Raymond Ellsworth Dyer's life has been deeply intertwined with the manual and agricultural labor traditions of his community. His first job, as he recounts, was driving cows, a task that he began at a young age, showcasing his early introduction to the responsibilities and rhythms of rural work. This experience would have provided him with a foundational understanding of animal husbandry and the daily demands of farm life. Raymond's work history is diverse, including time spent working for Mr. Cook, although the specifics of this employment are not detailed, it suggests a continuation of his engagement with hands-on work. His career also led him to the sea, where he was involved in the salvage of shipwrecks, a job that required strength, courage, and a deep knowledge of the coastal environment. This work was not without its perils, as it involved hauling materials from wrecked ships ashore, sometimes over considerable distances. Raymond's life was also touched by the significant changes in his industry, including the decline of cow driving as a profession, as he notes the disappearance of cows and the associated way of life.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Raymond Ellsworth Dyer provides a comprehensive overview of his life's work and the historical context of the industries he was part of. He speaks of his early days driving cows, a job that required him to manage and care for the animals, ensuring they were brought to pasture and returned home daily. His work with Mr. Cook, though not elaborated upon, indicates a breadth of experience in various forms of manual labor. Raymond's involvement in salvage operations following shipwrecks reveals a more adventurous and dangerous aspect of his work life, where he and others would retrieve materials from shipwrecks and transport them back to land. He also discusses the impact of a significant storm, which likely affected both his work and his community, underscoring the vulnerability of these traditional industries to the forces of nature. Additionally, Raymond reflects on the broader changes he has observed over the years, such as the mechanization of agriculture and the decline of manual labor jobs, which have transformed the economic landscape of his community. His narrative is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the shifting tides of work and industry.