Smith, C K 1984-07-12
Longtime rancher C. K. Smith reminisces over his life in Presidio County, Texas, including the history of the cattle industry and cattlemen of the area.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: C.K. Smith
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 12, 1984
Location: Marfa, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: C. K. Smith,
Born: Fort Davis, Texas (1894),
Family history,
Father, Claude A. Smith,
Mother, Lou Jones,
Reasons for move to Texas,
W. T. Jones,
Cattle inspector,
Range delivery,
Mavericking,
Range,
Fencing,
Loco weed,
Effects,
Brent family,
Reasons for moving to Marfa, Texas,
Texas state lands,
Leasing,
Railroad,
Squatters,
Drilling wells,
Sale of land to Claude A. Smith,
Land acquisition,
Cattle business,
Roundup,
Drought (1917),
Losses,
Coyote problem,
Trappers,
Bounties,
Neighbors,
Cattle business (again),
Lack of cattle rustlers,
Fencing,
Cattle drives,
Anecdote: Bill Jones, cattle inspector, cutting,
strays with a six-shooter,
Water supply,
Wells,
Well witchers,
Anecdote: Pete Kennedy.
Tape 1, Side 2: Pete Kennedy (continued),
Dehorning,
Grazing period,
Breed development,
Hereford cattle,
Horned cattle,
Protective value of horns,
Wolves,
Prairie dogs,
Eradication,
Dehorning (again),
Astrology,
Anecdote: Charlie Jones’ reliance upon almanac charts,
Overgrazing (1934),
Opinion of Presidio area,
Redevelopment of land,
Cattle business (again),
Grazing (again),
Tanks,
Fresnos,
Dutch Jake, tank builder,
Claude A. Smith (again),
Cattle business (again),
Breeds,
Hereford development,
Anecdote: Mars and Monarch owned by Bill Jones,
Auction,
Highland Hereford Association,
Buyers,
Cattle drives,
Railroads,
Trucking,
C. K. Smith (again).
Tape 2, Side 1: Cattle business (continued),
Livestock adjustment (1930s),
Role of Doctor,
Cattle appraisal,
Drought (1934),
Quality of herd,
C. K. Smith (again),
Cattle appraisal (again),
Joe Espy,
Anecdote: Selling steers dur to drought,
C. K. Smith (again),
Cattle appraisal,
Technique,
Cattle buying,
Qualities preferred,
Charlie Jones (again),
Advice,
C. K. Smith,
Cattle industry (again),
Desirable traits,
Dwarfism,
Breeding program,
Less fat,
Grasses and vegetation,
Hereford calves,
Anecdote: Joke played on another cattle buyer,
Labor,
Wages paid,
Caranzistas crossing border,
C. K. Smith,
Positions held,
Roundup,
Brother’s skill as a heeler.
Tape 2, Side 2: Cattle industry (again),
Roping,
Anecdote: using a stiff rope,
Diseases,
Burning cattle carcasses,
Weed problems,
Loco weed,
Screw worm eradication,
Dolph Briscoe,
Brucelosis,
Desirable qualities in a cattleman,
C. K. Smith (again),
Breaking horses,
Financing,
Cattlemen,
Influence of religion,
Luke Black,
John Maines,
Brite Ranch,
Bandit raid over US-Mexico border,
Orasco, horse thief.
Range Dates: 1894-1984
Bulk Dates: 1934-1984
Access Information
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Transcript:
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