McCoy, Judge Jim 1968

Former Martin County Judge Jim McCoy recalls his family’s early settlement of southwest Texas, cattle driving days, and his occupation as a carpenter and sheriff.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Judge Jim McCoy

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: Summer 1968

Location: Stanton, Texas

Interviewer: Paul Patterson

Length: None Given

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Biographical sketch, Oklahoma, Snowstorm, Grass fire, Indians, Knox County, Texas, Farming, Big Spring, Texas (1907), Horse ranching, First trail trip, Wild mares, Stampeded by goat and bulldog, Loss of pack horse, Branding of mares, Move to Jones Ranch (family, 1915), Jim moved to Benjamin, Cattle driving, Sam’s trade of pack horses.

Tape 1, Side 2: Jones’ trail drive, Delivery of 200 steers, Steers and horses ran off, Capricorn stalks, Father retired, Jim’s move to Stanton, Offer to run outfit, Mr. Fred Holson, Hard winter—rains, Termination of employment, Marriage, Move to Rule, Carpenter work, House building, Assisted the local marshal, Offered the job, Establishment, Chief Police, 8 years, Return to carpenter work (Stanton), Offer of Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff quit, Offer to Jim—run for County Judge.

Tape 2, Side 1: Service as judge—Morton County, Birthplace, Father’s history, Grandfather, Lycurgus Blackburn Earnest, Biographical material, Grandmother, Mother, Move to Big Spring, Carpenter—building, Contracted Railroad company, Camp water from Big Spring to Pecos River, Water hauling for crews.

Tape 2, Side 2: Grandmother Earnest died, Grandfather resided with Judge’s mother, Death, McCoy side of family, Hugh M. McCoy—grandfather, Children, Judge’s father—Monroe Jefferson McCoy, Move to Vernon (1854), Indian raids, Lawlessness, Longhorn steer drives, Uncle Jim was 16, Accompanied drive to Montana, Remained there 54 years, Judge’s father—M. J. McCoy (again), 7th son of 7th son, Superstitious belief, Powers to heal other children, Name aquired—Doc McCoy, Move to Sutton County, Marriage, Thompson Ranch employee, Mother’s disapproval of Judge’s cursing.

Tape 3, Side 1: Mr. and Mrs. Adams—Sonora, Store clerks, Mr. Adams’ illiteracy, Story of order for cheese, Dictation of book of the great Southwest, Forty Years a Fool, Father and uncle in Sutton County, Humorous Stories, Visit to Vernon, John Hugh McCoy, Great distances in Moving cattle, Guy Guthrie, Assistance with oil engines, Billy Dickson, Humorous story, O. G. Kelly—Dickson, Horse race, (Judge McCoy’s experiences and stories during his life).

Tape 3, Side 2: Billy, Humorous story—pigs, Life on 6666 Wagon, Cattle shipment—stampede, Mixture of three herds, G. R. White Ranch, Horse breaking (polo horses), (Stories of ranching and breaking horses during Judge McCoy’s younger days).

Range Dates: 1854-1968

Bulk Dates: 1907-1968

Access Information

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