Payne, G S Red 1972
Red Payne discusses life on the Matador Ranch from 1915 to the early 1950s, including his work on the Matador’s Montana ranges. He also recalls various personalities in the ranch’s history.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: G.S. Red Payne
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 8 and August 3, 1972
Location: Matador, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Birth, 1896,
Parents’ background,
Worked for Matador in Montana (1915-1930),
Reduction of herds,
Indian reservation nearby,
Description of ranch,
Ranching techniques and marketing,
Abandoning Canadian ranges,
Hiring "dry-landers" to cut hay,
World War I anecdote,
Influenza epidemic in Matador (1918),
Wagon boss,
Relations with Indians,
Cattle brand,
Extent of Matador operations,
Wagon burning anecdote,
Montana winters,
Adaptation to winter,
Rules and regulations,
Indians and alcohol,
Cattle loss,
Cattle thieves,
Cowboy’s pay (1915-1951),
Previous cattle experience,
Montana compensation law.
Tape 1, Side 2: Discussion of pictures,
Accompanied polo horses to Los Angeles,
Summary of events (1915-1951),
Murdo Mackenzie,
Cowboys who went to South America,
John Mackenzie, Jr.,
Alexander Mackay and other directors,
Damage suit,
Liquidation of Matador Land and Cattle Company,
Dizzy Dean visits Matador,
Writer visits Matador,
Cowboys,
Attempt to establish union,
Public relations,
Local tax problems.
Tape 2, Side 1: Railroads and marketing routes in Montana range recalled,
Milk and Missouri rivers recalled,
Lists ranches contiguous to Matador’s Montana holdings,
Explains use of Montana reservoirs,
Daily schedule outlined,
Winter activity and behavior of cattle contrasted to horses during the winter,
Transportation and social activities mentioned,
Notes adaptation of Texas cattle to Montana weather,
Expresses attitude toward Indians and Indian police,
Murder of Matador cowboy recalled,
Relationship between cattlemen and sheepmen examined.
Tape 2, Side 2: Cattlemen-sheepmen cooperation cited,
Opinions on cowboy lifestyle given,
J. M. Jackson and M. J. Reilly characterized,
Recollections of Tom Thornton,
Canadian cook remembered,
Diet examined,
Life magazine featured the Matador in 1947,
Mentions Marlboro cigarette commercials at Pitchfork Ranch.
Range Dates: 1896-1951
Bulk Dates: 1915-1951
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
