Moss, Mark A 1971-05-17
Mark Moss, early Llano rancher, describes his grandfather’s headright acquisition of land near Llano and the subsequent division of the property. He then reviews many aspects of ranch life including cattle marketing and feeding, droughts, and water storage. In addition, he discusses hunting leases and the gradual collection of exotic wildlife on family land from the 1930s to the present.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Mark A. Moss
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 17, 1971
Location: Llano, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 2 hours 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family background information,
Uncle was in the cattle business,
Loss of ranch records explained,
Describes cattle drive,
Grandfather’s headright a result of the Texas,
Revolution,
Expresses belief in the "Jim Bowie Mine",
Reasons headrights sold to Sam Maverick of San Antonio.
Tape 1, Side 2: Anecdote about Ike Pryor, cattle baron,
Maverick’s selling of the accumulated headrights discussed,
Origin of the term "maverick" in the cattle business,
Speculates on barbed wire fence vs. stone fence,
Rail fences described,
Problems with dividing family property and resulting inheritance tax.
Tape 2, Side 1: Fear of marriage recalled,
Worked on the ranch as a boy,
Describes stone house in Llano County,
Attitude toward gun fighting explained,
Origin of and attitude toward family feuds,
Discusses cattle diseases and mineral deficiency,
Notes own lack of schooling,
Financial mistakes recalled,
Mentions drought in 1901.
Tape 2, Side 2: Drought in 1910,
Government cattle program in the 1930s examined,
Feeding cattle to hogs,
Drought in 1925 recalled,
Marketing cattle on a local market,
Explains process of teaching cattle to "feed",
Built "earth tanks" for water,
Government tank building programs reviewed.
Tape 3, Side 1: Building a spillway on Sandy Creek,
Division of the family cattle described,
Explains origin of "Bar-O" brand,
Arranging hunting leases on family property,
Exotic Wildlife Association discussed,
Importing Mexican and Barbados sheep.
Tape 3, Side 2: Description of catching wild cattle and importing antelope,
Arrangements with hunters examined,
Speculates on lack of state or federal legislation in the area of exotic wildlife management,
Imported the sika deer of eastern Asia,
Problems with crossbreeding the Barbados sheep.
Range Dates: 1835-1971
Bulk Dates: 1901-1930s
Access Information
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Transcript:
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