Selmon, John C 1969-06-13
"Scandalous John" Selmon relates his experiences as a cowboy and foreman on the Spur, Half-Circle S, and Flat Top ranches, his work on these ranches, and the Texas Cowboy Reunion in Stamford. Because of microphone trouble, part of Side 1 and all of Side 2 on Tape 1 are inaudible.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: John C. Selmon
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 13, 1969
Location: Stamford, Texas
Interviewer: Charles Townsend
Length: 40 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: John C. Selmon,
Born: San Saba County (July 2, 1884),
Parents and grandfather,
Discusses his early experiences working on ranches,
Spur Ranch job of breaking horses,
Nickname of "Scandalous John",
Working with Spur Ranch cattle wagons,
Driving cattle to Estelline, Texas,
Branding,
Story about killing a rattlesnake under his bedroll,
Spur Ranch brand,
Working for Half-Circle S (1906-1913),
Roping and dragging cattle to branding fires,
Working for Swenson Ranch (1913-1920),
Foreman for Flat Top Ranch,
Discusses the number of cattle branded on all,
Swenson ranches,
Sorting and shipping cattle to market.
Tape 1, Side 2: [Inaudible]
Tape 2, Side 1: Flat Top Ranch (continued),
Story about running bootleggers off,
Horses,
Breaking the horses,
Selmon’s horse, "Brownie",
Will Rogers’ visit,
Breaking horses (again),
Texas Cowboy Reunion,
Origin,
Chuck wagon meals,
Old Timers’ Association,
Ranch retirement systems,
Ranch wages,
Discusses showing horses at shows,
Contrasts past and present-day cattle roundups,
Discuses difficulty of getting ranch hands now,
Discusses horses on the ranch,
Swenson Reunion.
Range Dates: 1884-1969
Bulk Dates: 1890s-1920s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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