TX BIOS:  William A. Preist
   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
   
   Folk Stuff - [?]
   
   Gauthier. Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore
   
   Tarrant Co. Dist,. #7 [39?]
   
   Page #1
   
   FC 240
   
   William A. Preist, 61, living at [?] Winkler co. Texas, [?] born June
   4, 1877 in Gaudaplupe co. Texas, at the farm of his father, Dan T.
   Preist. His father cultivated land and raised cattle which grazed on
   the open range. His grandfather, Tom A. Gay. and His father were
   associated as herd drivers. The two men were among the first who drove
   herds to the Northern market. William A. Preist went to Winkler co.
   Texas, in 1895 and worked for the 'W' ranch which was owned by W.D.
   and Lee Johnson. He continued on the 'W' ranch until 1914 at which
   time he was [?] to the office of County Sheriff of Winkler co, and he
   has occupied the office since, except for a period of 18 months. He
   has watched the [ecos?] River region transform from an openrange where
   thousands of cattle grazed to an extensive oil producing region.
   
   His story of range life follows:
   
   "The place of my birth was Gandalupe co, Texas, on the farm owned by
   my father, Dan T. Preist. The event took place June 4, 1877. I was
   [reared?] on that farm until I was 16 years old.
   
   "My father farmed and engaged in cattle raising, as practically all
   the farmers in Graundalupe co. did during those days. In fact, the
   major indrustry of the county was cattle raising. The farmers were
   compelled to fence their cultivated fileds to keep the cattle out of
   their crops. Outside of the scattered fields, the entire county was an
   [ope?] range upon which cattle grazed.'
   
   "Father raised corn, wheat, [cane?], [cotton?] and vegetables. We
   consumed practically all produce [?] the farm, except cotton which was
   sold, except a small [amount?] which we used for making clothing. The
   amount of wheat raised was sufficient to supply the family's flour
   needs.
   
     NOTE: C.12 - 2/11/41 - Texas
     
   00022Flour was obtained by taking wheat to the grist mill and having
   it ground. The miller was paid for the grinding out of a portion of
   the flour.
   
   "The town where we did our trading was San Antonia, a did-tance of 25
   miles from our farm. Therefore, going to town was a special occasion.
   The trip to town was made on hoss back or riding in a wagon pulled by
   a team of mules.
   
   "My [f ther?] and grandfather, Tom A Gay, were associated together in
   the cattle business. When driving herds out of Texas to the Northern
   markets began, father and grandfather were among the first men to
   drive a herd. When they started driving I was not yet born, but they
   were still at it when I became old enough to understand something [ab
   ut?] what was going on. My first recollection was when they were
   driving herds to The Fort Worth, market/
   
   "Most of the cattle which the two men drove to the markets were bought
   from other ranchers, because our herd was not large enough to supply a
   sufficient amount cattle for a worth while driving herd. Our whole
   herd numbered around 3000 head and the was the usual number father
   would gather for a market drive. It cost about as much to drive 1500
   as 3000. The crew always consisted [f?] a cooky, [h ss?] wrangler,
   trail, boss and nothing less than six pointers. Even when driving a
   herd of 1000 critters, six pointers were the least number a driver
   would be safe in using. With a herd of 3000 to 3500, ten pointers can
   handly the herd easily.
   
   "I never went on'a drive while on father's farm. However, 00033I grew
   up in [th?] saddle and began doing some [?] on the range when I was 12
   years old. When I was 16 years old I could [?] 'em with the average
   fellow and do my share of the work on the range.
   
   "We did no night riding on our range, which was the custom followed by
   all the ranchers in our region. The ranchers cooperated in looking
   after the cattle. All of the ranchers had men riding the range and
   doing what was necessary, such as attending to the sick and keeping
   watch [on?] bog holes for bogged cattle. Twice each year a general
   roundup was held and then each brand/ would be cut out and separated
   into the respective herds, and driven back to their home range.
   
   "Most [o?] the cattle in a [hrd?] will [grz?] in the vicinity of its
   water and salt licks, provided the grass is sufficient. [However?], a
   few would drift off and become mixed with other herds. Each Spring and
   Fall it was necessary to separate the cattle and of course in the
   Spring the calves were branded.
   
   "During the late 70's ranchers in the Graudalupe co, section began to
   drive thier herds westward, which left mostly small herds. I was
   anxious to work with a big outfit so followed the cattle west.
   
   "I went to the Pecos River region in 1895 and took a job as hoss
   wrangler on the 'W' Ranch which was owned by Lee and W.D. Johnson.
   W.D. Johnson now lives in Kansas City. Lee Johnson diedat Fort Worth,
   recently (1938). The camp of the 'W' ranch was located on the Pecos
   River. The cattle ranged over 125 00044miles of territory which
   included the range from Carlsbad New Mex, to the Hoss Head Crossing of
   the Pecos River in Texas. We did not maintain a permanent headquarter.
   Our camp was generally located somewhere about the center of the range
   and on the Pecos River. During the Summer months we lived in the open,
   using our saddles for a pillow. In the Winter months we lived in
   tents.
   
   "Two chuck wagons were used most of the times during the Summer months
   and the waddies divided into two crews, which was necessary in order
   to cover the amount of range we worked. The number of cattle carrying
   the 'W' brand was up into 75,000. The brand was made thus: , and we
   placed the brand on 10,000 calves during the Spring of 1896.
   
   "There were about 30 steady hands employed on the 'W' outfit. Bill
   Morehead was ranch foreman. We had two cooks they were Mack McAdams
   and W. Birdville. Some of the old rawhides who [worked?] on the 'W'
   outfit were Chas Brown, Red Ruley, R. Connley, Wm Hickles, Bill Newell
   and Henry Slack. Them men I have named were the steady hands. The
   others in the crew were shifting all the while. Some would work only a
   month or two, and others perhaps a year.
   
   "Our chuck was the usual range food, which was beef, beans, canned
   vegetables, black coffee, dried fruit and bread. The bread was
   sourdough and corn pone. The chunk was cooked well and the amount was
   plentiful.
   
   "My work was wrangling hosses. The 'W' outfit kept about 200 hosses in
   its remuda. I helped to wrangle 100 hosses each 00055year. Out of the
   100 about 75 would prove up toostandard as top hosses for range work.
   It took about 75 hosses each year to replace the worn out and injured
   hosses. A hoss with an injured leg or foot, or any fault which would
   slow the animal, was not used, because at any moment the rider might
   [be?] called upon for top speed. The range hoss traveled over rough
   ground which contained holes and it [was?] a frequent occurence to
   have a hoss injured. Pulled tendens and broken legs were the most
   frequent injuries.
   
   "The system used on the 'W' outfit breaking hosses was to rope and
   snub it. Then put the saddle on [the?] animal and then mount it. The
   hoss would start pitching pronto and continue until one of the two
   following things took place. The hoss either threw the rider or became
   tuckered and convinced it could not throw the rider. When the hoss
   [learned?] that it couldn't throw the rider it would submit to being
   handled and soon [?] to commands. /
   
   "There is a vase difference in the way hosses would pitch. Each
   [hoss?] has, more or less, its individual moves and the waddies had
   names for the different kinds of pitching. [For?] instance, the hoss
   which jumped first to one side and then to the other, we called it a
   fence rower. The hoss which jumped to one side only we called it a
   sunpercher. The hoss which made a straight forward jump was called a
   pigeon winger. The toughtest pitches, which were rare, was the
   wriggler. The wriggler jumped forward and up and landed on its front
   feet with its rear end in the air. While in this upright position it
   would wiggle its rear end. The rider who could stay on a wiggler had
   the staying 00066ability of a leech, because keeping on balance issthe
   secret of riding a pitcher and a wiggle is the hardest move to balance
   against. There were a few riders which could ride a wiggler, but not
   many.
   
   "I am amused at rodeos while watching the performers riding those
   pitching hosses. It is considered a ride if the rider stayss10 seconds
   and he knows before hand what the hoss is going to do. The old hoss
   wrangler mounted a critter, without knowing its movements, and had to
   stay in the saddle from then on. If he couldn't stay with the critter,
   he was no wrangler.
   
   "Right now I want to relate my experience with a hoss as an
   introduction to my work on the old 'W' outfit.
   
   "The morning I started to work the foreman pointed out a sleepy
   looking critter for my mount to use riding out to the hoss range. I
   saddled the animal and while I was doing it the hoss never moved. I
   thought the foreman had put off a plug on me for a joke. When I hit
   the saddle the critter went into the air, landed on its front feet and
   with its rear about straight up in the air. While in this position the
   hoss did a shimmy movement and I went to the ground. When I gained my
   feet I saw the animal standin still with its sleepy attitude and about
   10 cowhands splitting their sides with laughter. [Then some?] riled
   me, also I was a little cocky about my riding ability, so I decided to
   ride the critter or else burst an innard trying. I tackled the hoss
   again. My second attempt ended as the first, except I lit a litter
   farther from the hoss and hit the ground some harder. The hoss changed
   my mind about riding it. Laughter 00077or taunting would [?] to tackle
   the hoss the third time.
   
   "I was some what ashamed of my self and to keep out of conversation, I
   picked up a new rifle the foreman had bought, and was pretending that
   I was examining it. I was watching, out of the corner of my eye, one
   of the waddies who was st starting to mount the critter. When the
   fellow started to swing into the saddle his foot slipped through the
   stirrup and [?]. The hoss pitched and started to run. Instantly I saw
   the danger the waddie was in. I took aim with the rifle and shot the
   animal. The hoss tumbled to the ground and, luckly, to the opposit
   side from the rider. The waddie untangled himself quickly and was none
   the worse for his experience. The foreman said to me:
   
   "'Well, you killed the hoss, but saved the waddy'".
   
   "'No'" I answered boastfully,'"the hoss is just creased"'.
   
   "I didn't think that the hoss was creased. In fact, what I aimed to do
   was hit it in the brain and drop it pronto. Well, sir, I missed my
   aim. The bullet went too fat back, but the hit was a neat crease. I
   was surprised, but acted nonchalantly about it and the crew doffed
   their [?] covers to me as a top [DEL: rifel :DEL] rifle shot. The
   foreman patted/ me on the back and said, 'you may not be able to ride
   a wiggler, but you sure are a pert rifle shot'.
   
   "That chance shot initiated me and I was recognized as a pure rawhide.
   
   "On the '[?]' outfit we did night riding to keep the herd in tack and
   watch for rustlers. [Night?] riding was done in shifts of four hours
   work.
   
   "Night riding was pleasant work, except during inclement weather. For
   instance, on a bright night with the moon shining 00088on a herd which
   were bedded down was a beautiful sigh to see. But, on a night with a
   cold drizzling rain the job was a tough one. Then if the herd started
   on a run it was hell.
   
   "The worst stampede I ever work with was 3000 steers from three to
   seven years old. The herd was ready to be driven to Amarillo for
   shippment to market. About mid-night something scard one or two of the
   animals and the fear spread to the whole herd like a flash of lighten
   and the whole herd raised and started at the same moment. This
   [bunch?] of steers were the worse bunch of scared animals I ever saw
   and what scared the animals was a mistery. After the animals started
   to run, trying to stop the herd, was useless. The old steers became
   furious and bowed their necks if a hoss ran into their way. After two
   hosses were gored and one rider stomped to death we gave [up all?]
   efforts to turn the herd and just let the animals run. This herd ended
   their run when it became tuckered out and scattered among other
   cattle.
   
   "Johnson had contracted to deliever the 3000 steers, so the next day
   we had to cut out again.
   
   "Stampedes were frequent at time and then for weeks at a time the
   critters would not stomp.
   
   "Rustlers gave us trouble in streks. For a spell we would have no
   trouble and then the gang would set in and keep us jumping. The
   greatest haul rustlers made on a 'W' ranch herd was 225 critters in
   one night.
   
   "The rustlers came to the Pecos region from [?] co. 00099They rode up
   to two night riders about 3 A.M. and pretended they were lost. While a
   couple of the rustlers were in conversation with the waddies, suddenly
   several of the rustlers pounced on the night riders and bound them
   with rawhide ropes, and left them lying on the ground. The rustlers
   then cut out the critters and drove the animals off.
   
   "When the boys failed to show up at chuck time that morning a party of
   waddies started to hunt for the waddies, and they were found late in
   the evening. It was too late then for trailing. The following morning
   the foreman and six waddies started out to follow the trail. The trail
   led to the east and ended in Menard co. Of course we didn't follow the
   tracks the entire distance, because we lost the tracks about 50 miles
   from our range. The number the rustlers had taken away was too many
   for them to keep under cover and we were able to follow the cattle
   from information. Folks, here and there, would tell us that a herd of
   about [?] critters with the 'W' brand was seen going east.
   
   "When we arrived in [?] co, we [n tified?] Dick, who was then sheriff
   of the county. The sheriff joined us with a number of his deputies.
   The sheriff was quite certain who the rustlers were and the herd was
   located where his suspicion directed us.
   
   "I shall leave the rustlers names unspoken, because some of them, and
   some of their relatives, are still living and I do not wish to cause
   embarrassment.
   
   "When we located the herd we surrounded the camp and then the sheriff
   went to the camp and told the fellows they were 001010surrounded, so
   had better come with him without any fuss, which they did. They were
   tried, convicted and served a term in the State Penintentitary.
   
   "Rustling is still one of the major problems of the ranchers. Today
   the auto-truck is the means used to rustle cattle. The number taken at
   one time is small. The number is not over a dozen at one haul.
   
   "The cattlemens Association had made the handling [??] large numbers
   of rustled cattle impracticable, because the sale of rustled cattle
   must be confined to retail markets. Retail markets can't handle over
   one or two head of cattle at one time. The Association maintains
   inspectors at all wholesale cattle markets and the brands are
   carefully checked when the critters are placed on sale.
   
   "The rustlers have adopted ingenieus equiptment for carrying on their
   trade.
   
   "Since I was elected sheriff of [?] co, in 1914, I have had the chance
   to watch the progress rustlers have made in developing equiptment they
   use. When the autotruck was first used by the rustlers, the boys would
   cut the fence and drive into the range. Three [or four?] men always
   worked together and they would pick a yearling up and lift it into the
   truck. The kind of cattle which are now on the range, and has been for
   some years past, are gentle, so it is easy for the rustlers to lay
   hands on the critters.
   
   "Of course, when a rancher found a gap in his fence, that would put
   him on notice [about?] the rustling and a hunt would start. 001111"The
   next move of progress the autotruck rustlers made, was the adpotion of
   an end-gate to the body of the truck which could be swung down over
   the fence. The end-gate was used as a chute up which the cattle were
   driven. The chute was a great improvement over lifting the critters
   into the truck, because the loading was easier and quicker did and
   left no [?] gap. However, the chute still required considerable
   pulling, shoving, grunting and cussing to get the critter up the
   chute. The animals don't like to travel up the strange way. Therefore,
   it was still work to lead a critter.
   
   "Recently the truck rustler had improved on the chute equiptment. A
   crane is now used in connection with a portable fence. The truck [?]
   up the fence and the portable fence set up inside. The critters are
   then driven into the inclosesure formed by the portable fence. A
   harness affair is placed on the critters to which a crane cable is
   hooked. With those steps completed [?] that remains to be done is
   hoist the animal up and swing it into the truck.
   
   "Of course, during my days on the range the hoss was the means with
   which cattle were rustled. There were hundreds of cattle rustled which
   the ranchers never learned about. Law and order was making its
   appearance when I went to work for the 'W' outfit. Therefore, the gun
   battle between rustlers and ranch outfits was coming to an end. The
   officers had things fairly well undre control.
   
   "The Pecos River outfits had [things?] in hand. All the 001212ranchers
   had riders riding the range and co-operated with each other in looking
   after the cattle the same as they did in the general roundup.
   
   These were the 'W', '[?]', 'LFB', Turkey [?], 'JAL'. [?] and a few
   other small outfits ranging in the Pecos region and co-operated in the
   work. During the roundups, crews of all the outfits united under one
   superintendent. Now the fence riders co-operate in watching the range
   fence and the rustlers. In fact, during the past few years more men
   are on duty watching the rustlers than were used during my time.
   
   "The range covered during the general roundups extended from [?], New
   Mex. to the Rio Grande border of Texas. Each roundup crew consisted of
   about 100 men with repersentatives from each outfit. Each crew worked
   a specified section under a range boss. The roundup lasted about three
   monts and I shall estimate the number of cattle handled at 400. [?] C.
   
   "After the [roundup?] work was finished, our work reverted to the
   regular duties and drives to market. Amarillo and Clarendon Texas, was
   the points we shipped from. The distance of the drive was
   approximately 600 miles and we allowed about 60 days to complete the
   drive.
   
   "We never had any serious trouble on the drive. We had an occasional
   stampede, but were never bothered with Indian raids or other
   depredations. The days of the Indian troubles were past when I made
   the cattle drives.
   
   "In the [?????] few bad men felt [over?] from the [?] 001313Jim
   Fraser, Burney [?] and Sam [?], were still in the Pecos region. They
   were tough as the word tough ment those days. That is they would not
   back away from a gun fight and could take care of themselves in one.
   Them men, and others, never thought of settling a fued in any other
   manner besides the gun. However, during the late 90's and thereafter
   shootings were not so grequent as during the prior times.
   
   "I reckon [??] was the quickest on the draw and the most true shot in
   the section during my days in the Pecos section. He was a wizzard with
   the gun. To give you some idea of his [ability?], I shall sort of
   describe the man and tell about one of his shooting affairs. He was
   six foot tall and rawboned. A man that was cool as a cucumber at all
   times and one may as/ well tryed to excite a hippopotamus as to
   flustrate [?] [?].
   
   "There was a fued existing between [?] and two other men. Bill Ahart
   and John Lawson were their names. The two men went gunning for [?] and
   declared they would shoot him where and when found. In Pecos was bar
   called 'Number Seven' and [?] was at the bar the time of the event I
   am relating. His adversaries learned where he was and went in to kill
   him.
   
   "When the two men entered the bar, one of them said, 'Riggs you'er
   through', and each man [?] swing their guns while the words were being
   spoken, but they did [?] succeed in making one shot. Before either men
   could shoot, Riggs had drew his gun and shot each of them. 001414""I
   speak of them men as being tough, but they were tough in a different
   sense than the so called tough [men?] of today. Outside of a very few,
   such as Billy the Kid, the tough men did not kill for money or shoot
   their adversary in the back, neither did they sneak up and cover their
   opponent without giving him an even chance. They calculated that if
   you [were?] not willing to match shooting ability with them [?] you
   had no business taking part in a difference with them. However, they
   would not intentionly take undue [advantage?] of anyone. Them men
   lived a rough and heart life and were rough and ready in their ways.
   
   "I shall relate the nature of a contest held, as told to me. Now, I do
   not vouch for the facts of this story, but it was told by a
   responsible Fort Worth, business man following a business call in
   Pecos city during the early days. He was asked how he found conditions
   in Pecos and told the following:
   
   "'I arrived in Pecos late the day of July 3, and engaged [a room?] at
   the hotel. I requested the clerk to not disturb me in the morning
   until the last call for breakfast. He said, 'Well, stranger, we'r
   celebrating here tommorow and the first doings starts at 6 A.M., so I
   can't say as you won't be disturbed!'
   
   "'Long before 6 A.M. the noise was so great I was unable to sleep. I
   dressed and went out to watch the entertainment. At 6 A.M. four
   mounted cowboys were lined up and with the sound of a pistol shot they
   dashed off.
   
   "'About the time the cowboys left the hotel proprietor announced
   breakfast. I, with others, went into eat [?] [?] hear the people
   arguing the merits of their [?] [?] 001515favorites and betting money
   on them.
   
   ""Shortly after I had [finsihed?] my eating, one of the contestants
   returned and the others followed with their appearance shortly. Each
   of the men had a wildcat and a rattlesnake. None of the snakes were
   less than five feet long.
   
   "There was a tub of gyp water setting in the square and each man rode
   up to the tub and dismounted. They immediately [?] to whip their
   wildcats with the snakes and continued to whip the animals until the
   cats took a drink of the gyp water. Of course, the man who first made
   his cat drink was declared the winner.
   
   '"I learned that this contest was just a warming up exercise and that
   the real contests are to follow. I feared that things may become a
   little rough, so hired a livery rig to drive me east.
   
   ""Now, this Fort Worth citizen may have exaggerated a triffle or he
   may have [?] a supply of Fort Worth liquor with him and had over
   indulged. But, the waddies enjoyed rough play. I shall relate some
   playing incidents which I can vouch for, because I was present.
   
   "Occasionally [??] would visit the section with the object of
   investing money in land [?] cattle and sometimes both. The range
   looked so much the same in all places that a tenderfoot would easily
   become lost. When a tenderfoot desired to look over the land, one [?]
   two waddies would accompany him to a assure his safe return.
   
   "On one accasion an easterner started out with two of the ranch
   waddies and when at a short distance from the camp, the rawhides
   became engaged in a heated arguement. There was one 001616waddy on
   either side of the tenderfoot and at the high point of the arguement
   each waddy began to shoot at the other. The tenderfoot spured his
   mount to get away, but the waddies spured their mounts and kept the
   fellow between them, until they had emptied their six-guns.
   
   "When the waddies rained their mounts [??], the fellow returned to
   camp at top speed. That tenderfoot was shaking as an aspen leaf in a
   heavy gale when he dismounted and he had changed his mind about
   looking the territory over. Of course, the waddies had fiented the
   quarrel and had shot blank cartridges.
   
   "Fienting a quarrel and shooting blank cartridges with a greener
   between two [?] was a favorite trick with the waddies on the '[N?]'
   outfit.
   
   "When I quit the range in 1914 I was still employed on the '[N?]'
   ranch, which was 19 years after I started to work for the outfit.
   During those years I held every position, even to being a cowpoke,
   except that [??] and belly-cheater. I was wagon boss at the time I
   terminated my range career.
   
   "Cowpoke is a term applied to a man that travels with a train load of
   cattle. Sometimes they are spoken of as bull-nurses. The cowpoke's job
   is to keep watch over the car [?] of cattle and poke the animals up if
   one got down. The animals are loaded so compact that if one got down
   it can't get up without assistance, unless room is made for it,
   because of the crowding from the other animals. When shipping cattle
   the animals must be loaded compact, otherwise the critters would be
   knocked down from the jerking of the train..
   
   "I made many trips as a cowpoke to Kansas City, but the only
   001717part of the trips I enjoyed was the few days time we could spend
   at Kansas City, after the critters were delievered. Poking critters is
   a hard and dirty job. It is necessary to keep a close watch, because
   of an animal goes down it will be shortly stomped to death.
   
   "At the time I quit the 'W' ranch [?] and Everman were the owners of
   the ranch. The Johnson Brothers had sold out to themnew owners in
   1910.
   
   "After I quit the range I was elected sheriff of [?] co. and have had
   the office continually since, with the exception of [?] months. I was
   elected first in 1914 and resigned in after serving six months in
   1926. I was a candidate the following election and was again elected.
   
   "I [DEL: [?] :DEL] have watched the Pecos range section of Texas as it
   transformed from a country with cattle, numbering hundreds of
   thousands, roaming over the land to a busy oil producing center. Now
   one can travel a distance of [?] miles and never be out of the sight
   of derricks. However, the cattle are not all gone. There are many
   herds still roaming the range, but its all fenced. Therefore we have a
   mixture of people, cowhands, [?], men, oil magnets and oil field
   workers mingle in their daily activities.

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