Kennon, Wilfred H 1978-03-31

Wilfred Kennon relates his memories of dugouts built by his family, as well as by other families, in the area northwest of Roswell, New Mexico.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Wilfred H. Kennon

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: March 31, 1978

Location: Abilene, Texas

Interviewer: Ralph A. Smith

Length: 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Dugouts (1930s), Construction, Methods, Reasons, Description, Walls, Steps, Entrance, Door, Construction materials, Kennon dugout, Floor, Roof, Repair, Source of poles for roof, Early use of hides on roof, Adobe, Size, Average, Pitchfork Ranch Headquarters, Kennon dugout, Support poles, Partitions, Size, Wood burning stove, Entrances (again), Location, 60 miles northwest of Roswell, New Mexico, Father: Joey J. Kennon, Other dugouts in area, Depression (1930s), Homesteading, Acreage allowance, Dugouts, Cost, Land grants on the High Plains, Construction of dugouts, Texas Dugouts, Swisher County (c. 1925), Palo Duro Canyon, Pulling timber out of canyon, St. Augustine County, Texas, Timber availability, Burning cow chips for heat, Buffalo bones, Kennon dugouts, New Mexico (1930s), Furniture in walls of dugout, Beds, Shelves, Percentage of people living in dugouts, New Mexico (1930s), Financial constraints, Homestead migration, Cost effectiveness, Soil, Roswell area, Dugout construction (again), Walls, Potential for cave in, Obituaries, Don Hutchinson’s grandmother (1883), Kennon’s brother, Born in a dugout (1933), Discussion of Kennon and Smith’s birthdays and relatives, Woman n Rest home in Baird, Texas, Dugout information, Storm protection, Storm cellars, Kennon’s great-grandmother follows California gold rush from Virginia in an ox cart, Smith’s address, Kennon’s office.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1883-1978

Bulk Dates: 1930s-1940s

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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