Russell, Mrs Emma B 1972-08-14

Mrs. Russell, retired teacher and pioneer resident of the Lubbock area, relates her experiences on the Plains and her recollections concerning the Matador Ranch half-dugout, now a part of the Ranching Heritage Center. Her brother-in-law, Jay Bird, is a step-son to J. C. Davis, who built the dugout. Mrs. Russell’s daughter speaks on the tape also.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Mrs. Emma B. Russell

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 14, 1972

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Duncan Muckelroy and Charles McLaughlin

Length: 1 hour 20 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Biographical information related, J. C. Davis, Had store near Soldier’s Gap, Moved to Pecos and went into business, Returned to Dickens County and built dugout, Mrs. Davis had children with first husband, Mr. Bird, and second husband, J. C. Davis, Saul and Luke Davis, sons, successful businessmen, Personal family information given, Story of falling into well, Incident told of skirt burning off, Polecat (skunk) bite resulted in unusual medical treatment (the mad stone).

Tape 1, Side 2: Discusses education received in Dickens, Cold winter ride to school recalled, Attended North Texas Normal in Denton (1906), Bout with measles resulted in end of schooling, Taught in country schools in Garza County, Daily schedule explained, Anecdote about mentally unbalanced visitor to school, Prairie fire threatened school, Religious activities related, Had meals with Davis family in half-dugout, Mother’s sales methods explained, Looks through photographs and identifies some, J. C. Davis made log ranch house on Matador Ranch, Mother used windmill to turn dash in the churn, Describes furniture in dugout, Used broom weeds and corn husks for mattresses.

Tape 2, Side 1: Grocery store trip made twice a year, Lists typical supplies purchased, Last saw dugout in 1914, Discusses changes made in dugout, Relates story of shooting antelope on the Plains.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1879-1914

Bulk Dates: 1880s-1914

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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