Sutherland, Ross 1974-08-12,13
Ross Sutherland recalls his life as a sheep herder, cowboy, beet sugar factory worker and uranium miner near Ten Sleep, Wyoming.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ross Sutherland
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: August 12-13, 1974
Location: Buena Vista, Colorado
Interviewer: David Murrah
Length: 1 hour 5 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Tells about his father and Wyoming birthplace,
Describes work after leaving home in 1918,
Was cowboy, sheep herder and heavy equipment operator,
Discusses conflict between sheepmen and cattlemen,
Compares tending sheep and cattle,
Gives daily life of herder,
Observes that fencing has changed duties,
Tells about camp tenders,
Notes shearing practices,
Contrasts skills of cowboys and sheep herders,
Remembers rotation around five jobs a year,
Describes lambing process,
Details work in sugar factory,
Recalls cattle ranching before World War I,
Roundup practices summarized,
Taylor Grazing Company mentioned,
Father’s career discussed.
Tape 1, Side 2: Continues to discuss father’s ranching,
Five hundred cattle rustled,
Tells of clowning in local rodeos (1926-1949),
Outlines changes in uranium open pit mining,
Describes changes in Wyoming ranch country around Ten Sleep,
Tourists began visiting in 1928-29,
Mentions gypsies and Indians,
Discusses diaries kept since 1926.
Tape 2, Side 1: Mentions Matador Ranch around uranium mine near,
Casper and Shoshone, Wyoming, in 1960s,
Discusses schooling up to eighth grade,
Recalls stocking up provisions for winter,
Lists food, including chokecherries,
First automobile in 1927-28 recalled,
Farm implements mentioned,
Lists crops that father raised,
Remembers losing sheep because of false criminal charges,
Notes take-over by larger, wealthier ranchers.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1918-1960s
Bulk Dates: 1918-1929
Access Information
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Transcript:
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