Drivin A Model T Truck During The Great Depression

[RoadDog]

Story Corps has been going around the country and interviewing and recording people about their history.

 

They just posted an interesting story given by sisters Evelyn Palmour and Doreene McCoy who told of their trip from Nebraska to Oklahoma during the Great Depression on a Model T truck. They were ages 13 and 11 at the time. Part of the story was excerpted for Story Corps' weekly update.

 

Their father owned a country store in Nebraska and did a lot of business on credit to locals. When the depression hit, most were unable to pay their bills, so in !935, their father sold the store and moved to Oklahoma. Before leaving, they told all the people who owed them money that they would accept payment in goods, so the truck was severely overloaded.

 

They said the roads were mostly gravel and that flat tires were a near constant problem. They related one interesting story where they had a flat on a dark night. Their father was good at changing tires, but couldn't do it in the dark. Finally, the older sister, who was wearing makeup by then, took out her compact and used the mirror to reflect the headlight to where her father could see to do the work.

 

Unfortunately, they didn't mention what roads they were on. I've always heard of people leaving Oklahoma, but not anyone moving to it during this time. The interview excerpt lasts about four minutes.

 

www.storycorps.net

 

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway and DON'T Forget Your Compact. --RoadDog