Kelton, R W Buck 1972-08-01

Buck Kelton discusses his years as a ranch cowboy in the Trans-Pecos area of West Texas and his experiences in the sand hills area near Monahans. As foreman of the Y Ranch for over 30 years, he discusses the ranch’s history, the 1930s cattle shoot, and other ranching experiences, as well as drilling for water on various ranches.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: R.W. Buck Kelton

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 1, 1972

Location: May, Texas

Interviewer: Paul Patterson

Length: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Moved to Midland area (early 1900s), Weather conditions recalled, Educated in a country school, Worked as a cowboy for the Scharbauer ranches (1917-1919; 1920-1927), Trail drives described, Blizzard of 1918 recalled, Ranch shipped 2,500 cattle to Kansas (1914), Sources of water in the area named, Notes abundance of antelope and coyotes, Biographical information on parents given.

Tape 1, Side 2: Early West Texas towns described, Recalls end of the Crane oil boom, Many wild dogs appeared after the oil boom people left town, Discovered dinosaur remains near Monahans, Story of wagon train attacked by Indians near Monahans, Notes that horses often get spooked in the sand hills, Recalls finding the grave of an Indian buried sitting up, Cites characteristics of cattle raised in the sand hills.

Tape 2, Side 1: Experiences with cattle with hydrophobia related, Other afflictions peculiar to livestock discussed, Knew of some men who had hydrophobia, Reynolds brothers (John and Will) mentioned, Explains techniques of breaking horses.

Tape 2, Side 2: Breaking horses (continued), Work on the Y Ranch recalled, Cattle shoot of the 1930s described, Recounts story of cattle rustler, Teaching cattle to feed, Managers of the ranch listed.

Tape 3, Side 1: Continues discussions about line camps, Drilling for water on ranch described, Tells anecdotes about people on ranch.

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: Early 1900s-1930s

Bulk Dates: 1917-1930s

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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