Townsend, Bill 2000-01-18
Bill Townsend, a resident of Vera, Texas discusses his ranching experiences in the West Texas region. He also talks about the different ranches he has worked at and his career as a cowboy.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Bill Townsend
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: January 18, 2000
Location: Vera, Texas
Interviewer: David Marshall
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Townsend, Bill,
b. Blanket County, 1925,
Father: d. 6 months after his son’s birth,
Mother: moved to Snyder, Texas after her husband’s death,
Childhood,
Worked on the farm until 18 years old,
Mother’s sister ran the farm,
Cotton farm,
Livestock,
Shared crop,
Antelope country,
Stories,
Pasture,
Gail County,
First real job,
Rancher- rode horses – 1943,
Cattle drive – 150 miles,
Ranch country,
1200 Hereford cattle,
Split them up,
Open ranges,
Different ranches he worked on,
Several small ranches along the Caprock,
Matador Ranch,
Slaughter Ranch – only during round-up time (30-40 days),
John Slaughter,
All ranches were similar,
No ranch has been a better experience than another,
Horses,
Matador Ranch,
Changed horses 3 – 4 times a day,
Ranching,
Working with cowboys several different times,
Wildlife,
Coyotes,
Mountain lions,
Snakes,
Copperheads on rock cliffs,
Bailing hay – story of rattlesnakes getting bailed with the hay.
Tape 1, Side 2: Weather Conditions,
Hail Storms,
Holding on to the saddles during hail storms,
No severe hail,
Storm shelters,
Quick Sand,
Story of going in up to his knees,
River Access,
Supply of water for horses/cattle,
Salty water during dry weather,
Wildlife,
Raccoons,
Opossums,
Dogs killed opossums,
Rounding up cattle,
Start at 3:30 am.,
Recreation,
Catch up on sleep,
Converse with other cowboys,
Memorable tales,
Living at Matador Ranch,
Line Camp,
Bunk houses,
Names of Horses,
Flash,
Ranching Heritage Center,
Photographs,
Memorabilia,
Historical Information.
Range Dates: 1925-2000
Bulk Dates: 1925-1950
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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