Neely, Judge Tom 1968, 1982

Retired Hudspeth County Judge Tom Neely talks of his life in the Sierra Blanca, Texas area.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Judge Tom, Neely

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: June 7, 1968; April 8, 1982

Location: Sierra Blanca, Texas

Interviewer: Paul Patterson, Richard Mason

Length: 2 hours 15 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical material, Hudspeth County establishment, School, tutor and conditions, El Paso High School, 1916, Orange, Cattle shipping points, Horse breaking, Prairie dogs, Ranch life, Broken leg incident, Smallpox vaccination, Coffins and linings, Orange water, Wells, First irrigation project, Making ice cream, Milk cows, Wet-dry cycle, Churning butter, Rio Grande water, Fort Quitman, Cattle rustler, Quicksand, First school and teacher, Autobiographical material, Prospecting incidents.

Tape 1, Side 2: Autobiographical material (continued), Deputy Sheriff duties, Depression, Orange County, Figure 2’s, Helm’s horses, Biography of parents, Hobbs’ first building, Eight Section Law, Relatives, Nose bleed remedy, Civil War involvement, Frank and Jesse James, Sheep.

Tape 2, Side 1: Irrigation well, Railroad, World War I, Drought (1915), Irrigation well (1910), British investment group, Roads, Van Horn, Texas, Travel for groceries, Orange, Texas, Families, Dances at schoolhouse, School, Move from Comanche, Texas (1902), Grandfather, Sheriff in Comanche, Comanche, Ranching (father), Land selling, Wagon trip to Van Horn, Figure 2 Ranch, J. M. Daugherty, Effect of Eight Section Law (1905-1910), To El Paso, Texas, Education, Injury, Employment, Cattle drives, Farming, Mule teams, County judge, Sheep, Farming, Water, Political career.

Tape 2, Side 2: Distance to valley, Stagecoach route, Sierra Blanca, Name origin, Railroads, Water, Van Horn, Growth, Sacramento River, First well, Reason to drill, Wells, Oil activity, Red Light Draw, Future of the area, Growth, Minerals, Hard life, Old timers, Born: (February 10, 1905), Parents.

Range Dates: 1902-1982

Bulk Dates: 1905-1919

Access Information

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