Person Record

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1 of 1977 D. W. Milam

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Name

Milam, D. W.

Othernames

D. W.

Born

4 Jul 1892

Birthplace

Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas

Father

David Walker Milam

Mother

Emmie A. Chandler

Notes

Photo from http://www.milam.com/album/davidwalker.htm.

Presided over the liquidation of Texas Electric Railway. An employee prior to World War I, he returned to work for the Interurban after the war and among other things, negotiated the Motormen's strike in the 1920's. Part of the story goes that "Papa", as the Powell family called him, was giving a press conference during the strike, and pointed to a young reporter, asking him to read back his notes. Papa then opened his coat to show his 45 Army Pistol hanging in a sling and said if it was any different in the paper he would pay him a visit. This conversation was recoreded along with the conversation of his daughter, Mary VonderHoya, in 2005 with Maggie Sprague, Plano Conservancy.

Other stories from his son-in-law, Elmer Powell, Jr., 30 Aug 2018: Mr. Milam was a unique fellow. He was a first grader and when the horse drawn fire truck went by the school he got out of his seat and went over to the window to watch. Teacher had a fit. However Milam struck a deal with the teacher that he could stand up at his seat and look toward the window when the fire truck went by the school.

Another story is from the WWI era. He was a Lt. leading his men late at night walking through the rain and mud. He passed by an aid tent and told his men to lay on the stretchers, then went in and told the aid folks he had some men outside. They carried the men inside. The chief officer realized they were not hurt and raised heck with Milam. Milam struck a deal that his men could stay inside but had to be gone by daylight.