Wilson, Mrs J C 1975-09-24

Mrs. Wilson reminisces about her late husband J. C. Wilson’s career in the Pecos Valley cotton industry during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This includes discussions of early ranch life and his involvement with the Pecos River Compact Commission.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Mrs. J.C. Wilson

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: September 24, 1975

Location: Pecos, Texas

Interviewer: None Given

Length: 1 hour 10 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Ranch life, Mrs. Cooksey (?), ranch cook, Meat refrigeration, Professional cowpokes, Herb Pate Cooksey, Buck Jackson, Dust Bowl, J. C. Wilson, Background, Boyhood in Louisiana, Father’s death in shootout (Oak Grove, Louisiana), Move to Carlsbad, New Mexico (1910), Work for Pecos Mercantile Company, World War I, 90th Infantry Division, Cotton buyer (1925-26), Big Ben Gin Company, Texas Cotton Industries Corporation, I. H. Kempner, Various gins, Financing farmers, Early ‘pump’ farmers, Joe Pratt, Assisting veterans, Post World War II prosperity, Cotton legislation efforts (1949), Organizing southwestern states, Demise of cotton industry in Pecos Valley, Bracero program loss of as a reason, Tom Connally, Loss of profitability, Natural gas costs, Demise of Texas Cotton Industries Corporation, Philosophy/helpful attitude.

Tape 1, Side 2: J. C. Wilson (continued), Commissioner on Pecos Valley Compact, Commission, Bob Wringle, Secretary, Goals, Jim Rush, New Mexico commissioner, Red Bluff dedication ceremony, Salt Cedar Eradication Program, Effect of environmentalists, Passage of legislation, Texas Water Conservation efforts, Judge J. E. Stirik, Guy C. Jackson, Ross Tipton, engineer, Relations with New Mexico, Philosophy (again), Blank tape (approximately 10 minutes).

Tape 2, Side 1: J. C. Wilson appointed Pecos River Compact, Commissioner for Texas, Appointed by Governor Allan Shivers (1949), J. C. Served until his death in 1968, Records of the Pecos River Compact, Duties of the commissioner, Compact was to improve the flow of water in the Pecos River, Salinity Alleviation Project, Malaga Bend, Celebration Barbecue, Dust storms prevented dignitaries from attending, Andy Anderson, Salt Cedar Eradication Project, Problems with salt cedars, Project was to increase the quantity of water, Project hard to pass, J. C. Wilson involved with the Texas Water Conservation Organization, People who backed him, Associates, Royce Tipton, engineer, Cooperation between Texas and New Mexico.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1900-1975

Bulk Dates: 1940-1968

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