Holmes, Alma

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Mrs. Alma Holmes sketches the beginnings of Plainview and Floydada, Texas, giving names of early pioneers and offering an interpretation of town development. She also discusses the early colleges founded on the Plains and names some of their first faculty members.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Alma Holmes

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 2, 1956; July 13, 1983

Location: Lubbock and Duncanville, Texas

Interviewer: LWC History Roundtable, Richard Mason

Length: 2 hours, 10 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Introduction of Mrs. Holmes author of Floydada history, Invites audience to 50th anniversary of Floydada’s founding, History of Floydada, Nine Childress men went to establish town in Lubbock (1890) but disliked terrain and mesquites, Mrs. Carolyn B. Price from St. Louis Missouri offered 4 sections to start a town in Floyd County, W. T. Montgomery laid out town, J. D. Starks built first house saloon, Prairie fire Panhandle Indian scare mentioned, Uncle Hank Smith dug public well, Matador Ranch antipathy discussed, County seat and cowboys’ role reviewed, Llano Estacado Railroad Company and importance of railroad to town development stressed, Town fire from IOOF hall, Amarillo, Plainview Southern Railroad and Santa Fe Railroad described, Plainview’s early history recounted, R. B. C. Howell drove a flock of sheep from Breckinreidge to Plainview (1889), Dr. J. H. Wayland (1901), Floydada’s name origin speculated upon, County seat contest mentioned, Baker Mercantile Store named.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Central Plains Academy, School at Della Plain, Wayland Baptist College, Seth Ward College, Southern Presbyterian Academy, Lockney Christian College.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Floyd County, Texas—Irrigation, Wells, Subsidy from Chamber of Commerce, Hilltop well, Motivation for sinking a well, Crops grown, Wells (again), Discussion of sales receipts, Frequency of irrigation, Promotion of vegetables, Electricity, Irrigation (again), Effect of labor situation, World War II, Labor (again), Migrant labor, Mechanization, Reluctance to irrigate.

Tape 3, Side 2: Hailstorms, Ard Tie, Electricity, L. A. Marshall, Promotion of fruits and vegetables, Promotion of migrant labor, Dairy operation (1930s), Depression, Floyd County, Post-war changes, Increased costs of farming, Cotton seed, Fertilizer and herbicide, Conservation, Water, Soil, Dairy operation (again), Ed Holmes, Co-ops, Depression (again).

Tape 4, Side 1: Depression (continued), Farm foreclosures, Diversified farming, Depression (again), Government programs, World War II (again), Labor, Family background, Parents, C. W. Smith, Settlement in Floyd County, Annie Mickey Smith, Father moves to Lockney Texas, Lockney Christian College, Mrs. Holmes, Born: Floyd County (May 30 1907), Irrigation well (again), Selling water, Swimming pool.

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1889-1983

Bulk Dates: 1907-1950


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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