Smith, Clinton 1984-02-29
Clinton Smith discusses ranching in the Texas Hill Country, recalls his farming operations in Abernathy during the 1930s, and comments on contemporary national politics.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Clinton Smith
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: February 29, 1984
Location: Dublin, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Clinton Smith,
Born: Johnson City, Texas (June 4, 1909),
Parents,
Occupation,
Ranching in Texas Hill Country,
Wolves,
Sheep and goat raising,
Relationship between sheepmen and cattlemen,
Wolves (again),
Hunts,
Children’s duties on ranch,
Hogs,
Killing and processing,
Meat preservation,
Dairying,
Cattle,
Hereford,
Neighboring families,
Relationship with neighbors,
Anecdote: Smith sees his first car,
Drought (1885-87),
Driving cattle to water,
Grandfather’s herd,
Drought (1917-19),
Windmills,
Selling off cattle,
End of rented farms in Blanco County, Texas,
Decline in population,
Decline in farming,
Availability of water in Blanco County,
Quality of water,
Anecdote: Looking for a tank in dove season,
Anecdote: Moss Ranch cattle,
Sheep buying,
Harry Thompson,
Shipping,
Anecdote: buying for Homes Moss,
Getting out of business.
Tape 1, Side 2: Farming in Abernathy, Texas (1930s),
Depression,
Location of farm,
Abernathy land in sod (1929),
XIT windmill,
Branding sheep for XIT, Yellow House Division,
Smith’s farm (again),
Crops raised,
Ronald Reagan,
Balancing the budget,
Irrigation wells on South Plains,
W. A. Gates,
Brother’s well,
Future availability of water,
Ronald Reagan (again),
State of the nation,
Lebanon,
Presidential election (1984),
Interpretation of the Constitution,
Integrity,
Foreign investment,
Good Presidents,
Harry S. Truman,
Calvin Coolidge,
Dwight Eisenhower,
Worst Presidents,
Lyndon B. Johnson,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
Depression.
Range Dates: 1885-1984
Bulk Dates: 1909-1984
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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