Name/Title
AU Harris, Patricia June [Barker] - 1992-05-30 InterviewEntry/Object ID
2002.1.2Context
Telephone Conversation with Patricia Harris Barker
30 May 1992
Subject: Paul Harris Productions
Chicago, IL
and Paul’s accident
Margie was in New York. Pat had come overnight on the excursion train from Akron for a weekend visit, arriving the morning after he fell down an elevator shaft and broke his arm.
She arrived at 440 South Dearborn about 8:00 A.M., before Paul had arrived. Originally, the business had occupied only a small portion of the floor, but now it had expanded to encompass the entire floor. There were now many artists working for him. An employee recognized her as Paul’s daughter and said, “Wait ’til you see your dad.”
He came into work with his arm in a sling. He had been to the hospital the day before but needed further surgery and was released until the next day. Pat took him to the hospital and got him checked in. There was a lot of concern because it was payday and the payroll had not been completed.
Pat went back to the office to get the payroll information and checkbook. Then she returned to the hospital where Paul signed the checks. He remained in the hospital until Monday. She was supposed to stay for just the weekend, but she wound up staying a whole week to help out in the business. “I never worked so hard in my life—I loved it!” One job was so tightly scheduled that they were stenciling PAUL HARRIS PRODUCTIONS on the side of the crate as they were hurriedly carrying it out the door for a show.
She recalls the offices were on the fifth or sixth floor and the accident happened at a warehouse located several blocks away, where the crews would practice setting up and knocking down stage sets.
When Paul worked for George S. May Co, they owned the Tamoshanter Country Club.
