Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Oral History
Interview No. 1659, Anonymous
Interview No. 1659, Anonymous
Combined Interviews
He was born in the El Paso settlement called Smeltertown. His father had begun work at the ASARCO plant after arriving in the early 1900’s. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. growing up in Smeltertown, he remembers being very poor and rummaging through trash for goods. He recalls being discriminated against for being Mexican once he began working at ASARCO. Everything was segregated and higher paying jobs were only given to whites. He remembers a large sense of community among Mexican workers, from cooking to bars and stores. ASARCO had a company store which sold items at high …
Interview No. 1663, Rogelio Carlos Jr.
Interview No. 1663, Rogelio Carlos Jr.
Combined Interviews
Rogelio Carlos, Jr. was born and raised in Smeltertown. He recalls swimming in the river, hunting, and hiking with other neighborhood friends as a child and details the layout of Smeltertown. He states there was a strong sense of community in this small town among the older residents. The problem was with the younger children who created gangs, especially in the Calavera neighborhood. Rogelio discussed his education as a young boy, he attended a Mexican school in Smeltertown; there were only two schools in this area during the 1950’s. He discusses vocational education and extracurricular activities such as basketball. He …
Interview No. 1662, Roberto Flores, Pedro Flores, Romelia Flores
Interview No. 1662, Roberto Flores, Pedro Flores, Romelia Flores
Combined Interviews
Mrs. Flores was born and raised in Smeltertown, her husband was a resident as well. She describes the lead poisoning problem, which Mrs. Flores believes was an attack against ASARCO. Their daughter was diagnosed with lead poisoning and had to seek medical treatment. Both family members remember there being smoke and pollution but did not see it as a risk because none of them suffered any illnesses. Mrs. Flores also describes healthy children and recalls being healthy, she is very skeptical of the lead poising cases. She also discusses the community being skeptical of poisoning. Flores discusses her daughter being …
Interview No. 1660, Andres Bustillos
Interview No. 1660, Andres Bustillos
Combined Interviews
Andres Bustillos was raised in Smeltertown. He attended El Paso High School and the University of Texas at El Paso. He describes Smeltertown as a place where everyone knew everyone. Bustillos discusses the ASARCO led poisoning case, where fumes were being carried in the air. ASARCO sent flyers and held meetings inside of churches which rose awareness. Bustillos discusses his father attending these meetings and seeing people suffering of lead poisoning. He also discusses the political actions taken by those of Smeltertown, such as going to city council. When city council suggested that people move out of Smeltertown, but the …
Interview No. 1661, Ruben Escandon
Interview No. 1661, Ruben Escandon
Combined Interviews
Ruben Escandon was born and raised in a neighborhood called “La Calavera.” This neighborhood was established before Smeltertown. He describes his childhood as being active and a great sense of community. The neighborhood had open spaces with allowed families to have livestock. The interview focuses around lead poisioning from ASARCO. He recalls being tested for lead poisioning, along with his neighborhood. His neighborhood was not affected as much as those who lived closer to the large smoke stack. Escandon describes how lawyers and politics effected the Smeltertown. People began to move out of the area to other parts of El …
Interview No. 1664, Ramon A. Salas
Interview No. 1664, Ramon A. Salas
Combined Interviews
Ramon A. Salas was born in Mexico and migrated to Smeltertown in the 1920’s. He attended school in Mexico and then finished his education at a public school in Smeltertown. He attended vocational classes which help him learn a trade. This is where he was introduced to construction. Salas worked in construction and was employed by El Paso Natural Gas for 20 years until he retired. Salas detailed demographic of Smeltertown where Anglos occupied houses ASARCO owned on a hill and the Mexican workers lived below them. Some of the Mexican houses did not have running water. Times were difficult …