George Potter's work as an oil-field machinist lasted until at least April 3, 1930 when the census-taker came through. The family is still all there in one place, and George answered "yes" to the question "Did you work yesterday."
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| Envelope of letter to George Potter in Quay April 8, 1930 (from cousin Oren Kennedy in Erie, PA) |
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| Note on reverse of Oren Kennedy's card to George. The "wolf bite" just hadn't kicked in yet. |
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| Birthday Card for George Potter's 55th Birthday 10 April 1930 from his cousin Oren Kennedy (1876-1951) in Erie PA |
The 1930 census also lists the Potter's address as "Section 6" of Eagle Township, Payne County, Oklahoma. That would be the upper left hand square on the following map; south-east of whatever was left of Quay after the fires.
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| Survey Map of Eagle Twp OK (Detail) |
The oil-field house was rented, and the lease was probably up when the job was gone. I don't know when exactly in 1930 that George got let go; he would have been 55 with very few prospects. At least they had that farm in Arkansas.
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| Gladys Potter and child (Marjorie?) going on the road, 1930 |
I believe Father mentioned them owning a 1924 Dodge when he was a kid, and I think this is it: rear window is the right size/shape, and the suicide back door sets it apart from other makes at the time--although theirs seem to have wire wheels and round "landau" windows in the top. A fairly luxurious and well-engineered car for the time. If they were driving the "T" in '24, they must've bought this one used...
ReplyDeleteHe also referred at various times to a "1928 Essex," and a Huppmobile--which to me always sounded like comical makes, like Jack Benny's Maxwell...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mstXpNgcba8
There is definitely an Essex in one of the old photos, but since Grandpa Potter's sister May Brown is sitting on it I thought it was hers, driven down on a family visit. Seems not; I'll fit that picture in somewhere. There are several cars over the years and perhaps Grandpa liked switching them up.
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