Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. DiTucci. Lafayette, LAAffiliation: University of Louisiana at LafayetteRussell Robin was born in 1931 in Breaux Bridge. At 17 he got a job on a dredging crew with McWilliams Company and five years later served in the Korean War for 2 years. He was discharged in 1954, came back home, got married, and resumed his work dredging. Less than half a year later, he got a job as a deckhand with Phillips Petroleum Company on a drilling rig off of Eugene...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): Diane Austin; Tom McGuire; Emily Bernier. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaTom Becnel referred us to Joe Robinson, a 94-year old who worked in the oil and gas industry and is a member of his church. He talked to Joe and told him we would be coming by, so we called to confirm the time. Tom and I met Joe and Mildred at their home. While we were there, Emily called and came over as well.Joe Robinson has been involved in the oil...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): S. Wiltz. Lafayette, LAAffiliation: University of Louisiana at LafayetteBilly Rodgers was born in 1926 in Northeast Texas, near oilfields, but they never found oil on his family's land. He didn't think he would attend college, but after serving in Korea, he attended school using the G.I. Bill, and majored in Engineering. He was hired by Humble Oil and Refining Company (later Exxon), and worked in Texas and Louisiana. He discusses life in Grand Isle and...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Bayou Blue, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaElgin Rogers is a friend of F.J. Matherne. I had called him when I was in town in September, but our interview was cancelled at the last minute. This time around F.J. called and set up the appointment for me.Elgin was educated at the MacDonald Mission School because his parents were so poor. This was a local school for orphans and the poor of southern Louisiana. Before finishing...