Ramey, Edwin 1974, 1978
Edwin Ramey, longtime farmer and resident of Dimmitt, talks about early Castro County, Texas, and the general farming practices of his day.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Edwin "Goose" Ramey
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 8, 1974; February 3, 1978
Location: Dimmitt, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend and Bobby Weaver
Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Origin of nickname "Goose" discussed,
Moved to Dimmitt (1904),
Comments on parents,
Bought a header and combine,
Tells about goose-neck maize,
Notes drought crops,
Recalls early farm machinery,
First weeds remembered,
Acquired land,
Took trips to Hereford,
Tells about the railroad,
Early irrigation discussed,
Early cotton crops recalled,
Vegetable farming began in 1950s,
Snowstorm in 1906 remembered,
Mentions financing,
Used wagons to haul crops,
Talks about Hereford elevator,
Had insect problems.
Tape 1, Side 2: Began with 18 acres,
By 1920 worked 400 acres,
Changed to tractor farming in 1927,
Changed to variety of grain,
Tells how Roosevelt’s New Deal affected people,
Sheep herds recalled,
Mentions farm machinery used in the 1920s,
Planting discussed,
Talks about heating homes,
Anecdote about local area told,
Recalls prairie fire in 1923,
Schooling mentioned,
Rented and owned land,
Comments on milk cow,
Modern conveniences were added to the farm,
Changes in land noted.
Tape 2, Side 1: Castro County, Texas (February 1904),
Railroad to Hereford, Texas (1898),
House in Dimmitt, Texas (Summer 1903),
Water,
Well,
Windmill,
Indoor plumbing,
Farming,
Maize,
Corn,
Sorghum,
Ranching,
Sheep to cattle (1911-1912),
Wheat,
First planted (1907),
First mechanical equipment for harvesting (1909),
First combine (1919),
First tractors in area (early 1920s),
Roads,
School system,
Church,
Schoolhouse,
Constructed (1904-1905),
Preachers,
County election (1906).
Tape 2, Side 2: Prohibition,
Dimmitt Bank (1907),
McClane family,
Depression,
Sandstorms,
Medical care,
First available money to borrow,
First paved road (1945).
Range Dates: 1898-1945
Bulk Dates: 1904-1945
Access Information
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Transcript:
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