McDonald, Mrs James Pearce 1973-03-07

Mrs. McDonald recalls architectural and interior features of the Las Escarbadas Division headquarters, her former home on the XIT Ranch, now located at the Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock. She also relates personal experiences while living in Las Escarbadas. Note: Mrs. McDonald’s daughter, Mrs. Mary Clements, also speaks on the tape.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Mrs. James Pearce McDonald

Additional Parties Recorded: Mrs. Mary Clements

Date: March 07, 1973

Location: Raton, New Mexico

Interviewer: Duncan Muckelroy

Length: 2 hour 10 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Condition of Las Eacarbadas and antiques discussed, Description of antique stove, People in photographs named, Killing of "lobo" wolf cited, Speculates on wolves’ methods of killing cattle, XIT records mentioned, Recalls chicken house, Predatory animals listed, Story told of al lawsuit involving the XIT Ranch, Comments on physical environment and plumbing of Las Escarbadas, Rope and cane-bottomed chairs used, Taught moral lessons to children, Recollections of barrel churn, Sale of eggs provided for "exotic" toods, Architectural features of the house examined.

Tape 1, Side 2: Description of interior features continued, Children’s activities mentioned, Used dinner bell to all cowboys, Explanation of ranch policies, Food bins described, Various ranch personalities recalled, Farwell family’s visited to the XIT cited, Ranching techniques differed in winter months, Recollections of lamp cleaning chore, Description of bedroom furniture.

Tape 2, Side 1: Anecdote about fence posts growing into trees, Description of cooking and eating utensils, Eating habits of a cowboy mentioned, Recalls Farwell family’s visit to the ranch, Senator C. B. Farwell’s library was immense, Attitude toward cowboys expressed, Ranch personalities listed, Recollections of the first automobile seen, Cites ranch rules and regulations.

Tape 2, Side 2: Notes complications of restoration of Las Escarbadas, Family statistics given, Explains move to Las Escarbadas, Friends in the area recalled, Active in numerous church events, Folk medicine described, Moved residence to near Portales, New Mexico, Later moved to Nocona, Various ranch events clarified.

Tape 3, Side 1: Attitude toward cowboys reasserted, Recollections of shipping 6,000 head of cattle from Bovina, Friends mentioned again.

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1888-1973

Bulk Dates: 1888-1973

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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