and then working for Southern Pine Lumber Company after World War II. He had various jobs, but Mr. Smith spent most of his career as a truck driver, delivering Temple products all of the country. He reflects on changes in the Company and town, and tells about his new found hobby of genealogy. |
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| Smith, L.D. |
December 08, 1986 |
abstractInterview 92b : In an interview with his great-nephew Joe Smith, L.D. Smith reminisces about cars and trucks and transportation. He remembers walking everywhere, riding the train to Lufkin and Houston, and the various cars his father owned. He also talks about life as a trucker hauling lumber and forest products all over the United States. |
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| Smith, Lorine Rodgers |
May 15, 2010 |
abstractInterview 196a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Diboll native Minnie Jones and her friend Lorine Rodgers Smith reminisce about growing up in Diboll’s African American community, the school integration process, and race relations. A high school basketball star before racial integration, Ms. Jones graduated from Diboll High School one year after the process was completed. She spent most of her school days at H.G. Temple High School, Diboll’s African American school, representing the school as Diboll Day Queen Candidate and Rodeo Queen. Mrs. Smith graduated from H.G. Temple High School in 1960 and spent all of her school days in the segregated education system, but had children in elementary school for the first year of full integration. She also worked at the Pine Bough Restaurant as a dishwasher for Mrs. Byrd Davis. Both women remember Mr. Massey, Mrs. Wallace, and Mrs. Schinke, among other notable Diboll educators. |
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| Stovall, J.W. |
May 08, 1985 |
abstractInterview 58a : In this interview with Marie Davis, lifelong Angelina County resident J.W. Stovall recalls growing up on Stovall Creek near Diboll. The Stovalls were one of the earliest settlers in Angelina County and owned a large plantation on Stovall Creek and the Neches River. Mr. Stovall recalls farming, family history, recreation, and working in the Diboll mills. |
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| Stringer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred |
March 01, 1973 |
abstractInterview 103b : In this interview with Jim Dunlap, Mr. and Mrs. Stringer recall living through the Great Depression, making ends meet, farming, raising cotton, making railroad ties, and killing armadillos. |
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| Strong, Rev. Elizine |
May 05, 2009 |
abstractInterview 179a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Rev. Elizine Strong reminisces about his life growing up in East Texas, his calling as a minister in the Pentecostal Church, and his life in ministry, particularly in Diboll. Rev. Strong’s niece, Debra Buster, is also present. |
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| Sweeny, Lucille Cook |
July 24, 1993 |
abstractInterview 139a : In this interview with local historian Franklin Weeks, Lucille Cook Sweeny recalls her memories of her grandfather, Dr. H.C. Cook. Dr. Cook was a Southern Pine Lumber Company lumber camp doctor who moved with the camps until the 1920’s, when he moved into Diboll. Mrs. Sweeny remembers her grandfather’s patients paid him in produce and syrup when they couldn’t pay for his services with cash. |
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| Swilley, Naomi Conner |
April 08, 1988 |
abstractInterview 119a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Naomi Conner Swilley reminisces about growing up in Prairie Grove and living in Diboll in the first half of the 20th century. Mrs. Swilley mentions her first husband, Gib Conner, the Great Depression, their store and meat market, making lye soap, and going to the Baptist Church. |
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| Taylor, Elaine |
October 12, 1993 |
abstractInterview 143a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Franklin and Elaine Taylor reminisce about growing up in East Texas – Mr. Taylor in Diboll and Mrs. Taylor in Fastrill. The recall the commissary, school days, pranks, and mill fires, and recreation activities. They also remember the depression. |
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| Taylor, Franklin |
October 12, 1993 |
abstractInterview 143a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Franklin and Elaine Taylor reminisce about growing up in East Texas – Mr. Taylor in Diboll and Mrs. Taylor in Fastrill. The recall the commissary, school days, pranks, and mill fires, and recreation activities. They also remember the depression. |
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| Teal, Leonard Jr. |
May 20, 2010 |
abstractInterview 197a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, long-time Diboll resident and Vietnam Veteran Leonard Teal reminisces about growing up in the African-American community in Diboll in the years just prior to school integration. He recalls his years at H.G. Temple School with Mr. Massey, Mrs. Wallace, Mr. Kenyon, and Coach Ross and remembers playing basketball and football. He also recalls his Sundays spent watching the Diboll Eagles baseball team and the business owners he used to interact with, including the Tanners, Arty Dewberry, and Papp Mathiss. Mr. Teal does not remember any racial problems in Diboll and tells the interviewer that integration was a gradual, but smooth process. |
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| Temple, Arthur Jr. |
May 08, 1985 |
abstractInterview 56a : The grandson of T.L.L. Temple, founder of forest products companies that became Temple-Inland, Inc., Arthur Temple Jr. tells interviewer Megan Lambert about the Temple family's relationships to both the business and community interests of East Texas through nearly a century of momentous change. He provides biographical detail into his own life as well as his father's and grandfather's, focusing mostly on events of the Great Depression through the 1960s, before the family business became a public stock company. Insight into company management is also given. People discussed in some detail include T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple Sr., L.D. Gilbert, Dr. J.C. Clements, Joe Denman, Walter Purdy, and Aunt Georgie Temple Munz, founder of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, which origins are also explained.
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| Temple, Arthur Jr. |
July 11, 1985 |
abstractInterview 56b : In this second interview by Megan Lambert, Arthur Temple Jr. discusses in detail his philosophy of business management and practices. He gives early biographical details about his own life, education, and job training. He discusses labor relations and recounts milestones in Southern Pine Lumber Company’s development from the 1890s to the 1980s. He also discusses the creation and establishment of the Big Thicket National Preserve, wildlife management, the establishment of hunting clubs, including Boggy Slough Club, and cattle ranching in East Texas. Persons mentioned in some detail are Dave Kenley, Arthur Temple Sr., Henry G. Temple, Latane Temple, J. J. Ray, L. D. Gilbert, and Geraldine Watson. |
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| Temple, Arthur Jr. |
October 1986 |
abstractInterview 134a : In this short speech, Arthur Temple, Jr. dedicates the sculpture “Flathead” on Diboll Day, 1986. The subject of the sculpture, Albert Mitchell, and the sculptor, Ronnie Wells are also present and speak after Mr. Temple. |
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| Temple, Arthur Jr. |
January 13, 1988 |
abstractInterview 56c : Arthur Temple Jr. addresses a meeting of the Diboll Historical Society and discusses a variety of subjects, some old and some new. As in most of his interviews, he gives biographical detail of his family and their relationship to the forest product business and the East Texas community. He discusses with the membership the recent Cornbread Whistle oral history project, including successes and his desire to continue recording memories of the past. He provides insight into the process of transitioning the company town of Diboll into a modern city with elected officials and home ownership, and also the process of modernizing and diversifying the industrial physical plant and its products. Personalities discussed include Dred Devereaux, Eddie Farley, Wilbur Fogg, Clyde Thompson, E.C. Durham and the Durham family, and Joe Denman. Also included is some insight into timber buying by the Company and selling of timberland to the federal government during the Great Depression. |
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| Temple, Arthur Jr. |
June 02, 2000 |
abstractInterview 56d : In this two-hour interview, third generation industrialist and philanthropist Arthur Temple Jr. shares with interviewer Jonathan Gerland memories of early business activities in Diboll. He gives biographical information pertaining to his coming to work for the family business at an early age, rebuilding the physical plant and operational organization, and restructuring the culture of a company town. Temple also discusses the formation of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, the origins of Diboll Day, the Pine Bough Restaurant, Crown Colony Country Club, Antlers Hotel, Rayville Ranch, box factories in Diboll, a Kurth family rivalry, and Trinity County hunting club houses at Boggy Slough. People remembered in some detail include Arthur Temple Sr., Horace Stubblefield, Paul "Bunny" Hogue, Jay Boren, E.C. Durham, Latane Temple, Dred Devereaux, Jake Durham, and Joe Denman. A brief subject index follows the transcript.
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| Temple, Gresham |
August 16, 1985 |
abstractInterview 74a : Henry Gresham Temple, Jr., T.L.L. Temple’s great-nephew, reminisces about the Temple family and businesses. He recalls working for the family business in Pineland and Diboll before he went into the oil business and started his own company. His father, H.G. Temple, Sr., worked in Pineland and Diboll as well. |
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| Temple, John William "Bill" Sr. |
July 27, 2001 |
abstractInterview 163a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, John William “Bill” Temple, Sr. talks about Temple family history and genealogy and reminisces about his life. He mentions T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple, Sr. and Arthur Temple, Jr., Henry Temple and Latane Temple. He talks about growing up in Texarkana, working for the family businesses, staying in Hawaii while in the military, and changes in the forest products industry. |
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| Temple, Lottie |
1986 |
abstractInterview 98a : Lottie Temple began working for Temple Lumber Company in Lufkin in 1944 and followed Arthur Temple, Jr. to Diboll in 1948 as his secretary. In this interview, she talks about her experiences working for Temple Lumber Company and Southern Pine Lumber Company, housing in Diboll, the intricacies of the payroll system, and the transition from a company owned town to a city with independent home and business owners. She also talks about Diboll’s community spirit, Diboll Day, the increase in working women through the years, the day care center, and Green Acres Convalescent Center. Mrs. Temple also speaks on her role in starting the banking and insurance companies in Diboll, Diboll Development Company, and Exeter Investments. |
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| Temple, Marie |
October 27, 1985 |
abstractInterview 101a : Marie Davis interviews her aunt, Marie Temple about growing up in Diboll and working in the commissary. Mrs. Davis lived in Diboll for most of her childhood and she recalls her school days and the young people’s recreation. She also mentions funerals, the school fire, the Airdome Movie Theater, and ice cream. |
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| Thompson, Clyde |
1954 |
abstractInterview 10d : In this 1954 interview with John Larson of the Forest History Foundation, longtime Southern Pine Lumber Company/ Temple Industries employee Clyde Thompson (1899-1987) discusses a number of historic subjects, primarily the evolution of logging practices. He describes the practices of the early 1950s, including mechanization of skidders, forest road construction, introduction of power saws, selective timber harvesting, and pulp wood logging. He also comments on the transition from company railroad logging to contract truck logging and discusses earlier logging camp society, comparing what he calls “woods people” and “mill people.” He mentions defunct logging camps at Alcedo, Fastrill, and Daisetta. |
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| Thompson, Clyde |
1977 |
abstractInterview 10a : Angelina College student Vivian Holt interviews longtime Diboll Mayor and Southern Pine Lumber Company employee Clyde Thompson about his duties as Mayor of Diboll. He was first elected mayor in 1962 and held the post until 1977. They discuss local election processes, management of the City of Diboll, educational facilities and programs, housing, city services, city council, plans for the City of Diboll, sawmill history, and T.L.L. Temple and the founding of Diboll. |
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| Thompson, Clyde |
January 14, 1984 |
abstractInterview 10b : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Clyde Thompson (November 13, 1899 - February 17, 1987), his wife Ossie, and Beatrice Burkhalter recall life in Diboll in the middle of the 20th century. Thompson worked for Southern Pine Lumber Company as it evolved from 1916 through 1977. He was also the first Mayor of Diboll from 1962-1977. He recalled his beginning as a stenographer for G.W. Cleveland and D.C. Kenley at the age of 16 after attending Tyler Commercial College. Thompson and Bailey discuss the Depression, logging practices, clear cutting, moving from oxen to mules to trucks in logging, banking logs, the advent of power saws, tree farming, replanting, sawmill accidents, company finances, management practices, and the retail yards. They also discuss such notable people as T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple, Sr., Arthur Temple, Jr., Kenneth Nelson, Watson Walker, P.H. Strauss, John O'Hara, H.G. Temple, Lillian Knox, Laymon Gossett, Al Cudlipp, and Carrol Allen.
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| Thompson, Clyde |
October 25, 1984 |
abstractInterview 10c : Longtime Temple employee and Diboll mayor Clyde Thompson (1899-1987), along with his wife, Ossie, discuss a wide range of issues and people he encountered during his long career. Issues mentioned include company housing, labor, the Great Depression, ethnic groups, racial segregation, forest management, logging camps, reforestation, insurance, and politics. He also mentions T.L.L. Temple, Arthur Temple Jr., Arthur Temple, Sr., Buddy Temple, Lillian Knox, and Dave Kenley. |
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| Thompson, Ossie |
September 08, 1978 |
abstractInterview 37a : In this interview with Ellen Temple, Ossie Thompson, wife of longtime Southern Pine Lumber Company executive and Diboll Mayor Clyde Thompson, recalls her early childhood in Diboll and Huntsville and her time as a teacher in Fuller Springs and Diboll. Mrs. Thompson also reminisces about courting practices in Diboll, recreational activities and card playing. She also talks about her involvement with her church, the housing situation in Diboll, and raising her children. |
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| Toran, Gloria Massey |
November 25, 2009 |
abstractInterview 187a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Gloria Massey Toran, daughter of long-time Diboll educator Willie Massey, reminisces about her life and how race relations and education have changed since the 1930’s. Mrs. Toran grew up in Groveton and Nigton, where she attended the segregated African American schools. She always focused on education, especially after moving in with her father, Willie Massey and her stepmother Louise Massey. She grew up insulated from many of the conflicts of the day and graduated from Prairie View A&M with a degree in education. Mrs. Toran taught for two years in Lufkin and then moved to Anahuac, where she married and had her first child while teaching music in the African American school. She moved back to Lufkin, where she taught at Garrett Elementary and Dunbar until forced integration in 1970. In 1971, Mrs. Toran became a counselor at Lufkin High School. She reminisces about her interactions with whites, her views on segregation and how they changed, and the issues that arose during integration of the schools. |
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| Turner, Harold |
September 09, 1982 |
abstractInterview 24a : Longtime Diboll resident Harold S. Turner recalls his life in White City, Fastrill, and Diboll. Mr. Turner’s father was a company doctor for the Southern Pine Lumber Company camps in White City and Fastrill, where he lived and went to school. At the age of 18, Mr. Turner moved to Diboll and worked as a truck driver. He eventually worked in the power department at the sawmill for 35 years. Mr. Turner also reminisces about life in the Great Depression. |
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| Turner, Hazel |
November 04, 1982 |
abstractInterview 23a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Hazel Turner reminisces about her life as a young woman in Diboll during the Depression. After graduating from Diboll High School in 1926, Mrs. Turner attended business school and began her career as a secretary. After spending time in Houston, she was hired by Southern Pine Lumber Company, where she worked as one of three women in the office during the Depression. She discusses work habits and pay procedures. |
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| Vansau, Rivie |
February 20, 1986 |
abstractInterview 91a : In this interview with Marie Davis and Vivian Warner, longtime teacher Rivie Vansau reminisces about growing up in Emporia, Diboll, Camp #2, Walkerton, and Bald Hill. After she graduated, Ms. Vansau taught school for 42 years all around East Texas, including Diboll, Lufkin, New London, Iola, Zavalla, and Channelview, to name a few places. She discusses life in a lumber camp and going to school in the early 20th Century. |
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| Vaughn, Aden |
June 19, 1985 |
abstractInterview 63a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Aden “Lefty” Vaughn and his wife Flava reminisce about Diboll’s past. They discuss family history, schooldays, the commissary, recreation, transportation, and baseball. They mention Mr. Rutland, Chester Willis, and Professor Jackson. |
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| Vaughn, Flava |
June 19, 1985 |
abstractInterview 63a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Aden “Lefty” Vaughn and his wife Flava reminisce about Diboll’s past. They discuss family history, schooldays, the commissary, recreation, transportation, and baseball. They mention Mr. Rutland, Chester Willis, and Professor Jackson. |
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| Walker, Howard |
June 18, 1986 |
abstractInterview 102a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, former County School Superintendent Howard Walker talks about his life and reminisces about his education, his early jobs, and his time as Angelina County School Superintendent. He recalls the difficulties he encountered trying to get his teacher’s education and some of the issues involved in managing a large rural school district. |
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| Wallace, Odyesa |
February 09, 1985 |
abstractInterview 47a : In an interview at a meeting of the Diboll Historical Society, longtime Diboll teacher Odyesa Wallace recalls her 25 years in Diboll schools. She taught in Diboll from 1960 to 1985, starting at black school, Temple, and going through integration and beyond. Mrs. Wallace spent most of her teaching career in the elementary grades and she recalls the black teacher’s struggle for books and supplies when she first came to Diboll, the process of integration, and many of her students through the years. |
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| Waltman, Icie Courtney |
March 25, 1986 |
abstractInterview 97a : Born September 6, 1895, Icie Courtney Waltman moved to Angelina County at the age of 11. Her interview covers a broad range of subjects dealing with early country life. Some topics she discusses are riding side saddle, syrup making, planting corn, the influences of alcohol, and the beautiful countryside between Diboll and Prairie Grove. |
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| Wampler, Barbara |
N/A |
abstractInterview 133a : In this interview, Barbara Wampler details her life as a working woman who worked her way up the corporate ladder. Mrs. Wampler describes her relationships with her family, co-workers, and upper management. She comments on women’s rights, women in the workplace, and the differences between women and men on the job. |
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| Ward, Bill |
July 26, 1993 |
abstractInterview 138a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Diboll Independent School District Superintendent Bill Ward talks about the trials and challenges facing the district, its ethnic and socio-economic makeup, and his plans for the district’s future. |
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| Warner, Douglas |
February 28, 1985 |
abstractInterview 51a : In this interview with Marie Davis, Angelina County native Douglas Warner reminisces about his life working as a logger for the Temple mills in Diboll. He recalls using mules and oxen to haul the logs, and the changes in logging technology from the 1940s to the 1980s. He also mentions the difficulties he had farming and his experiences with moonshine and stills in the 1940s. |
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| Warner, Lucille |
February 14, 1985 |
abstractInterview 50a : Nurse Lucille Warner recalls her time in Diboll as the town and company nurse. Along with Dr. Dale and the doctors that followed him, Mrs. Warner treated company employees, their families, and Diboll’s citizens when they were ill or injured. They delivered babies, treated wounds, performed medical tests, and dispensed medication from their office in the commissary or on house calls. Eventually, company insurance began to cover hospital births for babies, and Mrs. Warner and the doctor would travel to Lufkin to deliver Diboll’s newest citizens. Mrs. Warner retired in 1976 as a plant nurse and secretary. |
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| Warner, Vivian and Pate |
April 24, 1985 |
abstractInterview 57a : In an interview with Marie Davis, Diboll natives Vivian and Pate Warner reminisce about growing up in an East Texas sawmill town. Their memories include school days, children's games, earning money as a child, and family life during the Depression. They also recall well-known Diboll personalities like Mr. Watson Walker, Fannie Farrington, and the Temple family. Both Vivian and Pate worked in the commissary, the hub of community life and commerce. The Warners also discuss gardens and canning, local working conditions, company benefits, funeral practices, health insurance and doctor visits, childbirth practices, and African-American midwives. |
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| Warner, Vivian and Pate |
June 07, 1994 |
abstractInterview 57b : In an interview with Marie Davis, life-long Diboll residents Pate and Vivian Warner describe their lives growing up in Diboll and the people they shared their town with. Pate and Vivian recall the different ethnic groups that lived in and around Diboll and how the residents interacted with each other. From the 1920's, Pate describes his memories of Italians, Native Americans, Gypsies, Slavonians, Mexican railroad crews, and African American and White children playing and hunting together. He recalls the white oak barrel staves the Slavonians made and sold, the Native Americans short-lived attempts at farming in the area, and the Gypsies as they traded horses, told fortunes, and sold willow furniture. They also reminisce about their childhood favorites, like the banana car that sold bananas to the townspeople before they were available at the local commissary, the shipments of oysters that would cause great excitement when they arrived in town, children playing all over town, the old calaboose and several criminals that attempted (and succeeded) escaping from this early jail, and the excitement that surrounded the arrival of Buster Brown and his bulldog. |
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| Warren, Horace |
January 03, 1986 |
abstractInterview 88a : Longtime Temple employee Horace Warren recalls life at the Alcedo logging camp, at Fastrill, and in Diboll. In this interview with Becky Bailey he reminisces about life as an African American worker – in the woods, on the trains, and in the mills. He also talks about recreation, dance halls, cafes, and churches for the African American workers and their families. Mr. Warren mentions Clyde Thompson, Arthur Temple, Jr., and Mr. Burchfield, as well as a tornado that hit Fastrill. |
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| Waters, Evelyn |
December 10, 1986 |
abstractInterview 110a : In this short interview with Scott Eldridge, Evelyn Waters describes her life as a sheepherder in Wyoming. She describes following the sheep through the mountains in summer and trying to keep them alive in the winter. |
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| Watts, Morgan L. |
June 21, 2005 |
abstractInterview 166a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, former railroad welder and road master Morgan Watts reminsices about working for the Texas and New Orleans Railroad from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Mr. Watts talks about the intricacies of welding tracks and platforms and bridges, recalls living in a boxcar, and the change from telephones to radios for communication. |
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| Weber, A.R. |
April 01, 1985 |
abstractInterview 54a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, longtime Temple-White employee A.R. Weber reminisces about his younger years learning about the forest products industry and beginning in a creosote plant. He eventually made it to Mr. Herb White’s handle factory in Bogalusa, Mississippi, where he managed the factory. When the White family moved the factory to Diboll and entered into a partnership with the Temple family, forming Temple-White, Mr. Weber and his family moved to Diboll. Mr. Weber was in charge of setting up the new factory and hiring the employees. He discussed the process used to make the handles, the lacquer for the handles, and making the different handles for their different customers, particularly the armed forces during World War II. Mr. Weber also discusses the new OSHA regulations from the 1970’s. |
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| Weber, A.R. |
April 10, 1985 |
abstractInterview 54b : In this interview with Becky Bailey, A.R. Weber reminisces about his involvement in various community activities in Diboll. He discusses the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Lions Club, and the various committees of the Methodist Church. |
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| Weeks, Franklin |
N/A |
abstractInterview 130a : In this self interview or speech, Franklin Weeks tells stories about Hoshall, a former sawmill in Angelina County between Burke and Lufkin. |
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| Weeks, Franklin |
December 07, 2000 |
abstractInterview 130b : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, Franklin Weeks shows him the sights in Burke, Texas. He points out landmarks like the Masonic Hall, the depot site, the McCall Store site, the churches, school, and cannery. Mr. Weeks reminisces about riding the train, visiting with Miss Ina McCall, and seeing the first airplane that landed in Burke. He shows Jonathan his ancestral home place, built by Felix Weeks, and talks about the early settlement of the Ryan Chapel Community. |
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| Weeks, Geneva Ryan (Mrs. C.E.) |
1976 |
abstractInterview 25a : In this interview with Marge Shepherd, Mrs. C.E. Weeks, Sr. briefly recalls the Ryan family history. She also talks about growing up on a farm and raising her children near Burke, Texas, in Ryan’s chapel. She and her husband lived on the same land for 72 years. |
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| Weeks, Herbert |
February 04, 1984 |
abstractInterview 18b : In this group interview, Becky Bailey interviews Neil Pickett about his time as the Federal Housing Administration Director in Houston and his efforts to bring affordable public housing to Diboll, particularly the Walter Allen addition. He discusses the procedures for getting FHA loans and Mr. Arthur Temple’s involvement in the large projects in Diboll, now owned by the Diboll Housing Authority. Beatrice Burkhalter, Fenner Roth, and Herbert Weeks also contributed to the interview. |
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| Weeks, Herbert |
September 08, 1984 |
abstractInterview 44a : Early Dibollians Fenner Roth, Herbert Weeks, and O’Hara Chandler, each born in or about 1908, tell of life in Diboll during the 1910s and 1920s during a 1984 interview by leaders of the Diboll Historical Society. The men recall railroad travel, eateries, childhood entertainments, early automobiles, alligators in the mill pond, school teachers, yard work, bitter weeds, and the communities of Emporia and Copestown. Persons discussed include Frank Farrington, Watson Walker, George Johnson, and John Oliver. |
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| Weeks, Lela |
N/A |
abstractInterview 031a : In this interview with Megan Lambert and Becky Bailey, Lela Weeks recalls growing up in East Texas (Nacogdoches, Diboll, Lufkin, and Wells). She also reminisces about the Depression, living near the Box Factory in Diboll, and making ends meet in hard times. |
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| Weeks, Mrs. Charles Jr. |
September 02, 1982 |
abstractInterview 26a : In an interview with Becky Bailey, Mrs. Charles E. Weeks, Jr. reminisces about growing up in Tennessee and Lufkin and living through the Great Depression. She particularly remembers the hobos who lived in Chambers Park and begged for food at local homes, the difficulty of getting credit, and the local CCC workers. |
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| Weeks, Robert |
November 1953 |
abstractInterview 30a : In an interview with John Larson, Robert Weeks recalls the beginning of the Southern Pine Lumber Company in Diboll. He started work helping to dig the mill pond in 1894 and progressed to working in the woods, hauling logs, and working in the various mills as a planer in Diboll. He eventually moved to Hemphill and Pineland as Planer Foreman. He also recalls Diboll's first baseball team. |
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| Weeks, Robert |
August 11, 1954 |
abstractInterview 104a : In this 1954 interview with Clyde Thompson, Robert Weeks recalls working for Southern Pine Lumber Company from 1894 to 1944. He worked in many capacities, from digging the first millpond, rolling logs off the skidway to working in the Diboll planer mill to running the Pineland planing mill. As an employee from the beginning, Mr. Weeks offers a unique perspective on some of the technical changes in the mills. |
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| Weimer, Maureen |
December 29, 1985 |
abstractInterview 86a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Maureen Weimer reminisces about Pine Grove Church in the Red Town area of Diboll. Mrs. Weimer’s husband, Charles, pastored the church in the early 1950’s. She talks about Mrs. Fannie Farrington’s desire to bring a church to that area of Diboll, convincing H.G. Temple to build them a church building. Mrs. Weimer recalls Women’s Society of Christian Service meetings, the United Methodist Women group, Vacation Bible School, and Methodist Youth Fellowship. She mentions the Farringtons, Ballengers, Tatums, Mirandas, Guerras, Simms’, and Greers, among other families that attended the church. |
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| Welch, Claude Sr. |
January 05, 1983 |
abstractInterview 27a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Claude Welch, Sr. describes his life during the Great Depression. A native of Trinity County, Texas, his family worked for Southern Pine Lumber Company for three generations. During the 1930’s, Mr. Welch fished, hunted, traded, and picked cotton to survive. In the latter part of the decade he joined the CCC and worked in a camp in Arizona. He describes life in the CCC camp and explains how the county came out of the Depression in the 1940’s. |
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| Wells, Vina |
June 28, 1984 |
abstractInterview 34a : Born in Sabine County, Texas, in 1899, Vina Wells recalls life in East Texas forest communities during the early twentieth century. The daughter of lumberman Louis “Pop” Jordan and Mellie Willis, she describes living conditions at the Southern Pine Lumber Company logging camps at White City (in San Augustine County) and Fastrill (in Cherokee County) from the 1910s through the 1930s. She worked at boarding houses at both of these camp towns. Her husband was Ritchie Wells, a Southern Pine Lumber Company woods foreman. |
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| Wells, Vina |
October 25, 1984 |
abstractInterview 34b : Born in Sabine County, Texas, in 1899, Vina Wells recalls life in East Texas forest communities during the early twentieth century. The daughter of lumberman Louis “Pop” Jordan and Mellie Willis, she describes living conditions at the Southern Pine Lumber Company logging camps at White City (in San Augustine County) and Fastrill (in Cherokee County) from the 1910s through the 1930s. She worked at boarding houses at both of these camp towns. Her husband was Ritchie Wells, a Southern Pine Lumber Company woods foreman. |
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| White, John |
July 16, 1999 |
abstractInterview 149a : In this interview with Jonathan Gerland, former Fastrill and Diboll resident John White reminisces about living at the Southern Pine Lumber Company Fastrill logging camp, moving to Diboll, and working for Dred Devereaux. He also mentions the Redgate logging community, Alcedo, and White City. Mr. White recalls his time in the Air Force and his jobs in Lufkin at Texas Foundry and Southwest Color. |
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| Wilkerson, Burlon |
May 11, 2010 |
abstractInterview 194a : In this interview with Patsy Colbert, Burlon Wilkerson reminisces about growing up in Diboll, going to school during the racial integration process, and teaching at Diboll High School during times of racial tension. He mentions that there were no incidents during the integration process, and that while his parents and others in the white community may not have fully supported the idea, they knew it was going to happen and accepted it as inevitable. Mr. Wilkerson mentions several students and teachers from his time as a DHS student, including Zenova Scott, Johnny Jones, Mr. Massey, Mr. Ramsey, Bob McCurry, and Fred Douglas. He also mentions the heightened racial tensions after he became a Speech and English teacher at Diboll High School, particularly in the mid- 1970’s. |
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| Wilkerson, Dewitt |
October 23, 1985 |
abstractInterview 80a : In this interview with Marie Davis and Megan Lambert, Dewitt Wilkerson recalls living in Angelina County for over six decades, with most of them spent near Diboll. Mr. Wilkerson recalls bootlegging and illegal hunting, living through the Depression, working for Southern Pine Lumber Company and the foundry in Lufkin, picking cotton, unions, and different ethnicities that lived around Diboll. |
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| Williams, Ardiny Lee |
April 08, 1986 |
abstractInterview 116b : In this interview with Jim Ligon, Ardiny Lee Williams reminisces about life in the African American community in Diboll. Mrs. Williams remembers her church, her school, her parents, Easter and Christmas celebrations, and other community members. She also comments on her son E.C. Williams’ club and his works within the community. |
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| Williams, Ardiny Lee |
October 15, 1987 |
abstractInterview 116a : In this short interview with her granddaughter Cheryl Bell, Ardiny Lee Williams recalls her school days in the two-room schoolhouse with two teachers. |
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| Winfrey, David |
N/A |
abstractInterview 126a : In this interview with Mark Williams, Vietnam Veteran David Winfrey recalls his time as an Army Staff Sergeant in Vietnam. He was injured by a booby trap and treated in hospitals from Vietnam to Japan to Alaska to Washington, D.C. |
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| Wissler, Jake |
December 18, 1982 |
abstractInterview 28a : In this interview with Becky Bailey, Ohio native Jake Wissler recalls life during the Depression. After the stock market crash in 1929, Mr. Wissler lost his job as a machinist and eventually joined the Army. He spent three years as a machinist and carpenter in the Army, serving mainly in Panama, and then returned to Chicago where he married his wife, Bella, and continued looking for work. The Wisslers survived the Depression in Chicago and Ohio and eventually moved to Panama. |
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| Wolf, Dewey |
1978 |
abstractInterview 29a : In this interview with Diane Tate, Diboll Police Chief Dewey Wolf talks about his job as police chief and his concerns about crime in Diboll. He discusses the size of the force, the particular problems facing a town the size of Diboll, and several of its public safety programs. |
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| Woods, Sadie Estes |
July 18, 1984 |
abstractInterview 40a : Born in 1904, Sadie Estes Woods recalls in this 1984 interview early logging practices of Southern Pine Lumber Company, including tent camps and Mexican railroad labor. In about the middle 1910s she moved with her family to Diboll, where her mother managed the Star Hotel, and Sadie later taught school in Diboll. She mentions such place names as Anderson Crossing, Alcedo or Alceda, Pisgah School, and Ryan’s Lake. She tells of social life in early Diboll, including entertainments such as swimming, walking the railroad tracks, dances, and music. Persons mentioned include Richie and Albert Wells, Will Hill, Ike and Lee Estes, Louis Ashford, and T.L.L. Temple. |
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| Wright, Gussie Stovall |
August 28, 1984 |
abstractInterview 43a : Life-long Angelina County resident Mrs. Gussie Stovall Wright remembers her life in Prairie Grove (also called Stovall Prairie) and Diboll. She describes her Stovall grandparents, who came to the area in 1845, and the hardships they endured and the slaves they owned. Mrs. Wright also recalls going to the Prairie Grove School and teachers Jimmie Ellis and Laura Davis, purchasing cloth from Fannie Farrington at the Diboll commissary, riding her horse and walking to school, church, and Diboll, farming, and serving as a midwife to local families. |
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