On February 23, 1977, collector Mark E. French interviewed local farmer, Francis E. Hughes (born March 9th, 1917 in Mesquite, Nevada) in his home in Mesquite, Nevada. This interview offers an overview of the general lifestyle and culture in Mesquite. Mr. Hughes mother, Orilla Leavitt, was born in Bunkerville, Nevada. Members of Mr. Hughes’s family were amongst the first settlers in the Mesquite area.
Description given with photo: "Cogitation Concentration Jubilation, Washington, D.C. - Three interesting studies of plane-builder, movie-maker and headline-maker Howard Hughes as he returned to the witness stand before the Senate War Investigating Committee today to answer questions relating to his wartime plane-building contracts. During his testimony today, Hughes said he wishes to absolve shipbuilder Henry Kaiser from any criticism in connection with the 200-ton flying boat that is one of the issues in the current probe. Photograph by G.B. Kress. 8/8/47."