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Dealing with eters, 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.N. 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 Nr.J. N. Pickett engaged in transporting freight.
Later, the family movid 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
Kiss Della Farrell in 1888. 11 children were born to them,
seven of them now demised. They came to Ft. Worth in the
early 9018, and now reside on Congress Ave. (no number)
His story:
*The first money I received for labor was for working on a
Hoes 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, 1I 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 fell you?
Dealing with Nesters, Early.
Gauthier, Sheldon F.
Rangelore
Tarrant Co., Dist. 7.
Received Oct. 9, 1937.
"Keep me, Marster 3 Please do, Marster 3 Die 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 surr6uhding 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 axles.
"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
Dealing with Nesters, Early.
Gauthier, Sheldon F.
Rangelore
Tarrant Co., Dist. 7.
Received Oct. 9, 1937.
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a 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