Watson, Lessie Carter and Leona 1983-03-29
Leona and Lessie Carter Watson reminisce over their lives in rural West Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Lessie Carter and Leona Watson
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: March 29, 1983
Location: Friona, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 1 hour 25 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Background,
Born: Bell County, Texas (1897),
Parents: A. J. and Eliza Jane (Smith) Carter,
Farming in Bell County, Texas (1879-1956),
Crops raised,
Neighbors,
Water well,
Brookhaven Community,
Self-sufficiency,
Work animals,
Trips to Belton,
Brookhaven Community (again),
Anecdote: bridge across Cowhouse River,
Anecdote: traveling to Belton in the rain,
Brookhaven Community (again),
Buildings,
Barns,
Farming (again),
Marketing of corn,
Molasses cane,
Syrup mill,
Processing,
Stripping cane,
Feed cane,
Tenant farmers,
Terms,
Prospects,
Economic condition (early 20th century),
Children’s chores,
Parents (again),
Ethnicity,
Personality,
Family values instilled,
Respect,
Education,
Work ethic,
Children’s chores (again),
Discipline of children.
Tape 1, Side 2: World War I,
Public consciousness,
Carter family,
Rationing of food stuffs,
Boll Weevil,
Effects on Bell County,
Cattle industry,
Swine flu epidemic (1918),
Doctor,
Treatment,
Severity,
Drought (1917-1918),
Lessie Watson’s marriage,
Courting,
Automobiles (early 20th century),
Model T Ford (1916),
Farm credit (early 20th century),
Choosing renters,
James Milton Watson,
Marriage, 1913 (again),
Ages,
Farming rented land,
Employment with railroad,
Description of Southern New Mexico (1920s),
Topography,
Economy,
Weather,
Safety along border,
Deming, New Mexico,
Railroad business,
Housing (Deming, New Mexico),
People involved,
California,
Separ, New Mexico,
Population,
School,
Hobos,
Gypsies,
Hobos (again),
To Parmer County, Texas,
Reasons,
Land purchased,
Price,
Condition,
Farming, Parmer County,
Heading maize,
Threshing crews,
Cooking for threshing crew.
Tape 2, Side 1: Cooking for threshing crew (continued),
Foods prepared,
Mechanization,
Early tractors,
Irrigation,
Mechanization (again),
Farmer acceptance,
Financing of a tractor (1930s),
Irrigation (again),
Farmer acceptance,
Changes effected,
Work load,
Expense and financing,
Changes effected (again),
Crops grown,
Wastage of water,
Changes in practices,
High Plains Underground,
Water Conservation District No. 1,
"The good old days",
Morality,
Changes,
Cohabitation outside of marriage,
Divorce,
Rural electrification.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1879-1983
Bulk Dates: 1879-1983
Access Information
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Transcript:
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