View source for Spikes, Mr and Mrs J J 1957-02-19

The Spikes discuss their family background and early life on the South Plains, including his experiences as a cowboy. 

==General Interview Information==

'''Interviewee Name:''' Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Spikes

'''Additional Parties Recorded:''' None

'''Date:''' February 19, 1957

'''Location:''' Ralls, Texas

'''Interviewer:''' R. Sylvan Dunn

'''Length:''' 2 hours


==Abstract==

'''Tape 1, Side 1:''' J. J. Spikes’ description of coming to Texas and the Estacado settlement,
Spikes joined Rollie Burns in 1892,
Burns Ranch described,
A workday on the ranch is described,
Blizzards killed cattle,
Spikes was a businessman in Emma, Texas,
Freighted from Amarillo to Emma,
J. J. Spikes’ family described,
Hog killing,
Sheep raising discussed,
Water discussed as the key to this country,
Cowboy life hard work,
Blanco Canyon described,
Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie mentioned.
<br>

'''Tape 1, Side 2:''' Cattle stampedes,
Weather—hail and tornado,
Harvesting sorghums and maize,
Spikes’ various business interests mentioned,
Mrs. Spikes’ work in journalism,
Cattle roundups,
Types of cattle,
Spikes family came from Ireland,
J. J.’s father fought in Civil War,
Grandfather, Mr. Fox, stowed away to the U. S.
<br>

'''Tape 2, Side 1:''' Mrs. Spikes’ grandfather, George Jones, came to Virginia from Wales and pioneered in Texas,
Early-day funerals,
Mr. and Mrs. Spikes met in Emma,
J. J. Spikes tells of some events in his early life,
Reasons for a cowboy’s way of dressing,
Mr. Spikes’ grandfather mentioned,
History of his family,
Mrs. Spikes’ early life on the Plains,
History of her family,
Windmills discussed.
<br>

'''Tape 2, Side 2:''' Land prices discussed,
Life at Emma discussed,
Hospitality of the South Plains,
The Spikes buy their first car (1916),
J. J. Spikes’ ambition,
Death of his father,
Saloons mentioned,
General store described,
Barbed wire mentioned,
Wolf fight described,
Antelope hunting discussed. 
<br>

'''Range Dates:''' 1880s-1916

'''Bulk Dates:''' 1880s-1916


==Access Information==

'''Original Recording Format:'''

'''Recording Format Notes:'''

'''Transcript:'''



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[[Category: Needs Review ]]  [[Category: SWC Interviews]] [[Category: 1950s]] [[Category: Family Life and Background]] [[category: West Texas Wildlife]] [[category: cowboys]] [[category: Cattle Industry]]