The first job I had was helping a colored man unload a boxcar of rock salt from down by the Ohio River to the plant storage. The colored man looked more white than colored. He asked me if I knew he was colored (which I didn't). I told him it didn't make any difference. His name was Arthur Wake. We had to unload boxcar loads of rock salt. The salt was loose and had to be shoveled into burlap bags. It was hard work. The salt was used in preserving livestock hides. The hides were spread out on the floor. The rock salt was then scattered on the hides. These two layers were continued until there were stacks of hides totaling from 1700 to 2000 hides. The salt was then shaken from each hide and the hides folded, loaded on a truck and taken to the boxcar loading dock on the banks of the Ohio River. The hides were then loaded and shipped to dealers.

Described here are several part-time jobs I had while at Pearl. These part-time jobs are in addition to the regular work full-time work. I guess this part is more about me than any one else. Suppose there will be something about other things before I am finished writing.

Fired a steam boiler which was used coal for fuel. The boiler furnished steam and hot water to plant operations.

Worked in the ice making operations, which was both wholesale and retail. The ice was made in 300 pound blocks, scored for 50, 75 and 100 pound sizes. Crushed ice was sold by the bag or in the container furnished by the customer. Crushed ice sold for 15˘, 45˘, 75˘ and $1.00. A 300 pound block of ice was sold for $2.75. During the winter months, sales were down and ice would be put in storage for summer use. As much as 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of ice in 300 pound blocks would be stored. The ice making process was done with a brine tank. Rock salt was used in the tank. Containers capable of holding 300 pounds were filled with a water mixture and placed in the brine tank set at a very low temperature. The tank was sealed and the water would freeze. Also delivered ice to businesses, restaurants and private homes. The ice delivery to homes was always on Saturday afternoon. Most of the homes at that time had wooden iceboxes. Some homes had the modern boxes made of metal that resembled refrigerators. Pearl retailed metal boxes to the public which was a first for them.

Also worked in the shipping department of the finished meat products. Products from this area were hams, bacon, sausages, beef, veal, sheep, and goats. There were as many as 3 to 5 railroad box cars shipped each week loaded with veal calves known as New York dressed (head and feet cut off and the hide left).

From the shipping department I went to the sausage making department as a helper. There were many different types of sausages made. There was plain, pan, and garlic. This department also produced bologna and wieners. Chili rolls were also made in this department.

From sausage helper, I went to what was called the killing floor where beef cattle, hogs, goats and sheep were slaughtered. The number of livestock killed per day was 125 to 175 hogs, 30 to 40 beef cattle and 150 to 200 veal cattle. There weren't very many goats and sheep. Hair and internals were removed from hogs and the beef was skinned and the internals removed. The product was washed, US inspected and pushed to the cooler rooms to cool over night. After this, the product was ready for shipping or other processing such as curing and smoking. Pearl had very good meat products.

The Bosses: Mr. Robert Yunker, Owner and President, Marie Yunker, Lee Yunker, Charles Burkhart, Ben Schnabel, Bud Bridenback, John Eaglin, William “Hambone” Barnes, Supt.

The Employees: Thomas Hay, Earl Turner, Charlie Hertz, Earl Bolander, Bert Browder Richard Scarf, Gayle Byrd, Eddie Byrd, Mose Jenkins, Robert Bennett, Raymond Baker, Foster Ferguson, Lee Robins, Ira Kendall, Dave Kendall, Frank Shafer, Charlie Potter, Robert Potter, Dallas Hill, Jack Handelon, Arthur Walker, Charlie Barnes, Sherman Backus, Herman Graham, Willie Surrat, Jim Long, Joe Butler Taylor, Charles McLaughlin, Charlie Poindexter, Hubert Westrick, Cliff Shelton, Bennie Peak, Charles Thompson, Red Hankins, Eddie Ritchie, Bill Raleston, Buford Peak, Tom Scroggin, Shanty Hogland, Jack Thompson, Tom Ponder, Proctor Hill, Golden Young, John Wallace.

Starting pay at Pearl in 1941 was $17.00 week. There was one occasion when I asked Robert Yunker for a raise and he replied that maybe I was paying too much rent and maybe he should rent me a house. The house was rented to me for $15.00 a month. There was a $2.00 raise at a later time bringing my pay up to $19.00 week. When I stopped working at Pearl in 1954, my pay was $75.00 a week.

I worked at Pearl for 13 years and never had a vacation and no benefits. The work week was 51 hours; working 9 hours Monday through Friday and 6 hours on Saturday. Also, worked a few holidays, Sundays and nights.

My wife is Hilda Hill and my two daughters are Priscilla and Druscilla. My brother-in-law, Sherman Backus, was responsible for helping me get the job at Pearl. My brother Dallas Hill was also employed, for one day, at Pearl.