Lander County Oral History Project Interviewees: Forty-six Lander County pioneers Interviewed: 1993-1994, 1995 Published: 1995 Interviewer: Sylvia Arden UNOHP Catalog #171 Description In January 1993 oral historian Sylvia Arden was hired by the Lander County Board of Commissioners to interview the remaining long-time residents of Lander County to preserve the history of the region and provide information for a socio-economic history. In-depth historical research was completed at the University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Historical Society. Forty-six Lander County pioneer men and women were interviewed by Sylvia Arden. Th ey represent all aspects of life in that region: miners and prospectors, ranchers, businessmen and women, and representatives of many cultures, including a strong Basque presence, and emigrant families from many countries . . . a microcosm of rural America with the strong pioneering spirit. All of the oral interviews were transcribed. A preface and subject index were prepared for each transcript. Th e transcripts of the interviews for the Lander County Oral History Project have been bound by the University of Nevada Oral History Program and are available for research in the university libraries in Reno and Las Vegas. Copies of the Lander County Oral History transcripts are also in the collections of the Nevada Historical Society in Reno and in Lander County courthouses, library and high schools. An educational video documentary, From the Earth: Th e Pioneers of Lander County, was subsequently completed using the wealth of information and materials accumulated during this project. Lander County Oral History Project Lander County Oral History Project These interviews are part of socioeconomic studies for Lander County’s Yucca Mountain Planning and Oversight Program. Oral History Interviews Conducted by Sylvia Arden University of Nevada Oral History Program Copyright 1995 University of Nevada Oral History Program Mail Stop 0324 Reno, Nevada 89557 [email protected] http://www.unr.edu/oralhistory Lander County Board of Commissioners and University of Nevada Oral History Program All rights reserved. Published 1995. Printed in the United States of America Publication Staff : Director: R.T. King University of Nevada Oral History Program Use Policy All UNOHP interviews are copyrighted materials. Th ey may be downloaded and/or printed for personal reference and educational use, but not republished or sold. Under “fair use” standards, excerpts of up to 1000 words may be quoted for publication without UNOHP permission as long as the use is non-commercial and materials are properly cited. Th e citation should include the title of the work, the name of the person or people interviewed, the date of publication or production, and the fact that the work was published or produced by the University of Nevada Oral History Program (and collaborating institutions, when applicable). Requests for permission to quote for other publication, or to use any photos found within the transcripts, should be addressed to the UNOHP, Mail Stop 0324, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557-0324. Original recordings of most UNOHP interviews are available for research purposes upon request. Contents Preface to the Digital Edition ix Introduction xi Overview of the Lander County Oral Histories and Brief Socio-Economic History xii Each chapter contains a short preface, interview, and an original index to be used for reference only. Most chapters also include photographs and/or additional material. 1. Clarence Garfi eld Allen 1 2. Elsie Allen 29 3. George Ancho 65 4. Frank Bertrand 77 5. Madge Bertrand 115 6. Joy Brandt 143 7. Ole Leroy Casady 183 8. Robert E. Chiara 213 viii Lander County Oral History Project 9. Paul C. Christopher 261 10. Constance Dorian 287 11. Henry Dorian 307 12. Bill Elquist 331 13. Rose Filippini 363 14. Bert Gandolfo 393 15. Lilian Gandolfo 467 16. Carmen Hinman 487 17. Clinton George “Butch” Hinman 523 18. Grace Erchandy Inchauspe 563 19. Paul Inchauspe 603 20. Pauline Inchauspe 643 21. Mary Jaramillo 677 22. Donald Jung 715 23. Molly Flagg Knudtsen 749 24. Eleanor Mollart Lemaire 771 25. Louis Mollart Lemaire 873 26. Rene Maestretti 907 27. Mary O. Marvel 931 28. Richard Treharne Marvel 965 29. Anita Peer 1017 30. Coxie Roberts 1029 Contents ix 31. Grace Blossom Altenburg Rose 1057 32. Donald W. Schmidtlein 1089 33. Toni Schmidtlein 1137 34. Loma Schwin 1153 35. Estelle Shanks 1179 36. Joe Streshley 1245 37. Essie Elizabeth Strickland 1287 38. Bruce Swackhamer 1317 39. Delfi na Swackhamer 1347 40. William Swackhamer 1367 41. Beulah Testolin 1387 42. Tony Testolin 1411 43. Frances Ancho Williams 1461 44. John Williams 1485 45. Joseph Chester Young 1533 46. Nelda Call Young 1583