Williams, Jack V 1970-01-15
Jack V. Williams talks about his family and ranching operation in Concho County, other ranches and their early-day operations in South Texas, his father Robert Wright Williams’ ranch in Mexico, and ranching during the Depression.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Jack V. Williams
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: January 15, 1970
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family background,
L. P. Williams, grandfather,
Tells of his trailing Indians who stole horses,
Judge Vandervoort, grandfather,
Discusses cattle drives and an account book kept on the drives,
Contrasts "Brush Country" and "Plains" cowboys.
Tape 1, Side 2: Effects of the Depression on cattle ranchers in South Texas,
Government cattle killing program,
Cattle in South Texas,
Working on a ranch in the brush country,
History and use of leased ranch lands,
Robert Wright Williams’ (father) early experiences on his father’s ranch,
Story about his selling cattle when he was 13 years old,
Williams’ ranch in Mexico,
Roping contests at rodeos,
Stories about being held and robbed by Pancho,
Villa’s men,
His mother’s family,
An account of misdeeds by Baptists for which they were punished by the church.
Tape 2, Side 1: Poem about Williams’ love for Hereford cattle,
Williams family at Carrizo Springs,
Ranch home,
Riding horseback to school,
Working on Indio Ranch on the Rio Grande during the Depression,
Story of how going to the dentist convinced him to go to college,
Attending A & M College in animal husbandry,
Williams ranching interests in Concho County,
Cattle herds,
Ranch terrain,
Ranch under Wade’s management,
Williams’ wife and children,
Williams’ experiences in World War II,
Civilian flier training,
Contrast of early and present day ranching operations,
Number of men and horses required,
Transportation over the ranch,
Joe Williams (uncle), sheriff at Eagle Pass for 35 years,
Gun used by the sheriff to capture desperadoes,
F. Vandervoort (grandfather),
Forming of Carrizo Springs Javelin newspaper and publishing company,
The Vandervoort family in Pennsylvania,
Story about an automobile trip.
Tape 2, Side 2: Describes the chuck wagons used on South Texas ranches,
Atotonilcho (?) Ranch in South Texas,
Raising cattle in Mexico and selling in Texas,
Pastures and stock pens on the ranch,
Rock fence on ranch built by monks,
Protection "army" used by the neighboring ranch,
Bookkeeping system,
Use of helicopters on ranches.
Range Dates: 1900-1950
Bulk Dates: 1910s-1940s
Access Information
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Transcript:
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