Bennett, Kenneth 2000-02-21

Kenneth Bennett, a resident of Borden County, Texas, discusses his experiences in ranching and farming and his career as a county official in Borden County.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Kenneth Bennett

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 21, 2000

Location: Borden County, Texas

Interviewer: David Marshall

Length: 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Bennett, Kenneth, b. 1947, Arizona, Parents: b. Borden County, Texas, Married after his father got out of the service, San Carlos Indian Reservation – Apache Indians (not many Anglo’s), Indians were helpful and accepting, Invited to dances by the Indians, Childhood, Dos Cabesas Mountains, Ranching, Bought sections of the ranch, Willis Bennett, Father, b. 1918, worked for Clayton’s Ranch, Mungar’s Ranch, Clayton’s bought the Mungar’s Ranch, Edward Henry Bennett, Grandfather, Worked for the Clayton’s Ranch for 27 years, Born in Ellis County, Moved to Swisher County, Cowboy, Climate, Blizzards, Dry weather, Drove cattle to Justiceburg, Highway 180 paved in 1940 or 1941, Lake Thomas – 1950’s, 1970’s – drilled wells in Dawson County, 83 water customers, Population, 799 people – 1990, Lee Anderson Pierce , Deputy Sheriff – 1910, County Clerk, County Judge – 2 years, Retired 1932, Served again as judge in 1936, Abstracting business, 180 acres of cultivation, Rancher, d. 1958 Kenith Bennett, Moved to Texas in 1959, Worked on a pump station, Worked as a country horse trainer, Education, Eight man football team, Rodeo was considered a sport, Football – big show, community gathering, No industrial growth, 18 students in his graduating class, Entertainment, Fishing, Rabbit hunting, Played in the jury room – it was never locked, Hunting, Ranchers didn’t mind – they would leave their gates unlocked, Borden County, Island of the Caprock, Fossils – geology, Jack rabbits, Quail hunting, 6 or 7 thousand acres of cotton field, Cotton gin, Wildlife, Coyote population, Red – tail hawks

Tape 1, Side 2: Wildlife (continued), Government traps for red-tail hawks, Shot them from helicopters, Increasing deer population, Vegetation changes, Mesquite is spreading, Burning mesquite and prickly pear patches, Average annual rainfall – 18 inches, Droughts of the 1950’s, Wildlife (again), Rattlesnakes, Weather, Tornado’s , Abandoned Phillip’s station with the roof torn off, Livestock, Most common breed of cattle, Hereford, Angus, Sheep and Goats – Dennis Family – main sheep ranch, Entertainment (again), Christmas Holiday, Christmas celebrations involving the community, Opening of a new museum, Two churches in town, Locations of the churches, Businesses, Old Dorwood Drug Store – Pharmacy – 1900’s – 1960’s, Oldest buildings in town, Pharmacy, Abstract office, Boom – Land rush in 1903, Documentation, Museum – Historical Community, Mainly local history, 1976 – businesses boomed, Edna Middleton – did most work on the museum, d. 1992, Education, Texas Tech University, 1965 – B.S. in Agricultural Education, 1969 – Master’s Degree, Future Farmers of America Programs, Local shows, mid-January, County Agents and Agriculture teachers would get involved, Gail County, Slaughter houses, Cattle markets, Career, Snyder, Texas, County official, County Jobs, Traveling, Selling, Building material, Borden County, County Treasure, Peace officer, Deputy sheriff, Texas Department of Transportation

Range Dates: 1947-2000

Bulk Dates: 1947-1970

Access Information

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