Spikes, Mr and Mrs J J 1957-02-19
The Spikes discuss their family background and early life on the South Plains, including his experiences as a cowboy.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Spikes
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: February 19, 1957
Location: Ralls, Texas
Interviewer: R. Sylvan Dunn
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: J. J. Spikes’ description of coming to Texas and the Estacado settlement,
Spikes joined Rollie Burns in 1892,
Burns Ranch described,
A workday on the ranch is described,
Blizzards killed cattle,
Spikes was a businessman in Emma, Texas,
Freighted from Amarillo to Emma,
J. J. Spikes’ family described,
Hog killing,
Sheep raising discussed,
Water discussed as the key to this country,
Cowboy life hard work,
Blanco Canyon described,
Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie mentioned.
Tape 1, Side 2: Cattle stampedes,
Weather—hail and tornado,
Harvesting sorghums and maize,
Spikes’ various business interests mentioned,
Mrs. Spikes’ work in journalism,
Cattle roundups,
Types of cattle,
Spikes family came from Ireland,
J. J.’s father fought in Civil War,
Grandfather, Mr. Fox, stowed away to the U. S.
Tape 2, Side 1: Mrs. Spikes’ grandfather, George Jones, came to Virginia from Wales and pioneered in Texas,
Early-day funerals,
Mr. and Mrs. Spikes met in Emma,
J. J. Spikes tells of some events in his early life,
Reasons for a cowboy’s way of dressing,
Mr. Spikes’ grandfather mentioned,
History of his family,
Mrs. Spikes’ early life on the Plains,
History of her family,
Windmills discussed.
Tape 2, Side 2: Land prices discussed,
Life at Emma discussed,
Hospitality of the South Plains,
The Spikes buy their first car (1916),
J. J. Spikes’ ambition,
Death of his father,
Saloons mentioned,
General store described,
Barbed wire mentioned,
Wolf fight described,
Antelope hunting discussed.
Range Dates: 1880s-1916
Bulk Dates: 1880s-1916
Access Information
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Transcript:
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