Landers, Bradford 1979-03-23

Bradford Landers recalls his experiences as a ranch hand and oil field worker in Colorado City, Texas, in the 1920s and 1930s. Among other things, he tells of the moonshine stills during Prohibition and the violence surrounding them.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Bradford Landers

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: March 23, 1979

Location: Strawn, Texas

Interviewer: Bobby Weaver

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Drought (1916-1918), Livestock, Durham, Hereford, Spade Ranch, Harry Chase Landers, father, To Texas (1883), Property, Colorado City, Texas, Sheep grazing, Transition to cattle, Black Angus, Caring for calves, Education, Colorado City, Texas, Selling of land, 1930s, Shooting of livestock, Ranchers’ reactions, Oil discovery, Work in oil fields, Well in depth.

Tape 1, Side 2: Oil discovery (continued), Anecdote, Frank Wyler, driller, "Skidding" a rig, Prohibition, Bootleggers, Stills, Colorado City, Violence, Rio Grande, Illegal immigrants, Patrol, Texas Rangers, Nickname.

Tape 2, Side 1: Stills, Location, Sam Davis, operator, Murder story.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1883-1930s

Bulk Dates: 1916-1930s

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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