Finding aid available here. Some items in this collection have been identified as containing potentially harmful language. Materials provided by Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington.
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Biographies of Fort Worth Men
William D. Harvey and Lawrence Steele
A transcript of notes regarding various men of Fort Worth by William D. Harvey. These biographical sketches include Lawrence Steele, Colonel J. P. Smith, Captain B. B. Paddock, and Captain Jeremiah Marklee,
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Biographies of Fort Worth Men - Ed Terrell
William D. Harvey and Ed Terrell
A transcript of an interview by William Harvey with Ed Terrell. Terrell was born May 24, 1812 in Murray County, Tennessee and after moving around, Terrell moved to Texas in May 7th, 1841. Terrell and J. P. Lusk first to be in what is now Fort Worth. The transcript is mostly Terrell history and events around Fort Worth.
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Biographies of Fort Worth Men - Julian Field
Julian Feild
A transcript of an interview with Julian Feild. Feild recalls being born in Tennessee then moving to Texas in 1843, west of Shreveport, LA. Feilds farmed for a living and then moved to Marshall, Texas. There Feild and Mr. Mann established a mercantile business.
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Biographies of Fort Worth Men - Charles Ellis Mitchell
Woody Phipps-Coon and Charles Ellis Mitchell
A transcript of an interview by Phipps-Coon with Charles Ellis Mitchell. Mitchell recalls his family coming to Fort Worth on May 16, 1856. His mother was contracted to teach school for girls. Mitchell recalls several buildings and people from all over Fort Worth. Including the tear down of the first mill in Fort Worth and Fort Worth's drought.
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Biographies of Fort Worth Men - William Jesse Boaz
William Jesse Boaz
A transcript of a Interview of Fort Worth Men, this one including William Jesse Boaz. Boaz was born in Hickman County, Kentucky in 1840. The transcript gives a brief introduction to the other members of Boaz's family, including the immigration of his father and uncles. Boaz followed his family to Texas in 1860 after finalizing the family farm back in Kentucky. In 1862, Boax enlisted in the 15th Texas Calvery under Colonel George H. Sweet. Boaz recalls that the regiment was part of General Deshter's Brigade that was engaged in the Trans-Mississippi department. He also recalls the brigade being captured at Arkansas Post on January 1, 1863. Boaz escaped and settled in Birdville, starting a small cattle farm. The rest of the transcript is detailing various events of his life.
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WPA Interview notes
Frank H. Bardon
WPA Interview notes by Frank H. Bardon. Various people occupations including Dr. Issac Van Zandt; Dr. Carrol Peak; Willam Pinckney McLean Sr, A lawyer; and Major K. M. Van Zandt who was the president of the Fort Worth National Bank.
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WPA Interview - James Terry
Chas R. Fuller and James Terry
A transcript of a WPA interview with James Terry in the 1930s. James Terry recalls various locations around Fort Worth, including Frenchmen's Wells located on Taylor St. Terry also confirms Swayne's statement of the two oldest buildings in Fort Worth still standing on 503 and 413 E. First St.
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WPA Interview - Nat Terry
Nat Terry
A transcript of a WPA Interview with Nat Terry in the 1930s. Terry recalls that there was not a roller mill in Fort Worth until the Fort Worth Foundry was established and its location was on front street between Lamar and Taylor. Terry states that the only establishment was the Carson House. Terry also describes that he was in the iron industry due to his uncle R. H. King and that the iron that came to Fort Worth came from Dallas.
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WPA Interview - Elizabeth Terry Chapman
Chas R. Fuller and Elizabeth Terry Chapman
A transcript of a WPA Interview by Chas R. Fuller with Elizabeth Terry Chapman in the 1930s. Chapman (Born Terry) is the daughter of Stephen Terry and born in Fort Worth in 1863. Chapman recalls being told by her family their arrival to Fort Worth, after being stopped in Dallas. She recalls where her family lived and later having married H. D. Chapman. Chapman describes various people and locations in Fort Worth at the time.
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WPA Interview - J. F. Swayne
Chas R. Fuller and J. F. Swayne
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with J. F. Swayne in the 1930s. Swayne recalls the buildings in Fort Worth were located at 503 and 412 East First St. Swayne says that he purchased the site at 503 E. First St. Swayne also recalls that W. V. Cromwell built a two story brick building in 1875, but does not believe the buildings before 1880 are still standing. Other buildings are noted in the transcript.
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WPA Interview - John Swayne
Chas R. Fuller and John Swayne
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with John Swayne in the 1930s. John Swayne is the brother of the Swayne that operated the Hogg-Swayne Oil Syndicate in Beaumont, Texas. John Swayne was a partner of Captain J. C. Terrell, who headed the Calvery from Fort Worth during the Civil war and recalls days of Reconstruction when he was Tennessee, Virginia, and Texas. Swayne also recalls attending the school presided over by Robert E. Lee. Swayne says that Judge I. H. Stephens also attended the school and was still there when General Lee died in 1870. The transcript also includes notes of T&P Railway in 1872 and the involvement of several people.
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WPA Interview - John Williams Renfro
Chas R. Fuller and John Williams Renfro
A transcript of notes regarding a WPA Interview by Chas R. Fuller with John Williams Renfro in the 1930s. Renfro was born in Columbia, Tennessee on March 22, 1866 and arrived in Texas in November 1880. Renfro worked on his fathers farm until 1891 when he started to work for the Fort Worth Street Railway company. Where he worked from driving mules to becoming the superintendent of the company. The notes from the interview detail buildings and companies of railway stations in Fort Worth at the time.
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WPA Interview - Judge B. D. Shrepshire
Chas R. Fuller and B. D. Shrepshire
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with Judge B. D. Shrepshire in the 1930s. The notes include that Judge Shrepshire does not recall buildings built in the 1880's that are still standing. Does make comments on three older buildings.
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WPA Interview - E . B. Randle
Chas R. Fuller and E. B. Randle
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with E. B. Ranle in the 1930s. Randle was boring in Lexington, Lee County, Texas on January 10, 1856 but moved to Tarrant County in 1888. Randle was a lawyer out in Galveston before arriving in Fort Worth. Randle describes marrying the daughter of John C. Gambrell, who's father than a general store until 1873.
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WPA Interview - Henry Keller
Chas R. Fuller and Henry Keller
A transcript of a WPA Interview by Chas R. Fuller with Henry Keller in the 1930s. This interview is regards to his recollection of the Holmes Castle case along with other early history events.
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WPA Interview - William Owens
Sheldon F. Gauthier and William Owens
A transcript of a WPA interview by Sheldon F. Gauthier with William Owens in the 1930s. Owens was born on May 28, 1863 in Fort Worth, Texas. His father owned 640 acres of land that is now North Fort Worth, known as Possum Ridge. Owens recalls when the area turned from an Native American settlement to being replaced with White Settlers, changing from Possum Ridge to White Settlement. The transcript details of the change.
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WPA Interview - C. J. E. Kellner
Chas R. Fuller and C. J. E. Kellner
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with C. J. E. Kellner in the 1930s. Kellner was born in Hanover, Germany in 1853 and later immigrated with his parents to America in 1854 where they first arrived in Galveston before settling in Shelbyville followed by moving to Fayette county, Texas. Kellner describes his first time coming to Fort Worth in 1881, he had bought a saddles and harnesses from a man in Dallas and had his shop in a building that faced the court house. Kellner also describes his arrival to Fort Worth and the various customers he served including Dan Waggoner and Burk Burnett. Kellner also talks about stirrups and how they are manufactured, including the first one to be made in Texas by Joe Petmecky in Austin. Kellenr recalls the flood that occurred in 1882.
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WPA Interview - E. H. Keller
Chas R. Fuller and E. H. Keller
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with E. H. Keller. Keller came to Fort Worth from Galveston in 1873. Keller describes various buildings in Fort Worth at the time, including the fire hall at 2nd and Commerce. Keller also describes an incident where George Hill cut off water access to T&P Railroad for non payment. Keller also speaks about various business and events that happened in Fort Worth at the time, including Quanah Parker and Yellow Bear blowing out the gas at a hotel.
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WPA Interview - Reuben M. Isbell
Stephen T. Chapman and Reuben M. Isbell
A transcript of a WPA interview by Stephen T. Chapman with Reuben M. Isbell. Isbell was born in Kentucky in May of 1852 then moved to Fort Worth in 1854 with his father, Paul Isbell, who was a Commissariat for the Confederate Army. Isbell recalls when a Black soldier was nearly lynched for using racist slurs against white men.
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WPA Interview - Ada Gambrell
Chas R. Fuller and Ada Gambrell
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with Ada Gambrell in the 1930s. Gambrell moved with her mother and stepfather to Texas in 1867 from Guntown, Mississippi. She recalls that it took six months to arrive but since she was only three years old, she doesn't recall the trip. In her testimony she describes where in Fort Worth her and her family used to live along with several other families in the city. Gambrell also states that people started to move away but then returned when the railroad was built in 1876.
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WPA Interview - Judge Irby Dunklin
Chas R. Fuller and Irby Dunklin
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with Judge Irby Dunklin in the 1930s. Dunklin states in his interview that the buildings in Fort Worth at the time were not erected before 1880. He details buildings that were torn down such as the first City Hall and a number of other older buildings in Fort Worth. Dunklin does give a list of names of people that may know more information.
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WPA Interview - Tinnie T. Combs
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Tinnie T. Combs
A transcript of a WPA interview by Sheldon F. Gauthier with Tinnie T. Combs in the 1930s. Combs was born in 1855 while her family was moving to Texas from Tennessee. They settled at Dozier Creek which is now part of Eagle Mountain Lake. She explains that Fort Worth was the trading post the family used but does not recall much of the village. Combs does describe life growing up in Dozier Creek, mostly how the family produced their own food, raised livestock and made everything themselves. In the interview she shows a quilt she made fully by hand. Combs describes the situation the settlers had with Indians.
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WPA Interview - Sterling P. Clark
Chas R. Fuller and Sterling P. Clark
A transcript of a WPA Interview conducted by Chas R. Fuller with Sterling P. Clark in the 1930s. Clark was born on December 1, 1861 in Keller, TX and didn't move fully to Fort Worth until February 9, 1888. Clark describes events that he has been told about such as his father enlisted in the Confederate army, Sixth Texas Calvary. He recalls another story of a Dr. Barkley in Birdville that was almost hanged due to being a Union sympathizer, but was saved by Clark's father. Clark also recalls other events such as an Indian Raid near Henrietta Creek in 1868.
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WPA Interview - W. S. Collie and Mrs. R. L. James
Chas R. Fuller, (Mrs.) R. L. James, and W. S. Collie
A transcript of a WPA interview by Chas R. Fuller with W. S. Collie and Mrs. R. L. James regarding a building at the intersection of Houston and Weatherford St in the 1930s. The building was originally owned by Mrs. James' husband. It has been the offices of a number of business before being torn down in 1930 to make sure for a building that housed the Renfro Drug Store.
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WPA Interview - Chapman, Stephen T.
Stephen T. Chapman
A transcript by Stephen T. Chapman regarding bananas being seen and grown locally in Fort Worth in 1880.
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WPA Interview - Lee M. Calloway
Chas R. Fuller and Lee M. Calloway
A transcript of a WPA Interview with Lee M. Calloway conducted by Chas R. Fuller in the 1930s. Calloway was boring in Ash County, North Carolina on March 16, 1858 a year prior to his family moving to Tarrant County. He recalls moving east of Birdville in 1864. Calloway also describes moving to Smithfield in 1883 and then to Fort Worth in 1886. He recalls working for stores in Fort Worth and describes an incident his father had with others at a Spring.
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WPA Interview - M. J. Bonner
Chas R. Fuller and M. J. Bonner
A transcript of a WPA Interview with M. J. Bonner conducted by Chas R. Fuller in the 1930s. M. J. Bonner describes growing up in Dallas briefly before explaining his parents sent him to McKinney to breed horses. Bonner recalls events involving racing horses and one particular mustang named "Outlaw". He was involved with a horse race winning money from gambling.
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WPA Interview - M. J. Bonner
Chas R. Fuller and M. J. Bonner
A transcript of a WPA Interview with M. J. Bonner conducted by Chas R. Fuller in the 1930s. M. J. Bonner was born in at Narvow Franklin in Alabama on March 1st, 1847. Bonner moved to the North end of Dallas and in 1864 joined the 12th Texas Cavalry and served until the end of the war. Bonner's transcript describes his to Tarrant County in 1877 and how he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and was one of the many that joined from Dallas county to Austin when Richard Coke had been elected. There is a second page to the transcript regarding a situation during reconstruction at the Duck Creek School involving the Ku Klux Klan.
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WPA Interview - W. E. Oglesby, John Raines, and Neal S. Watts
Sheldon F. Gauthier, W. E. Oglesby, John Raines, and Neal S. Watts
A transcript of a WPA Interview with W. E. Oglesby, John Raines, and Neal S. Watts conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier in the 1930s. They discuss the construction of the T &P (Texas & Pacific) Railway being finished and the first train arriving in Fort Worth on July 19th, 1876. They also discuss working for different crews during the construction. Raines recalls working as a water boy for the worker's such as Mike and Jack Hurley. Watts recalls working on the tracks when it reached the west edge of Arlington. He recalls the route it was taking and even having to go around a duck pond.
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WPA Interview - Jim Terry
Stephen T. Chapman and Jim Terry
A transcript of an WPA interview with Jim Terry conducted by Stephen T. Chapman in the 1930s. Terry was born on November 18, 1870. After his parents died, Terry was became a ward to his uncle R. H. King, who owned the first blacksmith in Fort Worth. Terry recalls King was involved with the Masonic circles and he was prominent during the reconstruction period within the Ku Klux Klan. Terry also describes the Klan being strong within Tarrant County and recalls dinners being served early in case he was called away. Terry also describes the first train in Dallas in 1876, the first church in 1871, the first city hall in 1875, the first mayor in 1873, and the first courthouse in 1860. Terry also recalls Sol Bragg, who was the first African American to be hanged in Tarrant County in 1875, he explains the details in his testimony.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Teshan Young
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Teshan Young
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Teshan Young. Young was born on Buckner Scott's farm in Harrison County, Texas. Young recalls their life living on the farm, working as a nurse on the farm, tending to the children there. She describes looking after the children, taking care of them and making sure they were healthy. Young recalls one instance where another person had died from their wounds after being punished. Young also describes life after emancipation, getting married and her children.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Louis Young
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Louis Young
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Louis Young. Young was born in 1849 to Hampton Atkinson, in Phillips County, Arkansas. Young describes life and his day-to-day working on Atkinson's plantation. The treatment there and even how he and his mother was sold to Tom Young, who then traveled with them to Robinson County, Texas. Young recalls reaching Texas in 1861, life there and what jobs he had after emancipation. Young also describes briefly implications of the Klu Klux Klan.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Robert Wilson
Woody Phipps and Robert Wilson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Robert Wilson. Wilson was born on Henry Byas small farm, in Georgia. Byas relocated near Mansfield, Louisiana due to the Civil War. Wilson does not recall what year he was born in, but knows that he was four years old when the war ended. Wilson recalls having to preserve meat during the summers and describes an incident with other people and the authorities. Wilson also recalls his different marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Leithean Spinks
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Leithean Spinks
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Leithean Spinks. Leithean Spinks was born in 1855 on Fay Thompson's plantation in Rankin County, Mississippi. Spinks recalls being told that Thompson moved operations to E. Feleciana Parish in Louisiana when they were two years old. Spinks describes the living conditions of the plantation and the operations there. Spinks recalls an incident where Spinks and their siblings almost died from their cabin burning down. Spinks also describes punishment by Thompson and describes their marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Jannie Wilson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Jannie Wilson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Jannie Wilson. Jannie Wilson was born on December 25th, 1937 on Arthur Carroll's Plantation in Alabama, when she was still an infant, Carroll moved his operations to Arkansas. Arthur Carroll was a slave trader, Wilson describes how the slaves that were for trading lived in separate quarters from the rest of the others on the plantation. Wilson describes life on the plantation, working as a caretaker for the children. Wilson also describes what it was like during the Civil War, how Carroll took everyone to Texas and when he couldn't find buyers, he left them in Texas. Wilson recalls wandering for days until finding some work as a nursing maid.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Giles Smith
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Giles Smith
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Giles Smith. Giles Smith was born on Major Hardway's plantation, but was given to Hardway's daughter, Mary, when they were an infant. Smith describes working for Hardway until they were seventeen before moving to a section of the Brazos River in Texas with Frank Talbert. Smith worked for Talbert for two years before working for Windfield Scott's in Brownwood for seventeen years. Smith recalls marrying Dee Scott.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - William Hamilton
Sheldon F. Gauthier and William Hamilton
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with William Hamilton. Hamilton was born to William Hamilton, a traveling trader, and was left with Alex Buford at Village Creek. Hamilton describes mostly what it was like living on the Buford Plantation and also recalls instances with the Klu Klux Klan. Hamilton gives detailed events about times the Klan came onto the plantation and even speaks about marriage.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Lou Skelton
Woody Phipps and Lou Skelton
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Lou Skelton. Skelton was born on Nat Terry's plantation, located three miles outside of the Tarrant County Courthouse, two years before emancipation, so there are little details of it. Skelton recalls the family moving right after the wars end and attending school. Skelton describes hanging's taking place near the Tarrant County Courthouse. Skelton also recalls their marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Annie Row
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Annie Row
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Annie Row. Row was born in about 1851 on Chas Finnely's plantation in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Row describes her life growing up there, recalling times when Chas and his wife would deal out physical punishment to Annie and the others. There is also an incident about William Finnely standing up for her well being and another serious incident when emancipation happened that Chas Finnely was going to shoot the field workers. Row also recalls her marriages and her living with her daughter.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Dorsey Scott
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Dorsey Scott
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Dorsey Scott. Dorsey Scott was born on Carter Martin's farm located in Memphis, Tennessee, she knows that she was nine years old when the war stopped. Scott describes her working as a nurse for neighbor but quitting once the war is over. Scott recalls life after the war and then her marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Betty Powers
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Betty Powers
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Betty Powers. Betty Powers was born on Dr. Howard Perry's plantation in Harrison County, Texas about 25 miles from Marshall, Texas. Powers describes her life living on the plantation during and after the war. She recalls her life during the war living in cabins outside with her parents and siblings. One particular mention about how she and the others were not allowed at the big house, but at a smaller office. Powers mentions they would have carefully measured rations that had to last for the week. Powers also describes how life on the plantation was hard not because of the Master but because of his wife, who was overworking the people there. Powers recalls after the war, moving with her family to a small land and married her first husband, Boss Powers at thirteen then married again when Powers died. Her and Henry Ruffins married and had three children. The Ku Klux Klan is mentioned but Powers did not have issues with them, only what they did to others.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Henry Probasco
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Henry Probasco
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Henry Probasco. Henry Probasco was born on Andrew McGowen's plantation in Walker County, Texas, near Huntsville. Probasco lived on the plantation with 50 other individuals and describes life there, he also recalls a time when he was attacked by a goose. Probasco recalls staying with his family after emancipation and moving to Waco to work cattle for Judge Weakly, moving to Fort Worth to work at the processing plants, and finally to describe his three marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Henderson Perkins
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Perkins Henderson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Henderson Perkins. Perkins believes he was born in 1839. Perkins recalls John Pruitt, being born on the farm and living there until he and his mother were sold to Tom Garner after moving to Texas. He then describes working for Garner, driving oxen and delivering corn and water for the tavern that Garner owned, including an accident with the oxen. Perkins recalls getting married, moving to Waco and working there.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Bell Nelson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Bell Nelson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Bell Nelson. Nelson was born on November 3rd, 1861 in Peoria, Texas, four miles from Hillsboro on Henry Bell's farm. She describes living there with her mother until her farther joins them from another farm. She recalls what it was like growing up there, how they were treated well with plenty to eat and how only some of the others would get punishments from Henry Bell. She also describes the incident with Bell and her another farmer, and how her father moves them to Moser Valley, a Negro Settlement, there she meets her husband, Andy Nelson, and they had fourteen children together.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Bell Nelson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Bell Nelson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Bell Nelson. Nelson was born in Peoria, Texas, four miles from Hillsboro on Henry Bell's farm. She describes living there with her mother until her farther joins them from another farm. She recalls what it was like growing up there, how they were treated well with plenty to eat and how only some of the others would get punishments from Henry Bell. She also describes the incident with Bell and her another farmer, and how her father moves them to Moser Valley, a Negro Settlement, there she meets her husband and they had fourteen children together.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Andy Nelson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Andy Nelson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Andy Nelson. Andy describes an incident when he was nearly kidnapped by "Pretty Boy Floyd" when he was getting a ride home from him.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Andy Nelson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Andy Nelson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Andy Nelson. Andy Nelson was born into slavery in 1861 on a farm owned by J. Wolf in Denton County. He states that Wolf owned him and his father and another family, Dr. John Barkswell owned his mother. Nelson also states that when his father died when he was three, he was then sold to the Barkswell to be with his mother. Nelson describes moving to Birdville after the war was over, before moving to Moser Valley; where he remained. Nelson recalls others causing trouble and had run-ins with the Ku Klux Klan but with children at home, Nelson stayed away. He does mention the incident with Sam Bass, an outlaw.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Anna Miller
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Anna Miller
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Anna Miller. Anna Miller was born in 1987 in Kentucky. Her mother, father and herself were sold to Mark Loyd, who then moved his farm and other slaves to Missouri. After seven years, Loyd moved the sold the farm and moved the slaves to Palo Pinto County, Texas. Anna recalls having a severe Master who would work them all day in the fields and then at night making clothes. Anna recalls a time when she was ill during the move to Palo Pinto County, living there, and another when her sister ran away with another slave and they had to sneak back to get food at night to avoid punishment. Anna describes the time after the war, making mention how Mark Loyd was upset about losing and committed suicide after moving to Fort Worth years later.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Andy Nelson
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Andy Nelson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Andy Nelson. Andy Nelson was born into slavery in 1861 on a farm owned by J. Wolf in Denton County. He states that Wolf owned him and his father and another family, Dr. John Barkswell owned his mother. Nelson also states that when his father died when he was three, he was then sold to the Barkswell to be with his mother. Nelson describes moving to Birdville after the war was over, before moving to Moser Valley; where he remained. Nelson recalls others causing trouble and had run-ins with the Ku Klux Klan but with children at home, Nelson stayed away. He does mention the incident with Sam Bass, an outlaw.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Mandy Marrow
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Mandy Marrow
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Mandy Marrow. Mandy was born Ben Baker's farm in Burnett County, just on the other side of the river from Georgetown. She lived there with her grandparents, her parents and her siblings. Mandy describes living on the farm, she recalls during the war witnessing a shooting accident with the confederate soldiers. Mandy describes her childhood, before later on talking about her time working for Governor James Stephens Hogg as the cook. Briefly Mandy talks about her many marriages.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Henry McKinsey
Joe W. Colbert and Henry McKinsey
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Joe W. Colbert for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Henry McKinsey. Henry McKinsey was born on June 19th, year unknown on the Kensery farm in Richmond, Virginia. Henry describes his life growing up on the farm with his family and siblings, details how the Kensery's took care of them and moving to Houston, Texas eleven years after the war and then moving to Fort Worth in the early 1930s.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Winnie Jones
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Winnie Jones
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers Project in the 1930s with Winnie Jones. Winnie Jones was born in March of 1852 on John Gray Plantation in Jefferson, Tennessee. Winnie describes life living on the plantation, her mother and siblings working on the farm, interactions with John Grey and the family. She also recalls the war and after they were emancipated. Winnie also recalls the move to Fort Worth with the family and her marriage to Sam Jones.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Scott Hooper
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Scott Hooper
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Scott Hooper. Scott Hooper was born in 1856 in Shelby County, on Tucker's farm near Bucksnort, now called Tenaha. Scott recounts her fathers life on Jack Hooper's farm that was four miles from Robert Tucker's farm. Hooper describes growing up on the Tucker's farm and how well they were treated. Hooper also describes leaving Shelby County when the Ku Klux Klan's started to terrorize and harm the surrounding families when she was a teenager. Hooper spoke briefly of her children and her husband Steve, their lives in Fort Worth and how she can no longer afford her home.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Lewis Jones
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Lewis Jones
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Lewis Jones. Lewis Jones was born in 1851 on Fred Tate's plantation, on the Colorado River in Fayette County. Jones describes growing up on the plantation and how his father was a "breeding nigger" due to having over 50 children by different women on the plantation. Jones describes how Fred Tate was nice but stern, giving out whippings when needed but also having parties for the slaves there. Jones recalls working as a coach driver for Fred Tate, and also being briefly married and having moved to Fort Worth to work for Armor & Co. until he was let go.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Eliza Holman
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Elizabeth Holman
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Eliza Holman. Eliza Holman was born into slavery in Mississippi near the town of Clinton to John Applewhite. Eliza recalls her life living in Mississippi and traveling to Texas. She recalls the trip and being stuck at a river along with a conversation between John and his daughter, Mary. Eliza also describes her three different marriages and a song from her youth.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - James Hayes
Sheldon F. Gauthier and James Hayes
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with James Hayes. James Hayes was born on December 28th, 1835 in Shelby County, Texas. Hayes remembers his mother being sold when he was five and that John Henderson buying the farm he was living on. The bulk of Hayes interview is his life living on the Henderson Farm and growing up there following by being taken to his mother, then living in Johnson Station, and his married life after being freed.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Albert Hill
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Albert Hill
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Albert Hill. Albert Hill was born into slavery in Walton County, Georgia on the Georgia Plantation owned by Carter Hill. Albert describes his life living on the plantation until he was twenty-one years old before coming to Robinson County, Texas and then moving to Fort Worth, Texas after fourteen years. The majority of the interviews is Albert's life on the plantation followed by moving to Texas, going back to Georgia for a visit and his marriages to Mollie Washington and Mollie Ross.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - William Hamilton
Sheldon F. Gauthier and William Hamilton
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with William Hamilton. Hamilton was born in about 1860 on the Missouri plantation of William Hamilton. Near the end of the Civil War, Hamilton (then a young child) was left with Alex Buford in Tarrant County, Texas, who agreed to watch over him until William Hamilton, a slave trader, returned for him. The bulk of Hamilton's interview pertains to stories about the Ku Klux Klan's methods and reign of terror over emancipated African Americans in Tarrant County.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - James Hayes
Sheldon F. Gauthier and James Hayes
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with James Hayes. James Hayes was born on December 28th, 1835 in Shelby County, Texas. Hayes remembers his mother being sold when he was five and that John Henderson buying the farm he was living on. The bulk of Hayes interview is his life living on the Henderson Farm and growing up there following by being taken to his mother, then living in Johnson Station, and his married life after being freed.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Mandy Green
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Mandy Green
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Mandy Green. Green was born into slavery in the late 1820s on a Troup County, Georgia plantation belonging to Leon Maddox. Green describes moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in her early life and discusses building a plantation from scratch. From a young age, she worked in the field at the plantation, and describes the brutal nature of that work and the treatment by Maddox and the overseers at the plantation. She describes whippings in great detail, including the methods used and the scenarios that enslaved people would be punished for on the Maddox plantation. She also discusses food rationing, attending church, learning about Emancipation, and stealing extra food to survive.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Betty Farrow
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Betty Farrow
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Betty Farrow. Farrow was born into slavery in 1847 on the Patrick County, Virginia farm of Alex Clark. She describes working in the house while enslaved, as well as moving to Sherman, Texas in a covered wagon train roughly three years prior to the Civil War. She also describes Alex Clark's murder as the result of a dispute with the neighboring farmer, and not being told about Emancipation at the conclusion of the Civil War.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - John Finnely
Sheldon F. Gauthier and John Finnely
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with John Finnely. Finnely was born into slavery in the early 1850s on the Jackson County, Alabama plantation of Martin Finnely. In the interview, he describes life as an enslaved child and young man, including work as a field hand, brutality and beatings, producing clothing and every day items, hunting, and leisure activities. He also describes the outbreak of the Civil War from his perspective as an enslaved person who wanted to escape. He talks about the factors that went into his decision to escape, and recounts the story of how he avoided the Patter rollers and reached the Union Army. After escaping, he worked with the Union Army to build breastworks in Stevenson, Alabama (possibly Fort Harker) and was later sent to Nashville, where he worked as a water carrier for the Army. During his tenure with the Union Army, he was present for battles in Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - James Cape
Sheldon F. Gauthier and James Cape
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with James Cape. Cape, who believed he was over 100 years old at the time of the interview, was born into slavery in southeast Texas on the cattle ranch of Bob Houston. His primary work while enslaved was as a horse wrangler and cowhand. He describes his work as a cowhand, including riding horses, cattle, stampedes, and trail drives. He also describes joining the Confederate Army to care for the horses, but later being forced into fighting and getting wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Independence in Missouri. After the war, he describes working as a cowhand, first for an outfit of rustlers, then for the notorious outlaw Jessie James.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Ann J. Edwards
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Ann J. Edwards
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Ann J. Edwards. Edwards was born into slavery in 1856 on the Arlington County, Virginia plantation of John Cook. In 1858, Cook moved to Washington, D. C. and emancipated those he enslaved. After her parents split and her mother died in 1861, Edwards was adopted by Richard H. Cain, the minister of an African Methodist church in D. C. She describes the conditions in D. C. during the Civil War, with a focus on runaway slaves and her step-father's role in assisting them on their arrival to D. C. She also discusses the popular sentiment upon Abraham Lincoln's assassination. After the war, Cain moved the family to Charleston, South Carolina, where he became the minister of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the editor of a newspaper. Cain later served as a state senator and then U. S. Representative. Edwards describes attempts to assassinate Cain as he ran for office and served his terms in the state and U. S. Congresses. In her interview, Edwards gives her opinions about race relations and women's rights.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - James Brown
Sheldon F. Gauthier and James Brown
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with James Brown. Brown was born into slavery in 1853 in Bell County, Texas on the plantation of a Mr. Berney, but was subsequently sold to John Blair of Waco. In his interview, Brown describes food culture, labor done at the plantation, and his work as a coachman. He also discusses John Blair's involvement in the slave trade, including a description of a slave auction and several trades. He briefly describes emancipation and the Civil War.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Unnamed Formerly Enslaved Woman
Sheldon F. Gauthier
A partial transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with an unknown formerly enslaved woman, perhaps with the surname Wilson. The first five pages of the interview were missing at the time of digitization. In the existing portion of the interview, the woman describes slave passes, slave patrols or Patter Rollers, forced marriages, and aspects of her work as a nurse on the plantation. She also describes her enslaver, Master Carroll, taking 100 enslaved people from Arkansas and abandoning them in Texas during the Civil War. She ends the interview by expressing gratitude to Abraham Lincoln for freeing slaves.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Fred Brown
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Fred Brown
A partial transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Fred Brown. Brown was born into slavery on the plantation of John Brown in Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana in 1853. In his interview, he describes the various tasks he worked while enslaved, cabins, food, hunting, and leisure activities of the enslaved. He also explains that the plantation's location on the Mississippi River allowed other enslaved people to escape and hide out in river caves. He describes the methods used to try to catch runaway slaves, including bloodhounds and Patter Rollers (slave patrols). At the end of the Civil War, John Brown sent the people he enslaved with an overseer to Texas to try to avoid emancipation. Fred Brown describes that experience as well.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Betty Bormer
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Better Bormer
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Betty Bormer. Bormer was born into slavery on the plantation of Col. M. T. Johnson at Johnson's Station, Texas in 1857. In her interview, she describes the treatment of enslaved people at Johnson's plantation, as well as food, music, church, dancing, and other aspects of daily life. She also provides insight into the Civil War and emancipation and describes an encounter her uncle had with the Ku Klux Klan in the post-war period.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Jennie Fitts
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Jessie Fitts
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Jennie Fitts. Fitts was born into slavery on the plantation of Glen Fisher in Angelina County, Texas in the late 1850s. In her interview, she describes working as a personal maid to Fisher's daughter. She also discusses learning about emancipation, and fishing.
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Ex-Slave Owner Narrative - O. A. Marsh
Woody Phipps and O. A. Marsh
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Owner narrative interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Deferral Writers' Project in the 1930s with O. A. Marsh. Marsh was born in 1860 on a plantation in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. On his birth, he inherited the plantation and 15 enslaved people from his recently deceased father. In the interview, Marsh describes the financial value of several enslaved people and discusses the Paddy Rollers or slave patrols that terrorized enslaved people during the antebellum and Civil War eras.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Hannah Mullins
Woody Phipps and Hannah Mullins
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Hannah Mullins. Mullins was born into slavery on the plantation of M. T. Johnson in Johnson City, Texas in the 1850s. In her interview, she describes the buildings at the plantation, the work performed by enslaved people, food, and child care prior to the emancipation of slaves at the end of the Civil War. After he turned five years old, she was a nurse to the Johnson children. After emancipation, she and her family stayed at the Johnson plantation and worked for wages. She describes racial violence perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klan, specifically in the towns of Bowie and Blum, Texas. She also discusses voting rights, including intimidation and tampering. After marrying William "Bill" Mullins, the couple moved between Arlington, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, and the all-black community of Boley, Oklahoma.
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Ex-Slave Narrative - Fannie Wilson
Woody Phipps and Fannie Wilson
A transcript of an Ex-Slave Narrative interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Fannie Wilson. Wilson was born into slavery on the plantation of a Mr. Ditto in Johnson Station, Texas around 1865. In her interview, she describes an encounter with the Ku Klux Klan when she was about ten years old. The Klansmen entered her home searching for her father, a Baptist preacher named Jack Ditto. Wilson's mother, Martha Ditto, attempted to escape, but a Klansman shot at her, killing her baby and hitting Martha in the chest with the bullet.
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Cowboy Narrative - F. J. "Sam" Wootan
Woody Phipps and F. J. Wootan
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy F. J. "Sam" Wootan. Wootan was born in 1864 on his father's farm in Madison County, Texas and moved to Llano County, where his father established a ranch. He began working as a cowhand at a young age, and describes trail drives, stampedes, rustlers, and camaraderie among the cowhands. After hearing stories about Old Mexico, he decided to go on a trip there, and ended up working for the 8-8 ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico and later establishing his own ranch there.
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Cowboy Narrative - Neal S. Watts
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Neal S. Watts
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Neal S. Watts. Watts was born in 1859 on his father's farm in Shelby County, Texas and moved to present-day Mansfield, Texas in 1868. In his interview, he describes the abundance of wild game and farming methods in Shelby County. He later began working as a cowhand for L. H. Stevens in Tarrant County, and describes roping cattle, applying a salve to injured cattle, roundups, stampedes, rustlers, and the roles of each cowhand on a trail drive. The interview also describes in detail the growth of Mansfield and the building of the Texas-Pacific Railroad to Fort Worth.
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Cowboy Narrative - Fred W. Whetaker
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Fred W. Whetaker
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Fred W. Whetaker. Whetaker was born in 1868 in Rusk County, Texas on his father's farm. He describes horse and hog farming, the abundance of wild game, and farming methods. He became a cowboy by age 15 for the Moore and Bonner outfit near Mount Clam. He discusses his work for the outfit, including Holstein cattle, Clydesdale horses, rustlers, branding, and vigilance committees. After leaving the Moore and Bonner ranch, he worked as a horse-wrangler for hire and describes the work involved in breaking a wild horse.
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Cowboy Narrative - H. P. Walker
Woody Phipps and H. P. Walker
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy H. P. Walker. Walker was born in 1867 in Leon County, Texas and moved to Hood County in 1871 when his father established a farm there. He grew up working on the farm, learning how to ride a horse and handle cattle from a young age. His career as a cowhand began when he was hired for a trail drive. He later worked for ranches in Texas and New Mexico, and took cattle on a trail drive from Texas to Montana. In his interview, he discusses trail drives, water holes, branding, a quarantine on Texas cattle, and using the railroad to ship cattle.
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Cowboy Narrative - W. H. Thomas
Woody Phipps and W. H. Thomas
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy W. H. Thomas. Thomas was born in 1870 on his father's farm in Collin County, Texas and moved to Johnson County as a child. As a child, he labored at the farm and learned how to ride a horse. He particularly enjoyed working with the horses and cattle, and wanted to become a cowhand. He began working at Lyt Johnson's ranch and later worked for Eel Davis's ranch, both located in Throckmorton County, Texas. In his interview, he describes various aspects of the life and work of a cowhand, including food, music and singing, wagons, stampedes, antelope, and range fires.
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Cowboy Narrative - Joe G. Woody
Woody Phipps and Joe G. Woody
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Joe G. Woody. Woody was born in 1880 at his father's ranch in Wise County, Texas. After his father died when he was five, he helped as a cowhand at the ranch. In his interview, he describes fencing, posses and gangs, shootouts, and dealings with Native Americans. He also discusses studying cattle, healing sores on cattle with ointment, ticks, and explains how he began commissioning cattle. He eventually started a business commissioning cattle in Fort Worth.
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Cowboy Narrative - W. A. Tinney
Woody Phipps and W. A. Tinney
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy W. A. Tinney. Tinney was born in Collin County, Texas in 1863, where he began to ride horses and work as a cowhand from a young age. At 11 years old, he began participating in trail drives. In his interview, he describes various aspects of the life and work of ranch hands, including trail drives, riding horses, stampedes, roundups, rustlers, and horse thieves.
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Cowboy Narrative - J. J. Woody
Woody Phipps and J. J. Woody
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy J. J. Woody. Woody was born in 1862 on his father's stock farm. The primary focus of his interview was the early days of being a settler in Wise County, Texas, including dealings with Native Americans, "Circuit Rider" itinerant preachers, the Tarrant County Courthouse in Fort Worth, and shootouts. He briefly describes his time as a cowhand on his family's ranch, including stampedes and horse riding. He also mentions the extermination of buffalo and the sale of bones, guns for hire, and general stores in Abilene and Albany, Texas.
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Ex-Outlaw Narrative - Pony Starr
Woody Phipps and Pony Starr
A transcript of a Rangelore interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Pony Starr. This interview is identified as both a Rangelore interview and an "Ex-Outlaw" interview. Starr was born on Tom Starr (his grandfather's) plantation in 1877. His grandfather and great-grandfather were involved in internal conflicts within the Cherokee Nation surrounding the signing of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835. In the interview, Pony Starr tells stories about his grandfather, focusing on revenge killings, shootouts, and dealings with both the Cherokee and United States governments. He also describes several shootouts he engaged in himself, and his own time as an "outlaw". Finally, he describes several Cherokee men he knew in present-day Oklahoma.
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Cowboy Narrative - William A. Smith
Sheldon F. Gauthier and William A. Smith
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Ranglelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy William A. Smith. Smith was born in 1866 at a plantation in Shreveport, Louisiana and moved to the Red River section of Texas during childhood. He started working as a cowhand for the McGill ranch when he was 18 years old, and describes the difficulties associated with being "green" on the range. He also explains various aspects of cowhand work, including gathering stray cattle, night riding, stampedes.
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Cowboy Narrative - W. L. Rhodes
Woody Phipps and W. L. Rhodes
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy W. L. Rhodes. Rhodes was born on his father's farm in Georgia, and moved to Kaufman County, Texas at a young age. He began working as a cowhand at a neighboring ranch part time when he was nine years old, and full time when he was twelve. In his interview, he describes roundups, rustling, branding, roping, trail drives, and stampedes. He also tells a story about chasing down a rival cattleman on the open range.
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Cowboy Narrative - Edward W. Riley
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Edward W. Riley
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Ranglelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Edward W. Riley. Riley was born prior to the Civil War in Lawrence County, Tennessee. His father moved the family to Hill County, Texas in 1877, where they became cattle ranchers. In his interview, Riley discusses the set up of his family's farm, including dealing with wild game, building farm structures, and planting crops. He also describes the extralegal "committees" that formed to deal with rustlers, the coming of fencing and wire cutting, as well as his experience as a horse rancher in the 1880s up until the Panic of 1893. He explains the differences between horse and cattle ranching and discusses horse racing.
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Cowboy Narrative - P. D. Self
Woody Phipps and P. D. Self
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy P. D. Self. Self was born in 1871 in Hood County, Texas on his father's horse and cattle ranch. From a young age, he rode horses and busted them for his father's outfit. In his interview, he describes ranching horses, including busting broncos, riding yearlings, trail drives. He also discusses gambling, and how he got into hog raising in Burnett County after his father's death in 1905.
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Cowboy Narrative - Victor R. Scoville
Woody Phipps and Victor R. Scoville
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Victor R. Scoville. Scoville was born in 1889 on his father's ranch ("Cloverleaf") in Frio, LaSalle, and Zavala Counties in Texas. He rode horses from a young age, and became a cowhand. In his interview, he discusses the process of busting horses, creasing wild mustangs, trail drives, shipping cattle on the railroad, and stampedes. He left ranch life and worked in oil fields, but continued to ride horses in rodeos in and around Fort Worth. He also served in World War I and returned with a stomach injury that ended his ranch career, so he worked in advertising for a beer company by riding a trained mule through towns.
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Cowboy Narrative - L. E. Smith
Woody Phipps and L. E. Smith
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy L. E. Smith. Smith was born in New Jersey on a farm, but left at the age of 18 and moved to Kansas and then San Saba County, Texas to work as a cowhand. In his interview, he describes busting horses, stampedes, railroad delivery of cattle, and buying cattle. His primary job on the range was buying cattle from ranches and selling them in Fort Worth.
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Cowboy Narrative - C. E. Stetler
Woody Phipps and C. E. Stetler
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy C. E. Stetler. Stetler was born in 1876 on a farm in Rhome, Iowa. At 10, he began working for a butcher in Burlington, Iowa as a cowhand. Later, he moved to Wichita, KS and then eventually to Fort Worth, where he worked both as a cowhand and as a cattle salesman for the Evans-Snyder-Buel Commission Company. In his interview, he discusses stampedes, rustling, and notes the evolution of cowhand's work in the early twentieth century. He also describes his job buying, selling, and making loans on cattle at the Fort Worth Stockyards.
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Rangelore Interview - Elizabeth Roe
Sheldon Gauthier and Elizabeth Roe
A transcript of a Rangelore interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with Elizabeth Roe. Roe was born Elizabeth Fletcher in 1855 on her father's farm in Ash Creek, near Azle, Texas. Her father died during the Civil War, leaving her mother and their three children to run the farm. In her interview, Roe discusses farming cattle and hogs, growing crops, making clothing, dealing with rustlers, and Native American raids. She later married a Texas Ranger and describes the beginnings of the town of Azle.
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Cowboy Narrative - Bud Singler
Woody Phipps and Bud Singler
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Bud Singler. Singler was born in 1870 on his father's farm in Chambers County, Texas and moved to Refugio County with his family at a young age. At 13, he began working as a cowhand on the Linney Ranch and later worked for the Welder Ranch. In his interview, he describes stampedes, rustling, fence cutting, trail drives, feuds, and murder. A primary focus of the interview is the process of busting horses, including an explanation of the different types of "pitching" a cowhand might face while riding a wild horse for the first time. He also references a flood in the Aransas Pass in the early twentieth century.
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Cowboy Narrative - Dr. A. S. Rattan
Woody Phipps and S. A. Rattan
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Dr. A. S. Rattan. Rattan was born on his father's stock ranch in Greenville, Texas. He began working as a cowhand on his family's ranch, which moved to West Texas during his adolescence. He describes roundups, riding horses, and working with cattle. After his father moved back to Fort Worth, he attended school and became a saddlebag doctor.
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Cowboy Narrative - John Raines
Sheldon F. Gauthier and John Raines
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy John Raines. Raines was born in Logan County, Kentucky in 1863 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1875 with his father. As a young boy, he worked as an errand boy and then as a waterboy when the railroad came to Fort Worth. He describes the political situation surrounding the railroad's arrival. When he turned 17, he went to work as a cowhand for the Steve Russell outfit north of Fort Worth. He discusses various aspects of the life of a cowhand stampedes, food, weather, and dress. In the interview, he focuses on the amusements of cowboys like gambling, shooting out lights at bars, and poker.
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Cowboy Narrative - Edward Thomas Pruitt
Woody Phipps and Edward Thomas Pruitt
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Edward Thomas Pruitt. Pruitt was born at a plantation in Mt. Sterling, Alabama and moved to San Saba County, Texas in the 1880s. He discusses the impact of the emancipation of enslaved people on plantations in Alabama and describes his later work as a cowhand in Texas. He began working as a cowhand at the Scroggins and Brown Ranch in Garza County, Texas, and describes stampedes, trail drives, riding and training horses, and entertainment. He also tells the story of shipping cattle to Montana and undertaking a trail drive to Medicine Hat, Canada.
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Cowboy Narrative - Henry Probasco
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Henry Probasco
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Henry Probasco. Probasco was born enslaved in 1858 on the plantation of Andrew McGowan in Ellis County, Texas. As a young enslaved person, he worked as a cowhand. At the age of 17, he left the McGowan plantation and worked at the 111 ranch in Ellis County, where his primary job was horse wrangling. He spends the majority of his interview discussing the process of breaking and training horses, but also describes food culture, roundups, stampedes, and trail drives.
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Cowboy Narrative - Winfield Thomas "Fell" Pickett
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Winfield Thomas Pickett
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Winfield Thomas "Fell" Pickett. Pickett was born in 1857 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana where his father was engaged in the salt business. The family moved to Robinson County and later settled in Hamilton County, Texas where Pickett's father engaged in the freight business and started a farm. Pickett went to work for John Snow's horse ranch in Hamilton County, and the bulk of his interview contains information about interacting with and busting horses for sale to cattle ranchers. He also discusses stampedes, oxen, rustling, food culture, and what ranchers did for fun.
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Cowboy Narrative - William A. Priest
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Willam A. Priest
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy William A. Priest. Priest was born in 1877 on his father's farm in Guadalupe County, Texas. From a young age, he rode horses and worked as a hand at the family farm, which included herding cattle. As an adult, he moved to the Pecos River region and worked as a cowhand, horse wrangler, and other jobs at the W Ranch. In his interview, he discusses busting horses, food culture, roundups, trail drives, stampedes, the Cattleman's Association, feuds, and shootouts. He spends a large portion of the interview describing the evolving techniques employed by cattle rustlers, which he saw both as a cowhand and after his election as the Sheriff of Winkler County in 1914.
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Cowboy Narrative - Richard C. Phillips
Woody Phipps and Richard C. Phillips
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Richard C. Phillips. Phillips was born in 1874 on his father's ranch near Bandera, Texas. After his parents both died in his adolescence, he went to work as a cowhand at the Western Union Beef Company ranch near Fort Stockton, Texas. In his interview, he discusses various aspects of work as a cowhand, including trail drives, roundups, longhorn cattle, stampedes, and shootings.
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Cowboy Narrative - Lois Newam
Sheldon F. Gauthier and Lois Newam
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Lois Newam. Newam was born in 1900 in Cook County, Texas on a farm. He learned to ride a horse and was considered an excellent rider by his early teens. He left Texas to work at the Flying Circle Ranch near Gillette, Wyoming, where his primary role was breaking wild horses. In the interview, he describes roundups, horse breeding, branding, accommodations, food, stampedes, and handling Hereford Cattle. The bulk of the interview consists of Newam explaining his method for training new horses for cattle work, and comparing that method to the older methods used on wild horses in Texas.
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Cowboy Narrative - Riley Patrick
Woody Phipps and Riley Patrick
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Woody Phipps for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy Riley Patrick. Patrick was born in Albany, New York in 1862 and moved to the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) with his father. He began working at a ranch after his father's death in 1882 and spent the next years drifting and working on various ranches as a cowhand. In the interview, he describes "Buckarooing" (rustling cattle on behalf of his ranch), busting horses, trail drives, dealings with Native Americans, stampedes, practical jokes, and food culture.
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Cowboy Narrative - W. E. Oglesby
Sheldon F. Gauthier and W. E. Oglesby
A transcript of a Cowboy Narrative, or Rangelore, interview conducted by Sheldon F. Gauthier for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s with former cowboy W. E. Oglesby. Oglesby was born in 1863 on his father's farm in Lincoln County, Tennessee and migrated to Fort Worth, Texas in his youth. In his interview, he describes the process of migrating in a caravan with several other families, as well as the conditions in Fort Worth during his youth. He discusses Fort Worth history, including the coming of the railroad, the outmigration of Native Americans from Possum Ridge (present-day White Settlement, Texas), and the lynching of an African American that he witnessed. He worked as a cowhand at the Hop Lowe Ranch in Jack County, and describes the leisure activities of cowboys, including shooting at bar fixtures and lights in towns. He also discusses food culture, stampedes, and describes in detail the shootouts known as "sheep wars" between cowhands and sheep herders on the range.