Fall Meeting: October 2008

Permian Historical Society has been invited to Ozona, Crockett County, Texas, for its fall meeting in October 2008.  It has been many years since PHS even had a field trip that included Crockett County.

As the date approaches, more information about the meeting will be posted.

For the latest information on this meeting, contact the president at  p_kelton@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 901, McCamey, TX 79752 (432/652-8738).

To Become a Member

Permian Historical Society was organized in 1958 with the goal of preserving the history of the Permian Basin of West Texas. Membership is open to all who are interested in regional history.

Dues are payable on January 1st of each calendar year and entitle a member to receive newsletters and a copy of our annual journal of articles dealing with Permian Basin history.

To become a member, send your name, post office mailing address, email address, telephone number, and a check for dues to Permian Historical Society Treasurer, P. O. Box 11, McCamey, TX 79752.

There are three membership levels. Individuals, businesses, libraries, museums, and other groups pay dues of $25 annually. Family memberships are $30 and student memberships are $12 each year.

Come help us preserve our region’s history!

Permian Historical Society, organized in 1958 with the goal of preserving the history
of the Permian Basin of West Texas, opens its membership to all who are interested
in regional history.

Dues are payable on January 1st of each calendar year and entitle a member to
receive all publications, including The Permian Historical Annual with articles
dealing with Permian Basin history.

To become a member, print and complete the following form.
Mail it with your check to Permian Historical Society Treasurer,
P. O. Box 11, McCamey, TX 79752.

Name _________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________  City ________________________ State ________

Telephone ______________________  E-mail _________________________________

Dues:      [   ] Individual, Business, Library, Museum, Other Groups $25 per year

[   ] Family Membership $30 per year

[  ] Student Membership $12 per year

Permian Archives

    

Description of Permian Archives

     The Permian Archives consists of historical items gathered between 1958 and 1971 by early-day Permian Historical Society members as a means of preserving Permian Basin history. After The University of Texas of the Permian Basin opened in Odessa, Permian Historical Society donated its collection of papers, newspapers, maps, books, artifacts, and other historical materials to the Special Collections at that university’s library. These materials, called Permian Archives, may contain original sources to aid those who research the characters and events of Permian Basin history. 

     Although Permian Archives was begun by the members of Permian Historical Society, it is now the property of the university. Like all state university archival holdings, the materials are available for public use. As the figures below show, the materials in Permian Archives are not often used.

     2006 Use and Acquisitions

     January-December 2006: 487 patrons.  Material Use: 24 folders; 18 photos; 10 microfilm; 42 monographs; 30 serials; 1 video.  Copies made: 415.

     October-December 2006 Acquisitions: Gordon Hooper donated typescripts and photographs relating to Crane County ranching and UPTB Dean Emeritus James Colwell, a former Air Force General, made additional donations to his extensive Texas Air Force Base collections.

    

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes: 21 October 2006

    The fall meeting of the Permian Historical Society was held 21 October 2006 at the Civic Center in Iraan, Texas. Approximately seventy members and guests were present.

    The meeting opened with the presentation of the colors by a color guard from the Texas Youth Commission Boot Camp in Sheffield. Michelle Kent of Iraan led the group in singing the National Anthem. Iraan Mayor June Heck welcomed everyone and thanked PHS for having the meeting in Iraan.

   Before introducing the day’s presenters, Vice President-Membership Jim Collett, a native of the area, extended his own welcome and urged everyone to take advantage of the current dues.

    Papers presented included Patrick Dearen, who read his story on Riding the Rails: Persevering Through the Great Depression; Charles Stroder, who told about Growing Up in an Oil Camp in Wink, Texas; and Betty Cash, who told about the influence of the cartoon character on Iraan and on those who appreciate the script in Alley Oop and His Time Machine. Due to illness, the fourth scheduled paper on the integration of the Crane schools was postponed to a later meeting.

    While lunch was being set up, Jim Collett, staff member of the Region 18 Education Service Center, presented a Power Point slide show that he had assembled to let people know what Region 18 is about. Slides of the varied landscapes of the region and its people through the years delighted the audience.

Lunch was provided by Nancy’s Mesquite BarBQ. Members and guests went through the line based on the color of their meal tickets that were determined by reservations and advanced payment. The business session began after lunch.

    There was a tie for the spring Best Presentation Award. The winners were Lee Bennett for her behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie Giant and Paula Marshall-Gray for her paper on the model company town, Texon.

    Certificates honoring a lifetime of outstanding service in the field of historic preservation were announced for nonagenarians Paul Patterson (97), Nancy McKinley (93), and Frances Walker (90).

    Since Iraan is the home of Alley Oop, three members dressed as cave women—Peggy Kelton, Sue Ann Damron, and Snooks Collett. Julia Cauble Smith represented what had inspired the creation of Alley Oop by dressing as an oilfield worker.

    J. Tillapaugh moved that the nominations of Richard Cummins of Ector County, Janice Bond of Howard County, and Genny Townsend of Crane County to serve on the Board of Directors be accepted. Mary Lou Midkiff seconded the motion, which passed.
Julia Cauble Smith moved that the changes to the By-Laws approved by the Board of Directors be accepted. Eula Hoffman seconded the motion, which passed.

    President Peggy Kelton announced that 21 April 2007 is the target date for the spring meeting in Midland. Tickets for the numerous door prizes were drawn. Snooks Collett invited everyone to tour the Iraan Museum and grounds next door after the meeting.

   The young men from TYC retired the colors. Julia Cauble Smith thanked them for their excellent performance and thanked Iraan for the hospitality shown to PHS members and guests. The meeting was adjourned.

Peggy Kelton, President
Sue Ann Damron, Secretary
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  Meeting Minutes: 15 April 2006

 The Spring Meeting of the Permian Historical Society was held April 15, 2006, at the Permian Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas. Eighty-seven members and guests registered.

  Registration began at 9:00 a.m. Distribution of The Permian Historical Annual 45, visiting, and coffee followed. Membership Vice President Peggy Kelton welcomed all to the meeting and President Ross McSwain spoke in remembrance of Joe Pickle, past PHS president and recipient of the Permian Pioneer Award. Following five very interesting programs [papers], a barbecue lunch from KD’s was served.

  Just before the business meeting, tickets were drawn for door prizes and awards were presented. The best costume prize was awarded to Frances Walker (dressed as the ‘It Girl,’ Clara Bow); Best Presentation for last October’s meeting was awarded to Tiny Earp; and, Best Article Award for The Permian Historical Annual 45 was given to Melanie McDonald.

  President Ross McSwain thanked everyone who worked to make this a great meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

  Investment Chair J. Tillapaugh distributed the financial report to the Board of Directors. He reported that the society is in really good financial shape. However, since most funds are dedicated to specific purposes, dues may need to be raised by $5 to assist the publication fund. Three annuals have been published within the past year under the leadership of our new editor, Julia Cauble Smith, and to stay on a pay-as-you-go basis with the annual, an increase in dues might be necessary. The Executive Committee will consider this change and report at the October meeting. President McSwain added that part of the expense of the Annual is mailing it, either for $3.03 First Class or for $1.70 Media Mail.

  Ross McSwain also asked the members who have computers to give their addresses to Julia so that the newsletter can be emailed, rather than snail mailed, which will save the society some money. Dr. J. Tillapaugh reminded the members that PHS would like to publish some special Annuals. Crane would like one on the McElroy Ranch and others would like to do one about the Bushes in West Texas. To stay solvent, an increase in dues may be necessary. J. Tillapaugh asked the Board and members to voice their opinion about this possibility.
  Dr. Tillapaugh introduced the slate of officers proposed by the nominating committee:

President – Peggy Kelton, McCamey
1st Vice President, Program – Betty Cash, Iraan
2nd Vice President, Membership – Jim Collett, Midland
Secretary – Sue Ann Damron, Big Spring
Treasurer – Sherry Phillips, McCamey
Investment – Dr. J. Tillapaugh, Odessa
Retiring President – Ross McSwain, San Angelo.

  The motion was made and seconded that the nominations be accepted by acclamation. Motion passed.

  The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors presented Ross McSwain with a lifetime membership in the Permian Historical Society for his excellent leadership of PHS for two terms.

  Newly-elected President Peggy Kelton then asked for suggestions on how to make the meetings better. The only suggestion for improvement was to place a time limit on the programs and to stick to the time schedule in the program. Other than that, all comments were very positive and supportive of the meetings.

  Betty Cash announced that the October meeting will be held October 21, 2006, at the Civic Center in Iraan.

  Ross reminded everyone who might have documents pertaining to any business of this organization to be sure to give them to the archives for safe keeping.

  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the ringing of Peggy’s cowbell.

Peggy Kelton, President
Sue Ann Damron, Secretary
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Spring Meeting: April 2008

Place

The spring meeting of Permian Historical Society is scheduled on 26 April 2008 at the Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas. Anyone interested in the history of the Permian Basin and its surrounding counties is welcomed to this meeting. There is no registration fee.

Theme

The theme for the meeting is a celebration of nineteenth- and twentieth-century aprons and bonnets. Aprons were worn by both women and men to protect their clothing or to keep supplies close at hand as they worked. Aprons were a part of the cook’s everyday attire–housewives or chuckwagon cooks. Blacksmiths, butchers, carpenters, lumberyard workers, newspaper printers, saloon bartenders, and general store keepers all wore aprons. One may come in the costume and apron of any of these jobs or any other that used an apron (except the Adam-and-Eve fig-leaf apron).

Women wore bonnets in early decades to work outside the house–feeding chickens or collecting eggs, hoeing or gathering cotton or other crops, or working the vegetable garden. Most women in decades earlier than 1960s put on an apron when dressing in the morning and wore it throughout the day. Women may wear both an apron and a bonnet; they need not match.

About the Program

Attendees should park in the west parking lot and enter the west door to register. Coffee, juice, and pastries will be served. A meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at 9:15 A. M.  General business meeting begins as 9:30 A. M.  The program of papers starts at 10 A. M.

The program of papers covers the following topics: The taming of the Big Bend of Texas, growing up in Crane, the New Deal in the Permian Basin, West Texas oil industry during World War II, and the Wink Sink. Awards for the best presentation and the most interesting aprons and bonnets, as well as door prizes, will be distributed after lunch.

Lunch reservations should be made by contacting President Peggy Kelton at p_kelton@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 901, McCamey, TX 79752 or 432/652-8738. Lunch will be catered by The Bakers of Stanton and the cost is $9 each for roast beef, sides, dessert, and iced tea.

Obituaries

Lloyd Frederick Stoebner (1930-2006)
Lloyd Frederick Stoebner was a native of Miland County, Texas, and a longtime member of Permian Historical Society. His home was in Cameron, Milan County, Texas. He died 6 November 2006. 

Vernon Albert Vasbinder (1926-2006)
Vernon Albert Vasbinder was born 28 May 1926 in Del Rio, Texas, and graduated from Del Rio High School in 1943. Between 1943 and 1946, he served in the United State Navy during World War II. He graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in 1949 and took a Master of Science at Sul Ross State University in 1957. In thirty-nine years of teaching public school, Vernon taught every grade except the second and retired while on the faculty of Odessa High School. He was an active community volunteer and a charter member of Permian Historical Society. Many counted him as a friend and are proud to have known him.

Enid Holm (1928-2006)
Enid Holm was a talented dancer, actress, director, author, and teacher. In the 1940s she began a professional career as a 15-year-old dancer in the Starlight Operettas, now known as the Dallas Summer Musicals. In 1948, she was named Miss West Texas and later was a runner-up to the Miss Texas title. After graduating from the Univeristy of Texas at Austin, Ms. Holm taught dance in Arlington and drama in Ector County schools. She made the arts her life and was the 2003 winner of Texas Medal of Arts Award. Ms. Holm was a charter and life member of Permian Historical Society. She died 22 August 2006.

Edith Irene McNerlin Springer (1915-2005)
Edith Irene McNerlin Springer was a native of Kent County, Texas. At Texas Tech, she majored in government with a minor in history and English. She became a country schoolteacher, spending twenty-six years in the schools of Valley View, Tarzan, and Lenorah. She and her teacher husband, Grover, sponsored Junior Historians at Grady School and encouraged students to research and write local history. Irene and Grover were members of PHS and each was honored with the Permian Pioneer Award in 1994. Edith was always willing to help out at the registration table for PHS meetings with a smile and a kind word.

Joseph Duke Pickle (1910-2005)
Joseph Duke [Joe] Pickle was born in Roscoe, Texas, and moved with his family to Big Spring in 1920.  He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1928 and Baylor University in 1932.  He started a career with the Big Spring Herald after college graduation and remained there forty-three years until his retirement in 1975.  Joe was recognized throughout the state for his journalistic work and his advocacy for a stable water source for West Texas communities.  He was secretary-treasurer and spokesman for the Colorado River Municipal Water District from 1948 to 1995. As a strong supporter of PHS for decades, he was named to the Academy of History in 1993, and served a term as its president. He was a man who made a difference in the world he lived in.

Eileen Eiland Welch (1928-2005)
Eileen Eiland Welch was a native of Midland, Texas.  She attended Hardin-Simmons University before she married farmer and rancher Charles Welch in 1946.  As the church organist most of her adult life, she was a faithful church member.  Eileen served as secretary-treasurer of Midland County Livestock Association for more than fifty years and was secretary of Midland Livestock Auction and Sandhills Hereford and Quarter Horse Show. She served as treasurer for Permian Historical Society for eighteen years and upon her retirement three people were needed to take her place.  She was honored with the PHS Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and was named a Permian Pioneer in 2003.  She was a dear friend to all who knew her.

Eddie Mae Hogg Woodward (1929-2005)
Eddie Mae Hogg Woodward was a rancher and a local historian.  She was interested in writing local and regional history and had published an article in The Permian Historical Annual. She was elected to the PHS Board of Directors and was appointed to the Editorial Board, at the time of automobile crash that ended her husband’s life and eventually her own. She was also active in community and civic affairs. Her family, the community, and Permian Historical Society lost a good member and a kind friend with the passing of Eddie Mae.

Barney C. McCasland (1917-2004)
Barney C. McCasland graduated from Texas Technological College in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology.  He worked in the oil industry as a pipeliner, seismographer, and marine geologist with Cities Service and a consulting geologist to various oil and mining concerns. Barney greatly appreciated life — in the present and the past. He was an active member of West Texas Geological Society and of Permian Historical Society. He is remembered for his inquiring mind and his friendly manner. 

Noble Hall Smith (1905-2004)
Noble Hall Smith was born and grew up at Granbury, Texas.  She was a schoolteacher, band director, and private piano teacher in Crockett County in 1925, when she married rancher Elton Smith.  She played the piano and coronet in the Lucky Strike Lady Band and for Lawrence Welk, when he came to San Angelo and to Rankin County Club in the 1920s and 1930s. Noble was always interested in history as a member of Texas Historical Commission, Texas Archaeological Association, and Texas Museum Association. She was a strong supporter of Permian Historical Society, serving on the Board of Directors for many years and driving hundreds of miles to attend meetings. Noble lived in Van Horn, Texas, and is remembered by all who ever met her as a dear friend and an interesting woman.

 Betty Wingate Orbeck (1929-2004)
Betty Wingate Orbeck organized Ector County Historical Survey Committee in 1958 and was co-founder of Permian Historical Society, serving as its executive vice president from 1958 to 1962 and as its archivist until 1978.  She worked eight years as research assistant for Dr. Samuel D. Myres as he wrote a two-volume petroleum history of the Permian Basin.  She was the first archivist at Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, Library and Hall of Fame and remained in that position from 1976 until retirement. She was a local historian who was always willing to help researchers. 

Dr. H. Warren Gardner (1939-2004)
Warren Gardner was a native of Kansas, where he was educated at Sterling College, Emporia State University, and University of Kansas at Lawrence (PhD, History).  He came to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 1983 to serve as the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  In 1996 he returned to the history classroom and reestablished his reputation as a master professor, winning the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2003.  He also served as the Interim Director of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute.  He was president of Permian Historical Society in the 1980s and editor of The Permian Historical Annual for many years. He was winner of the PHS Distinguished Service Award in 2003.  He was a kind friend, an outstanding professor, and a careful editor.