Frank Wright Interview

With 200 extra men in Blanding during the 1930's, Barbers were kept plenty busy.  A partial view of the camp.  (Full photo is on file with San Juan County Historical Commission)

JW: Tell me about your CCC responsibility.
 

Frank Wright as he looked in the 1950's as a river guide.  (Used in  Blue Mountain Shadows, Vol 12  Frank Wright photo)

FW: Vint Lyman and I went together down to Moab to sign up. Dora was mad. Not because I wanted to join the CCC, but because when I got to Moab and signed up, I sent her a post card. I said, "We're in the CCC, now." That was all that was on the card. (Laughter) We were inoculated for diphtheria, I'll never forget. It put me into hallucinations. It seemed like I could think of the future. For three or four days, my mind was all in a muddle.

JW: You thought that you had become a prophet. (Laughter)

FW: I didn't know what was happening to me.

JW: After your inoculations, did they assign you back here?

FW: We stayed in Moab and worked there. It was hard for them to find something for us to do. Then, most of the men moved to Monticello. The camp moved to Monticello and I was listed as an L.E.M., a Local Experience Man. I had a few privileges that the regular men didn't have. In Monticello, I was in charge of the tool room. I issued tools to the crews who went out to do the work, and the gasoline. I kept track of those things. Then, I went out once with a crew of five men and did a little work on a bridge. This same crew and I worked on the telephone line that's over the mountain. It came from Kigalia Ranger Station over in Monticello. We finished that from the pass where the road is now down to the edge of the forest. Should I tell you a little story that's kind of funny?

JW: Yes, I'd like a story. CCC boys built canals, cleared land, and dug ditches. Donna Wozniak photo

FW: I was also a barber at the CCC Camp. For the barbering they would give me scripts. The only thing that I could buy with that script is candy bars. I got addicted to candy bars. When I moved from there, I missed it. I was addicted. Anyway, the clown of the group came into the barber shop. He said, "I want a hair cut." I said, "Okay, climb up." He said, "I want a tomahawk." I said, "What's that?" He said, "You just leave a little hair down the center and cut it short. Then you shave the rest of my head." I gave him a Mohawk. (Laughter) We laughed about that and he was showing off, "Look what I got." All of the fellows around there knew that he was just a clown. He said, "These kids are going to run me out of town, but I'll be in the lead." (Laughter)
 

Eddie Jarrack and Leonard Dodlin, two CCC boys stationed in Blanding during the Roosevelt administration.  (G. Burtenshaw photo)

JW: Who was that? What was his name?

FW: I don't remember. When we went down to get our meal, we had to stand in line. They called, "Chow," and then we'd stand in line until they opened the door. Those kids that were in line were laughing fit to kill. He was having the time of his life. He walked in the mess hall and sat down. Off down in the corner were the officers. One of the officers got up and strolled up there. He said, "Where did you get that hair cut?" He knew where he got it. Chow said, "My barber gave it to me." He said, "Tell your barber to finish the job." (Laughter)

FW: He didn't look like he had ever combed his hair or washed it. They weren't strict in the CCC then. They let them dress the way they wanted. The officers issued them clothes and they didn't care when they washed, and it seemed to be that way. I do remember that his hair was a mess. It was down to his shoulders. There was another fellow in the group that also did some barbering. He came later, but we talked about it. He said, "That guy needs a hair cut." I said, "I've known that for a while. I've seen him and I'd like to get at it." He said, "Let's get at it." So, we got some of our friends to help. We had asked him if he wanted his hair cut. We offered to cut his hair for free. We told him how bad it looked. Finally, three or four of us got hold of him. We got our scissors and held him down and gave him a hair cut. He cried like a baby.

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San Juan Sampler

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