Interviewer
Myrna Parra-Mantilla
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Norberto Mata Baylón was born in Coyame, Chihuahua, México, in 1934; he worked in a candle factory when he was only twelve years old, and consequently, had to hide from the boss; in 1956, he went to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, to begin the hiring process; he renewed his work contract seven times; he worked in the cotton fields of Artesia, New Mexico and Dell City, Pecos, and Olton, Texas; he also worked in the beet fields of Montana.
Summary of Interview
When Mr. Baylón was only sixteen years old, he worked in the United States illegally; in order to cross into the United States, he walked through the mountains, which took him an entire day to do; in 1956, he went to El Trocadero, a processing center in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México, to begin the hiring process; he paid the security officer in order to get a good place in line while waiting to be hired; in Pecos, Texas, he had very bad experiences because the wages were too low and there was too much work to be done; in addition, there were a lot of snakes; when he and a group of other braceros were sent to Olton, Texas, there were no jobs; they had to beg for food for two days.
Date of Interview
3-30-2003
Length of Interview
45 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 979
Transcript Number
No. 979
Length of Transcript
19 pages
Interview Number
No. 979
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Noberto Mata Baylón by Myrna Parra-Mantilla, 2003, "Interview no. 979," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.