Bruce, Leona 1983-05-02
Leona Bruce reminisces over her memories of Central Texas, and the reception of her books on the history of the area.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Leona Bruce
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: May 2, 1983
Location: Santa Anna, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
b. Santa Anna, Texas,
Father in law enforcement,
Texas Ranger,
Served with Treasury,
Department on Mexican border,
Chased down cattle rustlers for Cattle Raisers Association of Texas,
Organized Cattle Inspection Service (presently Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association),
Process of finishing a case,
Anecdote: Breaking up rustling ring in Vega, Texas,
Elected Sheriff of Coleman, Texas (1914),
Ranger service requested his assistance,
Leno Vass,
Gunfight,
Inscription on bullet,
Loved on lower floor of jail,
Mrs. Bruce graduated high school at age 16,
College opposed by parents,
Mrs. Bruce drove Sheriff's car,
People met while working in jail,
Murder trial of Harris Stinnel,
Stinnel's story,
Other dangerous situations witnessed by Mrs. Bruce,
Teaching school,
West Texas Historical Association,
Texas Rangers,
Writing history of Central Texas,
Books discussed,
Memories,
Ox teams,
Automobiles,
Father,
Buying farm property West of Santa Anna,
Married in 1894,
Mother; Emma Dougherty Bannister,
Characteristics,
Responsibilities,
Children,
Management of jail,
First woman Sheriff in the United States,
Approach to writing,
Father's memoirs of cattle drive,
Grammatical correctness,
Style,
Future depends upon books,
Library of Alexander the Great,
Egyptian manuscripts,
Time required to write books,
Archaeology of Trickham area,
Kitchen maidens
Tape 1, Side 2:
Stories of Home Creek residents,
Mary Barton,
Mrs. Overall; the "first lady on Home Creek",
Teaching in small school,
Organization of mother's clubs,
Influence on children,
Tenant farmers,
Home Demonstration clubs,
Needs of children,
Schools,
Teachers,
Books,
Changes brought by rural mail,
Grandmother and Mother's love of learning,
Tenant farmers (again),
Education,
Character,
Anecdote: Trustees who arranged for Christmas ,
celebration at school,
Bible school on Friday morning in school,
Town schools vs. country schools,
Tenant farmers (again),
Soil conservation practices,
Effect of World War II,
Camp Bowie as a labor draw,
Post war land prices,
Purchase of washing machine,
Husband's ambition,
Purchased piano during Depression,
Tenant farmers (again),
Crops raised,
Women raised turkeys,
Creameries purchased cream,
Managing well with what you had,
Changes,
Today's children compared to barefoot children of 1930s,
Prisoner of War camp; Brownwood, Texas (World War II),
Prisoners from Rommel's African Corps,
Layout of Camp Bowie,
Mrs. Bruce invited to visit camp,
Difficulty of entry,
Observance of Articles of War,
German cooks in mess hall,
Preparation of meals,
Day room,
Description,
Musical talent of prisoners,
Prisoners employed on farms after armistice,
Location of P. O. W. compound,
Camp Bowie; Fort Worth, Texas (World War I),
Visiting the camp as a young girl,
Mrs. Bruce's description of herself
Range Dates: 1900-1983
Bulk Dates: 1900-1945
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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