Patterson, Paul 1968, 1969, 1973, 1975

Tape 1: Paul Patterson reads an address concerning Route 385 and historical information connected with it. Tape 2: He describes some criminal incidents in West Texas. The first 10 to 15 minutes are unintelligible. Tapes 3 and 4: Patterson reads a Rankin family history written by J. P. Rankin and some personal reminiscences of Martha Ezell and then recalls various events in his own life, particularly his experiences during the Depression and his work for a Fort Worth radio station. He also reads excerpts from his radio programs. Tape 5: He reads two papers presented at the Texas Folklore Society in Dallas entitled "Converting Fact to Folklore and Vice Versa" and "The Non-Texan’s Typical Texan." Tape 6: Patterson reads from rejected chapters of his book, Crazy Women in the Rafters. Tape 7: He discusses his work for the Southwest Collection with David Murrah in a telephone conversation.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Paul Patterson

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: Summer 1968, c. 1969, September 12, 1973; March 15, 1975

Location: Crane and Sierra Blanca, Texas

Interviewer: David Murrah (Tape 7)

Length: 5 hours 50 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Address, History of Route 385, History of Spanish explorers, Establishment of Crane, Texas, Anecdote about a man from Odessa, Indians’ water wells, Need for historical markers along Route 385.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Shooting incidents, Story of ranch hand trying to kill Nick Rogers, Killing near Iraan, Texas, False arrest of a man named Holmes, George Holmes and Pancho Villa.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Rankin family background, Owned land in Tennessee, Anecdote about David Rankin burying his Confederate money, F. E. Rankin established cattle ranch in Upton and Tom Green counties, Texas, Donated land for Rankin, Texas townsite, Mrs. F. E. Rankin characterized, Opened insurance agency in 1916, Fought moving of county seat to McCamey, Died in 1953, Reminiscences of Martha Ezell of Stamford, Texas, Played organ at winter sing-songs, Anecdote about nearly falling into a river while crossing in a wagon, Depression experiences of Paul Patterson, Worked as a cowboy, Recalls horse and custom-made boots, Brother was never out of a job, Recalls giving cowboys’ food to people hitching rides on trains going west, Anecdote about losing a week’s pay, Describes working on a ranch, Attended Sul Ross State University, Worked his way through at odd jobs, Recalls hitchhiking from Colorado to Rankin with $3.00.

Tape 3, Side 2: Taught school at Marfa, Texas, Radio career discussed, Announced hillbilly records in Fort Worth, Recalls riding a truck to Abilene and unloading 10,000 broom handles, Anecdote about hitchhiking to Murchison and exchanging stories for food and a bed, Worked at KFJZ in Fort Worth, Reads radio manuscript from programs he did in 1937-38, "Odd Views on Odd News," under the name of Marlin Spike McGuire.

Tape 4, Side 1: Continues reading excerpts from his radio programs.

Tape 4, Side 2: Continues reading excerpts from his radio programs.

Tape 5, Side 1: Introduction to paper, Attitude toward interdependence of history, journalism and folklore explained, Anecdote on conversion of fact into folklore—relates to boots of Jesse James, Introduction to a second paper, Stereotypes explored, "Texas Jack" in a French restaurant described.

Tape 5, Side 2: Ghost stories, poems from Patterson’s 5th grade students.

Tape 6, Side 1: Reads rejected chapters from book, Trips remembered, Recalls distasteful tasks, Oil boom in Rankin noted.

Tape 6, Side 2: Continues to read chapters, Social problems and truck discussed, Accounts for social experiences, Comments on mechanical age, Describes Rankin after oil was discovered.

Tape 7, Side 1: Teaching career mentioned, Autobiographical data presented, Father was a cowboy, Interest in folklore began as a child, Names interesting people he has known, Qualifies himself as an interviewer, Tells what makes an interesting interview, Describes value of oral history project, Martin Castillo recalled, One person died while being interviewed, Lists schools where he has taught, Stationed in Africa while in the Army, Began writing there, Tells about new book Crazy Women in the Rafters, Relates story behind title, Lists books, Family moved 36 times in a covered wagon, Activities related, Mutual acquaintances discussed, Story about C. C. Slaughter.

Tape 7, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1900-1975

Bulk Dates: 1916-1975

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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