Boyd, Hiley Jr 1970-06-02
Hiley Boyd Jr. recalls early ranch personalities and land development in Hockley and Cochran counties. Among other things he deals with the history and liquidation of the Slaughter ranch.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Hiley Boyd, Jr.
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: June 2, 1970
Location: Godley, Texas
Interviewer: David Murrah
Length: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Early ownership of Slaughter land in Hockley an Cochran counties reviewed,
Discussion of drift fence,
Surratt Ranch mentioned,
Fount Oxsheer's career recalled and personality characterized,
Oxsheer's holdings and operation of the Mallet Ranch,
Appearance of first mesquite thicket cited,
Drilled water wells on ranch lands,
Oxsheer's holdings (continued),
Relates Oxsheer's business deals with the Slaughters,
Mention of the need to fence and survey
Tape 1, Side 2:
Water development examined,
Water technology was developed on the ranch,
Speculates on overstocking and land and water capacity,
Gives reasons for father's leaving employment of C. C. Slaughter,
Discussion of 1917 drought,
Recollections of working cattle,
Cattle diseases and treatment described,
Accusations of "mis-management" leveled ,
Slaughter management condemned
Tape 2, Side 1:
Explanations for poor management,
Cites examples of poor management,
Claims of ecological changes in the land,
Progress in cattle breeding described,
Problems created from ecological and management changes,
Development of cattle feed,
Cotton seed cake described,
Further explanations for poor management,
"Loco" cattle described,
Notes dissatisfaction with the Slaughter family,
Process of ranch liquidation related,
Attitude toward George Slaughter expressed
Tape 2, Side 2:
Process of ranch liquidation (continued),
Lone Star Land Company discussed,
States effect of Depression and drought on farmers,
Morton Smith's promotion characterized,
Land development resulted in controversy,
Anecdotes concerning Morton Smith,
"Small ranchers" recalled
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