Interviewer
Mariana Kalashnicova
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Mr. Antonio Corchado was born January 17, 1933 in San Luis de Cordero, Durango; Mr. Corchado was one of 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls; both of his parents were farmers and harvested corn and wheat; Mr. Corchado never had any schooling; he started working in agriculture at the age of 15.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Corchado grew up in San Luis de Cordero, Durango; he recalls not going to school due to the lack of professors; he became a Bracero in 1956 where he was sent to Walco, Texas to harvest cotton; Mr. Corchado vividly describes having to pass medical examinations in order to get contracted as a Bracero; after being in Texas for 3 months Mr. Corchado was sent to fresno, California to harvest beetroot from 1956 to 1959; Mr. Corchado eventually returned to Texas where he harvested wheat, corn and beans; he recalls that Texas was the hardest place to live because of the harsh winters, many people slept with the stove on and some would asphyxiate and die due to the toxic gases released; Mr. Corchado would wake up every day at 5 am and work 8 hour shifts; he recalls getting paid $30 a week and getting taxed 10% of his check, to this day he has not received the 10% that was withheld from all his earnings; Mr. Corchado settled down and got married in Mexico; he had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls; overall, as a Bracero Mr. Corchado has a positive experience of the program because it helped him care for his family.
Date of Interview
1-5-2006
Length of Interview
77 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1338
Transcript Number
No. 1338
Length of Transcript
48 pages
Interview Number
No. 1338
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Antonio Corchado by Mariana Kalashnicova, 2006, "Interview no. 1338," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.