Campbell, Bruce 1974-11-05

Bruce Campbell, pioneer rancher and banker in Knox County, recalls his parents and his early life in Texas. A nephew of Samuel Burk Burnett, he relates interesting anecdotes about ranch life and frontier violence.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Bruce Campbell

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: November 5, 1974

Location: Knox City, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical date, Worked on a 6666 Ranch trail drive, Tells how to roll a slicker, Moved to Knox County, Worked in Sierra Blanca, Texas, livery, on way to California, 1907, Again joined 6666 Ranch and nearly got shot, Describes effort to avoid drought, moving herd to Altus, Oklahoma, anecdote of sharecropper and shooting attempt, Recalls 1918 blizzard and crops, Summarizes history of Knox City and O'Brien, Texas, banks, Discusses Depression as not so bad at time, Offers opinions on cattle raising, Says that cattle feeding is a losing business, Deplores government assistance to ranchers, Gives more information on bank, Recalls Quanah Parker

Tape 1, Side 2: Continues with story of Quanah on the Red River Ranch of the 4-Sixes, Tells of grandparents, including Burk Burnett, and parents, Civil War and post-Civil War stories told, Story of parents' journey to Texas and marriage in Denton County, Anecdotes about father's black-smithing and wildcat trapping, Whiskey kegs and related topics discussed, Remembers Watkins Drug peddlers and taking liniment for a cough, More stories about medicines, Recalls barber-whiskey still owner in Guthrie, Texas, Recalls anecdotes about King County criminals, Remembers Sam Graves' shooting Farley Sears, Tom Pickens, Wichita Falls, Texas, sheriff who left his wife for a whore

Tape 2, Side 1: Relates story of Burk Burnett's killing Farley Sears, Mentions ranch hand on father's place who later became Oklahoma governor, Recalls bank holdup by father's workers, Explains reason for county seat in Benjamin, Texas, Notes other Knox County towns, Tells how to ford a river in a wagon, Recollects a tornado's hitting a train, Expresses belief in luck, Remembers anecdote about horse and cowboy, Recalls story of lynching in Cook County and trip west on the Butterfield stage

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1907-1974

Bulk Dates: 1918-1974

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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