TX BIOS:  Tom Simmons
   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
   
   [???] Interview [9?]
   
   Gauthier. Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore.
   
   Tarrant co., Dist., #7
   
   Page #1
   
   FC 240
   
   Tom Simmons, 77, living at the Westbrook Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas was
   botn Aug., 4, 1861 in the State of Mississippi, where he received his
   education and studied law. After he was graduated, he came to Texas,
   which was in 1884, to establish a law practice. He settled in the Town
   of Decatur, Wise co., where he practiced his profession until the Ft.
   W. & D.C. railroad built through the town. Shortly thereafter, he
   moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived and made his home since. He
   now is living a retired life. When Tom Simmons arrived at Decatur, the
   town was a thriving frontier business center. Cattlemen and settlers
   living in the territory extending for more than 100 miles W. and N. of
   town came there to trade. He saw freight wagons numbering into the
   hundreds coming and leaving the town each day. He has seen hundreds of
   cattle herds which were driven through the town on their way to the
   [Northern?] ranges and the markets. He has seen and observed the
   difficulties the ranchers and early settlers had to meet.
   
   His story of range days follows:
   
   "My birth place is [Miss.?], and the event took place Aug 4, 1861.
   There is where I was reared and received my education. I choose law as
   my profession. After I was graduated I came to Texas, to establish my
   practice.
   
   "I located in Decatur, Wise co., in 1884 and put up a sign. Clients
   began to engage me within a few days after I open my office, and it
   was not long until I had an excellent practice. I prospered at my law
   practice in Decature till the days I left there, which was in [1899?].
   
   "When I settled in Decatur there was no railroad running through the
   town. Fort Worth, was the nearest railroad town. Before the railroad
   entered Decature it was a thriving frontier town.
   
     NOTE: C12 - 2/11/41 - Texas
     
   00022There/ were 22 attorneys practicing there then and now there are
   about seven. The same comparation can be made for other professions
   and the various other lines of business.
   
   "Decature was the trade center for a territory extending for more than
   100 miles N. and W. of the town. There were ox and mule hauled freight
   wagons arriving and departing in large numbers steadly each day. Often
   one would see a 100 or more freight wagons at one time in the wagon
   yard. Some brought commodities and some were loading with goods for W.
   and N. sections.
   
   "Almost each hour of the day, one could look to the N. or S. and see a
   cloud of dust arising into the air, which was caused by herds of
   cattle approaching or leaving the town. Some of these cattle were
   being transfered to the ranges N. of us and some were being driven to
   the markets.
   
   "These herds were driven by such drovers as James Pettus, James Hicky,
   Ellison and Dowers, Millet and Groin, [Delworth?] and Littlefield and
   others. Some of these herds would drift on past the town without
   stopping, while others bedded for the night near the Trinity River W.
   of Decatur.
   
   "The town was never without more or less cowboys, who were a ending a
   few hours in relaxation there.
   
   "Decature, at the time, provided the necessary places to give a varity
   of amusement for the visitors. Some of it was a little 00033rough, but
   considering the [motely?] crowd that visited Decatur, we managed to
   get along without any serious trouble during my stay there.
   
   "During the period of my arrival in Decatur, Indian and other troubles
   were quite well in hand. As I recall, about the last Indian raid
   happened a year or so before my arrival.
   
   "The Babbs family were the victims of this last raid. Their home was
   destroyed and two small children were carried away.
   
   "A man named Pickell, we called him Old Pickell, got the Babbs's
   children back about the time I settled in Decatur. He traded goods for
   the children and he told me how the transaction was conducted. He
   stated that he was not allowed to see the children until the bargan
   was completed. After old Pickell had delivered the amount and the kind
   of goods agreed upon, as the purchase price, the parties to the
   transaction seated themselves in a circle and a pipe of peace was
   smoked. With this ceremony completed, the children were brought from
   their hiding place and delivered to him.
   
   "These [two?] children were stolen when they were three and four years
   old. During the two years or so they lived with the Indians, they were
   taught to and did become wary of the white people. Pickell related the
   children's action, saying they hid behind the squaws and had to be
   forced to go with Pickell.
   
   "At the time I settled in Wise, co., there were a large number of
   turkeys raised in the surrounding settlements, and Fort Worth, was the
   market for the turkeys. I have seen [?] numbering into the hundreds,
   being driven by men on foot with Fort Worth, 00044as their
   destination. The [?] Pa king Co., was the buyer. Levy [Prentic?] was
   their agent and he went through the country buying the turkeys. He had
   the fowls delivered to Decatur, and from there they were driven to
   Fort Worth. The drive would take about three days.
   
   "During those days, the country around Decatur contained a large
   number of settlements, but cattle ranches still existed. The locations
   of the cowcamps, for the most part, were N. and W. of the town.
   
   "The practical fencing wire was placed on the market during the early
   '80s. Therefore, ranchers began to fence the ranges. A large number of
   the cowcamps moved their herds elsewhere. Mostly, they moved to the W.
   and N. where open range conditions still existed.
   
   "Among the most [promanent?] ranchers in the Wise co., section was the
   waggoners. Dan Waggoner built a [magnificant?] home in Decatur. It was
   one of the show places of the town. In fact, there were very few
   houses in this section of the country which equaled it those days.
   
   "Dan hired a New York architect to plan and supervise the erection of
   the home, at a cost of about $40,000. It was in this home that W. T.
   Waggoner, was reared, and where his sons, Paul and Guy were born. The
   home was maintained for years after the family moved away from
   Decatur. Then it passed into the hands of other owners, but later W.
   T. Waggoner bought it, and there Tom would go week ends, also, for
   several weeks during each summer, for the sake of reminisence.
   00055"When the Denver railroad built through Decatur and traversed the
   the trade territory of Decatur, I preceived it would have an adverse
   effect on the town's business, because the road would eliminate the
   need of the population N. and W. of Decatur coming to the town for
   their commodities. I decided to move.
   
   "I was not opposed to the coming of the road. In fact, I made a trip
   to Chicago, as a representative of Wise co., citizens, to urge the
   location of the road through the town. In behalf of the citizens, I
   offered the company free right-of-way through the county.
   
   "Some of my personal friends, among whom were the Waggoners, argured
   against me leaving the town for a new location. However, I followed my
   own idea about the matter, and moved to Fort Worth. It was not long
   until many of my friends followed me, and among whom were the
   waggoners, because of lack of business.
   
   "The business that came to Decatur, prior to receving the railroad,
   went to the numerous towns which were built along the railroads route.
   
   "I learned to known intimately, a great number of the ranchers of the
   early days. Especially the Waggoners, because I married a Halsel, a
   niece of Mrs Tom Waggoner. Tom Waggoner was one of the truly big men
   whom I have known. He was a diamond in the rough. He was sociable and
   charitable and never turned his back on a friend in need.
   
   I know of many incidents when Tom was called out for donations to buy,
   build some thing or to assist some individual. He often 00066would
   inquire about the total cost of the proposition desired to be
   accomplished. When he was informed of the cost he would write a check
   for the total amount. He always accompanied his donations with a
   request that his act be kept a secret.
   
   "I know of a church organ in Fort Worth, which he bought and the
   committee asked only for a donation. I know of numerous incidents,
   when friends of a former acquaintance of Tom's called on him to make a
   contribution towards making up a sum for the purpose of sending the
   party to a health institution or for some other worthy cause. When Tom
   learned what the total cost was he wrote a check for the entire
   amount.
   
   "Many people have the idea that Tom bet on horse races, because he
   built the Arlington Downs racing plant, but the fact is he never bet a
   dollar on a horse race. He was fond of thoroghbred/ horses, as well as
   other stock, and his greatest pleasure was obtained/ by watching a
   horse race.
   
   [Porker?] playing was the universal sport of the range world. but Tom
   was an exception to the rule. He would not play cards for money. In
   fact he would not engage in gambling games. When he engaged in a game,
   it was for amusement and not to make money. Another trait very
   pronounced with in Tom Waggoner, was his liberality with guest. If one
   accepted an invitation to be Tom's guest at a convention or or for a
   visit some where, Tom would insist on paying all expenses, including
   all treats. He took pleasure in entertaining his friends, and did a
   great amount of it. 00077"I arrived in Decatur with only my diploma
   and good intentions, and succeeded in my endeavors. Those days people
   accepted a man's word, and if a man was true to his word, he could
   make his way easily. Many settlers arrived with only a saw and hammer.
   These tools they used to build a cabin. These people made a living and
   accumulated land and a home.
   
   I bought land near the town of Decatur for the sum of [?] an acre.
   With land selling at this price, and some less, it did not require any
   great amount of money to acquire a home. With a home, a man was
   assured of a living for his family. By cultivating a small tract of
   land, the necessary vegetables and grain could be raised to supply a
   family. In the woods lived an abundance of ediable game, also, beef
   which settler could have for the trouble of going after it. Very few,
   if any, ranchers cared about a settler taking a yearling for their
   home beef supply.
   
   "There was always jobs for those looking for work. Some rancher was in
   town each day inquiring for a cowhand, and freighters wanting hands.
   Therefore, we had [no?] hungry folks.

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