Durham, Alvin 1972-08-16

From SWC Oral History Collection
Revision as of 20:45, 24 September 2014 by Alex (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Alvin Durham, saddlemaker and former Matador cowboy, recalls his work with the Matador Ranch in a transition period from older to modern ranching. He also provides valuable details on leathercraft and saddlemaking.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Alvin Durham

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: August 16, 1972

Location: Near Roaring Springs, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background and early life reviewed, Worked with Matador Ranch--1943-1960, Use of motor vehicles explained, Worked at Matador line camp, Electricity and water supply discussed, Matador labor shortage noted, Killed mesquites in late 1940s, Rodeo and cowboy unions recalled, Rodeo performer and ranch cowboy role contrasted, Cowboy discipline at the wagon and bunkhouse, Describes Guthrie's liquor election, Modern cowboy characterized, Cites influence of feedlots and decline of ranching technique, Cowboys described, Reflects on increasing cowboy wages

Tape 1, Side 2: Matador food purchase and distribution examined, Anecdote about Pitchfork Ranch chuckwagon, John Mackenzie recalled, Owned saddle and leather shop, Learning the saddle business, Saddlemaking craft described, Hand-tooling and craftsmanship, Saddlemaker's clients listed, Definition of a "journeyman saddlemaker", Different saddlemakers mentioned, Business problems outlined

Range Dates: 1943-1960

Bulk Dates: 1943-1960


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.