Campbell, Hugh 1968-12-26
In Tape 1, Hugh Campbell, an early rancher in the Kermit area, reviews highlights of his career, talks about the origin of Kermit and discusses the terms of state lease agreements. In Tape 2, he relates stories of outlaws and conflict, discusses cattle breeds, trail drives and Indians, and notes events in his personal history. In Tape 3, he continues with stories of ranching personalities and business deals before describing the ranch terrain and living conditions in a half-dugout.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Hugh Campbell
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: December 26, 1968
Location: Ballinger, Texas
Interviewer: Elmer Kelton
Length: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Anecdote on being thrown from a horse,
Personal history: born 1878,
Playing professional baseball, 1895,
Purchase of mules recalled,
Story of breaking horses on a ranch in the Midland area,
Horses purchased in Alamogordo, New Mexico,
Robinson family, Winfield Scott mentioned,
Recollections of ranch management and personal conflict,
Ranching near Kermit on four sections in 1906
Tape 1, Side 2:
Origin of the name Kermit and townsite related,
Townsite of Duvall recalled,
Other land promotion projects mentioned,
Terms of land sales agreement with state of Texas reviewed,
Business practices examined,
Anecdote concerning "buying out" 2 sections of neighbor's land,
State lease and sales terms (continued),
Terrain, vegetation, wildlife of Kermit described,
Claims of "over-grazing" made,
Wife's dislike of Texas plains noted
Tape 2, Side 1:
Cattle stampede recalled,
Speculation on future of ranching,
Comments on present livestock,
Acquaintance with John Wayne, historical work of John Wayne cited,
Recollections of outlaw Jim Miller,
Story of Jim Miller's conflict with neighbors,
Millers killing of Sheriff Frazier cited,
Story concerning ranchers' conflict
Tape 2, Side 2:
Move to Ballinger recalled,
Land speculation activities reviewed,
Ballinger in 1890s contrasted to Ballinger in 1915,
Attitude toward Pancho Villa,
Attitude toward farming expressed,
Registered, commercial cattle discussed,
Origin of interest in registered cattle,
Anecdotes on mule, cattle trading,
Present cattle operation, cattle breeding discussed,
Cancer-eyed genetic traits cited,
Deer hunting recalled,
Social changes examined,
Dissatisfaction with present-day business ethics, cowboys,
Cattle drive from Midland to South Dakota in 1898 noted,
Ranchers' conflicts with Indians discussed
Tape 3, Side 1:
Story of murder of John Underwood,
Outlaw Jim Miller discussed,
Recollections of conflicts in business dealings,
Description of ranch land in Midland area,
Effects of prairie fires mentioned,
Tom Ross recalled,
New Mexico "scab" quarantine cited
Tape 3, Side 2:
Birchfield preemption of land for underground water recalled,
Violence in regard to business deal related,
Memories of living in half-dugouts,
Folklore on control of rattlesnakes given
Range Dates: 1878-1915
Bulk Dates: 1878-1915
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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