Smith, Clinton 1984-02-29

Clinton Smith discusses ranching in the Texas Hill Country, recalls his farming operations in Abernathy during the 1930s, and comments on contemporary national politics.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Clinton Smith

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: February 29, 1984

Location: Dublin, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Clinton Smith, Born: Johnson City, Texas (June 4, 1909), Parents, Occupation, Ranching in Texas Hill Country, Wolves, Sheep and goat raising, Relationship between sheepmen and cattlemen, Wolves (again), Hunts, Children’s duties on ranch, Hogs, Killing and processing, Meat preservation, Dairying, Cattle, Hereford, Neighboring families, Relationship with neighbors, Anecdote: Smith sees his first car, Drought (1885-87), Driving cattle to water, Grandfather’s herd, Drought (1917-19), Windmills, Selling off cattle, End of rented farms in Blanco County, Texas, Decline in population, Decline in farming, Availability of water in Blanco County, Quality of water, Anecdote: Looking for a tank in dove season, Anecdote: Moss Ranch cattle, Sheep buying, Harry Thompson, Shipping, Anecdote: buying for Homes Moss, Getting out of business.

Tape 1, Side 2: Farming in Abernathy, Texas (1930s), Depression, Location of farm, Abernathy land in sod (1929), XIT windmill, Branding sheep for XIT, Yellow House Division, Smith’s farm (again), Crops raised, Ronald Reagan, Balancing the budget, Irrigation wells on South Plains, W. A. Gates, Brother’s well, Future availability of water, Ronald Reagan (again), State of the nation, Lebanon, Presidential election (1984), Interpretation of the Constitution, Integrity, Foreign investment, Good Presidents, Harry S. Truman, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, Worst Presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Depression.

Range Dates: 1885-1984

Bulk Dates: 1909-1984

Access Information

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