Smith, C Kenneth 1972-07-29
C. Kenneth Smith, longtime rancher, discusses the cattle industry in southwest Texas and notes incidents from his personal background. He also talks about the government cattle shoot program during the Depression.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: C. Kenneth Smith
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 29, 1972
Location: Marfa, Texas
Interviewer: Paul Patterson
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Recalls 5th birthday,
Father sold land and bought other land,
Father was from England,
Drought of 1910 remembered,
He and his brother bought land from their father,
Sold cattle to pay him,
They also bought railroad land,
Drought of 1917 recalled,
Coyote problem discussed,
Mentions lobo trappers,
Lost approximately 30-40 head of cattle in 1917 drought,
Tells about a hail storm and flood,
Hail killed several cows,
Discusses hay,
Tells make-up of hay cakes,
Describes how it was fed to the cows,
Mentions soil conservation,
Notes over-grazed lands.
Tape 1, Side 2: Organization of the Highland Hairpin Association,
First pipeline in the area,
Cites problems involved,
Used water witches to dig wells,
Mentions fencing their land,
Horse pastures described,
Tells where they got their horses,
Comments on horse breeding,
Describes various types of horses,
Notes breaking the colts,
Depression and its effects on cowmen,
Production Credit Corporation gave aid,
Drought of 1933,
He appraised cattle for the government,
Condemned very few cattle.
Tape 2, Side 1: Discusses government cattle killing program of the Depression,
Method of appraising the cattle,
Types of cattle killed,
Procedures used in killing,
Settlement of southwest Texas,
Explains influence of women,
Rev. W. B. Bloys’ influence praised,
Urged cooperation among settlers,
Cattle diseases in southwest Texas,
Loco weed mentioned,
Effect on horses,
Handling cattle in the early days,
Modern methods compared to the old ways,
Recalls accidents in handling cattle,
Characterizes type of people who settled the region,
Rollie Millican,
Reasons father came to America from England.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1910-1972
Bulk Dates: 1910-1930s
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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