American Life
Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940
Item 2 of 100
[The Olsens (A Shrimper's
Family)]
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30 Sanford St.
St. Augustine, Fl.
February 21, [1939?]
Alberta Johnson
THE [OLSEN'S?] (A SHRIMPER'S FAMILY)
Walking sown Sanford Street ( named for the Sanford who may years age was a
land-owner in this section of town) I came to a corner let outlined by a hedge
of bright Turk's Cap: the [approack?] to the house, a concrete walk, was
bordered by small shrubs; painted boxes containing both foliage and flowering
plants brightened the long front porch and lent a friendly atmosphere to the
home. In response to my ring, Mrs. Olsen appeared, and, with a smile of
recognition, hold [pen?] the screen door and asked me to come in. Upon
explaining the reason for my call, she said "My husband is home now and I
am washing dishes, so come right out to the kitchen." As I entered the
room she introduced me to [Mr.?]Olsen, who instantly arose and extended his
hand in greeting.
Explaining my call to him, he expressed his willingness to talk of his long
years as a fisherman and shrimper, but was prevented by lack of time as he was
in a hurry to return to the boatyard where he is repairing or rebuilding his
shrimp boat, recently damaged, and almost wrecked by the stormy winds and tides
along the coast. The hull was salvaged, but extensive and expensive repairs
were necessary to put the boat back into quick service, and every minute of
daylight is being utilized in the repair work, as the unexpected expense, the
loss of time, and the present scarcity of shrimp in local waters is causing
Mr.Olsen to hasten the work and seek other waters. He plans to leave at the end
of the week for New Orleans, and later, perhaps go to Galveston.
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Replying to my inquiry about the migration of the shrimp fleet, Mrs.Olsen
said "You know our best season here is in the winter and beats from other
sections also make their winter headquarters here, but now the season is just
about over and the shrimp are getting scarce, so it won't be long until the
boats (or some of them) will seek other fishing grounds: watching the migration
of the shrimp, the boats move along the coast, both Atlantic and Gulf,
depending on the seasons and the "catch".
Brunswick, Georgia, and Beaufort,South Carolina are the two points on the
south Atlantic coast most generally used as head-quarters for the fishing fleet
during the summer months, and on the Gulf coast, {Begin inserted text}
Biloxi, Miss., {End inserted text} Morgan City, Louisiana, and
Galveston, Texas.
"This time Mr. Olsen is starting out for the Gulf coast, but in other
years when he, as soon as the season ends here, fishes off the Atlantic coast,
we just pack up the things absolutely necessary, said Mrs. Olsen, put them in
the car, and when we reach Brunswick or beaufort, we rent rooms or a small
house and live as simply as possible. Of course, we who have children of school
age always return home in the early fall in time for the opening of school, so
that the children's education will not be interrupted.
Curious about the beginning of the shrimp industry here, as we know it, I
find that it originated about 1913 in Fernandina, Florida. St. Augustine,
having a harbour well protected and amply deep for small boats, soon attracted
fisherman who gradually built up a lucrative business. Swedes, Italians,
Spanish, {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} Portugese,
and Greeks man the fleet, and also a number of
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negroe helpers are employed. The narrow San Sebastian River offers safe
anchorage to the many small craft that have their head-quarters here during the
season.
Packing houses were erected, and also a canning factory, where the shrimp
are prepared for the canning process. The completed products of this factory
are shipped to various sections of the United States, and also to foreign
markets.
Formerly the fresh shrimp were packed in barrels of ice and shipped by
freight or express, but now most of the shipment are made in the refrigerated
trucks owned and operated by several local dealers, and in this manner quick
delivery is made directly to the northern markets, New York City being the main
distributing point.
The price on fresh shrimp, wholesale, averages about ten cents per pound not
in New York: this is with the heads removed before shipping. One hundred pounds
of shrimp, as caught equal fifty-six pounds with heads off. The average boat
catch for a local six-months season would average about 260,000 pounds. This is
an average for a good season. Seasons vary from year to year. The equipment is
costly, upkeep of the boats, wages of the crew and general overhead expenses
must be considered.
The local eating places serve shrimp prepared is some form, boiled, in
salads, and fried. The shrimp fried in "[St.?] Augustine
style" have won quit a reputation among the visitors, and to meet the
demand of "please tell us just how this is done and why do they taste so {Begin
deleted text} differtly {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
differently {End inserted text} from other places we have visited,
"printed recipes are distributed at the local Chamber of Commerce office.
By this time, Mrs. Olsen had about completed her dish-washing, rinsing and
polishing of glasses and putting her kitchen in order after the mid-day meal.
Mrs. Olsen, age about forty-two, of medium build, dark complexion,
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and with gray eyes: short, dark hair just slightly tinged with gray; {Begin
deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} [Her?] alert manner gave one
the impression of being interested in her home and surroundings.
Mrs. Olsen, I asked, have you alwayd lived in St. Augustine?
She laughed and said, "I was born right out here on the St. Johns
River and have spent practically all my time in St. Augustine. My
father was German (Schill), he passed away a long time ago." Of course you
could see," said Mrs. Olsen, "that Gus is a Swede: he was born in
Sweden but has been here since 1920."
Mr. Olsen is tall, slender, sandy haired, friendly blue eyes, the blue more
pronounced by {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} his
browned and weather roughened face, showing the results or may years of
exposure to sun and winds.
Mrs. Olsen is the mother of two children by a former marriage. The daughter
resembles her mother in features and coloring. Hasel Ruth graduates from high
school this term. Since her seventh year she has had piano instruction (dancing
also). For the past three years she has been pianist at the Lutheran Church.
Sings (alto) in the high school glee club; she expects to continue with her
music but has no desire to ever teach: her real ambition is to become a
secretary, preferably in the legal profession. Hazel Ruth has completed her one
year course in bookkeeping and is now in her second year of typing and shorthand.
The boy, called by his initials "C.A." {Begin inserted text}
(DuPont) {End inserted text} graduated from high school last year, and
is now learning the trade of an electrician. He is very proud of bing permitted
to assist on the wiring of the rebuilt shrimp boat. During his high school
days, C.A. was a popular
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athlete, starring in both football and basketball, and well-liked by his fellow
students. C.A. also resembles his mother, that is, he has about the same
features and complexion.
The Olsen family are all members of the Lutheran Church, attending services
regularly, and the younger members of the family are interested in the Sunday
School, and activities connected with the church.
Asking about their interest in politics, Mrs. Olsen replied that they were
Democrats and voted at election time: interested in local, civic government, as
well as the National Government, especially {Begin deleted text} [at?] {End
deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} as {End
handwritten} {End inserted text} it affects working conditions.
Deeply concerned in the local movement for harbour improvement, as the shifting
sand bars and channels, and the insufficient depth over the bar for larger
boats, have, for several years made passage in and out of the harbour
dangerous, especially in rough weather.
As we sat in the kitchen talking, I noticed the shining appearance of the
white enameled gas range used for cooking the plain, but plentiful and
wholesome meals for her family.
Clean curtains hung at the kitchen windows, and the painted table in the
center of the room was covered by new, small patterned oilcloth, and over this
a clean white cloth was spread. The service table, which held the dish pan and
drying rack, was also covered by new oilcloth of the same pattern, and on the
floor was a bright, tile-patterned linoleum rug. A large white enameled sink
was installed in the pantry, but not in a very convenient location for use in
cold weather.
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The Olsen's own their own home, a plain, comfortable house of eight rooms.
This house was built quite some years ago, and electric lights and bathroom
facilities have been installed. After paying rent for a number of years, and as
the fishing industry increased, felt that {Begin deleted text} thie {End
deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} their
{End handwritten} {End inserted text} income would permit the
purchase, [?] not only for economic reasons, but for the feeling of security in
having a place of their own, at least they would feel safe from having rent
"jumped" on them, or having to move at some most inconvenient time.
Leaving the kitchen, on my way out, I passed the modestly furnished dining
room, apparently not in every day use during the winter months; A Cluny lace
square covered the round dining table; A buffet and matching chairs complete
the furnishings of this room.
The bedrooms are neatly and comfortable furnished. The living room, with
eastern and southern exposures, well lighted by the four windows; music on the
opened piano, impressed one as being a room in frequent use. The furnishings
consisted of a few pictures on the walls, a conservative patterned rug on the
floor, comfortable divan and chairs; Although these were not of an expensive
type, they were of good quality and tastefully arranged.
Most noticeable [about?] the house was the impression of order, cleanliness
and comfort.
Friends, music and occasional movies form their recreation, and
"following the fleet" a break in the routine in the life of this
shrimper's family.
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Asking Mrs. Olsen if she were willing to have her name used in this
interview, she replied, "why, of course it is alright; You know some
people seem to think that the ones who shrimp or fish for a living live in
shacks, haven't any education or [comforts?], and while we have to economize
and have many things to contend with, such as bad seasons, stormy weather
sometimes, when the boats can't go and costly accidents, such as happened
recently, "outside", but taken as a whole, we try to live comfortably
and give to the children the schooling and training that will enable them to
take care of themselves later on; well, at least, we hope they will desirable
citizens.
Mrs. Olsen is very proud of her son and daughter, and spoke so kindly of Mr.
Olsen: "Gus, she said, is such a good husband, and he loves the two
children as much as though they were his own, and they have all the affection
and respect for him due to a father."
Asking about her earlier life, Mrs. Olsen said, "Now let's just omit
that, after all that is a personal matter."
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