Document text
autiiier.alieldon F.
Bangalore.
Tarrant co. I Dist. et
Peg* #1
FC 240
Hulard J.Hayv48, living at 2006 Granburt Rd.,
wee b. -4.n at 9weetmetarOalan oo., Texaergran 1,1290.
His mother died when he wie six months old, and
he was reared by friends Be kived with several
different families untilhi was 16 years old. He
then went to Culbertson do., where he secured work
vt;t the Black VountAn Cattle cot, which was owned
by FoiT•Hall. Loiters's* worked for the ealaUrch
and other until he wes 20 years old. He
enrolled as a student with tilt,. Huckilby Academy.
nis was graduated at the Vega of 24. Hs followed
the teaching profession for several years After
he quit teaching, he ergeged in farming for a
livelihood.
:lie story of rang( life follows:
"Sieetwater,Nolan co.,Texas, is where I was born and reared
until a boy of 16 years old.
omy mother died when I was six months old which resulted in
my rearing beiLg left to friend* of the family. I was taken care of
Ly several different families, until I wail 16 years old, and than
I started out to make my owns livelihood.
"During the years of my childhood, I same in contact with
cowhands and the range. In fact, I was re. red by cattlemen. Nolan co
and the adjacent territory, contained many ranches. Cattle raising
was the principal business of the country. Surrounded by a 0044
ranch enviroment, it was natural sequence for me to want to and did
become a covloy.
"During my 16th, year went to Culbertson co.,4exas. F.J.
Hall owned a cAtie ranch located 20 miles N. of Vlin Nown. The ranch
wAs known as the Black Abantain ranch. All its b,:sinais was done
under the name of the Black Mountain Cattle co. I learned at Veil
Horn, that the Black Mount in _ranch was in need of several cowhands.
Gauthier. Sheldon r* Page he
Range lore. PC AO
Ta-rant cos,Dist*,#7
I rode my mount to the ranchland secured a Job.
"Fate Seely was the foreman and he questioned me about gy
experience* I, at the time, was not a roper or horesmean* Mat is
not Na efficient -a one was supposed to be in order to be classed
as a cowboy* I was what the cowhands called** greener* I could ride
a horse in the ordinary way and throw a lasso, bst the real knowledge
of roping a beast or handling a horse was not, as yes% leari4d by
Me*
"At about the end of my statement to Seely, Hall, the owner,
came to where we were talking ar4 Seely repeated my statement to
Ball* The two men said they needed expelieneed cowhands, but if I
was willing to learn, they would let me go to work and would try
me out. qy wages was set at 750 per day* of course, in addition
to my wages, I received my beard
"Seely .nd Hail 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 be
could ride I could learn to, because I wits sum, I had the same
amount of riding blood in mei The two &nen t•ok a liking to me and
for this reason I woo given a chance to learn the work.
"Seely taught me to ride* His method.w,s the tough system* He
gave me one ircuntlafter another. to ride which threw me* I guess I
w s thrown 40 times* Tbe last spill ikured ms some and Hall reprimand-
ed Shielyibecause asigned me to horses which were hard pitchers*
To use Shmtly's words, he said," Moll I want to see haw me_ sand
Giuthier.Sheldon Y. Page #3
Wingelore: Ft alio
Tarrwit ooetpusts07
the kid has in his gizzard.' The time I was hurt, I lit on a
rock and skinned my ram', broke my nose and strained a shoulder
but I still was willing to try again. ?he method of teaching was
changed and I was told what to do to prevent the spills. I Was
the objeot 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 equip% to ride and a
ten gallon hat along with a heavy set of supra were necessary., !bey
t)ld me the pryer way to ride 'tam was to put the spurs on the
anidialbs side and beat it over the, heed with my hat, and yell
while doing so. They said such action would convince the bee04,I
was boss: I followed their suggestionsOut each of the horset,threw
me before I could convince them I was boss.
"After I learned more about a horse, I discovered thrt I did
the wrong thing with a broken horse and for a rider that was not
up on hi riding. I was causing these hloses to pitch a great deal
more and hardert then they would have pitched if I had not ye1404,
clObed their ears with my hat and raked their sides with spurs: If
one is a top rider, the spurs can be used to diacourage a horse
and compel it to become docile to one's commands.
"Aftet I was injured, Seely saidOI am going t teach you how
to ride 'em.' HO 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 horses A horse will indicate its move
mcnts. Of course, one mast learn the indications, which are mueeular
GOuthier.Shaldon F. Page 04
Rangelores FC 240
Tarrant Co,•Dists,07
movements, These movements precede the action and are a telltale of
what is to follow.
"A greener tag always a source of aLousement 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 LAYe the
boys some Ain,- Four of us were riding near a creek bottom and
I heard suddeilly, coming from the creek bottom, the scream of 0.
woman. It sounded as through the person was am n great da4ger and
astress• I said to the boys,' some woman is in trouble. Let's
go to he 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 triad* gracefully and said; If
you want to get messed up with some female, go on ahead. ne are
stain g clear of the deal.,
"Thinking that the boys were a hard hearted lotof fellows,
I 1,,.ft the party and rode in quest of the distressed woman. The
screaming stopped a I approached the bottom. Naturally, I thought
the poor woman was dying Medea& Abou_ the ti -e I was entering the
bottom and, its timber, I heard the other cowboys yelling. X turned
to ,00k and assertain what was the cause of their warning, and saw
them riding towards me. I then waited till they rode up to where 1
was at. The lot of them were laughing. I asked them what was so
funny. They told me I was. riding to i she...cat alright, but one with
four legs. That if I was not careful the cat wo,ld get me.
"The *cream I heard was the cry of a panther. It I had been
Giuthier•Sheldon F. Page #6
Rit.gelore. PT 240
Tarrant co.,Dist..#7
alone would have ridden into the timberond by chance would have,
rode beneath the treets limb on which the panther was sitting* The
party of cowhands circle. the tract where the sound lame from and,
located the panther. One of the boys shot it. So we got the animal
instead of it getting es.
"There were an average of 30 waddiss employed on the Slack
Mountain r-nohe In addition there were eight men which w,rked with
the chuck wagons. We had two chuck wagons and with each were a
cook and second cook, t o general helpers and for wranglers Tht
cooks and their ::Asistance did the cooking.. The two general helpers,
with each wagon washed dishes, gz.thembed wood, totted water and
assisted the wrangleri or any other job wheth was necessary to be
done.
"The horse wraxAgldts looked after the remude. It was their
duty to keep the remuda supplied with saddle Lroken hoeses, and to
care for the a:imals. There was an average of six.k.horses kept in
shape for each range 'Wm worker. The horses not being used veils
tet.ered on grazing ground. Nth eaw.. 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 :lame horses
to the saddle and rain the animals for cow work. A part of each
day the wranglees devoted to breaking and training h rims.
1141rses were used up .ast'on the range. To be fit for range
work, 8 horse must be in tip—top shape. There is lot of hard and f
o uthier.fteidon 1. Page 6
EngeZors. PC 240
Tarrant co.,mists,#7
fast gilding to do over rough ground. Therefore, the moment a horse
slows some defect it is no logger AWN for range work.
"At the time I went to work Hall, the range in the Culberson
co., section was still open. In the vicinity were several ragches
which ranged from 6,000 to 10,000 head of cattle. Among the most
prominent ranches were the Black Nountain, muncan, stilton& (tattle
co, Maly and Ad Camay's ranch.
"The ranchers held a general roundup once each year, which
was in the Spring. About every three months the Black Mountain
tt
ranch held a roundup of their cowl.. *his local ranch roundup was
for the purpose of cutting out sale stock, which generally ere tows.
"The Black Nbuntain ranged about 4,000 breading cows and the
calf cr-T averaged about 3,600 head.
"Hpll shi:Ted around 60 car loads of stock every three months.
The cars were loaded with about 30 head to a car. As a rule the
otheu ranchers shipped at the same time and generally about 300
car loads of would IROVO out of the Van Horn district during the
course of a month, every three months.,
'0Nr own roundup generally required about six weeks time to
com•let. Who general roundup required about three month' 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
.;ust the range riding to do watching the herd. we were alw.ays
rendY for 1/4" drifting, which took Pl•Oes during storms. Tbs.
Gauthier.Sheidon 144, Page #7
Rangelore. PC 240
Varrant co.sDist.07
extent of any drift depended lithe severity of the storm. lb.
country We of our r ngs was modkiteinous anci the cattle would
drif to the hills. ra only oklection to the drifts in the Van
Hen districts was the danger of the herds mixiog I which caused
a great amount of work when cutting out cattle for shipment*
The cowhands of the Black MOuntain reuich were divided into
two crews, using a chuck wagon for each crew. The chuck wagon was
our 1;AY10 MOSt of the times but we lived wall.
"The chuck wagon was always packed with a varity of canned goodies
and a plentiful supply of bacon.. Being that there were thousands of
yearlings on the ranges there never was a shortage of prime yearling
beef meat on hand. aall was very particular about having a large,
verity and supply of food on hands and insisted that the cooks do
a good job with their cooking. If a cook was not able to nee," Hall's
standard set for cooks, the fellow did not stay long on the job.
"W 4 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 an. there is no discomforture about
sleeping in the open. In fact it is more perfertible than sleeping
in the house.
"During qy days on the range, in the Southwest part of texas,
the country was not wild and toughs as it was during the "Ms and ISOs.
Hoovers the six-gun was tie constant companion of the citizens, and
occasionally an affary would take place.
"The professional rustler did not give the ranchers much
Gauthier.Sheiden F.
Rangelore.
Tarrant co.,D1st.,47
trouble with rustlers. The greater 'oart of the trouble AM cattle
was Letween the ranchers t?;emselves.
:2..andinc doggies.
Eenerra roundup it was proper for a bre
The trouble came abdilkth ouch
crew-
to ral-4, the (1,4ies WLici tley ca,e In contact with or ifilbui,d on
rare ith ontOsc ttles But, if the op:ortuity was preilint,
mot of the rancher s v:ould nut ob,ect aLow, their crew beft _nble
'Lc) see a ye:xi ma,er caw. The fact Alat the larger t40),alf
cro. the better it tms for the boss, vac eonstntly tO,jie
cowboys, anc1- cause most f t).-* i..addies to Ie ovelV zerklous
wit doie radng.
"The Ilack butain riches' branC vezts the double 74 over,
mI3Je thus: Oecai-ne13,y we would find yeerlinL ru.*p1 ith
a caw cEzrr,yin our 1-...rnd with the double ulider brand
it and tre. '::er tis when ether ranchers found thlitlgouble
ii Vr over hr nd o- a 'ea.. 11- runnin with a mother cow ot their
tr:.nd. These generall af:Llusted, b7zt at tiseallikused
dis utes and there were sereral shooting cused by argu op40 over
do&fe
"TLe ow er or we flack b, F.j.flall, lE4 lailod'
forelarkt Fate over a A.Ek.ute ab:ut branding dmiLiese
knew b ni.. cou_t that he trc 1osiri yearincia.Lne
ignt we were seated the pper table, in the cook holm at
headquarters, when Hall cane in -lid accused ,Fate of puttillrhis
brnd on some of Hall's cattle. rote wLs run:ling a felp,./qtie
of Ni3 own on the range, besdes acting as foreman.
Ga,thier.ohelamair. Page 09
Mangalore. Fe 240
Tarrant co*,Dist.07
"It was the sustoft those days for the waddies to place their
guns on the table at the side of their plats, while eating. This
oarticular tinning when flail can of course, the g no were at their
usual place. 'when Mall came in be said:
"'Fate, you have Leen getting some of my yearlings."
"You have got Lie wrong.'" fate ansuerelp
"'I have not." Hall replied* 'I found some of my cattle
with your brand or: them.'"
"'I admit I hpve branded so, e doggies, but they Were not your
critters any mote than mine or any other person. The yearlings
were not with a moa,er sow.'" sate informed Hall.
"Fach man was watching the other closely, and as Yate finished
his statement, Hall started to reach for his gun. Fate picked up
is gun quickly and beat Hall to the draw. rateis shot hit Hall
in the chest and he bullet entered his heart. Hall dropped and
died instantly.
"After the shootiig Fate went to the corral and saddled his
mount. I went out to him and asked that he was going to do. Ha said;
i"the law will be after me I want to sta out of their custody till
I can think out my situation. Also, to wait a bit 10 see what, if :Liy,
charm/awe will be filed ag.inst me.""
There *es a canyon mar that vicinity known as the Wills
Vanyone At the bottom of the canyon there are many caves, and one
can see Orono approaching, from any direction, to enter the canyon.
Fate went int the canyon, where many man had gone in past years to
hide. HO carried %iith him a rifle and his siw.gan and a large
Geu. ler.;.,,,elion Y.
Rangelore.
tar ant co.,Distol
Page N10
FC 240
aup21, of arunition.
""4 cowhands carried food to Fate, and kept him posted on
tainr place relating to his ,-ffaire. we had signals,
ich ms the whi:poorwell's while, to indicate who we were when
a roachin,.: the canyon.
"0:Mceps knew Where Fats was, but no one atteia,ted to get
rc,tel until Frank Friend, MalVorson-iniaaw, offered $3,500 as
a re' -.rd for the capture of Seely. Then eriff Smith eanounzed
t3at ;as cping to get Fats goal.
hen we informed Seely about the reward and the ,heriff'8
aanz,u,oe-lett, he said no law would take him for the reward, balsa.
LC. to Vallee widowt he was goinz to do his beat to
save it 17.0r her. late told us he would go with any of us waddles
T riff 34th then had a poeme erganited nd starting for the
Ctuv-xi. of our crow -told the sheriff that Fate would mort to
wf.th prt. of waddles, but would no, a',,low a law to tal-4
1.41c mward. Butt the sheriff desired the rewnrd and
receee,e to .t e cany-n. Seely WAS a fellow which every body likedtt
enpeci the cowhands. Bosause of the feelinc the centhrinds had
for Fatel,rnd Mowing. how the shooting took place, the boys decided
to -rotect Fate eely.
"The cowhands mado ups party- and went into the oanyAl t-
;:osse in de6nee ci the Cowboy. The sheriff was int rmed
tout to cowhand's actiOuvend that they veil. Ir the caz.von tr
prevent t:le posse from taking Seely. Tbe sheriff and his man never
lr"
Gauthierabelden F.
Rangelere•
Tarrant oo.felst4,007
POP #11
PC 240
went farther than to the edge of the canyon. The poses lost all
their courage when it same to where they ,ould have to enter the
canyon, and meet the cowhands. Zn fact, it would have taken an army
to capture the crowd.
"Whet the posse refuse d to go into t ea..jon after iitely,
t17(1 oY.ficals then cent *ord to the waddles that they would expect
Seek to oomo in with some of his cowboy ewes.
"Friezis of Soak/ mis.'A arrangements for a bond which was
scoeptale to the jtate's attorney. Seely, with some f his friends,
went to tte sheriff' 3 office VIA surrandAred. Seely we ex,,nor.:Ited
when he fee triad.
/Ms tilliAvof Hall caused a change at the Black Mountain
ranch. I had worked there 22 months wLen the trouble, took place,
end was then able to do my share of the work at any nf the jobs,but
quit because I did not want to work ender the new menaeement,
(which was Friend, son-in..law of 11024
"I was not afraid to ask for top Irnd wages, which were $36.
re.' 7onth. Seely had taught me to ride and I was able to ride the
toucheet of critters. A Aexiean vdj. nawed Garcia, had taught me
the ert of roping.
Garcia was an artist with the lasecould while Seely wee teaching
me to ride, Garcia wcs 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 arallement ton the
Grauthier.Sheldon t,Page .12
Rangelore. rc 240
Tarrant CO Met*
old rsw ides. Well, when Varela first took me in chrge I furnished
some top,r0 for the boys,.
C3rcia tauglit mellow to plaee the leop and I pm:UAW to
lwrfect piecing the loOp.in the position and at the proper time.
ca4ht on to the swing,. and had perfected my throw so I eould 24Y
VT loop. where I wanted it to land Garcia- then said,' you are
ready to show vargOro how to put loop .on cow.'
“Te rode out to the range 'where cattle were grazing. He
pointed out a steer and told me to ripe the animal. Is gave me
no instructions, Dut I considered it an eaey job. I rode up to
a Ar.,er w ich start. to ruli soon la it revlized 2 was after hill.
swung the loop 1.1Z it lauded on the ateer's head. I wae.intent
at wtAcAlg uto,-r we oblivioue,vf all else. About the tiMe
the loop landed the steer turned and aLo the' horse. I had not
th telt nbout watching tv mount or makiut a hitch al the rope am
Vte -111j.17) of ly svAlet when the bores tumed suddenly, I was
thrown out of the saddle. The steer had the rope end was free.
I wits on the ground with qi nount about 3C feet away.
"The steer was not pleaed with the way I ,had treated him.
Therefore, when it. may ne on the ground he made for me.. 2 started
to mv mount, but the steer cams between my horse and, me. 'here
was cut off from mv mouLt and a ferious animal after.me.The only thing
coulia do then was to run and yell for help.. This IAlid with full
speed.
pUthier.bheldonp Page WU
kansoiore. PC 260
Tarrant oo.elit.,07
"I r -n in a.zigeag course, forcing the animal to step and
changa. its course, enabling me to keep out of its way. Butvi was
zei,ting tired end the steer seemed be holding u well. When I.
had ran for some tile rbacame exhausted. I then began to
that the next Minute,' would have to let the steer tos .me an Its
horns. Aoruver, nt this time the flY1LIGI rloAm„ on tLe Lreun41,
"The waddiee wery stQl-iding b; cal- the while the steer ana I
were playing tag, and vetting a, let of fur out of the germs *hen
t ey thoug_ht I hal rent ftr enough, ono of tht? :Avg DOW. Mcp animal.
"qter the7efft_r sms terminated, Garet sRidl*Narquro, you
now remert,er to vate.•! the mount and, forgot tio• steer**
"Py feililz to wate my mount, I was not set for the sud6an
turn made by: mu- mount,eosiquently .1 ,was throws. I never forgot
to watch tne horee's mnvementtheimettar, an soon was.bandlilk;
the ropng job.
"After I quit -tile Black Mountain ranch job secured 1,-ork
4th the Zeuble M Bar ranch owned by Nava The ranch as celled
the Deals M Ber due to its brand which wcs mrde thug; 41 0:141—
vouble ;-,ar was one of the small reaches. It ,operated
one chuck wagorred.mced about 4000 head of cattle. ,1 worked for
the .Double PZBar -about nine oonths. I then was offered an
opportunity to work for 114 e Caney, which 1 accepted. His brand
wts made th,las6-Lil and :as a_mixed ranch. *Cams, ranged -about
2000 head of cattle and 1600 head of horses.
'rho I.!orses raise mi,MiaMsmayls range were i-alxed breed. ghe
at, ,arAy ranch.
Gauthieraboldon F.
ftwel4"4"'
Tarrant as. tioist•vii
AnimalP were a mixture of
stock in orted from
hors', ,,-71th other blood.
Pest if 3,4
1PC Stie
ldustlwild epanish,and sow racing
Campy hp,a trcled to prove the wild
succeeded in Isoduc4.ng a beautiful
11::Tse. :-11 his range I have seen some of the most beautiful horses
thPA I have ever Ii.00kad at. Alt, the blood of the wild spanish horse
oaased the wiimalsAo be fighters. They did not make dependable
sa4die horses for general use, but were the beep of coerh:Tsca.
Pecanse of this fizhtina chareeteriatic
At the mnLe the horses sold for about $5.
W70
«4-!
sale pries was low.
of tLe horses were shipped to La., eni! other Aestern
rur:,et2:. 17,10.:„e vA.A1 wero shipped sole for around $25.
r7ow, I ,zust tell of :..ome more loptrat xeformance .111ch I did
p
IL was the.customc toJave este. new hand demonstr-
gito hIg; ridiv stiI1 y. pe first mornirt T went to worktmoCeurey
roir:tve out c Laree ansaid, there ie the ro:Saeor, saddle him
caddied V:e .-ntse Prc eccor ard lou Led. The horse seemed gentle
cow. It played off oy colu.and tortvE an eesy gaits.
JuldeUy, I herd a ar,rill whistle, and at the same' Instant the
Professor,weLt into the “ir. The avimal seemed to be contorting its
.04 and when' it landed,' the horse was standing on its front feet
with fts heuiches about its hoed. I was put out of balance completly,
wld it is useless to ea; I :Am able to st y in the saddle.
r/ly attempt to ride the horse taught me why it was called the
Professor. The horse was 14hained to oat en its act at the so nd of
a whistle, and do it quick30. The boys tld mazy men bad tried to
Gftuthier.SholdonYO. Page. #16
Rangelore. VC 240
Tarrant coieoist.t#7
stay with Professor when the animal put on its acts but none had MEM
succeeded. The retch kept the horse for the purpose of teaching
wAdies how to ride.
"I worked for various ranches in the Culbesson district for
a Arriod of five years. I had saved about $500. during the time and
tecided 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 tbe Huckelby !eademy
called and talked to ma about an educp.tions I hadop to this times
only three aionths schooling. I thought seriously about what the
representative discussed with met and accepted bAs propositions
I was a matured man and realized I would have to start in
the sophmore class with class mates that were children, lout I went
and was graduated in fo r years time.
I received a teachers certificate and followed the teaChiag
profession for Alvera_ years. my late years have been devoted to
farra;age