Pollard, J J 1975

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J. J. Pollard discusses his family’s move to West Texas in 1905, his arrival at Lubbock in 1909, the various jobs he has had there since that time, and early Lubbock Trades Days.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: J.J. Pollard

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: February 4 and 20 and March 4, 1975

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Marshall L. Pennington

Length: 3 hours 45 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical data presented, Born in Bell County (1894), Traveled to Haskell County from Bell County in an immigrant car on a train, Tells of seeing first coyote and playing in snow.

Tape 1, Side 2: Neighbor from Bell County became a prominent Lubbock citizen, Recalls seining for fish as a child, Crops grown in Bell County, First cotton crop in Haskell Coutny.

Tape 2, Side 1: Continues story of first cotton crop, Moving in a covered wagon from Haskell to Lubbock, Gathering cow chips for fuel, Various jobs described, Going on a trail ride and getting tricked by the boss in 1909, Describes raising cows by their tails during a drought, Breaking wild horses.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Anecdote about being thrown off a horse, Learning to rope animals, Difference between herding cattle and horses, Difficulties in hauling freight from Plainview to Lubbock, Helping break out a farm, Description of a dugout on Nairn farm, Hitching horses to plow, Train brakemen had to open gates for train to pass, Work as a teamster, Helped build Crosbyton and Brownfield railroad cut-offs, Theory on the introduction of Johnson grass to West Texas.

Tape 3, Side 2: Story of train killing a cow, Explanatory note on Mr. Pollard’s health by Mr. Pennington.

Tape 4, Side 1: Cow-catchers on early engines discussed, Sewer line in Lubbock in 1911, Dug tunnels by hand, Sewer pipes were joined in tunnels, Delivering for Lubbock Coal and grain Company, Early telephones mentioned, Working on a farm, Misunderstanding with fireman while working for Santa Fe Railroad, Married and went to work in oil fields in 1918, Worked again as a teamster, Worked for 40 years as a plasterer, Worked from a swinging scaffold in Mississippi.

Tape 4, Side 2: Moved to Dallas in 1928, Returned to Lubbock in 1934, Work on Texas Tech campus, Tells of building current home and swimming pool, Severe cold weather in 1917 described, 30 cattle froze to death on Benson Ranch, Hobo froze to death, Discussion of prairie chickens, Problems of rent houses, Discussion of family members, Trades Days recalled, People came to visit, Mention of Don Biggers and first irrigation well, First car remembered.

Range Dates: 1894-1934

Bulk Dates: 1894-1934


Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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