Document text
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11
Forms to be Filled out for Each Interview
FORMA
Circumstances of Interview
STATE New York
NAME OF WORKER Herman Spector
ADDRESS 701 Crotona Park North, Bronx
DATE l-e-ce-vmAqn 12_ fq37,--
SUBJECT UNFINISHED BUSINESS (iaS. MAGUIRE.)
1. Date and time (37 interview
2. Place of interview
On steps of porch at 838 Freeman Street
3. Name and address of informant
Mrs. Yaguire
Address above
4. Name and address of person, if any, who put you in
touch with informant.
Mr. Gabe Gabrelian
Address above
FOLKLORE
NEW YORK
5. Name and address of person, if any, accowpanying you
None
6. Description of room, house, surroundings, etc.
Could not iset interview in home. Circumstances related in body of report.
(Use as many additional sheets as necessary, for any of the forms, each
bearing the proper heading and the number to which the material refers.)
FORM C
Text of Interview Unedized)
STATE New York
NAME OF MAKER Herman Spector
ADDRESS 701 Crotona Park North Bronx
DATE
SUBJECT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (MRS. MAGURE)
FOLKLOPF
NEW YORK
I was introduced to Mrs. Maguire, a lady of some 70 years or more, by
a friend who rooms in her 3 story frame dwelling on Freeman Street in the Bronx.
This is an ancient structure, typical of many others in various sections of the
city which exhale a sort of musty defiance against the encroachment of neighbor
tenements. At our first meeting, Mrs. Maguire was apparently busy preparing supper
for her burly truckdriver son, so that I arranged for another visit. Mrs. Maguire
I had been told by my friend, had lived in this house for over 40 years, and I hoped
to gain some interesting insights from her reminiscing. However, she failed to
reminisce when I called back, and I merely record the unsatisfactory interview
to show how the winds of mood affect the fortunes oefolklorists. The old lady
had just returned from a shopping trip when I called, and for some obscure reason she
was very testy; wouldn't even permit me to assist her with the heavy bag she was
carrying, and I couldn't get through the threshold.
"Yes yes, I know all about it; that'll be enough of that nonsense about
stories. All I can say is, this was all a wilderness when I came here. There was
nothing at all there (pointing eastward,) or there (west,) and over there(pointing
northward, across the street,) they had a wall that they used for shottinl. Target
shootin'. Down that hill was Baden's Park, we used to pick mushroom and dandelions.
-2
Yes, people came there on picnics; I was the first one to use gas in this neighborhood,
German and Irish was here first; then the Jews came. They bought up all the property
and resold it. Boston Road over there was called Huckleberry Road; you can read
all about that in the Bronx Home News, I don't know what ye want to be botherinl
me about. It was after the War the Jews came. People were just livint on their
last cent; they were glad to sell. I didn't and sure, I'm doin' all right,
not the way I was used to, five dollars I used to get and no conveniences. My
husband was a boat builder over at 174th Street and the North River. Now that'll
be all young man; no, I'll need no help at all getting up these stairs, been
climbint them long enough I guess And that was all.