Rawlings, S C 1976-04-07

S. C. "Copper" Rawlings speaks of his family and personal history, his early years as a law enforcement officer, and his tenure with the Lubbock Park Service.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: S.C. "Copper" Rawlings

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: April 07, 1976

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Joanna Shurbet

Length: 2 hours 15 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Move to Texas from Monroe County, Arkansas, Father was a farmer, Lived at Valley Mills, Texas (one year), Picked cotton at San Augustine, Texas, Farmed near Allen, Texas, Experiences with Ku Klux Klan, Move to Stratton Store, Texas, Move to Clay County, Texas, Purchase of farm, School started at Vashti, in Clay County, Town described, Chart class, Chores, First money, Family described, Move to Knox County, Texas (1902), Farm located, Area described, Hauling supplies, Singing school, Cliff, Texas, Mules, Purchase of first buggy, Courtship of Beulah Stice, High School graduation, Marriage to Beulah Stice (April 30, 1911), Description of first house, Farming experiences, Public speaking in grammar school.

Tape 1, Side 2: Public speaking in grammar school (continued), Move to Silverton, Texas (Briscoe County), Getting fuel, Move to Floydada, Texas (1917-1920), Raising wheat, Profits (1920s), Move to Terry County, Texas (1920-1922), Move to Spur, Texas (1922), Desire to become peace officer, Deputized (1922), Family opposition, Problems, Elected Sheriff, Problems in black community, Anecdote about forcing a confession, Threat to kill black maid, Morgan murder trial, Gambling.

Tape 2, Side 1: Gambling raid, Black prostitutes, Area friends named, Anecdote about "Pretty Boy" Floyd, Bootlegging during Prohibition, Holiness Church helping needy family, Rawlings family during Depression, Lost land, Move to Lubbock, Texas (August 10, 1933), Anecdote about joining Lubbock Police Department, Troubles with Hispanic community, Anecdote about fight at dance, Opinions on marijuana, Career, Lubbock Police Department (26 years), Lubbock Armored Service (13 years), Lubbock Park Service (16 years), Violent acts in Mackenzie Park, Anecdote about saving child from flood, Boy drowned, Anecdote about saving woman from freezing, Chosen mayor of Prairie Dog Town, Establishment of Prairie Dog Town, Population growth, Care and feeding, Anecdote about skunk.

Tape 2, Side 2: Killing skunk in Prairie Dog Town Prairie Dog Town overpopulation Growth of Prairie Dog Town Law ordering extermination of prairie dogs (1904-05) Stocking parks with squirrels Housing Overpopulation Only arrest in Mackenzie Park Anecdote about Petersburg, Texas, students Work with armored car service Duties Safety measures Dunbar High School Praise of cafeteria personnel Anecdotes about visitors to Mackenzie Park Park named for him Increase in crime rate Growth of police department New laws "tie policemen’s hands" Support of death penalty.

Tape 3, Side 1: Anecdotes about raiding still at Spur, Texas, Preparation for dangers of job, Anecdotes about catching escaped prisoner, Use of gun, Anecdote about death of young man at Spur, Plans for future.

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1900-1976

Bulk Dates: 1902-1976

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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