Graves, Joycelyn 1977-11-22
Joycelyn Graves relates her experiences as a sheep rancher’s wife during World War II. Special attention is given to the drought of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Joycelyn Graves
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: November 22, 1977
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Helen Clements
Length: 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Fort Stockton and Ozona Texas topography and
vegetation,
Joycelyn Graves,
High school in Fort Stockton,
Graduation (1942),
Married prior to graduation,
Courtship with Lee Graves,
Family’s influence,
Graves and Hoover ranching partnership,
Uncle Arthur’s ranch, ‘Live Oak’,
‘Felix Tank’ ranch,
125 sections,
Horses,
Description of grass,
Breaking and using horses,
Henderson Ranch,
Cooking for ranch hands,
Help and sympathy,
No plumbing or water,
Hauling water from Fort Stockton,
Washing dishes,
Husband Lee into Army,
Deferment,
Enlisted in Air Corps,
Conflict with shearing sheep,
Money and prices good,
Selling out,
Stayed with in-laws in Ozona,
Doctor in San Angelo Texas,
Brothers-in-law in military,
Child Jacky born in October 1942,
Lee in Air Transport Command,
Trip to visit him in Wilmington Delaware,
Ferrying bombers to England and North Africa,
Discharged because of asthma (October 1943),
Four other children,
Move to San Angelo,
Texas Production Credit Association loan to start up
sheep ranch,
Paid back in 18 months,
Son Buddy born (1944),
Rough work conditions (1943),
Uncle Arthur moves up another house on ranch,
Six volt wind charger for electricity,
Two light bulbs when wind blew,
Eight ranch hands to feed,
Year behind on horse work,
Cooking,
Before Rural Electrification Administration,
Ranch hands’ annoying contests,
Horse work,
Uncle Arthur’s help,
Move to town for Buddy’s birth,
Bunkhouse built,
Well put in,
Water brought from Imperial Texas,
Modern conveniences,
Buying airplane,
‘Wetback’ labor,
Few Anglos,
Drought conditions caused sell-off of horses,
Custom saddle,
Taking dinner to ranch hands,
Meals described,
Refrigeration,
32 volt wind charger,
Appliances and radio (c. 1948).
Tape 1, Side 2: Blank (2-3 minutes),
Joycelyn Graves (continued),
Taking dinner (continued),
Feeding stock because of drought,
Borrowing money,
Moving sheep to Brackettville Aspermont and Del
Rio Texas,
Movie, "The Alamo," set at Brackettville,
Return to Fort Stockton because of rain,
Drought returns,
Borrowing money,
Leasing land at Van Horn and Alpine Texas,
Daughter Laura born (1953),
Jimmy Logan’s deal,
Late freeze and wind killed young lambs,
Disease,
Ranchers’ other problems,
Coyotes,
Van Horn ranch,
Panthers and mountain lions,
Visit to Van Horn land,
Daughter Joyce born (1955),
Wealthy rancher Henry Wilbanks,
Bank problems,
Indebtedness,
Babysitters,
Pick-up breaks down enroute,
Picturesque Eagle Mountains,
English style house,
Inappropriate saddles for mountain country,
Need of fence,
Henry Wilbanks refuses to provide,
Blank (5 minutes),
Joycelyn Graves (again),
Born: San Angelo (May 23 1926),
Lee J. youngest son,
Grandmother, German immigrant (1853-54),
Settled near Seguin and San Antonio Texas,
Father a ranch foreman on ranch in Schleicher
County Texas,
Family name change to Freitag,
Move to Fort Stockton,
Description of topography.
Range Dates: 1853-1955
Bulk Dates: 1942-1955
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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