TX BIOS:  Hillard J. Hay
   Selected and converted.American Memory, Library of Congress.
   
   Washington, 1994.
   
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   U.S. Work Projects Administration, Federal Writers' Project (Folklore
   Project, Life Histories, 1936-39); Manuscript Division, Library of
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   00011
   
   [?????] Interview [10?]
   
   Page #1
   
   FC 240
   
   Gautheir, Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore.
   
   Tarrant Co., Dist., #7
   
   Hillard J. Hay, 68 living at 2005 Granburt Rd., was born at
   Sweetwater, [Mclan?] co., Tenns, Jan 1, 1890. His mother died when he
   was six months old, and he was reared by friends. He lived with
   several different families until he was 15 years old. He then went to
   Culberson co., where he secured work with the Black Mountain Cattle
   co., which was owned by F.J. Hall. Later, he worked for the Malay
   Ranch and other until he was 20 years old. He then enrolled as a
   student with the Huckelby Acadamy.
   
   He was graduated at the age of 24. He followed the teaching profession
   for several years. After he quit teaching, he engaged in farming for a
   livelihood.
   
   His story of range life follows:
   
   "Sweetwater, Nolan co., Texas, is where I was born and reared until a
   boy of 15 years old.
   
   "My mother died when I was six months old which resulted in my rearing
   being left to friends of the family. I was taken care of by several
   different families, until I was 15 years old, and then I started out
   to make my owne livelihood.
   
   "During the years of my childhood, I came in contact with cowhands and
   the range. In fact, I was reared by cattlemen. Nolan co ., and the
   adjacent territory, contained many ranches. Cattle raising was the
   principal business of the country. Surrounded by a cattle ranch
   environment, it was natural sequence for me to want to and did become
   a cowboy.
   
   "During my 15th, year, I went to Culberson co., Texas. F.J. Hall owned
   a cattle ranch located 20 miles N. of Van Horn. The ranch was known as
   the Black Mountain ranch. All its business was done under the name of
   the Black Mountain Cattle co, I learned, at Van Horn, that the Black
   Mountain ranch was in need of several cowhands.
   
     NOTE: C - 12 2/11/41 - Texas
     
   00022I rode my mount to the ranch and secured a job.
   
   "Fate Seely was the foreman and be questioned me about my experience.
   I, at the time, was not a roper or [horesmean?]. That is not as
   efficient a one was supposed to be in order to be classed as a cowboy.
   I was what the cowhands called a greener. I could ride a horse in the
   ordinary way and throw a lasso, but the real knowledge of roping a
   beast or handling a horse was not, as yest, learned by me.
   
   "At about the end of my statement to Seely, Hall, the owner, came to
   where we were talking and Seely repeated my statement to Hall. The two
   men said they needed experienced cowhands, but if I was willing to
   learn, they would let me go to work and would try me out. My wages was
   set at 75¢ per day. Of course, in addition to my wages, I received my
   board.
   
   "Seely and Hall were pleased by what I told them about being certain I
   could learn to do the work. I told Seely that I had an older brother
   who could ride 'em with the best of riders. If he could ride I could
   learn to, because I was sure I had the same amount of riding blood in
   me. The two men took a liking to me and for this reason I was given a
   chance to learn the work.
   
   "Seely taught me to ride. His method was the tough system. He gave me
   one mount after another to ride which threw me. I guess I [w s?]
   thrown 40 times. The last spill injured me some and Hall reprimanded
   Sheely, because assigned me to horses which were hard pitchers. To use
   Sheely's words, he said," Well I want to see how much sand 00033the
   kid has in his gizzard." The time I was hurt, I lit on a rock and
   skinned my face, broke my nose and strained a shoulder, but I still
   was willing to try again. The method of teaching was changed and I was
   told what to do to prevent the spills. I was the object of some sport
   on the part of the cowhands and brought on most of my riding troubles.
   
   "The boys told me I must be properly equipt to ride and ten gallon hat
   along with a heavy set of suprs were necessary. They told me the
   proper way to ride 'em was to put the spurs on the animals side and
   beat it over the head with my hat, and yell while doing so. They said
   such would convince the hoss / I was boss. I followed their
   suggestions, but each of the horses threw me before I could convince
   them I was boss.
   
   "After I learned more about a horse, I discovered that I did the wrong
   thing with a broken horse and for a rider that was not, up on his
   riding. I was causing these horses to pitch a great deal more and
   harder, than they would have pitched if I had not yelled, clubed their
   ears with my hat and raked their sides with spurs. If one is a top
   rider, the spurs can be used to discourage a horse and compel it to
   become docile to one's commands.
   
   "After I was injured, Sealy said: 'I am going to teach you how to ride
   I 'em.' He told me a simple and fundamental principle about riding a
   horse, which is to swing one's body with the movement of the horse,
   and to watch the horse. A horse will indicate its movements. Of
   course, one must learn the indications, which are muscular
   00044movements. These movements precede the action and are a tell-tale
   of what is to follow.
   
   "A greener was always a source of amusement for the cowhands and I
   furnished plenty of amusement trying to ride the first few horses.
   
   "I must tell of another greener stunt I pulled which gave the boys
   some fun. Four of us were riding near a creek bottom and I heard
   suddenly, coming from the creek bottom, the scream of a woman. It
   sounded as through the person was in great danger and distress. I said
   to the boys,' some woman is in trouble. Let's go to her aid.' But, no
   one seemed interested in assisting the woman. The apathy of the boys
   riled me, and I cussed them for their lack of chivalry. They accepted
   my triade gracefully and said:' If you want to get messed up with some
   female, go on ahead. We are staying clear of the deal.'
   
   "Thinking that the boys were a hard hearted lotof fellows, I left the
   party and rode in quest of the distressed woman. The screaming stopped
   as I approached the bottom. Naturally, I thought the poor woman was
   dying or dead. About the time I was entering the bottom and its
   timber, I heard the other cowboys yelling. I turned to look and
   assertain what was the cause of their warning, and saw them riding
   towards me. I then waited till they rods up to where I was at. The lot
   of them were laughing. I asked them what was so funny. They told me I
   was riding to a she-cat alright, but one with four legs. That if I was
   not careful the cat would get me.
   
   "The scream I heard was the cry of a panther. If I had been
   00055alone, I would have ridden into the timber, and by chance would
   have rode beneath the tree's limb on which the panther was sitting.
   The party of cowhands circled the tract where the sound came from and
   located the panther. One of the boys shot it. So we got the animal
   instead of it getting me.
   
   "There were an average of 30 waddies employed on the Black Mountain
   ranch. In addition there were eight men which worked with the chuck
   wagons. We had two chuck wagons and with each were a cook and second
   cook, to general helpers and for wranglers. The cooks and their
   assistance did the cooking. The two general helpers, with each wagon,
   washed dishes, gathered wood, totted water and assisted the wranglers
   or any other job which was necessary to be done.
   
   "The horse wranglers looked after the [remuda?]. It was their duty to
   keep the remuda supplied with saddle broken horses, and to care for
   the animals. There was an average of [six?] horses kept in shape for
   each range [DEL: [?] :DEL] worker. The horses not being used were
   tethered on grazing ground. With each chuck wagon was a remuda
   containing about 100 horses, which had to be tethered and watered.
   
   "In addition, the wranglers had to break the wild range horses to the
   saddle and rain the animals for cow work. A part of each day the
   wranglers devoted to breaking and training horses.
   
   Horses were used up fast on the range. To be fit for range work, a
   horse must be in tip-top shape. There is lot of hard and [f?]
   00066fast riding to do over rough ground. Therefore, the moment a
   horse shows some defect it is no long [DEL: [?] :DEL] for range work.
   
   "It the time I went to work Hall, the range in the Culberson co.,
   section was still open. In the vicinity were several ranches which
   ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 head of cattle. Among the most prominent
   ranches were the Black Mountain, Duncan, Stevens Cattle co, Maly and
   Ad Camey's ranch.
   
   "The ranchers held a general roundup once each year, which was in the
   Spring. About every three months the Black Mountain ranch held a
   roundup of their [DEL: carrle :DEL] cattle. This local ranch roundup
   was for the purpose of cutting out sale stock, which generally were
   [?].
   
   "The Black Mountain ranged about 4,000 breeding cows and the calf crop
   averaged about 3,600 head.
   
   "Hall shipped around 60 car loads of stock every three months. The
   cars were loaded with about 30 head to a car. As a rule the other
   ranchers shipped at the same time and generally about 300 car loads of
   would move out of the Van Horn district during the course of a month,
   every three months.
   
   "Our own roundup generally required about six weeks time to complet.
   The general roundup required about three months time. Therefore we
   were occupied with the general roundup and our local roundup most of
   the year.
   
   "During the intervals between roundups we relaxed, having just the
   range riding to do watching the herd. We were always ready for herd
   drifting, which took place during storms. The 00077extent of any drift
   depended on the severity of the storm. The country W. of our range was
   mountainous and the cattle would drif to the hills. The only objection
   to the drift, in the Van Horn district, was the danger of the herds
   mixing, which caused a great amount of work when cutting out cattle
   for shipment.
   
   "The cowhands of the Black Mountains ranch were divided into two
   crews, using a chuck wagon for each crew. The chuck wagon was our home
   most of the time, but we lived well.
   
   "The chuck wagon was always packed with a varity of canned goods, and
   a plentiful supply of bacon. Being that there were thousands of
   yearlings on the range, there never was a shortage of prime yearling
   beef meat on hand. Hall was very particular about having a large
   varity and supply of food on hand, and insisted that the cooks do a
   good job with their cooking. If a cook was not able to meet Hall's
   standard set for cooks, the fellow did not stay long on the job.
   
   "We slept in the open and on the ground. We rolled up in our blankets
   during cool weather. In the Southwest section of the country, the
   atmosphere is dry and there is no discomforture about sleeping in the
   open. In fact it is more preferable than sleeping in the house.
   
   During my days on the range in the Southwest part of Texas, the
   country was not wild and tough, as it was during the '70s and '80s.
   However, the six-gun was the constant companion of the citizens, and
   occasionally an affary would take place.
   
   "The professional rustler did not give the ranchers much 00088trouble
   with rustlers. The greater part of the trouble over cattle was between
   the ranchers themselves. The trouble came about [through?] branding
   doggies.
   
   During the general roundup it was proper for a branding crew to brand
   the doggies which they came in contact with or if found on the range
   with [?] cattle. But, if the opportunity was [present?] most of the
   ranchers would not object about their crew being unable to see a
   yearlings mother cow. The fact that the larger the calf crop the
   better it was for the boss, was constantly told to the cowboys, and
   this fact cause most of the waddies to be over zealous with their
   doggie [?].
   
   "The Black Mountain ranches' brand was the double H [?] over, made
   thus: . Occasionally we would find yearling running with a cow
   carrying our brand with the double [?] under brand [?] thus: ,, and
   there were times when other ranchers found the double H bar over brand
   on a yearling running with a mother cow of their brand. These matters
   were generally adjusted, but at times caused disputes and there were
   sereral shootings caused by arguments over doggie branding.
   
   "The owner of the Black Mountain ranch, F. J. Hall, was killed by his
   foreman, Fate [?], over a dispute about branding doggies.
   
   "Hall knew by his count that he was losing yearlings. One night we
   were seated at the supper table, in the cook house at headquarters,
   when Hall came in and accused Fate of putting his own brand on some of
   Hall's cattle. Fate was running a few cattle of his own on the range,
   besides acting as foreman. 00099"It was the custom those days for the
   waddies to place their guns on the table at the side of their plate,
   while eating. This particular evening when Hall came, of courses the
   guns were at their usual place. When Hall came in he said:
   
   "Fate, you have been getting some of my yearlings.'"
   
   "You have got me wrong," Fate answered.
   
   "I have not.'" Hall replied. '"I found some of my cattle with your
   brand on them.'"
   
   "'I admit I have branded some doggies, but they were not your critters
   any more than mine or any other person. The yearlings were not with a
   mother cow.'" Fate informed Hall.
   
   "Each man was watching the other closely, and as Fate finished his
   statement, Hall started to reach for his gun. Fate picked up his gun
   quickly and beat Hall to the draw. Fate's shot hit Hall in the chest
   and the bullet entered his heart. Hall dropped and died instantly.
   
   "After the shooting Fate went to the corral and saddle his mount. I
   went out to him and asked what he was going to do. He said: "The law
   will be after me. I want to stay out of their custody till I can think
   out my situation. Also, to wait a bit to see what, if any, charge
   [DEL: [?] :DEL] will be filed against me.'"
   
   There [?] a canyon near that vicinity known as the Devil's Canyon. At
   the bottom of the canyon there are many caves, and one can see anyone
   approaching, from any direction, to enter the canyon. Fate went into
   the canyon, where many men had gone in past years to hide. He carried
   with him a rifle and his six-gun and a large 001010supply of
   ammunition.
   
   "We cowhands carried food to Fate, and kept him posted on what was
   taking place relating to his affairs. He had signals, which was the
   whirpoorwell's whistle, to indicate who we were when approaching the
   canyon.
   
   "Officers knew where Fate was, but no one attempted to get Fate, until
   Frank Friend, Hall's son-in-law, offered $3,500 as a reward for the
   capture of Sealy. Then Sheriff Smith announced that he was going to
   get Fate Sealy.
   
   When we informed Seely about the reward and the Sheriff's
   announcement, he said no law would take him for the reward, [?] money
   belonged to Hall's widow, he was going to do his best to save it for
   her. Fate told us he would go with any of us waddies and surrender.
   
   "Sheriff Smith then had a posse organized and starting for the Canyon.
   One of our crew told the sheriff that Fate would report to the jail
   with a party of waddies, but would not allow a law to take him in for
   the reward. But, the sheriff desired the reward and proceeded to the
   canyon. Seely was a fellow which every body liked,, especially the
   cowhands. Because of the feeling the cowhand had for Fate, and knowing
   how the shooting took place, the boys decided to protect Fate Seely.
   
   "The cowhands made up a party and went into the canyon to fight the
   posse in defense of the cowboy. The sheriff was informed about the
   cowhand's action, and that they were in the canyon to prevent the
   posse from taking Seely. The sheriff and his men never 001111went
   farther than to the edge of the canyon. The posse lost all their
   courage when it came to where they would have to enter the canyon, and
   meet the cowhands. In fact, it would have taken an army to capture the
   crowd.
   
   "When the posse refused to go into the canyon after Seely, the
   officals then sent word to the waddies that they would expect Seely to
   come in with some of his cowboy friends.
   
   "Friends of Seely made arrangements for a bond which was acceptable to
   the State's attorney. Seely, with some of his friends, went to the
   sheriff's office and surrendered. Seely was exonerated when he was
   tried.
   
   "The killing of Hall caused a change at the Black Mountain ranch. I
   had worked there 12 months when the trouble took place, and was then
   able to do my share of the work at any of the jobs, but I quit because
   I did not want to work under the new management, which was Friend,
   son-in-law of Hall.
   
   "I was not afraid to ask for tip hand wages, which were $35. per
   month. Seely had taught me to ride and I was able to ride the toughest
   of critters. A Mexican waddie named Garcia, had taught me the art of
   roping.
   
   Garcia was an artist with the lasso, and while Seely was teaching me
   to ride, Garcia was teaching me how to throw the lasso. Also, how to
   take care of myself while handling the rope and mounted on a horse.
   
   "I have mentioned that a greener provides amusement for the 001212old
   rawhides. Well, when Garcia first took me in charge, I furnished some
   'op're' for the boys.
   
   Garcia taught me how to place the loop and I practiced to perfect
   placing the loop in the position and at the proper time. I caught on
   to the swing, and had perfected my throw so I could lay the loop where
   I wanted it to land. Garcia then said,' you are ready to show varguro
   how to put loop on cow.'
   
   "We rode out to the range where cattle were grazing. He pointed out a
   steer and told me to rope the animal. He gave me no instructions, but
   I considered it an easy job. I rode up to a steer which started to
   run, soon as it realized I was after him. I swung the loop and it
   landed on the steer's head. I was intent at watching the steer [?]
   oblivious of all else. About the time the loop landed the steer turned
   and also the horse. I had not thought about watching my mount or
   making a hitch of the rope on the nub of my saddle. So, when the horse
   turned suddenly, I was thrown out of the saddle. The steer had the
   rope and was free. I was on the ground with my mount about 30 feet
   away.
   
   "The steer was not pleased with the way I had treated him. Therefore,
   when it saw me on the ground he made for me. I started to my mount,
   but the steer came between my horse and me. There I was cut off from
   my mount and a ferious animal after me. The only thing I could do then
   was to run and yell for help. This I did with full speed. 001313"I ran
   in a zigzag course, forcing the animal to stop and change its courses
   enabling me to keep out of its way. But, I was getting tired and the
   steer seemed to be holding up well. When I had ran for some time I
   became exhausted. I then began to think that the next minute I would
   have to let the steer toss me on its horns. However, at this time the
   animal flopped on the ground.
   
   "The waddies by all the while the steer and I were playing tag, and
   getting a lot of fun out of the game. When they thought I had went far
   enough, one of the boys roped the animal.
   
   "After the affair was terminated, Garcia said,' Varquro, you now
   remember to watch the mount and forget the steer.'
   
   "By failing to watch my mount, I was not set for the sudden turn made
   by my mount, consiquently I was thrown. I never forgot to watch the
   horse's movement thereafter, and soon was handling the roping job.
   
   "After I quit the Black Mountain ranch job, I secured work with the
   Double M Bar ranch owned by Malay. The ranch was called the Double M
   Bar due to its brand which was made thus:
   
   The Double M bar was one of the small ranches. It operated one chuck
   wagon and ranged about 4000 head of cattle. I worked for the Double M
   Bar about nine months. I then was offered an opportunity to work for
   Ed Mc Camey, which I accepted. His brand was mad thus: , and was a
   mixed ranch. [?] ranged about 2000 heads of cattle and 1500 head of
   horses.
   
   The horses raised on McCamey's range were a mixed breed. The
   001414animals were a mixture of steeldust, wild spanish and some
   racing stock [imported?] from Ky. Mc Camey had tried to improve the
   wild horse with other blood. He succeeded in producing a beautiful
   horse. On his range I have seen some of the most beautiful horses that
   I have ever looked at. But, the blood of the wild spanish horse caused
   the animals to be fighters. They did not make dependable saddle horses
   for general use, but were the best of cow horses. Because of this
   fighting characteristic, their sale price was low. At the range the
   horses sold for about $5.
   
   "Most of the horses were shipped to La., and other Eastern markets.
   Those which were shipped sold for around $25.
   
   "Now, I must tell of some more 'op'ra' performance which I did at
   McCamey's ranch. It was the costume to have each new hand demonstrate
   his riding ability. The first morning I went to work McCamey pointed
   out a horse and said, there is the [?], saddle him. I saddled the
   horse Professor and mounted. The horse seemed gentle as a family cow.
   It moved off at my command taking an easy gaite. Suddenly, I herd a
   shrill whistle, and at the same instant the Professor went into the
   air. The animal seemed to be contorting its body and when it landed,
   the horse was standing on its front feet with its haunches about it
   head. I was put out of balance completely, and it is useless to say I
   was able to stay in the saddle.
   
   "My attempt to ride the horse taught me why it was called the
   Professor. The horse was trained to put on its act at the sound of a
   whistle, and do it quickly. The boys told many men had tried to
   001515stay with Professor when the animal put on its act, but none had
   [DEL: [?] :DEL] succeeded. The ranch kept the horse for the purpose of
   teaching waddies how to ride.
   
   "I worked for various ranches in the Culberson district for a period
   of five years. I had saved about $500. during the time and decided to
   take a rest from ranch work.
   
   "I went to Erath Co., and worked on a farm. A short time after I went
   to work, a representative of the [Huckleby?] Academy called and talked
   to me about an education. I had, up to this time, only three months
   schooling. I thought seriously about what the representative discussed
   with me, and accepted his proposition.
   
   I was a matured man and realized I would have to start in the sophmore
   class with class mates that were children, but I went and was
   graduated in four years time.
   
   I received a teachers certificate and followed the teaching profession
   for several years. My late years have been devoted to farming.

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