Oral History Collection
| MAIN ENTRY: | Twichell, W. D. Family |
| DATE OF INTERVIEW: | May 7, 1973 |
| LOCATION OF INTERVIEW: | Lewisville, Texas |
| INTERVIEWER: | David Murrah |
| LENGTH OF INTERVIEW: | 3 hours |
| SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: | The children of W. D. Twichell discuss their father’s early career, relating his surveying techniques and procedures, and remembering anecdotes concerning his activities. In addition, they also discuss the prohibition campaign in Amarillo, the development of oil leases on Twichell’s holdings, and a description of the "vacant strip" problems in Texas surveys. |
| TAPE ONE, SIDE ONE: | Introduction of Twichell family Father’s background and early career mentioned Reads paper on the acquisition of Plains water Anecdotes on mustangs related Reasons for move to Texas given Surveyed XIT Ranch Story of establishment of Texas-New Mexico border Survey of Yellow House Ranch and Littlefield cited Recalls Quakers at Estacado Meeting with Indians near Lubbock remembered Responsibilities of surveyor examined Anecdote on reluctance to carry a pistol |
| TAPE ONE, SIDE TWO | Gives reason for construction of tall Yellow
House windmill Association with Tascosa discussed Remembers incident of singing in the saloon on Sunday morning Town sites prior to 1900 listed Use of astronomy in surveying explained Recalls $40,000 sale of surveying records Unique aspect of Twichell survey mentioned Methods of surveying examined Soil and botanical classifications cited Function of survey party members given Survey procedures and techniques (continued) "Pit and mound" method explained |
| TAPE TWO, SIDE ONE: | State’s re-survey of XIT Ranch (c. 1911)
recalled Sylvan Sanders and Arthur Duggan, Sr. remembered Recites anecdote on sale of land to Mennonites Story of George Littlefield and prejudice against black employees Survey team pay scale examined Incident related of Judge Roy Bean and Twichell survey |
| TAPE TWO, SIDE TWO: | Tells humorous anecdote on bald-headed man William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) remembered Twichell’s wedding and Mrs. Twichell described School in Amarillo mentioned Literary and cultural interests of W. D. Twichell examined Description made of Twichell family entertainments Anecdote on incompetent cook with the survey team Notes affiliation with Methodist Church Family life described Received gifts from C. C. Slaughter Counties and areas in which Twichell worked are named Newspaper venture related to prohibition campaign |
| TAPE THREE, SIDE ONE: | Draws background to prohibition campaign in
Amarillo Voting irregularities claimed Carry Nation’s visit to Amarillo remembered Was an element of violence in prohibition campaign Experienced business failure in newspaper business Female social custom mentioned Review of Twichell’s career as "state surveyor" Subsequent career examined Comments made on life in Austin "Vacant strip" surveys described Anecdote on Spindletop area Twichell also studied law |
| TAPE THREE, SIDE TWO: | Tells humorous incidents relating to
Twichell’s dietetic habits Conditions on surveying expeditions mentioned Review of oil holdings and development Yates Field cited "Vacant strip" problems discussed Explanation of factors in success of Twichell surveys Summary of surveys made Examination of Twichell’s retirement, church and civic activities Twichell’s Indian story concerning Mackenzie told Comments on Goodnight’s relationship to Indians Kinship to Quanah Parker claimed Recollections of Charles Goodnight |
| RANGE DATES: | 1875-early 1900s |
| BULK DATES: | 1875-early 1900s |