Rude, Ike 1969-08-14, 15

Ike Rude, ranch hand and rodeo performer, reviews his family background, his ranch work in Arizona and West Texas (including the JA and Matador), his World War I experiences, and his rodeo experiences and personalities he has met.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Ike Rude

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 14-15, 1969

Location: Mangum, Oklahoma

Interviewer: Charles Townsend

Length: 3 hours 20 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family background information, Worked for Matador Ranch (1912-14), Roundups on the Matador described, "Leading" wild cattle, Horses at Matador and JA ranches recalled, Famous JA horse, John Wilkins, discussed, Medicine for screw worms, Explains management and use of horses on ranches.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Description of a roundup, Anecdote about horse falling three times in the same prairie dog hole, Matador cowboys recalled, Act of roping cattle discussed, Explains work at the line camp, Involvement in border conflict in New Mexico, Victims of Pancho Villa described, Work on Double Circle Ranch in Arizona, Work on JA Ranch (1916), Extent of JA operation, Mrs. John (Cornelia) Adair, JA owner, discussed, Anecdote about taking Mrs. Adair’s maids horseback riding, Names former managers of the JA Ranch, Describes horses at Waggoner and JA ranches.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Anecdote about horse stepping into a "rat hole", Names JA Ranch campsites, JA horses lost when barn burned (1921), Charles Goodnight characterized, "Nester" immigration explained, "French harp" dances at the ranch, Description of dances and dance tunes, Recalls old bootmakers, Ranch hands started on their own from Rocking Chair stock, Review of various ranches in West Texas, Stock feed used infrequently, livestock grazed primarily, Description of a stampede.

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Tape 4, Side 1: Work on Arizona ranches recalled, Using mules and Mexicans for freighters, Watering the cattle, Describes horses on Arizona ranches, Relations with Indians on leased Indian reservation, Discusses wild cattle in Arizona, Shodding and roping bulls, Description of Arizona ranches, Owners of Double Circle Ranch mentioned, Anecdote about pulling teeth, Incident of cowboys’ return to wagon from an all-night dance.

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Tape 5, Side 1: Story of Geronimo’s attack on cowboys at the Double Circle Ranch, Anecdote concerning "Concho Bill" and other outlaws, Incident involving roping a stag, Discusses Tonto Basin War: cattlemen/sheepmen conflict, Rude breaks his collarbone, Cattle rustlers discussed, Will Rogers’ attempts to buy Rude’s horse recalled, Drafted in World War I, Attached to 357th Infantry in Germany—Veterinary, Section.

Tape 5, Side 2: Blank

Tape 6, Side 1: Story of car accident in which rodeo performers were killed (1927), Homemade stock trailer described, Techniques of training horses, "Old Baldy" recalled as outstanding rodeo horse, "Hell on the Mountainside," a poem read by Ike Rude.

Tape 6, Side 2: Blank

Tape 7, Side 1: Recalls winning World Champion steer roping title in 1941, 1947 and 1953, "Bullet," outstanding rodeo horse, discussed, Describes other rodeo horses, Rodeo personalities supported by Tom Burnett, Explains origin of the practice of numbering rodeo cattle, Organization of the Cowboys’ Association recalled, Rodeo personalities mentioned, "Barney," a poem read by Ike Rude.

Tape 7, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1880s-1969

Bulk Dates: 1912-1953

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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