TX BIOS:  W. T. Pickett
   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.
   
   0001
   
   Life History Range lore
   
   Dealing with [DEL: [?] :DEL] Nesters, early.
   
   Gauthier, Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore
   
   Tarrant Co., Dist., #7.
   
   Received Oct. 9, 1937.
   
   Mr. W. T. Pickett, 80, was born in Beinville Parish, La. His father,
   Mr. J.M. Pickett, was a school teacher who also operated a small salt
   works in Saline, La. The Pickett family migrated to Texas in 1863,
   bringing one slave with them. They settled in Robinson Co., moving a
   year later to Falls Co., where Mr. J. M. Pickett engaged in
   transporting freight. Later, the family moved to Hamilton Co., and
   began farming. At the age of 20, Mr. W.T. Pickett was employed on the
   John Snow Ranch for two years. He then secured employemnt on the Bob
   Shockely Ranch. Mr. W. T. Pickett discontinued ranch life in 1890 to
   labor at railroad construction. He married Miss Della Farrell in 1888.
   11 children were born to them, seven of them now demised. They came to
   Ft. Worth in the early 90's, and now reside on Congress Ave. (no
   number) His story:
   
   "The first money I received for labor was for working on a Hoss Ranch,
   which is the work I followed during the early part of my life. My name
   in Winifield Thomas Pickett. However, all of my acquaintances in Fort
   Worth know me as, "Fell" Pickett. I was born in Beinville Parish,
   Louisiana, February seventh, 1857. That puts my age at 80. My father
   was James Madison Pickett, and his vocation was teaching school. He
   also conducted a small salt works near the town of Saline, Louisiana.
   Father owned three slaves, among whom was one "Nigger John." I
   emphasize John because he was a dependable fellow. He was purchased
   when four years old.
   
   "Father decided to migrate to Texas in 1863. Before moving, father
   sold all of his property except his personal things. He sold two of
   his slaves, and was offered $2,000.00 for John. He left the matter of
   sale to John for decision, telling him, 'I am offered $2,000.00 for
   you John. Now I am certain, that in the course of a year, you will be
   free by law. Shall I [sell?] you?
   
     NOTE: C.12 - 2/11/41 - Tex
     
   00022"'Keep me, Marster! Please do, Marster! Dis cullud person wants
   to stay wid youse always', John replied with a quavering voice and
   tears trickling down his cheeks. That settled the matter of John's
   sale, regardless of the amount offered. In the operation of the salt
   works, John attended to the work as though he was looking after his
   personal property, and father depended on John in all matters.
   
   "The production of salt in those days was a simple matter. Water was
   obtained from the wells, then placed in open kettles and evaporated by
   heat. The major part of the salt we produced was sold in the
   surrounding territory. Some of it was shipped to the State of Kansas.
   
   "My family migrated to Texas in 1863, and settled in Robinson County.
   The country was sparsely populated at that time. There were no
   railroads, and all commodities transported were hauled by ox and mule
   teams using wagons constructed with wooden exles.
   
   "My father engaged in freighting for a livlihood, and traveled to
   Millican, Belton, Waco, and other towns. We moved to Falls County
   after five years, and continued the freighting business. We also
   attempted to develop a farm.
   
   "Father moved to Falls County, Texas in 1868, and continued his
   freighting business but intended to establish a farm. We were located
   at a place called "Dog Town" in those days.
   
   "We failed to establish the farm due to objections on the part of
   cattlemen. We were no more than settled and beginning to clear the
   land when we were informed by the cattlemen that farming wasn't 00033a
   healthy business in that section. Father couldn't see the matter in
   the same light as the cattlemen did, so he continued to carry out his
   development. He received several purchasing offers but didn't want to
   sell. In fact, he was stubborn about his right to farm there. The
   controversy continued mild in form for four years, then one day, he
   was informed by an unknown person that he had better sell at a
   reasonable price, 'or else he would find himself without a home'. It
   was a kind of friendly hint. He thought the proposition over, and
   decided that perhaps the section wasn't a good place to farm, so he
   sold his farm and moved to Hamilton County in 1873. He quit the
   freighting business then, and devoted his time to farming . . . .

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