TX BIOS:  John M. Hardeman
   Selected and converted.American Memory, Library of Congress.
   
   Washington, 1994.
   
   Preceding element provides place and date of transcription only.
   
   This transcription intended to be 99.95% accurate.
   
   For more information about this text and this American Memory
   collection, refer to accompanying matter.
   
   U.S. Work Projects Administration, Federal Writers' Project (Folklore
   Project, Life Histories, 1936-39); Manuscript Division, Library of
   Congress.Copyright status not determined.
   
   00011
   
   [DEL: [?] [?] [?] - [?] [?] [lore?] Folkstuff - Range lore :DEL]
   
   Gauthier. Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore.
   
   Tarrant co., Dist., #7 [68?]
   
   Page # 1
   
   FC 240
   
   John M. Hardeman, 71, living at 618 Court St, Fort Worth, Texas, was
   born Aug. 2, 1867, in Robertson co., Texas, on a ranch. His father,
   John H. Hardeman, engaged in the cattle business for a livelihood. The
   family moved to Williamson co., in 1876 and located near Round Rock.
   John H. Hardeman established a cattle ranch located between Round Rock
   and Taylorville(now Taylor) He bought a track of land for the sum of
   $2. per acre. The first of the Hardeman family [came?] to Texas, in
   1835. They were John H. Hardeman and Tom J. Baily Hardeman. John H.
   located in Washington co., and J. Baily settled in [Matagorde?] co.
   Tom J. Baily Hardeman was one of the signers of the Texas declaration
   of Independence, and was a member of Pres. Dave Burnet's cabinate. The
   county of Hardeman, Texas, was named in his honor. John M. Hardeman
   began his range career on his father's range and has continued in the
   cattle business to some extent every since. He now operates a stock
   ranch located near Justin, Texas.
   
   His story of range life fellows:
   
   "I was born in Robertson co., Texas, in 1867, at my father's farm and
   ranch. [My?] father was John H. Hardeman, and a brother of Tom J.
   Baily Hardeman. They came to Texas, in 1835. My [father?] settled
   [in?] Washington co[.,?] and Tom J. Baily Hardeman settled in
   [Matagorde?] co. Tom was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration
   of Independence. Each of these men [fought?] for the Independence of
   Texas. Tom J. Baily Hardeman was a member of Burnet's cabinate.
   Therefore, I amy state that I am a true son of Lone Stare State.
   
   "I am thinking of [my?] boyhood days and my mind wanders back to
   Taylorville(now Taylor) Williamson co., Texas. It was 61 years ago the
   2, of last Aug., when I, with my father and the rest of our family
   rolled into Williamson co., from Robertson co., and there located.
   
     NOTE: C12 - 2/11 - /21
     
   00022We settled near Round Rock, at which place he bought a tract of
   land for the sum of $2. per acer. On this tract, he built a log house
   and put into cultivation a small patch of [land?] to raise crops for
   our home use. Cattle raising was father's main business.
   
   "The country was a vast prairie with no fences, no farms and not many
   buildings, except along the creeks. Settlers located along the creeks
   where they could obtain poles for rails with which to build fence
   around their patch of cultivated land. Also, so they could have water
   supply. Wire for fencing purpose had not yet been invented, and it was
   necessary to locate near timber if one desired to cultivate any land,
   because cattle ranged where the grass was sufficient and a supply of
   water was at hand.
   
   "The country was an open range with cow camps located at many points,
   with thousands of longhorns feeding on the tall grass which grew
   profusely on the prairie, and in the creek bottoms.
   
   Jim and Frank [Stales?] had a camp where the Stiles' [home?] is now
   located. Jay [Olive?] had a cow camp located on Longbranch a few miles
   S.W. of Stiles' camp.
   
   "The morning we arrived in Williamson co., we saw a tremduous[?] smoke
   arising South of the I& G.N. Railroad. We inquired about the cause of
   this smoke, and were informed it was caused by the burning of Jay
   Olive's cow camp, and that Jay Olive had been killed. He was killed in
   a fight proceeding the burning of the camp. This fight was the ending
   of a feud between the Olive boys and the Smiths. Each side had a large
   following. The Smith boys were Tom, Meg, and Bill. [TYhe?] Olive boys
   were Print, Ira, Bob and Jay. 00033There [was?] also, a Tom Smith, who
   married the Olive's sister. He went by the name of Olive Tom Smith,
   and the other Tom went by the name of Tom Curly Smith. Curly Tom Smith
   was the leader of the Smith crowd. He had a magnificent [physeque?].
   One can't expect to see a more, [perfect?] one. He was about six feet
   tall and weighed about 180 pounds. He had curly auburn hair, blond
   mustache and blue eyes. He was an excellent rider and roper, a near
   perfect shot with a six-gun and a graceful-dancer. This fellow was a
   typical leader of men. I think Jay Olive was the leader of the Olive
   crowd and a genuine leader too. The feud ended in a draw as near as I
   could reckon the out come. The feud was [responsible?] for the death
   of several men and about an equal number on each side.
   
   "The feud started over a question of cattle and range rights. Basing
   my conclusions on the statements made by members of each side of the
   controversy, I must state each side were equally wrong.
   
   "During the succeeding years after my arrival in Williamson co., I
   learned to know the Smiths and Olives. I became very fond of these
   people. I learned they were straight folks and a true friend. If they
   were your friends you could [depend?] on them remaining with you
   through thick and thin. We lived as neighbors and I never have had
   better neighbors or friends.
   
   " John "Buffalo" Olive was drownded in Spark's range trying to drive
   cattle out of Brushy creek. John "Alligator" Olive was our sheriff at
   one time. He was waylaid and died from the gun wounds, but killed
   several of his assultants single handed. Mob olive, 00044Alligator's
   brother, is still living near Beaukiss.
   
   "There was not much to Taylorville, when we first settled in the
   territory. It was just a small community of settlers. I shall try and
   tell about the first people there and their activities.
   
   "I don't remember whether it was Strayhorn or Milt Tucker that was
   sheriff in '76, but the sheriffs were in the order I shall name them.
   They were Simpson Connell, Bill [Br okshire?], John T. Olive, Henry
   Paul and a man named Edwards. Of course, I refer to the early period
   of Williamson co.
   
   "The first hotel [opened?] was the [Waggoner?] Hotel. A little later
   Square Napier put in a hotel, followed by a hotel established by Camp
   and Kroshosky, and others. J.B. Simmons was the first Postmaster.
   Montgronery and Jones opened the first lumberyard. Wiley and Post
   opened the first General store, then followed the stores of J. P.
   Vance, [George?] [Milton?] and others. A man named [Person?] put in
   the first [blacksmith?] shop. The first school was taught by Mrs
   Fisher, and the school was held in her residence. John Mcmurr opened a
   school later, and it was this school I attended. My class mates were
   Dave and Bill Sloan, Osi [Basley?], one of the Wilcox boys, Dave [Mc
   carty?] and Dave Taylor. Of all my school mates McCarty and Taylor are
   the only men still living in Taylorville(now Taylor). The first
   saddler was J.CCannon. He was followed by Pete Gobel. Our first boot
   maker was A.Disang and later Jack [Kanie?] established a boot shop.
   Taylorville's first doctors were Drs Morris, [Tredgill?] and Brown.
   Our first lawyers were John W.Parker, Manton and Briggs. Judge Scott
   was the first justice of the Peace. Jim 00055Sledge open the [sirs?]
   saloon, then Joe Bennett, Mark and Henry Bradford opened places.
   
   "While telling about the first people who settled in Taylorville, [I?]
   want to mention some of the prominent settlers. Those along the
   Gabriel River were [DEL: [?] :DEL] Talberts, [Perkins?], Wilcox,
   early, Sloans, [S?] Smith, Logan, Hayslip, Eubanks, Sterns, McFadden,
   and the most noted man was Marion(Polcat) Williams. The name was well
   applied. One [Brushy?] Creek were McCatchen, Avery, Bryant, Criss,
   Patterson, Flyn, Darlington and the Slaughter family. [Those?] first
   settlers were hoss and cow men and later came sheep men.
   
   "I don't want to forget to mention the first musical [organization?],
   and among the first of such organizations in the country during the
   early '80s and prior thereto. This organization was the Taylorville,
   String band. The members were John and Jim Fink, John Burk and [Bill?]
   [Reed?]. This musical organization furnished [music?] for all the
   important events, and were in great demand to furnish music for all
   the big dances held in the territory for many miles away.
   
   "Now, that I have mentioned some of the first settlers in town and
   country, I shall tell how we earned our livelihood and conducted
   ourselves.
   
   "In some ways life was hard. A six-gun was a prominent part of a man's
   dress. Everyone wore his gun and the guns were used many times. If a
   man did not want to swap shots, he had better throw his gun away and
   stay out of arguments. One the other hand friends were true and stood
   with each other till the very [last?] in any fifficulty.
   00066"Sheriffs run for office on their reputation for being a gun
   fighter and [rough?. In fact, such men were required in the office.
   
   The first person killed in Taylorville, after we moved to Williamson
   co., was a constable named [McDonnell?]. The shooting took place in
   George Hilton's store. George was away at the time attending court at
   Cameron, and his [Brother?], Tom, was attending to the business in
   George's absence. Mc Donnell had a reputation for being tough. This
   reputation caused people to elect him to office. One night McDonnell
   rode up to Hiltons store and ordered him to close, because, as 'he
   said, it was closing time. Tom refused, staring it was too early.
   McDonnell [started?] to ride his mount into the store for the purpose
   of inforcing his order. Tom ordered McDonnell to stay out, but he
   continued to drive his hoss in. Tom pulled his gun, so did the
   officer. Shots were swapped and MCDonnell was shot first. He fell off
   of his hoss dead.
   
   "The next killing was [committed?] by Jack Napier. He was a cattle
   driver and while passing a settler's home with a herd of cattle, he
   stopped to get a drink of buttermilk. The son of the settler and Jack
   became involved in an argument over some trifling question. They
   settled the argument, the was arguments were frequently settled those
   days, by using guns. Jack was the quickest with the draw and the young
   lad lost the argument.
   
   Thinking of the gun fights those days, brings to my mind an exciting
   time in Taylorville, and give a true picture of the conditions the law
   enforcement officials were compelled to deal 00077"Dan Moody, father
   of ex- Governor Moody, was/ Mayoraat the time I shall [ention?]. Tom
   Smith was city marshal. Tom was never known to [back?] away [from?] a
   fight. He was elected to the office by the good people of Taylorville,
   [because?] he had earned this reputation by actual deeds in the
   Smith-Olive feud, as well as in other fights. John Olive was sheriff,
   and the constable was a man names Barwise. The deputy constable [was?]
   a man named [Morris?].
   
   "Ed Rosoux [had?] opened a saloon in the town and he too had a
   reputation for running his business as he reckoned it should be
   operated. He was well educated and [polished?] and had an imposing
   [personality?].
   
   "One of the principles Rosoux followed in running his saloon, was to
   not allow any [DEL: [?] :DEL] intoxicated person to be taken out of
   his place of business. He insisted on taking care to them whom became
   [drunk?] while in his saloon.
   
   "Mayor Moody had issued a warrant for the arrest of a man on some
   misdemeanor complaint. The warrant was [placed?] in the hands of
   deputy [ constable?] Morris to execute. Morris entered the [salon?]
   and lead his [prisoner?] outside before Rosoux noticed what was taking
   place. Rosoux realized what had happened about the time the two men
   were in the street and he went into action. He [stept?] outside and
   demanded that the deputy turn the prisoner loose and allow the fellow
   to return to the barroom, Morris refused to comply [with?] the demand.
   Wothout any further words, Rosoux acted quickly. He hit the deputy on
   the [point?] of the jaw 00088knocking the man into the ditch where the
   deputy remained unconscious for a few moments. Rosoux then took the
   prisoner back into the saloon.
   
   "When Rosoux's action was reported to the Mayor he issued a warrant
   promptly, for Rosoux's arrest. Tom Smith [served?] the warrant on
   Rousoux, but let him go at liberty on [Rosous'swown?] recognizance.
   The trial was called in Mayor Moody's court and Rosoux was [present?].
   
   "The city attorney presented the city's evidence and then the Mayor
   called for the defendant to present his evidence and defense.
   
   "Rousoux arose to his feet and made a short speach to the court
   [which?] was as [follows?]. 'So far as this [damn?] kangaroo court is
   concerned, it canngo to hell,[?] He then [walked?] out of the court
   and back to his [saloon?].
   
   "Rosouz's action toward the court [just?] heaped oil on the fire. A
   battle was [certain?] to follow if any [further?] action would be
   taken against Rosoux, but the officals could not let the matter drop
   without each of them resigning their office. There was a citation
   issued for [Rosoux?] to appear instanter and answer to a charge of
   contempt of court. Of course, he was found guilty on the charge of
   assult and battery and interfering with an officer, when he walked out
   of the court. Therefore, folks looked for plenty of action. Tom Smith
   was given the paper to serve and bring the prisoner to jail. 00099"
   Rosoux had the reputation of being one of the best shots in the State,
   and there was no doubt about his courage. Tom Smith had an equal
   reputation. Therefore, the people waited in [anticipation?] of seeing
   a high class gun fight.
   
   "Tom Smith went to Rosoux's place of business and when he entered
   Rosoux was playingg a game of pool. He walked over to the pool table
   and told Rosoux he desired to talk to him. ['?] I have no objection to
   you talking. Start your story,' Rosoux told Smith. Smith told Rosoux,
   in substance, that he had gotten matters badly messed up and suggested
   that Rosoux come along and see if the situation could not be adjusted.
   
   '"I am not going with you or anyone to satisfy that bunch of
   [kaggroo?] court jokes,' was Rosoux's reply.
   
   '" I advise you to do so,' Smith pleaded. "'Because, its things like
   this that leads to gun play.
   
   "'When I get ready to pop my gun you shall know it, and if you don't
   stop molesting me it will not be long till you will hear from me'"
   
   "'I am ready now[!"'?]" Smith answered, and drew his gun. Smith fired
   a shot quickly [which?] some what surprised Rosoux. The bullet entered
   Rosoux's side, but he leaped over the bar quick as a flash and drew
   his gun. He dropped to the floor before he could fire a shot, and died
   a short time afterwards.
   
   "The friends of Rosoux, and he had many, disapproved of the way Smith
   shot him. They [asserted?] there was no need to kill the 001010man,
   that Smith had Rosoux covered and could have compelled him to go along
   to jail. The feeling which existed among the prople resulted in
   Smith's defeat at the next election. The defeat rankled in Smith's
   mind, and he would slur Johnson, the new marshal, when ever an
   opportunity wastcame his way. Smith drank liquor occasionally, and
   when he had a few drinks he would prade the street taunting the
   marshal by refering to him as the 'yellow marshal.'
   
   "There came a day when Smith must have drank more liquor than usual,
   because he became obnoxious. Smith, on this day, praded the street
   [calling?] for Willis Johnson, and saying that Johnson was yellow and
   afraid to arrest him. He was yelling so loud that he was heard from
   one to the other of the street. This conduction on the party of Smith
   [forced?] Willis Johnson to take some action. He called on Mayor Moody
   for a warrant charging Smith with disturbing the peace.
   
   "The Mayor did not issue a warrant, because he wanted to prevent a gun
   battle. He was certain there would be a gun fight if Johnson served
   the warrant, and it would put the yellow mark on Johnson to have some
   other officer serve it.
   
   "A large number of people had gathered at the town's square, waiting
   for the arrest and the anticipated battle to take place. Mayor Moody
   disappointed the crowd by appearing himself and announcing that he had
   refused to issue a warrant. He sated his purpose in refusing the
   warrant, was to allow Smith full rein to show the folks [?] the town
   what a damn fool he could make of himself. 001111This move on the part
   of Moody, caused Smith to realize what a fool he was making of
   himself. He went home and thereafter remained quite about Willis
   Johnson.
   
   "During the late '70s and early '80s, a bunch of tough fellows would
   frequently ride into the small towns and force the business houses to
   close. They did this for the sport they received out of their act. A
   tough [gang?] rode into Taylorville one night in '79, and had closed
   all the business places but Tom Bishop's store. Tom met the gang at
   his door and shooting started immediately. Tom killed three of the
   men, [but?] was killed himself.
   
   "These shootings I have related are some of the many of like incidents
   which took place, and were things we had to expect at any time.
   
   " Now, let me tell how we worked. I have mentioned the [fact?] that
   the country was an open range [dotted?] with cow camps. The cattle
   were attended to by a sort of [cooperated?] system. That is to say,
   when a range rider found a critter needing attention, he [DEL: [?]
   :DEL] would attend to it regardless of its brand. [While?] a herd
   would graze more or less in the vicinity where their water and salt
   [licks?] were, there was always more or less strays finding their
   [wpay?] [i?] to a strange herd. Thus, what strays were found in our
   herd we gave to same attention as we [rendered?] our own. The other
   ranchers did the same thing for our strays.
   
   "Ordinarily, we did [no?] herding to hold the cattle in a certain
   location. However, during threathening weather or while a storm was in
   progress, there were riders kept on hand and ready in the 001212event
   the herd would start to drift.
   
   "Our territory was a prairie country without sheltering places.
   Therefore, the cattle would start drifting before or during a storm
   hunting for shelter. A herd of longhorns was an excellent barometer.
   When a [sever?] storm was brewing, we could tell it was on the way by
   the cattle's action. The herd would become fretful and restless, and
   finally start drifting. If the herd was not held in check, the animals
   would drift to the river bottoms. With such event taking place, we
   would be compelled to do several days riding to separate the various
   brands and drive the animals back to their home grounds. During a
   sever storm there was danger that some of the herd would drift many
   miles away. Therefore, we always attempted to hold the cattle, but
   there were times we could not accomplish our purpose, and a stampede
   would take place.
   
   "Of course, when the general roundups were held almost all the strays
   would be found.
   
   "The general roundup was a cooperative move to gather all the cattle
   and separate the animals. A crew made up of members from all the camps
   worked under a roundup boss. In addition, the ranchers would send a
   representative to the distant roundups. This waddy's job was to watch
   for their strays that might have drifted [there?]. By this cooperative
   method the ranchers would get all their animals back on the home range
   twice each year.
   
   "The cattle business had its problems as does every other business. To
   illustrate some of our problems, I shall relate some incidents of
   trouble. 001313"The ranchers in the Williamson camp territory had to
   meet a great loss in 1883, due to weather conditions. During the month
   of Feb., a snow, sleet and rain storm revailed for about 10 days. When
   the weather returned to normal, the range was covered with a coat of
   snow and ice, about four inches thick. This storm was very unsual and,
   of course, no one was able to meet the conditions produced by it. By
   the time the range cleared so the cattle could get at the grass, many
   cattle had died from exposure and starvation. It was estimated the
   loss suffered amounted to 50 percent of the herds.
   
   When the weather became mild, bad matters was mad worse by a heel-fly
   plague, which took another 10 percent or more of the cattle.
   
   "The heel-fly attacks cattle in the heel and when one of the insects
   hits a critter in the hell the animal becomes crazed with fright and
   pain. The attacked animal will let out a bawl, throw its tail in the
   air, and start runnin for a water hole or a bog. There the cattle will
   remain. The fly is so wearing to the cattle that the animals will
   refrain from feeding, become weakened and [many?] will die.
   
   "The weather condition which prevailed prior to the heel-fly plague,
   produced many [hoss?]. The cattle were already weakened due to rage
   conditions. Therefore, many went down in the [gogs?] and died there
   before we could haul the critters out.
   
   "The conditions under which we raised cattle in those days, we did not
   have much invested in the herd, because our only cost 001414was for
   hired help. But, when a large precentage of the herd was lost, our
   sales had to be curtailed until the herd built back or purchases were
   made to replace the loss.
   
   "The price of cattle in the early '80s ranged from $20 to $30 for twos
   and threes. Therefore, the loss of 500 to 1000 herd of cattle
   represented considerable money. Thus, you may estimate what the '83
   storm and heel-fly plague cost the ranchers.
   
   "During the early '80s the first wire fencing of the range appeared in
   Williamson co., After considerable fighting, fence cutting and court
   trials over the fencing, the system of fencing the range became the
   rule. Many of the large ranchers then moved [?] where the range was
   still open.
   
   "We had considerable trouble with the first fence in our Territory.
   The first fence was built by Taylor, and he put the fence up on his
   section line. Thus was absolutely within his rights. Some of the
   prominent citizens considered the act as detrimental to the welfare of
   the country. They preceived the disappearance of the open range and
   with it the cattle industry. Of course, those days the peoples
   livelihood came wholly from the cattle. Therefore, some of the
   citizens decided to save the country from ruination. These people
   formed in a mob and destroyed the fence. Taylor replaced the fence and
   again it was cut down.
   
   "However, the [depredaters?] were caught in their second act of fence
   destroying. The culprits were arrested on a criminal charge and, also,
   had a civil action for damages filed against them.
   
   "The cases were hard fought. The law was clearly against the
   defendants, but [to?] find a jury which would convict the accused
   001515was a problem the courts could not solve. But, the civil action
   was more successful and the [were?] some judgments rendered in favor
   of Taylor. The result of the court action did, however, cause a
   cessation of the depredations against fences.
   
   "What I have related is, I think, the prominent points of my
   experience during the early days on the range.
   
   "Many changes have taken place since I were a boy. I use to ride over
   the beautiful prairie country on a hoss. The sage grass was about
   three feet high in most places. There were lots of prairie chickens
   and other game. Coyotes could be heard, during the night, anywhere one
   might be. I still have the mental sound of their yelp and howl. I can
   still hear the cyotes mournful howl and when I do it makes my flesh
   creep.
   
   "There were no houses on the prairie, unless there was a good spring
   near by, like Crelry Wilson's spring W. of Taylorville, or Flag's
   spring E. of town. Flag's spring use to be the camp site of Caffle's
   cow camp. After the camp wassmoved W., John R Hone bought the tract of
   land containing the spring and built a magnificant home there.
   
   "We had no automobiles, trucks, tractors or aeroplans. No picture
   shows, telephones or radios. People [cooked?] in the fireplace or
   ovens built on the outside. There were a few stoves, for cooking and
   heating purposes, but these untensils were a rarity.
   
   "People fought for their rights using the six-gun instead of
   001616their hands or the courts. But, outside of the comparative few
   rustlers, a large precentage of the people were honest. People paid
   their bills with cash. They carried their money on their [DEL: [?]
   :DEL] person or layed/ it on the mantel in the home. When people went
   on a business, trip, they never worried about putting any sum of money
   in the saddle bag and travel through strange [or?] known territory.
   
   "People, as a whole, trusted one another, and there was lots of
   brotherly love mixed with the shootings. As a whole people had a good
   time and were happy.
   
   "I came to Fort Worth during the early '90s with my family to make it
   my home, but I am still in the cattle business. I operate a farm at
   Juntin, Texas, where I raise Herdfords as my principal [farming?]
   activity.

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